After 2 weeks of having my new train set on the floor of my rec room I built a 4 X 8 table to get my train up to where it is more enjoyable to see in action. I used a piece of 4 X 8 OSB board with a sheet of homasote glued to it and some 15 pile outdoor carpeting on top of that.
I like the ease of Fastrack and the looks of it so I purchased some more track with 3 remote switches for a start. I found a layout on the thortrains website I liked so hopefully their layout guide works.
My 21 year old son is going to moving out on his own this coming summer and when he does his room becomes my 6 year old and my play room. I will be moving the train to its own room where I can expand even further. I think my 6 year old and I have found a very fun but potentially expensive hobby. We were both looking through Lionels catalog and of course he wants everything and I picked out a few things I wanted but they will come on down the line.
We will be attending our first model train show coming in March, the Great Train Expo in Kansas City. I asked the wife if she wanted to go to but she declined. She likes our train layout but thats about it. My 6 year old is excited at least. I am really glad I got up early on a Saturday morning and watched History's Lost and Found. The show was on Lionels first electric train that ran in a department store window during Christmas. Since then I have been reading about model trains and enjoying our new set. This is a very rewarding hobby and a great way to spend time with my son.
Rolo,
That was a nice post. Great to hear that trains are apart of you and your sons relationship. Thats a fun age. I've got two boys 8 and 11. I can see my 11 year old already slipping away and getting more independent.
Check out some of the on-line dealers for pricing on Lionel and MTH trains. Also the K-line stuff can save you some money. I've had good luck with wholesaletrains.com. Good prices, good service.
Take one step and one purchase at a time. Before you know it you'll have a railroad empire. I tend to purchase the lower end products as that is what my budget dictates. It can be done. And sites like e-bay and trainz.com have good deals if you study up on older Lionel offerings.
Good luck to you and your son.
Good job. Took me 2 1/2 years to get mine off the floor. Still no scenery. This was my son's bedroom [now all kids grown and with two guest bedrooms upstairs, the third became the trainroom]. Keep on building and posting.
The holes are future tunnels with the trains going into what was a walkin attic.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Great to hear that you and your son are interested in the hobby! My daughter loves trains! I was finally able to put-up a 4x8 Christmas only layout this year. My wife doesn't care for the trains, but she is beginning to accept it, as long as her Christmas in the City houses are on the board.
You and your son will have some great times together!
Good luck, and please ask if you have any questions! Everyone here is super, and has a wealth of information to share! Used trains are a great way to start, and you won't be ill if you or your son launch a few off the raised layout.
Kurt
Hello Rolo:
Glad to hear that you are getting bitten by the "train" bug. Keep it up. In a couple of years, you may find that your older son may start picking up on your new hobby. Keep us posted on your progress.
Regards,
John O
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