Children visiting your railway

[Rene Schweitzer]

Based on earlier discussions on this forum, I would like to think that everyone would vote "anyone is welcome." [:D]

[bman36]

Hi Rene,
My only requirement would be to know ahead of time if someone is coming. I would want them to get to see all I can show them. Relating to children is big with me. Having taught Children's Church for over six years I learned a lot about talking to different age groups. I would like to offer this advice to anyone who has children visiting their layout. After meeting the parents get down to the child's level and talk to "them". So often children are left out of the conversation. I find this works wonders with attitudes and behaviour. Children feel important this way and will show a respect in return. I have not met a kid who will not respond to proper attention from an adult. Makes em' feel six feet tall. Then watch the questions fly! Listen attentively to what they have to say to you. What might seem trivial to you is very important to them. Respond with enthusiasm and these kids will never forget their visit to your house. Just wanted to pass this on. BTW...even the bratty kids will "chill down" when they know you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

I voted anyone.My children bring their friends in the summer.Everything that Brian says is true.A little respet goes a long way.Explain the rules to them before they start and they usually abide by them.When they are put in control of the trains the concentration on their faces is a joy to behold [:)]
Troy

[Anonymous]

I voted anyone, albiet with my supervision. The other day I was ballasting track in one of my roadbed experiments. A local neighborhood kid came over from the barrio. He was very interested in what I was doing and offered to help, when I told him what Iwas up to he was even more "with it."

But, as his questions and desires to help grew, he began to hinder my work (and waste my sunlight...blasted Ben Franklin and his "daylight saving time!!!...the blooming sun sets at or near 5:30 p.m.!!!) For those of you that know Dennis the Menace (TV shows and Comics)...I kinda know what Mr. Wilson felt like!!!

[Anonymous]

Rene
The people here in my neighborhood call to see if i am running trains, and ask to see if the children can come over, some times while i am running trains , people driving by
stop and ask to come in , I live along a busy traveled road. so far no problems , it's over 5 years now I have it. Ben [:)]

[Buckeye Riveter]

Why do you think we built the layouts? It wasn't for the cats that live here, they hate the trains. You should see the kid's faces when they get to help put the cars on the track plug in the transformer and run the throttle. They love every minute of it.

[Anonymous]

No! They tend to touch the scenery, buildings, and derail trains[:(!][:(]

[Tom The Brat]

Anybody's welcome, but you have to bring an adult. There's a little cutie that comes to visit with her dad.

[Anonymous]

This past fall we had a group of preschoolers (50+) come to visit the railroad. The City Library contacted us about having storytime at our railroad. They arrived by city bus and were each accompanied by a adult. Everythin g worked out fine. I have had more trouble with some adults at open houses that with the kids.
Richard

[Anonymous]

What if you are a kid?

[Anonymous]

This picture pretty much sums up what Troy was saying. What a great priviledge it is for us to introduce the next generation to the world's greatest hobby.

Of course, it is important and makes sense to state the ground rules when your young visitors first arrive. If you have a really large group of kids such as a school visit some ribbon would serve as an effective reminder too of areas that are off limits.

Regards,
Bill C.
South Jersey

[vsmith]

I voted no but thata mostly because its still just tracks on plywood in a cluttered cobweb ridden garage. Still, I would let my relatives or guests kids view it without any reservations but neighbor kids? Mmmm...No.

[grandpopswalt]

Brian,

Your comments regarding how to deal with children are right on! What a lot of adults forget is that children do have well developed egos and usually a pretty strong sense of self-esteem. When you "talk down" to them they're immidiately turned off. What you, the adult, needs to keep in mind is that the child's ideas and responses are based on his own lif'e experience. And even thouigh his frame of reference may not be very well developed, it is none-the-less very real and important to the child.

It would be interesting to hear what a professional in this area, Capt. Jose, has to say.
BTW, Cappy, The sun sets at about 4:30 up here in the Northeast, how's that for a total bummer. I imagine it's even worse for poor Brian.

Walt

[van buren s l]

If you do let children play with your railway, I would suggest having a couple of gondola cars on hand. Kids love to carry stuff from one place to another.

Bob

[jtrost]

I would like to be able to vote "anyone"; however, all to many parents just let their kids run wild. I am still too new at the hobby to be able to shrug off some kid stepping in the middle of a hand built bridge, or stomping a railcar[:(]

On a recent tour I saw a little kid who couldn't wait for a train to pass before crossing the track, and jumping over it. Very nerve wracking, and it wasn't even my train.

I put up a rope boundary when a friend brought his small children over. Fortunately, it wasn't even required. They were well behaved and, thus, have a standing invitation to join the fun.

It would be great if we could let everyone share the enjoyment but all too often it seems it isn't possible.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

Of course. When I get my railroad up and running, I will only be too happy to let kids visit my railroad.

Nick

[Anonymous]

hay all
how dear you call me an adult (38 going on 5)[:p] if i didnt let little ones tothe railroad i could not come .
to see them ,all you see is teeth [:D]and all hear is laughing and dont let them run a train youll never hear the end of it ,


and i love every minit of it
rob

[Anonymous]

I'll let anyone visit my RR. Currently just a single loop around walls of 12 x 24 ft barn. Supervision is no problem there.

Plan on going outdoors next spring and the associate engineers are my grandkids 5 & 7. We plan RR that is very "kid friendly" up off ground 2 feet or so with walking space on all sides for access. Will connect outside to barn to ease getting trains to/fm layout.

With kids use Toytrain cars. Ditto above on open cars for them. 2 girls across street 5 & 7 come over when the gkids are there also. Once the RR in started outside they will come over even when the gkids aren't there. We haven't made friends with other kids in neighborhood but expect them to get interested once it's started.

SM

[Tom The Brat]

The little cutie that visits with her dad loves to put things on my flat car to haul around. I'll keep the goldola suggestion in mind[:D]