Well started my son with Thomas the tank engine. But he was three. So that's out. I'd forget the inner workings for now and just let him run the trains. There will always be time for detail later.
Joe C
Just let it run dry - no need to ask "Steven "The Law" to intervene, as there is no need for moderator action.
Mark B:
I'm not offended by your post. However it seems to me that your suggestion to nurture only what the grandchild is interested in amounts to leaving the child in charge. Today, that means letting the media take control of your child's mind. That's not the greatest parenting or grandparenting approach, although it does seem to be a popular method.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Holy cow! Is it ever thick on this thread!
Where does this apparent need on the part of so many come from to "sell," or "hook," people on the hobby of model railroading?
Kalmbach Publishing, White River, and all sorts of model rr manufacturers have a clear need - their livlihood comes from model railroading, so they have a need to sell it. Sadly, it seems they've also managed to con, or, if you prefer, convince many active modelers that they have some "responsibly" to the hobby to try and increase its numbers (or some such thing).
Well, to the whole idea of "responsibility to the hobby" I say "BULL!" If someone shows an interest, I'm quite willing to answer any questions they may have, and if time allows show them something of the hobby. But try to "sell" or "hook" someone on it? Not me, friend!
My advice to you, Mel, is to try to nurture Eli's interests, whatever they may be. Don't try to push him towards your interests.
Sorry if anyone is offended by this post - that wasn't my intent.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
You planted a seed, Mel. Time is all that will tell whether it will grow into a tree or not.
Good to hear about a Grandpa that lavishes such attention on his Little Guy!
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
Sir MadogWill someone please stop parents turning their children into spoiled rotten brats!
Good luck Ulrich!
Sometimes things work the other way though. My nephew Christian was a terrible kid and in his mother's mind he could do no wrong. We figured his kids would be a disaster. How wrong we were. His son James is polite, patient, sociable with adults, does well in school, and is having great success in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Christian was in the Canadian Armed Forces for several years. The military experience no doubt made a difference.
Sorry to go off topic Mel.
RR_MelI totally agree with you, it’s not us . . . . his Mom did it! SmileCryingWink
I always thought it´s the job of the grandparents to spoil their grandchildren and the job of the parents to raise and educate their children - now it seems to be vice versa.
Will someone please stop parents turning their children into spoiled rotten brats!
Sir Madog Mel, I don´think that your grandson is, as you state, immature for his age. Today´s kids can´t concentrate on a single item for more than just a couple of minutes before they move on to different things. Ask any teacher and he/she will confirm that. I am about to say they don´t make them anymore like us, but that´s not the reason I guess it´s caused by parents too well-meaning and generous with toys and gadgets - compensating for the time they don´t spend with their children.
Mel,
I don´think that your grandson is, as you state, immature for his age. Today´s kids can´t concentrate on a single item for more than just a couple of minutes before they move on to different things. Ask any teacher and he/she will confirm that.
I am about to say they don´t make them anymore like us, but that´s not the reason I guess it´s caused by parents too well-meaning and generous with toys and gadgets - compensating for the time they don´t spend with their children.
I won´t go deeper into this, because than I would get into politics, which Steven "The Law" Otte will rightfully object to.
RR_MelWell sadly Eli has moved on to the high tech stuff. As his Mother predicted trains were a temporary thrill and he has totally lost interest.
Sorry to hear that.
Well Mel, you gave it your best try!
Sir MadogHow do you hook the younger generation on trains in general, when trains are not a part of your every day life anymore?
NS and CF&E does a fairly good job around here plus there is the popular Train Sim.
Check this video out..Of course its heavily modded with add ons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iar3CO9EB9U
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
richhotrain Maybe it is just me, but I wouldn't be encouraging a 9-year old to mess with box cutters or Xacto knifes. And I sure wouldn't let a 9-year around a table saw. Rich
Maybe it is just me, but I wouldn't be encouraging a 9-year old to mess with box cutters or Xacto knifes. And I sure wouldn't let a 9-year around a table saw.
Rich
Times sure as change. My dad taught me to soldier and how to correctly hold and use a modeling knife when I was nine. At age 10 I built my first Penn Line steam engine kit a PRR 2-8-0.
Anyway Mel,my oldest Grandson was about the same way as far as interest.
hon30critter Perhaps you should stop following my suggestions!
Perhaps you should stop following my suggestions!
Mel:
RR_MelDave you are full of good ideas, even though you're a Canadian eh!
I resemble that remark!!!
Too bad Eli wasn't willing to do any train stuff. I know that's dissappointing for you. You are being very patient. Perhaps you should stop following my suggestions!
Regards,
Hey Mel!
Sounds like things are going well, and there is nothing wrong with teaching Eli that sometimes you have to be patient. Is there anything else that the two of you can work on while the papier mache (sorry, Canadian eh!) dries. Maybe painting some of the buildings, talking about trees and ground cover, how to do the roads....? Maybe spend a little time on the forums. And, what the heck if you do only manage a 1/2 hour or so this time? Keep it positive (I'm sure you understand that).
Good job grandpa!
I think the best to get the younger generation hooked is just by showing our enthusiasm and excitment. That said, I'm considering my son, now eight. Of course, being a parent, caring for, playing with, and educating is a 24/7 job, unlike a grandparent, but as I high school teacher, I definitely know that if I'm excited about what I'm teaching, no matter how "wierd" I may be about it, that enthusiasm can spread to my students and my kids.
My current layout is version 3.0. I got back into the hobby about 4 years ago when Josh was 4. At that time he loved his duplo blocks and toy work bench. But he also loved following me around. Needless to say as I was building my L girders, Josh had to help out. While he didn't use the saws, I let home drive home a lot of screws. When I was tracing my track plan onto the plywood, he was "marking his plans" on the table legs.
Josh, like many other kids, had his short-lived fascination with Thomas -- I bought and added DCC to a HO Bachmann Thomas. And while many of us started with a Lionel or Tyco trainset, he started with a Lego train this past year.
Recently, I started weather track with some paint markers -- a couple of nights ago, we spent 30 minutes together paint ties and rails. After I finished installing my turnout control panel for the yard, he immediately wanted to learn how to read the schematic -- and he does a decent job setting the routes for me. Will he be a life-long modeler? Who knows, and who cares! I'm just enjoying our time together.
Jeff
I have to apologise for assuming that you were going to teach Eli how to use the table saw at his current age. I should have given you more credit.
As far as him 'fearing' the saw and the knife, I think that is a good thing to some extent. I'd have been more concerned if he had jumped right in.
FWIW, both my kids were using my radial arm saw by 14 or 15 years old. Interestingly, I wasn't the one who taught them. They learned how to use bench tools of all kinds in shop class, and I have to say they were taught quite well. They were able to explain to me what I shouldn't be doing. If the blade would be coming anywhere near their fingers , or if the piece couldn't be held securely with a push stick or fence, then the cut was not doable. That's not to say I was taking risks myself, but they were taught to be much more conservative than I was. FYI, I did not allow them to run the saw without me present.
Anyhow, sorry to go off topic.
There is a practical reason behind my question.
A friend of mine bought a Marklin starter set for his grandson, plus a few additions to go beyond just an oval. His grandson was only 5 when my friend intended to give him the set as a present - way too young. Now, knowing that I am "into trains" he asked how to get the kid started.
The family has never traveled by train, so little Max has no connection whatsoever to trains. A "train set" will be nothing more than a toy, bound to get boring soon and put aside in favor of more "gadgety" electronic things.
I really don´t know what advice to give Max´ grandpa , who does not have a love for trains himself.
Sir Madog Without the intention to hijack this thread, but while I was reading the latest replies, a question came to my mind, which is somehow related to the OP´s issue. How do you hook the younger generation on trains in general, when trains are not a part of your every day life anymore?
Without the intention to hijack this thread, but while I was reading the latest replies, a question came to my mind, which is somehow related to the OP´s issue.
How do you hook the younger generation on trains in general, when trains are not a part of your every day life anymore?
For a generation of kids born in 1930s, 1940s, and even the 1950s, an electric train set was a real innovation, compared to wooden toys, wind up toys, and the like. Steam engines were a primary mode of transportation in real life. They were big and powerful and stately.
Today's kids have been brought up on computers, electronics, automation. A model train layout doesn't have the appeal that it had to an earlier generation. It is no longer an innovative "toy", if you will. And, trains are no longer a primary mode of transportation, except for commuters.
I believe that Ulrich has offered some positive suggestions to get kids interested in trains. Take them on a railfanning trip. Get them close up and personal to today's trains. Take them on a steam excursion so they see what got you excited as a kid.
Alton Junction