Hi, anyone have success getting a 5yo an HO set? Is it too small? I was thinking of buying one of those $99 Bachman sets and putting it on plywood. Is 5 too young?
Gary
I recieved my first train set when I was 5 from my grandfather, it was a run of the mill Santa Fe Bachmann set with an F unit, 2 freight cars and a caboose. 5 is the perfect time to get them into model trains, so long as you help them set up the track.
I don't remember when my first train came into the house, I was quite young. Life events got in the way for me to do much more than run it on its 4'x7' table for years. Always wanted to do more, but lack of time and money kept getting in the way. Was a grandfather before got much further along, but semi retirement has made more of both available. No grandchildren interested, two greats that I may have more time to cultivate.
As for the set you start with, if you are going DC, disregard the rest of this paragraph. I understand the Bachmann EZ Command system is good, but limited, as it is not upgradable. If you are just going to use it on this set and have a more advanced system available, it should be fine. If it is going to be starter system for a more advanced plan, I would reconsider.
A good DCC starter system is more expensive, but allows you to keep what you have and build on it. I have NCE and I understand Digitrax has a good system. One of the first pieces of advice I got was to see what others in your area have. First, if you have a problem, there are folks close by that may be able to help you. Second, if you want to run on their layout or have them visit you, you can bring along your own controllers.
Just some thoughts. Good luck with the grandson.
Have fun,
Richard
My grandson was small when we got him started with the wooden Thomas set and I built a nice table for their decorated board. That was his speed for awhile and let us give him a Bachmann set one Christmas. We built a 4x6 table and the EZ track, with 2 turnouts added, stayed in place nicely so he could run it at home (several hours from us) with minimal parental help (or burden).
But that was when he was 8. Perhaps 7 (or 6) would do but 5 strikes me as a bit too young except with a hobbying parent, or a grandpa who lives within 10 minutes. You would not want IMHO the parent to always have to help.
When I was visiting, we (or I) would work on additions such as structures, roads, lighting, scenery, over a period of several years. (This became my practice for my 2012 layout, my 3rd in this lifetime.) I get much credit (jokingly prodded as blame) for my grandson's significant interest in trains, as we got to do things such as chase the UP 4-8-4 through Texas two times when he was young. He's now in H.S. and the layout is still active but not much used, and we don't hobby on it now. But it was a great experience for both of us. Perhaps he will do the same with his kids.
I'd lean towards waiting a bit and realizing the desired experience can be gained, just slightly deferred. I also have a 6 yr old grandson and I think he could handle it with a parent that would help, but perhaps not independently. If you have trains, perhaps get a better feel on his current abilities using some robust Bachmann or similar rolling stock.
Whatever your decision, rest assured you (and the grandkid) will both enjoy and get much satisfaction (in several ways) from the journey. The above story peaked when he (at age 12) and I took a 10 day trip, starting with a Pullman cabin from Ft. Worth to D.C., then adding the Baltimore B&O musueum, Scranton's Steamtown, Strasburg PA plus non-train additions (Gettysburg & Philly). Think big, it's a great opportunity.
EDIT: An afterthought. My grandson (at age 14) likes Legos and asked for a Lego train, which he built. I've built lots of Legos with my 4 and 6 yr old grandsons, just helping as needed. Perhaps this is also an option, as these are quite robust. Just recharge it and go.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I have a loop of track with 2 sidings on my pooltable with bachmann dcc controller and my 4 year old does great controlling the trains
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
That's almost verbatim what I got at 5. Mine was one of those ToysRUs Life-Like sets, can't remember which, with the 2 cheap Gp38's with the same number. I still have the train, just not the track.
The $99 Bachmann set will almost certainly come with EZ Track. It will be a good starting point, and if you're careful, will last him a while.
One thing I learned, make sure you can change the track without too much trouble. On my board, it was difficult to fit switches and a bridge because of how the track was held down.
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
If he doesn't have one already buy your son one of the wooden (Brio) or Thomas the Train train sets. Those allow a youngster to put together and rearrange the track in whatever configuration his imagination can come up with. Hours of "constructive" entertainment - for both you and him.
If he continutes to show an interest in trains at 7 or 8, I would then consider purchasing an electric train set. Purchase a good quality one though because the cheaper-quality sets only lead to frustration.
FWIW...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I'd go ahead with the Bachmann train set. If he has trouble with things like getting the wheels on the rails at age 5 the set could be put away for a couple of years.
However, before buying the electric train set I would suggest looking at a Brio set. I think your grandson would get a lot more valuable play time using his imagination to make up different layouts for himself rather than just watching a train go back and forth. Brio is designed for ages three and up so I don't think it's too late to get him involved.
Brio is not cheap. You won't get a lot for $99.00, although the basic starter sets aren't too badly priced. However, one nice aspect about Brio is that you can make you own locomotives and cars. Brio sells a kit which includes the magnets and wheels so all you have to do is cut and paint the wood. You can even make your own track sections. I made a car float with a bridge and opening bow. The kids loved it.
Here is their website. It is interesting to look through:
http://www.brio.us/BRIOWorld
Here is one dealer so you can check out the prices:
http://www.woodentracks.com/CTGY/BRIO.html
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
One other thing if you buy a set, be sure it has nickel silver track, not steel. I got some steel track in a bunch of stuff I was given. It all has some rust on it. I have cut some of it up for loads or rail awaiting use in a maintenance yard.
gdelmoro Hi, anyone have success getting a 5yo an HO set? Is it too small? I was thinking of buying one of those $99 Bachman sets and putting it on plywood. Is 5 too young?
No. I received my first electric train set at age 4 - it was a Lionel set on a 4x6 board painted green and some buildings attached and a lake made of blue fish tank rock. You should be good for age 5.
Make sure you get a decent train set. Many train sets of yor had such poor quality it could be a disouraging experience. I've never been a fan of Tyco, Bachmann or Lifelike but the Athearn or Walthers train sets would be a bit better.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
One other thing to consider: maybe you can buy a set that you could use if he's not that into it? As Riogrande5761 said, an Athearn or Walthers set is good quality, and could provide you with some value if your grandson isn't into it.
One other thought, while not in production any more, we bought a lot of GeoTrax goodies at a re-sale shop for a very modest price. Our three year old grandchild loves it, and it is a good intro to remote control, switching, etc. while still being very robust.
Partly, the answer depends on the 5-year-old.
Some are more serious than others. My soon-to-be-5-year-old can run the trains (he has access to the board that goes under the Christmas tree), but re-railing HO scale cars and locomotives gets him frustrated sometimes.
His grandfather bought him an O gauge Polar Express train, and he loves playing with that and has mastered the Lionel remote control for it.
He also loves to set up his Brio-style track on his playroom floor to get some 0-5-0 action. As a preschooler, he can switch between about 5 things in a 30-minute period.
Eric
I had Lionel at that age and one thing that can be said about those trains is that they were durable. I was very good with my toys but even so I think HO is a bit fragile for children of that age (and they are a bit fragile for kids of MY age too). As Eric says it depends on the child. I am impressed with the Lego train setups I see at train shows. The trains run very smoothly and the kids seems entranced - perhaps because so many of them already have lego sets of one kind or another.
Dave Nelson
Not all 5-year old are alike, but most of them will not be able to concentrate on one toy for any longer period of time. Running a train on an oval of track and a little bit of switching will most likely catch the little one´s attention for, say, 10 to 15 minutes, but it will get boring soon - unless there is more play value attached and he can actually do something with the trains, like loading unloading, adding figures as passengers and the like.
HO scale trains are not very well suited for this type of playing, but O gauge as well as Lego or Playmobil trains are.
When my son turned 5, I bought him a Playmobil train set, adding to other Playmobil toys he already had. Once he knew how to set it up, he would be out of sight for hours, playing with it.
The "liitle one" will be turning 30 next month ....
My first train set was a battery operated G Scale 2-6-0 with a remote control. I believe I was 5 at the time. Or so the pictures at that Christmas said.
I also had wooden BRIO and Thomas (yes different locomotives). Metal Thomas toys with plastic hooks, if you remember those.
I was a very active railroader. I didn't get my first HO set for another 2-3 years later.
*Don't remember! Don't ask your parents or your brain because they remember either.*
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
My first trains were those plastic Child Guidence railroads that you would set up with plastic interlocking track and had a whole line of compatable accessories (Buildings roads cars etc) I think at 5 the process of assenbling and re-arrainging track trains etc is far more interesting that running trains around a circle.
Joe Staten Island West
My parents gave me lots of 'build-it" or "experimentor kit" type toys when I was pretty young and my Dad built me a small HO layout when I was six. Because of the many hands-on toys I already had, the train layout was a piece of cake for me. I guess my point is that if you assume that a 5-year old can't cope with a challenge, you won't challenge him and he won't learn. If, however, you let him explore all kinds of things that will challenge him, his motor skills and imagination will grow far beyond that of the average kid. Kids aren't stupid. They just lack knowledge and experience.
I have had several five year olds successfully run trains on my 10' by 19' double-deck DCC powered layout with only a minimum of instruction. They catch on much faster than you think. Yes, some were more adept than others but all learned something.
The only other suggestion I have is that you buy better than entry level equipment as the really cheap stuff doesn't operate very well and the resulting frustration it will cause may encourage your 5 year old to look for something else to do. As previously mentioned, the Atlas and Athearn train sets make good starting points as do any of the Bachmann Spectrum line sets, especially the DCC sets.
Hornblower
gdelmoroIs 5 too young?
Yes.
Think back when you were five years old. That is too young for an electric train.
When I was five my train set was from Child Guidance. The track was red, some older track was gray. I actually had three sets I combined. The trains were the kind you pushed by hand. One locomotive was battery powered but my 8 and 10 year old cousins broke it. When you are that age it’s all about putting your hands on everything. Trains that you push are the best. Cars that are easy to couple and uncouple, track that is easy to put together and take apart. I used to build a new track every day. That was half the fun. Making the train go back and forth over the same 6 inches of track is fun too for a little kid.Get him a hands on toy. Save the electric trains until he is in 3rd or 4th grade.
Lone Wolf and Santa Fe gdelmoro Is 5 too young? Yes. Think back when you were five years old. That is too young for an electric train. When I was five my train set was from Child Guidance. The track was red, some older track was gray. I actually had three sets I combined. The trains were the kind you pushed by hand. One locomotive was battery powered but my 8 and 10 year old cousins broke it. When you are that age it’s all about putting your hands on everything. Trains that you push are the best. Cars that are easy to couple and uncouple, track that is easy to put together and take apart. I used to build a new track every day. That was half the fun. Making the train go back and forth over the same 6 inches of track is fun too for a little kid.Get him a hands on toy. Save the electric trains until he is in 3rd or 4th grade.
gdelmoro Is 5 too young?
Going to have to disagree.
My son at 6 was running a 64 car coal train w/ 3 GP30s on the head end solo at a very large club we attend. He turned 7 last week.
It will depend on the child and the parent.
We set up Kato Unitrack at the house and the 4 yr old is included. Does stuff get bumped or knocked over on occasion? Yep. Have we lost anything to permanent damage? Nope. Do I run the expensive stuff on the carpet? Nope.
Its a hobby. Trains are toys. Toys are meant to be fun.
Don't expect miracles. Show them stuff, work with them and see what happens.
One of my wife's high school classmates has a daughter who handlays track with dad...
One of my club's members lost a N scale GG1 to his son ripping the wheels off at the age of 4 or so. It was repairable, but he now plays with Lionel trains.
The kid has a lot to do with it. If they are the type that likes to disassemble things to their smallest components, then maybe HO not quite right at 5.
I was the take things apart type person. I disassembled every HO locomotive that I owned until it no longer worked, not that the pancake motors and vertical truck mounted motors worked all that well.
I particularly remember being really annoyed that the BRIO trains magnets where polarized, so you could not do certain switching moves with them.....(might have held onto those a bit too long), I think my youngest cousin has them now.
I got my (at the time) 7 year old cousin an Ogauge RTR set (I remember being somewhat distraught that the only trainsets available from MTH were PRR sets, it pained me to purchase PRR for him, but family won out over petty railroad differnces) (NYC fan).