As a teacher, parent and grandparent, I have spent quite a lot of time looking in the toy sections of Kmarts, Toy Worlds, Toys R Us and other shops looking at different products and I have yet to see or find ANYTHING that has the play value using imagination of either a railway layout or Lego in its original format rather than the specialised one off kits.
The Thomas characters add a bit of life to the actions of a railway. It is an unrealistic slice of life admittedly and I do get annoyed at how many times the Fat Controller gets "very cross" and the number of accidents. However our own slices of "real life" might be compressed to a distance between station yards of 3 or 400 scale feet apart so we are not much different as adults.
And there are adults who are Thomas models and layouts inc one here in Australia who has built a replica of the Ffarqharr layout of Rev Awdry. I seem to remember reading in a British magazine that Awdry ma!de the story lines for his ill son based on the layout he had to "personalise" it but Wikipedia offers a different account !
Cheers
Trevor
It definitely could. I spent 80 percent of my childhood popping in vhs tapes and DVDs of the original Thomas the tank engine. Eventually things spiraled out of control and I ended up with a room full of ho scale trains... For those of you who are saying that it's so unrealistic because it doesn't follow traditional railroad practices, how many kids do you think would have been interested in watching that vs watching Thomas go on adventures? How many trains can you say you have seen that are alive with faces? The bottom line is that it is a great show to spark interest in the young ones.
I have seen some amazing builds - just like this one.
Or this one.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I've seen some amazing Lego train layouts - like the one at the Philly NMRA show. And a group has come out with a Lego version of my favorite Reading T1 4-8-4, although with all the bells and whistles (literally), it's a bit out of my price range, especially for something that would basically be a shelf queen. Makes the cost of the MUCH larger, MANY more pieces Saturn 5 rocket I have seem cheap - it's all the custom pieces they had to make to make it look right AND be a working steam locomotive, siderods and all.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Unfortunately, Lego is absolutely neglecting this part of the "brick builders" market, leaving it up to a number of kitchen counter business to fill the void.
Tinplate Toddler I even see Lego trains as model trains!
So do I! Some people may be turned off by the fact that everything Lego is made up largely of little square blocks but the creativity of Lego afficionados is undeniable. I remember seeing Lego's operating trains at Toys 'R' Us when they first came out in the early 90s. If I could have afforded them at the time my whole house would have been full of them so my kids and I could build and rebuild all sorts of layouts! What better combination of play value and learning about electric control could there be?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterWe are playing with toys! Why argue the fact? Who says toys are only for kids? Model trains are no different than classic cars or motorcycles. They serve one purpose which is to entertain.
I couldn´t agree more, Dave! Finally, being a model railroader is a kind of role playing, the role being an engineer, a yard master, a dispatcher, a freight agent - whatver rocks your boat. For some, the "tool" employed in this play needs to be exact, saled down models of the real thing, and for some, a faint resemblence is sufficient. Some ride on standard gauge tracks, some on narrow tracks.
It´s all the same game!
P.S. I even see Lego trains as model trains!
They can be incredibly close to the real thing!
We are playing with toys! Why argue the fact? Who says toys are only for kids? Model trains are no different than classic cars or motorcycles. They serve one purpose which is to entertain.
When I was with my old club, I bought a Thomas engine and two coaches specifically to run them at shows. It was amazing to watch both the kids' and the parents' eyes light up when they saw Thomas chugging around the layout. The locomotive has authentic Thomas sounds so I could toot the whistle or make Thomas talk as I went past where the children were watching. That made it even better. I can honestly say that Thomas got far more recognition than any other train on the layout!
To answer the OP's question, I don't think that there is anything wrong with using Thomas as a basis for a layout. When I watched Thomas with my kids 25+ years ago I envied the guys who actually got to run the trains. Obviously Thomas isn't for everyone, but I have to politely disagree with those who would suggest that it isn't real model railroading. It might not be prototypical in the sense of copying a 1:1 railroad, but it is real modeling.
SPSOT fan For those who say that you don't want to have the hobby accociated with childish toys, you have a point, but you also have to remember where this hobby really started to gain popularity: with Lionel/American Flyer toy trains! Most hobbyists today, especially the older folks, started with Lionel! Lionel is seen as quite childish and the hobby is seen as childish as a result. Thomas didn't bring a new 'bad' reputation upon the hobby, it just brought back an old one! But then is there really a major issue with people seeing model railroading as childish? Connotations of playing with toys or watching Thomas are good and fun, and in model railroading the end goal should also be fun! So what if the general public thinks of model railroaders as grown men playing with toy trains? At least they have it partially right, cause when we are operating our layout we are surely having a lot of fun! There are my !
For those who say that you don't want to have the hobby accociated with childish toys, you have a point, but you also have to remember where this hobby really started to gain popularity: with Lionel/American Flyer toy trains! Most hobbyists today, especially the older folks, started with Lionel! Lionel is seen as quite childish and the hobby is seen as childish as a result. Thomas didn't bring a new 'bad' reputation upon the hobby, it just brought back an old one!
But then is there really a major issue with people seeing model railroading as childish? Connotations of playing with toys or watching Thomas are good and fun, and in model railroading the end goal should also be fun! So what if the general public thinks of model railroaders as grown men playing with toy trains? At least they have it partially right, cause when we are operating our layout we are surely having a lot of fun!
There are my !
Polite cough Triang trains followed By Hornby for me err what's Lionel and American Flyer?
"The scientific man about town cannot possibly be seen to be playing with toys"
Our hobby is no more childish than fighting battles with toy soldiers or racing slot cars.
Let us not forget the difference between men and boys is the cost of our toys.
There is nothing vital or important about any hobby but it might just save some ones sanity this one is a bad mis-quote from Iain Rice.
regards John
SPSOT fanFor those who say that you don't want to have the hobby accociated with childish toys, you have a point,
Model Railroading will always be associated with children's toys, whether Lionel, Thomas, or Tyco.
I have never understood why so many Model Railroaders have such a problem with this. Other hobbies embrace their toy influences.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
So what if you use Thomas and Friends as the locos, but have them do their jobs as outlined in the stories - prototypical operation. Now what? Prototypical operation just that the locos and rolling stock have faces on them. The industries around Sodor are well documented in the stories, and the jobs of each loco are as well. That's a whole different thing than just setting up a 4x8 loop and running Thomas locos.
It's your layout, so YOU make the rules. However, you risk losing your family (and all but your best friends) if you pipe the theme song throughout the house while running trains.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Wilbert Awdry had a layout based on the books he wrote.
It is now on display at the Ffestiniog Railway station at Towyn, Awdry having been an early member of the Ffestiniog Society.
None of Awdry's models had faces. They were basically scale models painted in the colours of the locomotives in the books. Since this model dated from the 1950s there werer a limited number of prototypes available. Thus Awdry used an LMS 3F tank locomotive to represent Thomas rather than the Southern Railway E2 class the book illustrations were based upon. Conversely, some characters in the books were based on available models, such as the Hornby Dublo model onf the Metropolitan Vickers Type 2 Co-Bo unit.
This rather odd video shows a number of illustrations of Awdry's layout as preserved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnYt7AWNnS8
None of Awdry's models, although painted to match the books, had faces.
So basically it was just a frelance railway built with available rolling stock.
Rather than the TV series, I would recommend using the original books (which had plots based on real railway operation) as a basis for a model railway, and if it is being built with a child in mind, that the youngster be encouraged to read the original Awdry books, possibly in conjunction with books describing prototype railways in a manner suitable for a child's understanding.
And I still have the three original Awdry books I received over 65 years ago, along with the hardbound collection of all the Wilbert Awdry stories (His son Christopher later wrote a number of books in the series).
Peter
I've seen layouts that are based off locations from the series, but the engines don't have faces and it's run as through it were a model of an actual prototype. E.g. you'd have models of a Gresley A3 meeting with an LBSCR E2 at a junction.
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
Random_Idea_Poster_6263scale modelling skill that went into make the series visually stunning and realistic looking
In the late 80s my son and I were already deep into building a model railroad when we began watching Shining Time Station. Ringo Starr as Mr. Conductor, and later on George Carlin were a hoot. The Thomas segment of the show was fun and the nicely done animated models helped stoke our imaginations and creativity.
Regards, Peter
I would say NO
Playing with a toy is a long way from trying to recreate the real world in miniature.
When he/she puts Thomas away, is he/she ready for scale modeling?
If and when they aquire a serious interest in MR, I doubt it had any thing to do with thomas
our club has "n" scale dcc locos on the layout in the club house. And some go to some shows with the guys.
I also remember at one show, in Lindsay, Ontario, tthat had an HO Sodor layout. All locations were from the island. The owners were a club of middle aged men.
Both are well liked by the younger crowd, but if questions are asked I point out that adult help and supervision will be necessary.
Funny that in my YouTube feed today this video came up, a review of Rapido's version of the prototype loco that Toby the Tram Engine was based on. Typical Rapido loco - ultra detailed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=303_XABHjd4
I would guess Thomas The Tank would have a limited effect. Why? Because often children get exposed to trains and love them, but the "train gene" may not be there so the excitement isn't a life long thing.
I've often seen photo's of a grandpa with a grandkid who is having a fun time with trains, and bragging about a future model railroader. Well, maybe, maybe not. My sister had a son who was into trains when he was young, but it was one of many phases. He is now grown up and working as a school teacher - no sign of any interest in trains.
My 'long term' view over many years of obsrvation is some get into trains and the rest don't. So exposure may spark an idividual who has the train gene, for lack of better concept, but only in those limited cases.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I have to wonder if some even read his whole post.
OP does NOT want to do a Thomas layout. Just asked if the series could be an inspiration for some into model railroading!! And the answer is a resounding Yes!!
IMO
Cid (Memphis, Tennessee)
In the UK early 60's, I was a youngster with a bit of pocket money at a Church Jumble-sale and bought a few original Thomas books. Mostly it was the beautiful illustrations that attracted me, but I liked Trains. These books were the nearest I got to having a Model Railway for about another 6 years, but the pictures inspired me to try and recreate my perfect MR something like - from the moment I built my first 8x4 at the age of 11. This lasted up until @2015 when I got bit by USA Railroads & Model Railroads.
When I started reading MRR magazine, an adverisment included Thomas. "Wat! I don't believe it". I didn't think anyone in the States would have even heard of him, let alone the TV series or books. They are so British, by prototype and mannerism, I just thought you would have your own version. Genuine shock waves.
I feel this proves that Thomas was/is an inspiration to present/future Modellers and hopefully always will be.
With regard to modelling Britains Railways today, our version of Geeps are the very popular and numerous EMD Class 66, the Ugly Duckling is the GE Class 70 But Britains railways are all Passenger or very boring Unit Trains, the only slight variation being the different arrangements of the Intermodal Containers that pass by our house. No local Industries to Switch or Teamtracks, not since the late 60's
I wish that all those years ago back in the 60's, I had been inspired to model USA R/R's with a book about Thomas the GP38#2, Barry the Boxcar and Clarence the Caboose. Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
I can see it attracting kids, and several manufacturers have made Thomas models, so.........
Yes, it could definitely inspire a model RR.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
The line between toy trains and model railroads can sometimes get blurred making it difficult to place an item in one category or the other. There is not a shadow of a doubt that Thomas and friends fall way over on the toy train side of the line.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Well, I don't know if Thomas will inspire people to model the Isle of Sodor, but I do think it stirs and interest in trains and model trains. And those of us with both layouts and children will run Thomas on the layout even if the layout scenery looks more like Pennsylvania than Sodor.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Lakeshore SubThe same effect was seen during open houses at the club layout.
Exactly. We usually had one or two motorless Thomas engines "pulling" freights at the head of the real engines. The kids always got excited and would run around the railroad looking for his next appearance.
We also gave away a couple Bachmann trains sets, with the first winner drawn given their choice of the Thomas set or a regular set. The Thomas set was usually taken first.
We have a large plastic tub full of Thomas the Tank Engine track, locomotives, cars and structures still down in the utility room. Most of it is 20-years old or more.
Both of my grandsons grew up with Thomas. We had Thomas layouts covering the floor in our family room, off and on, for many years.
My BRVRR HO-scale layout is approaching 16-years of age now and both grandsons love to run trains. We have a Bachmann Thomas in which I installed a DCC decoder that periodically leads Annie andClarabel around the layout. Both boys have locomotives and rolling stock of their own and use it quite often. Neither is very interested in building structures or assembling cars, though the younger is autistic, so can be excused. The elder (23) now has a car a job and a girl friend so interest has waned over the last few years.
Thomas was the start and much of their interest in model trains I think can be attributed to the fun they had with the wooden railway on our family room floor.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/