Please help me help my son

[Anonymous]

Hi, my name is Elonna and my 5 year old son is a complete train enthusiast. I would like to start getting him involved in model trains but do not know anything about it myself. Does anyone have any suggestions for websites that will basically take me from the ground floor up in learning about how to start, what scale is best ot start learning with, etc? Any help or advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Hi, my name is Elonna and my 5 year old son is a complete train enthusiast. I would like to start getting him involved in model trains but do not know anything about it myself. Does anyone have any suggestions for websites that will basically take me from the ground floor up in learning about how to start, what scale is best ot start learning with, etc? Any help or advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

I would suggest a wooden childs play train set...usually they come with wooden track too. I had a set like this as a child, but have no idea what it would be called. 5 sound a bit old to have a pull behind train, so that would be my suggestion.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest a wooden childs play train set...usually they come with wooden track too. I had a set like this as a child, but have no idea what it would be called. 5 sound a bit old to have a pull behind train, so that would be my suggestion.

[Anonymous]

almost forgot to mention...go to a train shop near you and I am sure they will have what I am talking about. I have seen them many times.

[Anonymous]

almost forgot to mention...go to a train shop near you and I am sure they will have what I am talking about. I have seen them many times.

[Anonymous]

For Ho scale (1:87) starter sets you can check out your local hobby shop or Athearn's web site, www. athearn.com. I reccomend Ho scale to start because it is relatively cheap compared to the other scales. when buying a starter set, make sure it includes a power pack, track, an engine and some train cars. you should stay away from the really cheap brands like Bachmann. If you buy a set from athearn, the trains will run much better and likily last longer as well.
While I like Ho best many other modelers prefer larger scales, which would also be a good choice from a five year old like your son, but you will have to pay much more.
I hope this helps.[:D]

[Anonymous]

For Ho scale (1:87) starter sets you can check out your local hobby shop or Athearn's web site, www. athearn.com. I reccomend Ho scale to start because it is relatively cheap compared to the other scales. when buying a starter set, make sure it includes a power pack, track, an engine and some train cars. you should stay away from the really cheap brands like Bachmann. If you buy a set from athearn, the trains will run much better and likily last longer as well.
While I like Ho best many other modelers prefer larger scales, which would also be a good choice from a five year old like your son, but you will have to pay much more.
I hope this helps.[:D]

[Anonymous]

He has a wooden set that I do not have a table big enough to lay out all of the pieces at once, so we spend a lot of time building and rebuiliding. My brother-in-law has built an HO scale layout and my son is very adept at handling it. I would like for him to have his own...small to start since I will have to do most of the building of it at this stage of the game and I will probably become hooked myself as I enjoy creating beautiful things. But he is extremely passionate about trains ( he is already familiar with parts of a train...I even argued with him about the name of one part of a train, so we looked it up and HE was right) and I would like to encourage this passion in him as I think it would be a wonderful lifetime hobby for him. Much better than many things boys and men find interesting.

[Anonymous]

He has a wooden set that I do not have a table big enough to lay out all of the pieces at once, so we spend a lot of time building and rebuiliding. My brother-in-law has built an HO scale layout and my son is very adept at handling it. I would like for him to have his own...small to start since I will have to do most of the building of it at this stage of the game and I will probably become hooked myself as I enjoy creating beautiful things. But he is extremely passionate about trains ( he is already familiar with parts of a train...I even argued with him about the name of one part of a train, so we looked it up and HE was right) and I would like to encourage this passion in him as I think it would be a wonderful lifetime hobby for him. Much better than many things boys and men find interesting.

[Anonymous]

Try LGB...I think you can find this at LGB.com...anyway this is another good "sturdy" choice for the youngster. It may be pricey as you look at it now, but he will have that train when he is 20, so in the long run a good choice now can be a great choice later

[Anonymous]

Try LGB...I think you can find this at LGB.com...anyway this is another good "sturdy" choice for the youngster. It may be pricey as you look at it now, but he will have that train when he is 20, so in the long run a good choice now can be a great choice later

[Anonymous]

Thank you cow_pi, I will research the different scales so I can understand the difference.

[Anonymous]

Thank you cow_pi, I will research the different scales so I can understand the difference.

[clinchfieldfan]

Hello,
Its nice to see another budding railroader, maybe there is hope for the hobby! You may want to look into O scale for your son. My six year old daughter runs my layout as well as I do. O scale trains are much sturdier than alot of the others, starter sets from M.T.H. and Lionel are not pricey. Depending on the level of detail and operating system you can find a nice set around a $100. Both M.T.H. and Lionel have excellent web sites and you can locate local dealers in your area from them. The main thing is to have fun and encourage him! Good luck.

[clinchfieldfan]

Hello,
Its nice to see another budding railroader, maybe there is hope for the hobby! You may want to look into O scale for your son. My six year old daughter runs my layout as well as I do. O scale trains are much sturdier than alot of the others, starter sets from M.T.H. and Lionel are not pricey. Depending on the level of detail and operating system you can find a nice set around a $100. Both M.T.H. and Lionel have excellent web sites and you can locate local dealers in your area from them. The main thing is to have fun and encourage him! Good luck.

[rsprague]

This is going to sound like I'm a Kalmbach employee, but I'm not! When I was not much older than your son I started reading some of the Kalmbach basic model railroading books, and learned a lot that way. They tend to be very clearly written with lots of photos and lists of materials and techniques. There are a couple listed at http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-home-layout-ideas.html that are exactly what you're talking about -- a start-to-finish guide to building a complete railroad. I recommend you buy one or two. There may be websites with similar content, but I think you'd enjoy having hard copy so you don't get plaster all over your computer monitor. Good luck!

[rsprague]

This is going to sound like I'm a Kalmbach employee, but I'm not! When I was not much older than your son I started reading some of the Kalmbach basic model railroading books, and learned a lot that way. They tend to be very clearly written with lots of photos and lists of materials and techniques. There are a couple listed at http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-home-layout-ideas.html that are exactly what you're talking about -- a start-to-finish guide to building a complete railroad. I recommend you buy one or two. There may be websites with similar content, but I think you'd enjoy having hard copy so you don't get plaster all over your computer monitor. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

oh, forgot to mention last night. Another wonderful option is Lego. I am a big fan of the educational level of Legos. The great thing about lego trains is that you can make whatever type of engine you want. If you one day wake up and want a steamer...you make a steamer. this can be found at www.Lego.com. Not saying that the other options are bad, but all of these will give you a list of options to look at.

[Anonymous]

oh, forgot to mention last night. Another wonderful option is Lego. I am a big fan of the educational level of Legos. The great thing about lego trains is that you can make whatever type of engine you want. If you one day wake up and want a steamer...you make a steamer. this can be found at www.Lego.com. Not saying that the other options are bad, but all of these will give you a list of options to look at.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the advice rsprague. I actually thought of a book last night after I posted and went to Amazon and bought one by Kent Johnson called Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby. I also contacted the president of the local model railroad club and asked if there was a way for my son to become involved. They have an N-scale group and a HO-scale group. He invited us to an operations meeting (they are getting ready for a show at the beginning of Sept), unfortunately I will be out of town. But, I will take him to the show and see how things go from there.

I appreciate everyone's responses and suggestions.

Thank you. Once I get the book, I am sure I will have a zillion more questions :)

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the advice rsprague. I actually thought of a book last night after I posted and went to Amazon and bought one by Kent Johnson called Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby. I also contacted the president of the local model railroad club and asked if there was a way for my son to become involved. They have an N-scale group and a HO-scale group. He invited us to an operations meeting (they are getting ready for a show at the beginning of Sept), unfortunately I will be out of town. But, I will take him to the show and see how things go from there.

I appreciate everyone's responses and suggestions.

Thank you. Once I get the book, I am sure I will have a zillion more questions :)

[Anonymous]

Elonna,
The scale of trains and children can vary. But generally smaller kids like small toys. What you are describing to me isn't an unusual situation, not enough room to do what you would like.

Most people chose a scale and then try and figure out how to get that scale into the room. But if you and your son are just starting out, there is a better way. First figure out how much room you have. A 4 by 8 foot layout in HO is about as small as you are going to get, in actual fact my son had a 4 by 6 1/2 foot HO layout, but I gotta tell you, it was a really limited track plan.

So lets say you have room for a three by six foot layout, then look at what scale will best suit that area- and the answer is - N scale. Now if your son's wooden trains are Brio, or a likeness thereof, then you will discover that Brio is close to N scale.

You will have others tell you that N scale is too delicate for a kid - this is ridiculous. And a son like yours (who sounds like my son at his age - he's now 16) will respect the trains and engines. In fact his little hands are great for things like re-railing the train.

Next, your son's passion for trains is also an educational doorway. My son learnt how to read out of a history book on BC Rail by Alan Garden. He knew how to spell "Consolidation" before most kids could spell "Spot." Through rail way history and information, your son will learn politics, geography, commerce, transportation, all the stuff my son learnt. In fact, due to railroad history and politics, he takes a much larger interest in government and politics than most kids his age. Why politics? Well, you will soon learn that political and economic interests form and remove rail ways. Take the Great Northern for instances; it was a guy who developed a hate on for Canadian politicians and so decided to start his own railway in competition with CP.

Take your son rail fanning and make sure to throw in a stop at Wendy's or the Golden Arches. You will discover you will like rail fanning more than you think. Rail fanning is kind of like Birding, hunting, and nature photography - most of the fun is being in the great outdoors and seeing some incredible landscapes.

Take the train with your young lad. I would get on the Via with my son in Vancouver and travel to the edge of greater Vancouver with him. It was about an hour and a half train ride (some one picks you up at the destination end). We hated getting off the train, we loved it. You will also find that rail fanning and train riding will give you a relationship with your son that most will envy.

For some inexplicable reason, train kids seem to turn out great. The train kid's interests are so embracing they don't need to act out like a lot of their friends will.

The secret to great parenting is to "play" with your kids. You don't have to take a "communications" workshop when you do this, they will talk to you incessantly.

Model rail roading isn't a hobby; its a way of life - and a good one.

[Anonymous]

Elonna,
The scale of trains and children can vary. But generally smaller kids like small toys. What you are describing to me isn't an unusual situation, not enough room to do what you would like.

Most people chose a scale and then try and figure out how to get that scale into the room. But if you and your son are just starting out, there is a better way. First figure out how much room you have. A 4 by 8 foot layout in HO is about as small as you are going to get, in actual fact my son had a 4 by 6 1/2 foot HO layout, but I gotta tell you, it was a really limited track plan.

So lets say you have room for a three by six foot layout, then look at what scale will best suit that area- and the answer is - N scale. Now if your son's wooden trains are Brio, or a likeness thereof, then you will discover that Brio is close to N scale.

You will have others tell you that N scale is too delicate for a kid - this is ridiculous. And a son like yours (who sounds like my son at his age - he's now 16) will respect the trains and engines. In fact his little hands are great for things like re-railing the train.

Next, your son's passion for trains is also an educational doorway. My son learnt how to read out of a history book on BC Rail by Alan Garden. He knew how to spell "Consolidation" before most kids could spell "Spot." Through rail way history and information, your son will learn politics, geography, commerce, transportation, all the stuff my son learnt. In fact, due to railroad history and politics, he takes a much larger interest in government and politics than most kids his age. Why politics? Well, you will soon learn that political and economic interests form and remove rail ways. Take the Great Northern for instances; it was a guy who developed a hate on for Canadian politicians and so decided to start his own railway in competition with CP.

Take your son rail fanning and make sure to throw in a stop at Wendy's or the Golden Arches. You will discover you will like rail fanning more than you think. Rail fanning is kind of like Birding, hunting, and nature photography - most of the fun is being in the great outdoors and seeing some incredible landscapes.

Take the train with your young lad. I would get on the Via with my son in Vancouver and travel to the edge of greater Vancouver with him. It was about an hour and a half train ride (some one picks you up at the destination end). We hated getting off the train, we loved it. You will also find that rail fanning and train riding will give you a relationship with your son that most will envy.

For some inexplicable reason, train kids seem to turn out great. The train kid's interests are so embracing they don't need to act out like a lot of their friends will.

The secret to great parenting is to "play" with your kids. You don't have to take a "communications" workshop when you do this, they will talk to you incessantly.

Model rail roading isn't a hobby; its a way of life - and a good one.

[Anonymous]

Rick, thank you so much for your heartening and informative post. I was beginning to think that perhaps 5 was too young to start. Though my brother had his first Lionel set at about that age...I was beginning to wonder. I do realize that I will be doing most of the "work" in the beginning, but I am sure that Seth and I will enjoy learning together. I loved trains myself as a child. Every one that I saw was "My" train. So perhaps this will help me rekindle those feelings as well. My son has Thomas trains, including a small electric track. They are BRIO compatible so would be close to N scale also then. We have 2 pieces of pressed board that are 4'x4'. One is two pieces (hinged for ease of carrying) that we use for his wooden track, the other has been sitting around collecting dust. I thought we could start with that size since I do have room to set that up...does 4'x4' sound reasonable for a first layout if we go with N Scale?

My son is a steam engine lover. We go from website to website looking at pictures. He loves it and he swears that he is gonna be a steam train engineer when he grows up. It is hard for me to explain to him that there are not too many left in operation.

So, though I do not know what particular era or railroad we might end up buiding, it will not be political nor historical. I thought that we could pick out an engine he likes the best then research it's era and perhaps build based on that...very educational that way :o) More of an aesthetic choice than political or historical. I think at this point, that would make it the most enjoyable for him.

Thank you again for your wonderfully supportive post. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Rick, thank you so much for your heartening and informative post. I was beginning to think that perhaps 5 was too young to start. Though my brother had his first Lionel set at about that age...I was beginning to wonder. I do realize that I will be doing most of the "work" in the beginning, but I am sure that Seth and I will enjoy learning together. I loved trains myself as a child. Every one that I saw was "My" train. So perhaps this will help me rekindle those feelings as well. My son has Thomas trains, including a small electric track. They are BRIO compatible so would be close to N scale also then. We have 2 pieces of pressed board that are 4'x4'. One is two pieces (hinged for ease of carrying) that we use for his wooden track, the other has been sitting around collecting dust. I thought we could start with that size since I do have room to set that up...does 4'x4' sound reasonable for a first layout if we go with N Scale?

My son is a steam engine lover. We go from website to website looking at pictures. He loves it and he swears that he is gonna be a steam train engineer when he grows up. It is hard for me to explain to him that there are not too many left in operation.

So, though I do not know what particular era or railroad we might end up buiding, it will not be political nor historical. I thought that we could pick out an engine he likes the best then research it's era and perhaps build based on that...very educational that way :o) More of an aesthetic choice than political or historical. I think at this point, that would make it the most enjoyable for him.

Thank you again for your wonderfully supportive post. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

4*4 sounds wonderful for a first layout (in N scale). That should give you enough room to make a wavy circle and possibly a turnoff or two...good luck in whatever direction you choose. If you ever feel you need help for any reason at all. We are here

[Anonymous]

4*4 sounds wonderful for a first layout (in N scale). That should give you enough room to make a wavy circle and possibly a turnoff or two...good luck in whatever direction you choose. If you ever feel you need help for any reason at all. We are here

[Jacktal]

Dear Elonna,the very best website to visit is NMRA (National Model Railroad Association),very easy to find and very instructive.Another fine website I've found is Plum Loco of Colorado and their "Trackside" column.Also,Model Railroader's website is a wealth of infos along with the other model railroading magazines which all have websites.Another move I'd do is to locate and visit a local model railroader's club,most modelers are great people who will gladly give you the information you want.

[Jacktal]

Dear Elonna,the very best website to visit is NMRA (National Model Railroad Association),very easy to find and very instructive.Another fine website I've found is Plum Loco of Colorado and their "Trackside" column.Also,Model Railroader's website is a wealth of infos along with the other model railroading magazines which all have websites.Another move I'd do is to locate and visit a local model railroader's club,most modelers are great people who will gladly give you the information you want.