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Kids and model railroading

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Last post 03-10-2009 12:52 AM by 1911 guy. 34 replies.
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02-12-2006 4:29 PM
Offline pirate68
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Joined on 02-06-2006
Posts 1

Angry [:(!] Thomas the Tank Engine

Has anyone yet tried to model the imaginary railroad system for Sodor Island using HO scale trains. My son (3 yo) is fanatical about Thomas the tank engine, and as family activity I'm looking into making a layout for us both to operate using the basics of the island.
02-12-2006 9:44 PM In reply to
Offline BR60103
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 01-12-2001
Brampton, Ont.
Posts 1,467

RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

Rev. Awdry used to have a Thomas layout that he took to shows and ran at home. I think that the "Sodor" idea came a bit later in his life.
There are lots of Thomas pieces available in HO.
For an idea of how Sodor might look, check out the Isle of Man which is (supposedly) the next island over.
I've never seen a layout that tried to follow the stories.
02-16-2006 11:58 AM In reply to
Offline scotttmason
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-26-2002
within earshot of CP
Posts 64

RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

I'd pick a few scenes to focus on as there is no "prototype" to refer to. The Island (and its inhabitants) have evolved a lot since the books and my kids have no problem filling in gaps or putting storylines to the scene. Give Percy a shed, Gordon a station, Thomas a branch line and let the rest happen by itself.
02-16-2006 9:00 PM In reply to
Offline Lotus098
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 01-28-2005
Idaho
Posts 1,727

RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

I belive the book with all the stories has a map.
02-16-2006 11:44 PM In reply to
Offline rick bonfiglio
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-07-2004
Posts 260

RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

that's the best idea i've heard in a long time.

beats the heck out of point to point or loop running.
04-20-2006 11:00 PM In reply to
Offline Mr Aussie
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-18-2006
Down Under
Posts 8

Angry [:(!] RE: RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

QUOTE: Originally posted by The Duke

I belive the book with all the stories has a map.

Yeah i've got that book, had it for a decent number of years, and inside the front cover is a map with the Isle Of Man to the north-west

Here you go[;)]











These pictures are huge, even imageshack woudn't take them.
Cheers,
Mr Aussie[alien]
04-21-2006 8:10 AM In reply to
Offline John Busby
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 04-11-2005
West Australia
Posts 1,466

Angry [:(!] RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

hi all
Better still try and find if you can a copy of the proper
ordinance survey map that used to be avalable for the Isle of Sodor
I think it might be on the web somewhere or at least a referance to it.
Personal Opinion Only
stick to the original story's not the mordern I bought the rights so i will do what I please with it rubi***hey cannot even get daisy the right colour.
regards John
04-25-2006 3:36 PM In reply to
Offline ModelTrainLover
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 04-05-2006
Lewiston, Maine USA
Posts 921

RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

try this web site www.thomasandfriends.com it's the offical web site
09-28-2006 9:33 PM In reply to
Offline TrainforTot
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-29-2006
Posts 1

Re: RE: Thomas the Tank Engine

Has anyone tried to combine two sets.  I have a roller coaster set and the gold mountain set.  I need to fit them on a NILO table and want to use all of the large pieces.  I don't mind if I don't use all of the tracks.  Any suggestion is much appreciated.
11-15-2006 3:13 AM In reply to
Offline Richard Hogan
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-20-2005
Posts 7

Re: Thomas the Tank Engine

I have a different option for you, having already tried to introduce my 3 year old daughter to model trains.  I was not easy.  She wanted to grab them and make tunnels with her legs and all the things that kids should do with trains.  Unfortunately, my constantly telling her not to touch quickly killed her interest.  I couldn't find a way for her to play with my trains and not destroy them and my layout.  For me the perfect solution was the Lego Duplo train sets.  These have tracks that my daughter can lay buy herself, switch that she can easily operate and engines that run and, perhaps more importantly, can be dropped.  The ability to play with Duplo people at the same time make it all a bit more really for kids who like to role play.  And they do have Thomas the Tank Engine models.  The ability to quickly build and modify the tracks even gave me some ideas for my own small layout.  This is really a great toy. 

11-15-2006 6:45 AM In reply to
Offline JoeKoh
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on 04-06-2003
Defiance Ohio
Posts 7,960

Re: Thomas the Tank Engine

thomas is going to be a big part of our railroad soon.santa told me so.if matthew doesnt pout or cry.....

stay safe

Joe
11-15-2006 10:49 AM In reply to
Offline ModelTrainLover
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 04-05-2006
Lewiston, Maine USA
Posts 921

Re: Thomas the Tank Engine

Lego has trains that you can build. and ifm you drop them and they break they can be fixed! I have made one from scratch
11-22-2006 5:13 PM In reply to
Offline sfrr
Not Ranked
Joined on 11-19-2006
St. Peters, Missouri (USA!)
Posts 167

Re: Thomas the Tank Engine

wasent there an origonal layout that the made the tv series on?
11-22-2006 8:56 PM In reply to
Offline BR60103
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 01-12-2001
Brampton, Ont.
Posts 1,467

Re: Thomas the Tank Engine

The TV show was shot on a series of sets that didn't connect.

And if I know TV, they shot all the scenes at one location before putting it away and shooting the next location.
12-17-2006 3:58 AM In reply to
Offline bridgwatersimon
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-17-2006
Posts 1

Re: Thomas the Tank Engine

Yeah, it is quite  popular with kids over here as well, England, you need to keep an eye on the Hornby range, they do a large range of Thomas stock and accessories. The only problem you may have is that it is to the British 00 scale rather than HO, this makes it slighter larger but taking into consideration that Britain has a smaller loading gauge and smaller stock, the difference is not too much.

There are a few really great OO/HO scale Sodor based layouts on the exhibition circuit so should be a few on the internet as well, try Googling it for ideas/examples.

 

Best wishes and have a great Christmas.
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