Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by dgwinup Several years ago, I took my grandsons, Caleb, 5 years old, and Jake, 8 years old, to our LHS. The hobby shop is small and they weren't interested in buying anything. What we came to see is the layout in the back room. Back room? More like a warehouse! Huge! At least 50' wide and 90' long! Filled with an HO layout. It was an open house day (once a month). The boys were fascinated watching the trains run through the layout. After about 15 minutes, Ken, the owner, came over to Caleb (remember, he's 5 years old) and asked Caleb if he'd like to run a train. Caleb stood speechless for a few seconds, then responded with an enthusiastic "YES!". Ken handed Caleb a wireless throttle, pointed to a looooong train in the yard, and showed Caleb the speed control, brake and emergency stop. Then he told Caleb he wasn't allowed to pass a red light. Ken walked away! My heart was in my throat. The only time Caleb had EVER run a train was on my little layout, and his main interest was seeing how fast the little engine could go. Caleb stood next to his train as he advanced the throttle. As the 3 engine lash-up began to move, Caleb started shouting to his brother Jake, "Hey, Jake. Look! I'm running this train!" I reminded him he had to pay attention to his train and Caleb set to work following the train around the layout, a trip that took nearly 25 minutes! Caleb ran the train like an old pro! He had two mishaps: the first when he ran a red light and fouled a switch. He had to slooooowly back his train to clear the switch. A few minutes later, while Caleb was running under a green light, another train BACKED through a red indicator and fouled a switch, right in front of Caleb's train. It was the only time I interferred as I reached over Caleb's shoulder and hit the emergency stop. Disaster avoided! Caleb was excited beyond words. He enjoys trains, and asks about mine from time to time, but he is not interested enough to want his own layout. But on that one day, a brave man with ice water in his veins gave Caleb the opportunity to be an engineer on a "real" model layout, an experience Caleb will never forget! And neither will I! Darrell, quiet...for now [/quote] Thanks for sharing your story............... Mike...
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community