Hi All,
I have the extroadinary exciting opportunity to involve a near-and-soon-to-be-almost-five year old {to hear him tell it} in trains and an introduction to the world of MRRing. His grandpas are allowing me/us to do so.
I am keeping in mind He IS a 5 year old.
He has the Thomas {and Chuggington I guess} wood trains. He is beyond them now. They would like to see him graduate to electric trains and one grandpa thinks HO scale for size.
Instructions:
1} get him into electric trains
2} must go into a "window seat space" OR stone foundation basement
3} must be no bigger than 4x8 {i will have to secure for them with my minivan}, He can graduate to 10x20 around the walls in the basement later}.
4} get him something he will enjoy at both 5 years of age AND at 15 years of age so it will grow with him!
Must NOt cost more than $100- 150 to start.
Personally I think DCC is the way of the future, and lean towards that {I know many don't favor it but EZ Command by Bachmann is good simple starter set and he can use the DCC locos later on with another DCC system as he grows}, and a simple oval of 18R he would outgrow, so at least two ovals, some sidings etc.
Lego doesn't seem to be too avaiable around here.
What say you all?.
Thanks so much for help
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I bought the Bachmann HO Thomas set for my grandkids (5 & 3) to use with Grandpa's supervision and it has been a great fit. It came with Thomas, Annie, and Claribel. I just looked and that set is not currently available from MB Klein, but they do have the Thomas freight set. It comes with a DC power supply and enough steel EZ Track to make a 56" x 38" oval. (Mine came with a 38" circle and I brought some straight segments to make an oval.) Not DCC, but maybe worth considering.
Richard
Both the Bachmann EZ Command and the Walthers Trainline sets would be suitable. They both have simple DCC controllers where, once they are set up, it's as simple as pressing buttion 1 to run the red loco, button 2 to run the blue loco, etc. The main difference is that the controller in the Walthers set is made by Digitrax and is Loconet compatible so it can continue to be used as a throttle in even a basement filling future layout.
Some may say that 5 is a bit young for HO, but only you can judge that, every child is different. If you think he has the dexterity and also the discipline to handle HO size equipment, by all means start there rather than another toy type system that he will outgrow.
The basic ovals that come in most sets are much smaller than a 4x8. For extra interest you can add more track and add sidings and so forth.
When I was a kid, we had no space for a permanent layout, so it was only up for the holidays, from the week of Thanksgiving until a week or so after New Years. For storage, no piece was bigger than 4x4 - the original was a single 4x8 sheet cut in half, with splice plates to join them together when set up. Then we added a 2x4 section at one end to put a yard, which also unbolted from the rest. And the final version then added a set of 4" wide strips around the outside of 3 edges for a larger radius oval for the passenger train. I was around 5 or 6 when I did my first wiring - my Dad worked saturnday mornings, and one morning I came down and saw he had finished the track on the main loop, so I turned everything oin and tried to run a train., It got halfway around and stopped. A little investigation found the insualted joiners he installed, and the terminal connection he had not yet gotten wired up. I ran a wire from there back to the control panel and soon had trains circling the entire loop. Keep in mind that besides trains and legos, my other favorite toy of the time was a box full of batteries, wire, switches, and lights that I would hook up all over the place, so basic electricity was already in my grasp. I was probbaly the only kid who made blanket forts that had electric lights in them.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
My first thought waws that HO scale would be too small. But on further thought I think the suggestion of a Thomas set is probably the way to go. Something like this: http://www.trainsetsonly.com/page/TSO/PROD/160-644
Additional E-Z track pieces, including turnouts, are available to make the track plan a bit more interesting. Note, however, that this is not DCC. That would add materially to the cost, to say nothing of the challenge of squeezing a decoder into Thomas. When your grandson is ready to move up to models of real engines you can always convert to DCC at that time. If he loses interest in a few years (like my 8 year old grandson) you will have saved that investment.
Good luck! And Happy Holidays for you and your grandson.
I would do a Lionel set, you can get sound effects - horn/whistle, chuffs, etc. - as well as smoke. All of which should appeal to a 5 year old. Later you can add operating accessories like a log unloader, searchlight car, etc.
If he's going to play with it by himself and/or set it up on the floor, I doubt an HO set will last.
If he still shows an interest at around 10, you can get him into HO if he wants.
My grandson is 2 1/2 and enthusiastic about Thomas wooden trains. I have already started accumulating O gauge for when he's 5.
Enjoy
Paul
Any of the Thomas trains in HO have a wheel configuration that makes them easy to mount on the track and European style couplers that will NOT come apart accidentally or while running. I bought HO Thomas for my granddaughter who is now 15 and it has been handed down, first to her younger sister who is now 11, and now to her younger brother who just turned 6. While they were originally DC,I have converted Thomas and Hogwart's Express to DCC and they have an out of sight parking spot on my 2 car garage size layout and the 6 year old still likes to run Thomas. He even likes to run him in the subway tunnels. He also still plays with his considerable collection of wooden trains. He alternates between trains and his X-Box Connect.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I have an O-scale Lionel train set (I am pretty sure), I got it when I was young, it is easy to put on the tracks, and they don't break (unless you really try, or it falls off a table possibly, I only ran it on the ground, so not sure). It has a wireless remote, and a simple oval (Christmas version doesn't have a remote), had a few signs, and the engine puffed smoke (I think we need to refill ours) runs on 4D cells in the tender and a 9 volt for the remote. There where three cars an a caboose along with the steam engine. I think wal-mart carried them. Not sure on the price, but it was really cheap compared to the HO scale sets. I also have a Athearn HO scale train set, comes with one of their nice RTR engines, three cars and a caboose. It is $130 from a hobby shop in NC. It comes with an oval of Bachman E-Z track (which you can buy more of to expand later. I got the one with CSX engine 2558, it works great (it's DC) but you will have a really hard time if you want to upgrade it to DCC. I DO NOT recommend the Athearn trainset to a 5 year old, but it would be a good set in a few years when he is older, and it could be a step up from the Lionel set.
Hi Galaxy
Both Thomas and Chuggington are done by Bachmann as electric trains they are supposedly HO scale.
I don't think either are DCC I also think 5 is perhaps a bit young for DCC also be aware the above mentioned ranges are both fitted with British standard couplings and would take a bit of work to fit anything else.
If the young rail fan already uses the wooden trains then these would be the ideal thing to cross over to electric trains.
I don't know what the cost of the sets is but I do know the Thomas range has a number of working accessories to enhance the play value later on.
And as he gets older other HO accessories can be added as well as adding model trains.
While he is that young old style moulded on detail is best he won't care about that I did not at that age
You never get to old for childhood trains I still have a Hornby Percy must get a new motor for it.
Oh! that's a point the Hornby plonk and play Thomas line side buildings that are cast in resin and look good enough to go on a proper English model railway.
If they are still made they are usable with the Bachmann Thomas as well.
So if that's his thing the Isle of Sodor can be created and made in the model railway way.
Just find the ordinance survey map of the island before doing it,
It does exist the proper map that is but it is now a hard to find highly collectable item so that could be a problem.
Remember its his railway so make sure he has age appropriate input into it and helps build it then he will be a train man for life.
Also ditch the steel black based EZ track that comes with the set's and get the nickel silver grey based EZ track
regards John
The grandpas have further instructed me:
I had thought of Lionel 3 rail as easy for him to wire/rewire/configure track, but they like the idea of HO and think he can handle it.
Simple DCC will simplify the wiring too.
They WILL ALWAYS provide Adult supervision when he is playing with trains. If either Grandpa is not available, he will NOT have access.He is at an age where "smash-em-ups" is his favorite game with his cars}
The concept of getting a Loco with DCC {B-mann EZCommand} SET and a starter True Track set with a few extra pieces from me/us is what they are thinking. EZC is easy to use and the "black loco" and the "red loco" for designations are fine on the EZC. for now. The Norfolk Southern set would work as the only trains around here ARE NS with an ocassional BNSF loco pasing through. cheapest option still adds up quickly. A digitrax when he is 10-12 might be in order.
RR cars from Them are then what they are thinking...And a few buildings{plasticville is FINE} is what they are thinking
More Stuff from Santa is what they are thinking..
up to 10 presents in all! Oh MY!
We both/all then share in the delight of entering the boy into the world of electric trains.
Now, I agree a DC "turn the knob and it goes" would be simpler, but with Grandpas {and "Uncle" me/us} help, the EZ C will be fine I think> Also the locos will work on any DCC system as he gets older and wants to upgrade. SO they will take him to the "adult stage" and the "modeler stage" IF he likes trains.
I also think the True track is a good idea, as as he gets older, and wants to roadbed/ballast the track the preformed base can come off and the regular code 83 track be used separately.
I will be responsible for building a 4x8 table for the "layout" with 1x4s for borders to keep trains safe. Plexi border will break under his control I think. ANd saw horses with cut to fit legs cut to fit his height will work. they can grow in height as he grows and will work for now.. WHen he is 15-16 if still interested he can have a 20x30 foot layout or modules in the basement if he desires.
I think secretly the grandpas want "IN" too! I'll bet they sneak down and run trains when the boy is not being there babysitted!
So that is where thoughts lie now... under consideration.
Sounds carved in stone, but open for negotiations.
Well discribed Randy. I fell in love with trains very young but the power side of it was always a mistory. I do envy those who can trouble shoot.
Ron
You have some excellent opinions voiced within this thread, all good information. Bottom line, if your Son likes trains, then he will be tickled to no end merely having a train set to call his very own, regardless of scale or if it is powered with DC or DCC. Structures/buildings, trees, rivers/lakes/water etc etc would be cool, but odds are, he would prefer a pre-made/pre-painted styrofoam tunnel or two over a factory building or other structure so that he could see the locomotives headlight shine through it/them. Sure DCC would make wiring easier, but how intricate a layout are you planing for a 5 year old to operate and enjoy (even with supervision)? Sometimes, less is more and keeping frustration levels to a minimum is good for all age brackets . Don't get me wrong, thinking ahead in terms of expanding the layout is good practice for most folks, but at 5 years of age it's difficult to plan where interests will be at 10. At the end of day only you know what's in the best interests of your Son and what will best cultivate and maintain his interest in trains.
My in regards scale, kids like BIG THINGS! Lionel is what a goodly portion of us cut our teeth on and it's something that many of us think fondly of. As others have suggested, I'd go Lionel.
Good luck and enjoy!
Happy modeling all!
Don.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
thanks for all ideas.
The Grandpas have spoken! {this is NOT my child/granchild But rather an "adopted grand nephew" from an adopted child of friends so close to us, they are family}
1}HO it is.
2}A 4x8 play area/table it is.
3} Grandpas WILL ALWAYS supervise {I think they want to "play" too!}
4} a few things like plasticville structures and other accesories he won't be able "to destroy" will round out the trains- no peoples yet as MAY be to small
I have:
~re-thought that a DC train set will work fine. If he wants to "grow up with it" to DCC, it can always be rewired.
~A simple 4x8 table with wings for borders will be made on sawhorses with legs that can grow as he does
that is where things stand as of now in the negotiations.
If he's only going to be 5, he'll probably be happy with just the DC power alone. Kids that young don't want to read instructions, so a simple setup will be best, I think. For the engine, an F unit would be good since it doesn't have all the railings that can be so easily broken.
When he was only 4, I gave my cousin's son a tuned up Life-Like train set with an F7 and a few freight cars, a Power-Loc track oval with an expansion kit, and a simple-as-can-be IHC power pack. He loved it and handled it very well, and since it wasn't a big investment, it won't be much of a loss if he loses interest. Of course, you'd more likely want to start the nephew off with something a little better from Bachmann or Athearn.
_________________________________________________________________
UPDATE:
Great Uncle me went shopping for the kid to get him into trains.
Spent $250 {will be split between us and the grandpas} to get him just 10 things! Take out tax, and I still spent a chunk o change! Now I WON'T start another "the hobby is so expensive thread", but will make this simple statement: WHen I got back into the hobby 6 years ago, I wanted to Try HO. FOr that same $250, I had MORE than a whole layout's worth of stuff AND several DCC engines!
~A cheapo ol' DC train set WAS on the list. BUT then I found out that for a mere $12more, this week on slae only, I could get a Bachmann steamer DCC On board Loco/Controller set, I changed my mind. I know some of you think the Bachmann EZ Command is not a good thing, but I have three B. EZCs, one for N under the tree layout, one for HO under the trree layout, and one for my 3.5 x5.1 foot HO pike. I am happy with all! Right out of the box, with out doing a thing, they can run the loco on address #3 all day long.
~The track in most ANY "set" is garbage steel track and no good. SO I bought the Atlas True track code 83 with the embedded road bed, It CAN be seperated to plain old Atlas Code 83 track later! With such a track shortage {and the wall was mostly bare} there was not much choice! Even the rail connector type power supply wires packages were OUT. The set has a pair in them.
I got cheapest of other things that were in stock, so if he plays "smash em up" won't hurt much.
~Got him a station set with combination station and a platform station
~ got him a house
~ got him a water tower to go with the steam loco {no coaling towers in stock}
~a refer
~got him a gondola
~ got him a tanker car
~ got him a red caboose
~ got him a foam tunnel { i know, but he may get a kick out of it and it was only $6- the cheapest thing here..}
Quite a haul I was trying to keep under $200, but oh well, the kid is worth it. He has so many people to dote on hm he will make out great!
I am one of the more vocal critics of the EZCommand, but for a 5 year old, it's perfect.