Hi. I'm 11 and for years I've been wanting to build a model railroad set. However, my dad thinks it's horribly expensive and does not agree. He's too buisnissy and doesn't have a hobby. Probably because he grew up in China. Where do you think I could start because I have a lot of money but my parents won't let me spend it because they want me to save it up for university.
See if you can get him to go to a train show and check out prices of used equipment
Richard
Just buy a small train set for now then work your way up buying more freight cars and locomotives. Oh don't forget about my track.
Split your money into two groups. 1 money for college. 2 money for trains.
The way that your parents sound, make sure to decide the right railroad for you. Good luck.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
A university education is indeed something that needs to be saved up for so your dad is being wise in planning for it. However model railroading does not need to be horrendously expensive -- as the prior person pointed out, you can get used equipment at train shows (sometimes called "swap meets) very cheap. And a small layout with a carefully selected group of cars and a locomotive need not be horribly costly even if brand new.
I think you would enjoy model railroading more if your dad would get at least a little involved such as with helping build a train table or clearing an area in your home for a small layout.
Another alternative for you is that some local divisions of the National Model Railroad Association (the N.M.R.A.) have youth groups of boys and girls about your age, and sometimes the youth group has its own layout on which the members can run trains and even bring their own trains if they have them. A little searching on the internet might find if an NMRA division in your area has a youth group.
Are you by chance a boy scout? If so the scouts have a railroading/model railroading merit badge and that might be a way to find other boys in your area that are interested in trains. Perhaps one of them has a layout that you could visit with your Dad so he could see what the hobby is all about and talk to other parents about how much time and money it takes.
Dave Nelson
I know another 11 year old model railroading fan from my church congregation. While his parents would like to support his interest in the hobby, his family does not make a lot of money and he has no room in their small house for even a 4' by 8' layout. Fortunately, he has an open invitation to come and operate on my 10' by 19' double deck layout anytime he wants. He has proven to be a very adept model engineer and shows great respect for the layout, rolling stock, scenery and operating system. As my own children have no interest in my layout, he is quite welcome around here.
As previously noted, you might be able to find a youth group through the NMRA website or the boy scouts. However, it wouldn't hurt to look around close to home. Put the word out in your neighborhood or at church that you are looking for model railroaders. Most of us would welcome the chance to help you out. Best of all, operating someone else's layout won't cost you much, even if you bring your own rolling stock. You might also get the opportunity to work on the layout as you gain experience and the trust of the layout owner. Good luck!
Hornblower
Hi Justin.
Welcome to the forums.
A couple of years ago a friend of mine asked if someone they knew could come over for a look see of my layout. It was a seven year old kid that was trying to convince his parents to let him leave Thomas behind and move up to do some model railroading. One visit was all it took to show his parents all the things involved in the hobby, such as scenery, electrical, model building etc. He now has a nice layout he works on with his Dad and Mom.
Getting Dad to take you to a train show is a good idea. Most people and maybe your Dad don't know what the hobby entails until they actually see what's going on. I know my friends and family members that didn't know of my layouts of my youth came around once they saw what it all entailed.
Tell us where on the planet you live ( not your address) but near what city and in what country you live and I am sure someone can tell you about a nearby train show or two, or may even be able to invite you over with your Dad to see what it is all about.
Nice to have you on the forum. Even if you don't get what you want right away, stick around and enjoy our photo's and shared discussions and learn. It will come in handy when you do get your start.
Good luck!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Hi! When I was 11 I had a small HO scale layout. My parent's were supportive because they knew I was doing something constructive with my time. Model railroading taught me capentry and electricity and how to use tools. They definitly prefered this to playing video games. Try putting it to your parents like that. Tell them you'll be using your spare time to do something contructive and learn valuable skills. Good luck!
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
My folks bought my first train set so early in my life that one always been aroud.
As mentioned, see if you can't get them interested, either at a show, local club or a nice layout at someone's home.
To get them to agree to finincial support, decide on how much you need to get started: train (either a pre-packaged set or loco and a few cars), power, if it didn't come with a set and a place to build, sheet of plywood or shelves. After the initial investment see if you can take a certain amount each week or month to save for spending on adding to your layout. Some years ago I started setting aside a small amount each week and it does add up over time. If you can learn to scratch build, you can make more things for your money. You can also save up and buy kits, which are cheaper than ready-to-roll.
You can dye sawdust, use real dirt, make trees from plants you find outdoors. These along with some commercial products and you can improve the looks of your layout.
Since money seems to be a large factor, you should probably keep to DC, unless you have good luck convincing them to allow you to spend more on your initial investment.
Read and sk questions here on the forums and you can learn a lot.
Good luck,
Hi Justin:
Welcome to the forum and hopefully to model railroading!
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get into the hobby. Walthers, which is one of the best sources for model railroading as far as selection goes, offers basic train sets that you can set up on the floor and have a blast with (see my comments below*). Here is one current example of what they have to offer:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/433-8644
However, you need to understand that the quality of the train sets is well below what most model railroaders are currently working with. The train set offers forward and reverse and usually an operating headlight but the details are lacking and the running qualities of a train set locomotive aren't always the greatest. *Perhaps the biggest drawback is that watching trains go round and round can get boring really fast.
For a somewhat larger investment you can set up a small switching layout. Switching layouts aren't always big enough for a train to run constantly around in circles but they can provide hours of fun by challenging you to spot various freight cars at different industries without a lot of track to work with.
Here is one example of a small switching layout:
http://mrr.trains.com/how-to/track-plan-database/2011/10/liberty-street
Note that there won't likely be any huge locomotives on this type of plan, so if big steam engines or modern 6 axle diesels is what you want, then a switching layout isn't going to suit you.
I second the suggestion to get your dad or mom to take you to a train show/swap meet where you can see some operating layouts and get an idea of pricing. I also agree with making use of the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) resources. Here is their website:
http://www.nmra.org/
If you search the site you will find lists of upcoming events, local clubs and local hobby shops (although unfortuneatly the number of hobby shops is declining).
P.S. As has already been mentioned, one way into the hobby might be to join your local scout troop. Scouting offers way way more than model railroading of course but you will find it all to be a wonderful experience.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
GP-9_Man11786Hi! When I was 11 I had a small HO scale layout. My parent's were supportive because they knew I was doing something constructive with my time. Model railroading taught me capentry and electricity and how to use tools. They definitly prefered this to playing video games. Try putting it to your parents like that. Tell them you'll be using your spare time to do something contructive and learn valuable skills. Good luck!
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Point out to your father all the important things you will learn building a model railroad. Carpentry, elecrical work, painting, and how to use many different tools. I am sure he knows how valuable it is for a boy or girl (and then a man or woman) to know these things because even a businessman does not want to pay someone every time he needs to hang up a picture or fix a broken light in his house.
And as many people have said, it does not have to be very expensive. I built my layout with scraps from construction sites near my house. All the lumber and foam was FREE!
Sean
HO Scale CSX Modeler
Hi Justin. I am also a younger guy in the hobby so I know where you're coming from. My two suggestions are Ebay (if possible) and used trains from train shows. You will find that this is a relaxing hobby with lots of fun. We are all here to help.
-Alex
My Layout Photos- http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/ajwarshal/library/
I would suggest doing things that 1)make it easier to get scholarships, and 2)improve your knowledge.
I highly recommend looking into after school robotics clubs. See if your school has a VEX team. Every year there is a challenge, and you have to build a robot and they drive it in competitions. It is really fun, and you can go to advance to the World Competition.
Also join scouts. If you become an Eagle Scout, you are more likely to get scholarships, accepted to good colleges, and a good job. Not to mention it is fun and you learn important life skills, first aid, knots, navigation, survival, how to build a good safe fire, etc.
Doing some of these things is not only fun, but helps with scholarships which might make your parents more open to you spending a little bit ofmoney on model railroading. Also remember that every hobby requires some money to be put into it.
Hello, Justin,
I am a Scoutmaster who is also a Railroading Merit Badge counselor. I teach an annual merit badge class at the Essex Steam Train in cconjunction with their Eagle Flyer special. Scouting has so much to offer young men, and it's never too late to join. By coincidence, my youngest son and train buddy (and Tenderfoot scout) is also 11, and my oldest son just started college. Your Dad is right. It's really expensive.
So, I can't tell your Dad how to run his life. However, letting you have some money to use at your discretion is a great way to teach you about money. My boys each have a pre-paid credit card, and I load their allowance on it every month (they get $25). They can buy whatever they want. If they want to buy $25 worth of ice cream, they can. They can also save it up for something they want. The difference is, I don't buy them things. They get their money and that's it.
I suspect, when you say that you have lots of money, your father has invested money in your name to be used for college later. That money should stay there. But there's a lot to be said for you learning to save money and spend it on things you want. If they won't give you an allowance, see if there are small jobs you can do around your house.for money.
As others have said, this hobby can get expensive, but it doesn't have to be. And going to a train show with one or both of your parents is a great idea. Good luck.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Welcome aboard, Justin.
Just like many of us here I was given a train set as a Christmas gift. This was followed on my birthday with some additional freight cars & latter some acessories such as a tin plate grade crossing - other items too as the years rolled around. This certainly is not the same as model railroading, but it did lead to a life long hobby - some unkind friends would suggest an obsession.
All of that is leading up to a suggestion that you may like to tap your folks for gifts of model railroad equipment at Christmas & for your birthday.
If you were to present your dad with a cost breakdown & a work plan time line he may see that being a model railroader does not always require bank finance to fund.
You may get lucky and your dad may see a place for himself in working along side of you during these inital planning stages.
Good luck anyway.
Dusty