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[challenger3980]

I can't believe how many miss the boat when starting out youngsters, O Gauge is so much a better choice, than HO. More durable, easier to handle, easier to place on the track, and the size of O Gauge is much more appealing to younger ones, who don't care about scale accuracy. O Gauge is much more carpet central friendly as well, letting youngsters get down on the same level as the trains themselves, and no 3 foot fall of doom to worry about.

Which do you think is more likely to get the attention of a youngster? Both are Lionel.

 

Some of my Nephews, who I have Spoiled Terribly on Birthdays and Christmases.

Never under-estimate the Play Value of open cars.

 

This is my youngest Nephew, with his Very Locomotive, He can claim to be a Life long Model Railroader, he recieved this locomotive, at the hospital the day He was born. All three Nephews now ages 9,8, and 6 are still very "Into" trains, but this one I don't think will ever OUTGROW the Hobby, I am also afraid my Sister, will never FORGIVE me either. 

 

For those who do want Scale Accuracy and detail, O Gauge has a LOT to offer you as well.

[This Wonderful work of Art, is on my "I'm Gonna get one of those someday" list

, but unfortunately not my roster, YET.

 

Always promoting the Hobby

 

Lionel, they're NOT your Grand Pa's electric trains any more,

(Okay that AM-2 Cab-Forward, is a 3rd Rail Brass, but the rest are Lionel)

 

Doug

 

 

 

[Ian]

It's hard to get my son away from my trains. 

Thomas the Tank was the beginning. However, when he saw me emptying a box after we moved into our house and there was some of my old HO cars, Thomas was done for. That was three years ago and he has gotten in trouble a couple of times for getting out the bodies of locomotives that I have tried to fix, not wanting to come to dinner when he is playing with them, and leaving out the Kato Unitrack that we have when he sets it up on the dinning room floor.

My son even knows where all the real hobby shops are and all the owners know him by name.

My son loves model trains. My daughter enjoys them when we have them out but not as much as we do. I think the only problem is having to put a limit on how much he can enjoy them... he has to go to school during the weekdays.

[royboy]

Great point and I agree, hopefully someday the 5 year olds will return to the bigger trains.

[John Busby]

Hi all

Well with the utmost respect you can take Thomas and BEEEP!!! I have never liked the cartoon like Bachmann product.

Thomas is based on real trains and should look like them with the exception of having a face and colours

That point aside, I received my first proper train set a Triang OO scale pick up goods set when I was four years old.

I therefore question what age is best for the first proper electric train set but that really is a question best left to the child's family

I also had dad's un intended influence as he worked for British Rail and later West Australian Government Railways as a signal engineer.

So I guess I was fated to be a model railroader from day one 

I am not sure on the "O" scale argument for train size.

But I am convinced that parental support for the train set and other ways to encourage it in a meaningful way are important.

Grand parents I know it is your sacred duty to spoil them but one car or accessory at a time is enough.

I am now 53 and presents for the train set are a worry is it going to fit what I am doing?.

Sometimes the innocence of childhood is a wonder to behold, Oh for the days when I did not care, it was for the train set and that's all that mattered.

regards John

[BrakemanBill]

i had a wooden train when i was young. My father loved trains.now at last im getting back into it.i feel like a kid again.looking forward to learning from everyone.its been some 30 years.happy new year.