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[Fred Boyer]

Got another suggestion:  Look at Playmobil, it is a line of approximately 1/2" scale buildings, playsets, cars and a battery powered R/C train.  They are very rugged, built for young children in mind.  We ended up with LOTS of money tied up in the brand and the grandkids love them.  Not to mention one grandmother.  I did use standard G-scale track in brass - then built up my collection.  Can be used in the house (I did a 20 X 48 around the wall layout in the basement) and outside.  In fact, the first set was purchased for grandma.  She was outside running it on Christmas day.  One of the neighbors asked her if I got a new trainset for Christmas, she let him know it was her's in no uncertain terms.  In the basement, I built a 4 foot wide shelf around the room and the train ran around towns, wild west scenes, a castle and a other features.  Even my grown up children loved it. 

[Railfan1]

I've never heard of that before.

[Anonymous]

My Daughter "helped" my dad when he was layout his track plan when she was about 2. Albeit helping was getting in the way and wanting to watch the trains run. Then my dad passed away and for 7 years the layout sat idle. Track down and wired but that was it. Then one day when I had to do business in town my daughter, now 9, went into the basement with her grandma and cleaned up the train room. When I got back she had found some cars and a loco, plugged the layout in and was letting the train travel down the tracks. We are now heavily into completing the layout (8'x14'). Her grandpa would be proud. She even has developed her own mix of alpine ground cover that I have been hard pressed to match. The trains are of interest to her, but so is the back-story behind the little lives of the inhabitents of the layout. Her imagination has helped me figure out what to put down and where.

[Anonymous]

I think any age is good enough. Im 14 fixen to turn 15 in feb and i rember when i was like 3 years old and i had a train set. So get them in the hobby while you got a chance

[Anonymous]

I'm new to your forum; but I'm happy to say my grandson (5) is happy to be involved in 'Thomas the train' and from there he made (pre-school) a wooden (non-scale), painted {psychdelic}engine out of wood.  It proudly sits upon the higest mountain on my 3 X 12 layout. 

He has handled and broken a wood model and plastic (HO).  Both I repaired with him and the involvement was what he wanted.  I take him to train shows and most of the time we don't buy anything and he looks forward to it.  As everyone has stated before me it's the involvement and so many skills are needed that there is room for everyone. 

The floor (for me) is getting further and further away.  'Thomas' and the floor is very un-comfortable.

Now, the pressure is on  - can I live up to his expectations?

tchamp5 

 

[Railfan1]

[tomikawaTT]

Welcome aboard!

How young is too young?  My father gifted me with a Lionel tinplate set for my first Christmas - age 5 months 4 days!  I learned to control it before I learned to talk.  (I also teethed on a box car.)

What size is appropriate?  That depends on the young railroader.  My grandson was doing fine with the wooden Thomas trains before his second birthday.  Now that he's three, I'm sure that HO (with appropriate accessories, like a car railer and Kadee couplers) would be within his capabilities.  (He and his family live half a continent away, so I can't check firsthand.)

How long will the interest last?  Well, mine has never slackened - and my next birthday will be my 70th.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[wchrisyoung]

I started out several year ago with my two sons when one was 4 months old and the other one was about 2 years old.   Initially, they watched me run the train around and my oldest would help press the horn/wistle button.   Several years later, my temporay layout became a perminate one.    Now they are 5 and almost 7 years old.    They now help operate the train by using a DCS or TMCC remote.   They still are supervised at all times.   It is nice to see their enjoyment and involvement increase. 

I 4X8 is a good size to start.   They can have plenty of fun and enjoyment.   I would keep them supervised at all times.

Chris    

[nickt22]

I think that it is best to go with O guage. I have done some HO and appreciate the realism of scale model railroads, but I like the size and the fun that I have had with O guage. Let your kids be creative. I got my trains when I was 8 and used my hot wheels and toys, and now that I am 14 I am hogging my moms garage by building a layout.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all for the input.  I decided to take the plunge and got an HO starter set (Bachmann Chattanooga) from the model railroad show in Springfield, MA this past weekend.  The boys had a blast at the show.  I built a table in the basement on Sunday and we'll start setting up the trains next weekend while we take our time thinking about a more permanent layout.  Should be a fun ride! 

[Anonymous]

to the forums. You were thinking of starting with an HO layout with kids at the ages 2.5 and 5 you should probably do an O scale layout if money isn't a concern. Also O scale can have cool effects added such as sounds and smoke which younger kids would enjoy. Hope this helps you.

[Railfan1]

[John Busby]

Hi ski

Well I don't know about 2.5 and trains but your a year late with the other one

I got my first train set when I was 4 years old.

All thats changed is the costs and size of the train set I have

8X4 Will be fine but choose a plan that will allow for the layout to grow believe me it will with children they will not like going to "0" operations while the bigger better railway is built

So make sure it can expand without going to "0" operations.

I know its a worry cost wize with children but get the best locomotives you can afford and quality track so you can get reliabilaty in running easily

Hopefully you will not need repairability but that also comes with the better quality locos.

regards John

[challenger3980]

Hi Ski 

     Are they too young? NOPE, NOT AT ALL, NO WAY, NO SUCH THING!!!!  My Nephews and Granddaughter are all 2.5 yrs/old with proper supervision they do just fine and have a BLAST. Personally, I would have suggested o-gauge (LIONELS the BEST!!!!) it is much more rugged for the little ones, but ANY TRAIN IS BETTER THAN NO TRAIN!!                                      

     Another poster had suggested the best track and locomotive that you can afford, well My advice is that he is right about the track, don't skimp and do they best track work that you can, take your time, do a GREAT job and do it right, the effort WILL BE WORTH IT.  But as far as the locomotive goes, DO NOT spend too much there yet, don't get junk but don't get any thing real expensive yet. My suggestion for your next locomotive purchase would be along the lines of an Athearn Blue Box diesel (are these still available?, I haven't bought one in years) I  would recommend something like the F-7 in Santa Fe War Bonnet. These are very rugged engines for HO, and very little to break on them, and the War bonnets are a classic, that is always popular. These engines are also very reliable and smooth running. I have some that are almost 30 years old and still run great. I am a big steam fan myself, but at their ages, steam engines have a lot of delicate parts. Don't get something that they will feel bad about haveing an accident with. as they get old enough to be more careful, then start getting some better power.

                    But for now just have FUN, it truly is "THE WORLD'S GREATEST HOBBY"         

                                                                                 Doug

[tangerine-jack]

Too young?  NEVER!  Too old? CERTAINLY NOT!

Check out G scale for the little ones, they are big, rugged and get a thousand smiles to the mile!  A Bachmann starter set goes for around $150 and will last until the little ones graduate college.