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[John Busby]

Hi challenger3980

My Father bought me the best locomotives he could afford they where only 0-4-0 and 0-6-0's to start with.

When I was old enough to ask why the answer I got was that by getting good quality small locomotives he could afford better ones that would run well and when I had a disastrous accident with them it was possible to get the parts and repair them.

I am sure there is a US brand of locomotive that fits the bill without destroying the bank balance one thing I did not like as a child was not being able to play with the train set because there was no locomotive that worked.

This was done inspite of him knowing there was a good chance of them getting destroyed as a child does as he learns.

Quite a few of them still run and those that don't are getting sent away one at a time to be restored by a friend who knows where to get other wrecks so that the loco's can be restored as a lot of my stuff in 00 is now 40+ years old

I cannot prove it but suspect this contributed a lot to me staying with the hobby except for that period of life when girls and cars suddenly become a whole lot more interesting

regards John

[JoeKoh]

matthew started from day one!(just kidding) He has grown from thomas to helping with couplers and wheelsets.(ho). we are working on getting uncle kens track(o27) cleaned up.we just have a basic 4X8 layout but the trains are running.Matt is even asking mamma if we can expand further in the house! good luck with your layout.

stay safe

joe

[Anonymous]

Well, from my chats on the Bachmann forums (please, enough with the brand flames!) I asked about setting up a set for my soon-to-be 4 year old when the naysayers raised their shrill. YES, I know a wooden Thomas fan graduating to HO scale might not be the most ideal and perfect scenario. But I found a slightly inexpensive solution:

 I was at Hobby Lobby in the train and model section when I saw some small plastic toy train sets on clearance. $3.99 for an engine and car, $2.99 for each 8" square of expandable track. Here is what they look like:

http://www.basicfun.com/products/default.asp?CATNID=1214

So, these are really cool, there are even switches to change the direction of the trains. I am looking to expand the set too.

Relatively inexpensive and introduces the small scale. My son loves it. He's giving the new engines names and is having fun with "changing the points". This might be a suggestion as long as the inventory lasts. You can Google for more sites that carry this product. I don't work for Basic Fun, I am just a satisfied consumer.

 

[tangerine-jack]

There you go Mac Daddy!  Fun, that is the bottom line.  Nothing else is important.  If your son is loving the train, then what does it matter anything else?  Someday he may grow to want better, but for now, who cares?  Let him play and enjoy! 

 

I've read the flames on B'mann, sure, it's true to a point in HO scale, but quite the opposite in G.  B'mann makes some of the finest trains available in G scale, durable and good looking, not too expensive either.  I don't like flamers, if you have a problem with something, then be clear and specific as to what that problem was, don't just hammer an entire company because you got one bad apple.

[challenger3980]

Hi challenger3980

My Father bought me the best locomotives he could afford they where only 0-4-0 and 0-6-0's to start with.

When I was old enough to ask why the answer I got was that by getting good quality small locomotives he could afford better ones that would run well and when I had a disastrous accident with them it was possible to get the parts and repair them.

I am sure there is a US brand of locomotive that fits the bill without destroying the bank balance one thing I did not like as a child was not being able to play with the train set because there was no locomotive that worked.

This was done inspite of him knowing there was a good chance of them getting destroyed as a child does as he learns.

Quite a few of them still run and those that don't are getting sent away one at a time to be restored by a friend who knows where to get other wrecks so that the loco's can be restored as a lot of my stuff in 00 is now 40+ years old

I cannot prove it but suspect this contributed a lot to me staying with the hobby except for that period of life when girls and cars suddenly become a whole lot more interesting

regards John

Hi John,

    I am not familiar with what is/was available in Australia (I would LOVE to visit down under someday!! ) but the Athearn blue box stuff is a very good quality at a reasonable price level, they run very well (though they were a bit amperage hungry compared to more current stuff) and they had EXCELLENT parts availability. I have some athearn stuff that must go back between 25-30 years for locomotives, and even older on cars. I haven't bought any in years, because  1) what I have still run great, and 2) As I have been able to afford some nice Steam equipment (UNION PACIFIC all the way) I haven't been collecting diesels. But as I was growing up, working the fields, mowing lawns , babysitting and Birthday money, Athearn diesels were a great way to build a decent roster of dependable locos, that were affordable. Still love 'Em, they just don't fit my current modeling, but get rid of them? NEVER!!!

                                                                                              Doug 

[John Busby]

Hi challanger3980

In Aus

We can get quite a range of model trains from those from the US, UK and Europe even Japanese

In pretty much all the common scales and a few of the narrow gauge variations as well the funny thing is that Australian trains seem a bit light on the ground

We don't have the same level of supply you guys seem to have going on the model press, very popular models can be very difficult to get unless you order them from the manufacturer that is assuming the manufacturer will sell direct

That about sums it up.

Most of my childhood trains where bought in my country of origin which was the UK however the Tri-Ang Hornby Trans Continental range of Trains arrived when we moved to Australia which was one of the places they where made and thus not readily available in the UK

I still have them and am not getting rid of them they are destined to run again (some of the trains should not run on the same layout but who cares) when the shed has been properly converted to a railway room now wheres those old track plans books and model building books they might come in handy after the room building.

regards John

[challenger3980]

Hi John,

     I'm not quite sure what you meant by "light on the ground" Do you mean that the hobby shops are not well stocked with items on the shelf? I am pretty fortunate my LHS (Whistle Stop Trains) here in Portland, OR is less than 4 miles away (maybe that really isn't such a good thing, for my budget) They are a train specific shop and very well stocked. Also I am a professional truck driver (3 state regional private carrier) so I get to check out the shops in many other places. Also I am hoping to get my normal run to Spokane, WA. delayed by a day next week, there is a local club there that meets Thursday nights ( Bugaboo, I'm usually there Wednesday nights) so I am hoping to get to see it. I am a member of a very large club here in Portland. Are there many clubs in AUS? I do understand about trains that MAYBE shouldn't run together, but hey sometimes it is GOOD TO BE THE KING. I Too spend a LOT of time going through the plan books, and have found a couple that with my own customizations I really like. Now I just need to make the room.

                                                                         Doug.

[Anonymous]

I know of a rather complete wooden trainset based on the Thomas Line in what I would call "Close enough to HO" with magnets for couplers and a fairly flexible track componets at one of the stores in my area. Such a set would be no problem for a wee one, especially since some of the motive power is battery powered.

The thought of a giggling 4 year old hefting a 450 dollar engine equippted with QSI gives me pause.

I believe that Legos have trains and while they may be way too fast to stay on any sort of track should also be worth considering.

Regarding room, those of you with a little bit of land should think about having a outbuilding built. Nothing fancy but supportive of room temperature in both winter and summer will be worth it.

[John Busby]

Hi challanger 3980

Light on the ground:- is not readily available

It is quite possible to build a foreign railway straight out of the hobby shops which are all in the major population centers but there are not many manufactures of Australian trains 

I live out in the country so its phone order when I want anything

I am hoping to get to the city for the June long weekend when the big model railway exhibition is on so I can catch up the hobby shop I deal with and the members of the club I belong to Its their exhibition and several other club and private layouts will be there and the usual clinics

I hope the garden live steam layout will be there this year so I can leave the loco I have only waited thirty years to be able to afford.  

This needs a boiler inspection so it can be certified for the garden track at the club room and public operation If I forget mo matter there is always the indoor layouts of various scales

regards John 

[Anonymous]

I started when I was around 5 when I inhereted my great grandfather's trains. I had Thomas the Tank Engine trains before this, but these were my first real ones.

I was instantly bitten by "Rail Enthusiests Desiese". Now i'm 13, and more obsessed than ever! I pretty much think about trains 24-7! My first layout was a 4 by 8, with powered switches and a good power pack. I was scared of running the trains at first, so I just pushed them around by hand until I was 6 or so, then I ran them round and round all day!

I switched to DCC around 7 or 8 on a new layout, much bigger, at a higher leval, with homasote subroadbed.. I had more stuff; better locos, Kadee coupelers, and an Atlas DCC system. That layout kept being rebuilt, until when I was 10, I was ready for a real layout. 

2 years ago, I tore down the old, and started again. This layout is built at chest hight, it's about 12 by 22 it has a foam base, it will have scenery, it has a sky backdrop down the middle, extending above eye leval, and I now use the Digitrax Zephyr, with walkaround throttles (soon, I hope). Operations started last summer.

I have just completed ballasting the yard, and I am starting the buildings.

I think this may be usefull to help you with starting your kids out.

P.S. Say goodbye to having your basement for storage!

 

[CTValleyRR]

It's been said a hundred times but has to be repeated. There is no such thing a too young.  I had a working HO layout when my youngest was 1.5 yrs old (he's 4 now), and I'm STILL not allowed to go near it without him.  We've started working on the kid's (Thomas the Tank Engine themed) layout, too.  I do most of the work, but they provide the artistic guidance and inspiration.

 Two words of advice, if I may:

1) Get something operational, fast.  Kids don't like to watch imaginary trains in your head.  No matter what you are working on, make sure some part of your layout remains operational, or, at best, is only out of service for a day or two.

2) HO is NOT too small or too fragile, but proper supervision is essential. Yes, some things will get damaged, but don't lose your temper and teach them how to be patient and gentle. A short plexiglass shield or raised edge on your table may prevent accidental damage.

[Anonymous]

Well I think you have to make a choise first, what is your goal with it and do you allow your kids to be hurt. Electricity can hurt them trough the rails. You could however find a train set that is made specially for kids. these might be less accurate and pretty, but so much more saver. (my advice: take these if you have a lot of space, you can even place these outside if im not mistaken) Also LEGO trains are a lot saver, only problem is are small parts wich makes you needed to be there while they play. I don't think you like one of them choke on a brick. (personal advice: start with LEGO trains on age 6 only). But if you want to play it even saver, wait till the youngest reached age 6 and then start. You could however place everything yourself and cover it with glass so they can play savely aswell (I've done this last thing for a family I know very well, a nice table with mountains, cities, trains, etc. and only their parents can get inside the glass "house" to place or remove things. works very good and save. I do advice savety glass! They won't be able to braik that fast and hurt themselfs!). I hope you have enough information with this.

[CTValleyRR]

I must respectfully disagree with Mech.

I really don't think it's possible to have kids who are too young to enjoy model railroading.  As long as they're adequately supervised.  You are planning to supervise them, right?  Because otherwise you need to find them a battery operated toy set for starters.

I don't think my boys behave any better or worse than the average boy, but even my 4 year old has no trouble managing his own trains on "his" -- the kids, really -- layout.  Admittedly, it's a cheapo Bachmann Thomas the Tank engine set, and I wouldn't put a craftsman model kit or something I'd painstakingly scratchbuilt on that layout, but it's a real HO train, complete with 18V DC current, and I've never had any trouble.  Although with my layout, the kids know that if they touch something without my permission, the get banished from the basement for 1 minute for every year of their age.  On the other hand, they quickly learn that if they ask first and are careful -- and you'd be surprised how serious and careful my 4 yr old gets when he's given permission -- they will be allowed to operate the layout, uncouple cars, etc.

I guess it comes down to this: as long as you're with them, it's good quality time together, so long as you recognize that the occasional accident will occur and don't get too bent out of shape when it happens.  But save the intense modeling that requires your full attention for after their bedtime.  They can get up in the morning and admire your handiwork.  Or tell you that you did it wrong!  I've heard that more than once.

[yougottawanta]

No they are not to young.I agree with everyone else. I have a two year old and a four year old. They both have their own Thomas engines and rolloing stock. They both love the trains. I get a real kick out of my youngest daughter when she says choo choo daddy. Translates. Dad lets go play with the trains. Good look.

[canoncityxp]

I literally cut my teeth on my Grandfather's 0-27 layout ( well, actually the edge of the plywood ).  It's very important for the kids to be able to handle the equipment from the get-go.  I agree that you should start large & durable ( but small in scope ) then later decide if you want to change scale and/or invest thousands.  I never had a problem with my son and the HO that I brought into married life.  My nemisis has always been the "mature, practical (& fiscal)" wife that slowly emerged as time went by.

Here's to your bonding through rails with your kids.  I'm now hoping to impress the the grandchildren with "that senile old fool who lives in the basement".