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9 Responses to Getting Started In Model Trains
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Hi Frank, I model in ho scale because it is the most popular and has the most accessories. It’s a good size, not small or too big.the smaller you go the harder it is to see the small parts. Ho is small enough as it is. the bigger scales seem to be more expensive. Take him to a hobby shop and check out the different scales and compare the size and the cost.
I hope this helps.
Chuck
Hej Frank, Has to be HO as it is so pratical and the right size and the most durable in my view when regarding children and pets. N gauge has become very good these years but I would only ever consider that for adults who have limited space and are experienced modellers. I would suggest a HO railway set with all included and there you have plenty of choice.
Some HO/OO scale trains (Thomas & Friends etc) are designed to be sufficiently robust for small children, but may need supervision to help re-rail locos.
But for some children, O scale might be easier to handle for a couple of years.
It depends on how dextrous he is, and how careful to look after things.
Make sure you choose rolling stock with no small parts to break off.
I agree with HO Scale as that is also what I have. It is their size, easy to handle and not too expensive. Also the used stuff at train shows is always there. Start with inexpensive engines and rolling stock and let him learn how to handle it as they will get dropped, bumped and crashed. Speed is usually a big factor. They like fast. HO can expand easily and better stuff can be purchased as he goes. I have what I call the Tree Stump Railroad which is portable. It is just a double loop of track. But I use my cheaper engines and cars because little hands at train shows like to get in and pet the train. As I tell parents at the show that when starting out if you have to tell the youngster no and you do it enough times the youngster will steer away from the hobby. I tell them to Say No but be sure to explain how to handle it, hold it and so on. How to do it right. Don’t say no Say No but this is the way to handle it or what to do. Also let them know that if they can do well with what you have, then we will check out some better equipment or will get out some of your better equipment you already have.
Don’t just keep saying No but show them the reason and you might just have a future model railroader from Newman
Hi Frank,
I set my grand kids up with HO, as at the time I was working in the same scale, this gave the kids the opportunity to run their rolling stock on my layout when visiting, not to forget those nights of baby sitting, became a lot more fun.
other than that Leggo might also be a viable entry option.
Sorry folks. Even HO is too small for a five year old. A simple O scale train set with easy set up. Five year old still don’t have a long attention span. Five to fifteen min. And that is without having a temper. Do yourself a favor and keep it simple. For safety battery operation would even be better.
Our local CVS drug store had a large plastic battery powered train. Engine and 4 cars were about 4 feet long. Track made a 6 foot oval. Since I had gone around and around with my 4 year old grandson wanting to take the HO train cars off of the track and push them around on the floor, I got him the plastic train set. He can run it on the track, the floor, or anywhere. He is very happy and satisfied with his train and shows no interest in the HO.
I think what the other responders here have remarked about HO is valid and most likely makes the most sense for you. That said our family got hooked on G scale (1/29) after seeing store setups. Its indoor/outdoor aspect was appealing but, for us, the G scale trains looked, sounded and moved more like full-size trains. Being larger, G scale rolling stock is heavier and maybe not ideal for the very young to handle. As for the sound, I don’t mean sound effects that audio cards provide; rather it was simply the click-clack and whir of the cars on the track that first attracted us. Having priced things out in advance, we found it would cost about the same as a detailed HO layout but then we’ve had a simple approach. We have focused on acquiring locos, cars and track as the backyard and the family room are the scenery. No scale freight yards or towns just long track runs and a couple of bridges and one tunnel. We had a faster build time and we have not given up any serious room space either. An unexpected surprise is the interest our Santa Fe freight train creates with non-train oriented guests as it circumnavigates the yard. Like all hobbies, it’s what you enjoy and how you go about it. Have fun with whatever scale you choose.
I suggest O or G gauge. They are easier to handle and less likely to break. Even with HO gauge’s popularity, it is too small for a 5 year old. HO should be saved for 8+, and maybe more than that, depending on how they treat toys. Go for an RC locomotive to start out, a child that young is not likely to know how electricity works and will more than likely be shocked. Lionel makes RC G gauge trains, and the rails are plastic, so they are cheaper than metal rails. If you want to get him something from the Thomas and Friends region, Bachmann, Lionel, and Hornby (discontinued, you will have to buy Hornby Thomas and Friends from 3rd party sellers, but they are reintroducing them) make/made them. Lionel offers them in O and G gauge. Bachmann offers them in HO and G gauge (Bachmann T&F HO gauge is the widest variety) and the visual quality in my opinion is far better than Lionel. Hornby offered/will offer them in OO scale (same track as HO, but a bigger scale) but the models are based off of the prototypes, not the TV series, so they look disformed, but are better quality than Bachmann’s T&F collection when it comes to strength. If you’re handy with motors, you can remove them and make the wheels free-wheeled so your grandson can push them. If you’re good with RC, you can convert them to RC to make them remote-controlled. There are videos about converting to RC on YouTube, so check there for that.