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Children Hands On With N scale
Col writes:
“My 6-year-old grandson is a train fanatic and, although he still likes Thomas, showed real enthusiasm for the less colorful, more realistic trains and layouts at a recent train show I took him to. I’d like to build a small layout for him in my garage, but at most I only have enough space for a 5ft x 2ft layout, so it would need to be N scale or smaller. I know he would want to handle the trains, put them on the track etc, and I fear N scale might be too frustrating and delicate for him (and me)? Advice please, because I don’t want him to lose interest?”
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10 Responses to Children Hands On With N scale
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I had same issue with my grandkids. I went to swap meets and bought cheaper engines and rolling stock for them to play with. I kept the more expensive equipment for me when they weren’t around. Believe me they will break stuff, so don’t get upset.
Also make sure you have a rerailer piece of track in your layout. It will make putting any scale equipment back on track so easy.
Regular HO / OO scale track will go down to a 30 inch circle, I’m not sure any smaller, but N scale is probably (way !) too small and fiddly for five year old fingers.
But possibly you can build a two-part sectional or hinged layout in HO ?
Like Paul says,
1) older (slightly less acccurate) models are sturdier for use by young hands (no fine detail !), small locos will be easier for him to put on the track (definitely no Big Boys !)
2) expect (and accept !) there will be damage to anything breakable.
Allow loads of creative freedom, but supervise gently at all times.
One way to teach kids how to properly handle small scale rolling stock, and yes they will drop some, is to have them do some repair/maintenance on freight cars. Let him try replacing trucks and wheels on some inexpensive cars so he gets the feel of the size and the amount of strength to use.
A rerailer section, usually “disguised” as a level/grade crossing, should be right up front so he can get used to putting cars on the track. The more you let him do, the faster he’ll learn and the stronger his interest in the hobby will get.
N Scale is ideal when you want a lot of geography in a small space. However N scale is far too small for small children. I have N scale and have grand children of all ages. Remember, children of 6 as enthusiastic but they lack a sense of scale. Some may be happy to have their stuffed bunny waiting at a station for the train to arrive.
I suggest HO or OO because its bigger and cheaper than N. 2ft may be too small for your minimum turning radius. You may have to increase the ends. Bear in mind that at minimum radius you may still have to confine yourself to short rolling stock and locos.
If your layout has an oval. You can lengthen the track at any stage by cutting your layout into 2 modules in put a module of straights of any reasonable length between the 2 while outdoors in more space. Indoors you stick to the 2 modules.
Important. The modules need not to be scrapped when expanding at a later stage. They can form part of a later more elaborate layout for a more experienced grandchild (and grandfather.)
You could do an end to end in OO
Its amazing what some layouts are like
And that helps with the issue of small
hands
Hello there. I’ve got 2 girls, aged 5 and 9. They loved to help me with my trains as I was building my layout. It’s been a few years, and they were pretty rough with the equipment in the beginning. Over time, they have grown more careful. As my layout got farther along so did their patience and appreciation for the work it required. I guess you should start from scratch with both the layout and the kids and they will progress together. I have a N scale layout that is 2 x 5 foot and they are just fine with it. Their eyes are better than mine and can help out in surprising ways. Go for it!
An overall view.
Children aged 6 like to play with their toys (ie – hands on play) and their imagination can usually end up with more excited handling of said toys. For model trains, this might end up in scale speeds in excess of 150mph.
Obviously, a motorized loco would suffer or be damaged under these conditions. Consider getting 1 or 2 dummy locos and a a few freight or passenger cars on a simple oval track to start.
Give them a chance to play with the trains, while encouraging them to be gentle with them also. Use breakages as lessons. Have a powered loco that they should understand is used only with the controller. They’ll catch on pretty quick.
I am raising a grandson and I started my railroad when he was just one year old. He has been operating the trains since he was three years old. He is better at setting trains and rolling stock on the track then i am. “Grandpa let me do it my eyes are better then yours.” He has been allowed to handle the railroad and has never broken anything. Teach children early and don’ts be afraid to let them get actively involved. Great for bonding and passing the time. He just turned 6 years old and we started off with Bachman EZ command and are now operating NCE Power cab.