Bringing a Newby into the hobby

This coming Saturday my sister is having a welcome party for my newly adopted Nephew… Little Eddie is only 15 months old, and a very welcome addtion to our family… Now, I have 3 daughters, all train lovers… But I felt it only proper to try to reach my nephew while he was still young enough not to fall for the video game craze…

So here’s what I came up with in about 5 hours… (Tongue in cheek) It met all of his list of requirements, wants and druthers for a first layout. it also has a rather nostalgic aire with lots of prototypical operation possibilities… Welll atleast it doesn’t have a smiling loco with googlie eyes…

Now before you loop critics get on to bashing the design and talking about thinking outside the plywood, be informed that this division is the operating division of a trunk line with more trackage waiting to be laid, the minute the boy can can see over the coffee table… Anyhow this little thing will slide under the crib and be out of sight when not in use… I hope he loves it.

Very well done. I did the same kind of thing for my nephew. I put together a FasTrack loop and menagerie of cars with a plastic loco that he couldn’t break if he tried.

Mitch

Very well done. That should catch his interest.

Make sure it has a whistle.

Chuck

Very nice gesture. There is something very appealing to simplicity. My train as a young child was just an oval of track with no scenery. I remember the sense of accomplishment I received the first time I hooked up the wires from the transformer to the track and it actually worked!!!

Earl

All I can say is God Bless you, your family, and your new son. Oh, as a Civil War Museum Director, I love the cannon!

Great layout, shows a lot of love you have for your Nephew.

To create a layout takes a good imagination, creative ability and love, to welcome your Nephew into a family of love.

This will keep him on the right track and he’ll be a productive person.

Enjoy your family.

Ralph

Looks good. I’m sure he’ll like it a lot. It seems to be missing the Matchbox cars though.

J White

Really fantastic ! I like the use of color, detail, and designed with safety in mind. [tup] [tup] [tup]

I only see one problem, storage under the crib/bed? Not a good idea, when you and Dad get together how do you expect Eddie to sleep? Also, if your not you may also want to introduce yourself and Eddie to Thomas the tank engine. LOTS of great stories, and paraphanelia, I’m sure you will find him soon enough. (Maybe another year or two).

Seriously, what you did is better than any of the Ready to Run, or pre-made sets I have ever seen! Lucky nephew !!

Very nice, I am sure the kids will have a blast with your layout.