I use bath towels to wrap each train and carry all in plastic container.I take the chaeper locos to shows to run on our layout as I believe kids should be allowed to touch.After all,aren’t we trying to get them interested ? Nothing is more gratifying than watching the smile when you let a child pu***he whistle button.I find its the “grown-ups” you have to watch at shows anyway.
Ed
Last night I read a article in a older MR issue about a HUGE public train display in Hamburg, Germany. The owners said the reverse was true…the adults were a worse problem…with some of them leaning over and rapping mountains to see what they were made of.
I worry more about my scenics than the trains. Some of my adult viewers are “cronic pointers”…that is, they HAVE to have their finger very close to what they are referring to. Of course, other items get hit in the process. If I see this, I cut the “show” short.
In any event, I know I would not have the stomach to oversee a public display. Joe
HI
For me the trains are train, so if you can see scratches and dents look more trains. But I keep all mechanical parts pristine and in perfect conditions.
When the engine run fine and quiet better for me than a good paint.
Is true that they are expensive, but when you die who care?
Andre.
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Originally posted by artyoung
I stopped being paranoid about our trains quite some time ago when I noticed that no matter how often my daughter “helped” the figures on her Postwar Newsstand move, it just kept on working. I figured if I wanted her to be interested in trains, and to STAY interested, I should just accept an occasional accident and not limit which ones she could play with. Well, guess what? No major accidents in 15 years AND she writes for the TCAQ (Daddy’s proud, too!). So, lighten up!
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It is one thing for your kid to play with your toys than it is for someone’s kid to maul my collectable trains. You are not trying to sell yours, I am. Whole different ballgame
I am less protective about my trains and my layout than ever before. My 13yo does much of the scenery work. Does he get messy? Yup. Does he overspray with glue? Yup. Does he handle engines rougher than I would? Yup.
The POINT is however he is doing all the above b/c he can and wants to. If he breaks anything it will be from the best intent…whereas Dad remembers disconnecting some track off the trestles on his layout when young to watch our 2037 “wreck”. So since he has never done anything like that, I suppose I am ahead of the game.
M1, he is interested and not getting in trouble. That is good. My getting my son into trains at an early age gave him the wiring knowledge that made him famous in automotive electronics [even though he is a Dupty Sheriff, but relied on to fix or make up things for the dept’s vehicles]. You never know where this will lead him. Let him go. [:)] Let my Nephew [same age] run trains last night with CAB1 and DCS remotes. First time I’ve let anyone run them but me. He did fine.
Chief:
I agree with your electronics comments as well. Teaching him how to strip wire and trouble shoot ( the Army is big on that with PMCS) helps. What this serves for in a larger sense is acreative outlet and a way of problem solving. I ran into that myself yesterday and can hardly wait to get home to fix a problem!
M1, send me an email [yours is not listed in profile]. Nike Herc, Army Air Defense, 68 thru 69.
Had a basement full of kids watching and operating the trains last evening. Mostly 10-11 in age. They were fairly respectful - loved to run fast - which then derailed whatever was running on a curve in the far corner of the layout of course, but they got the hang of it after a while. I worked through my trepidation.
Sometimes the person I worry most about running them is…me. I try to multi-task at times and leave trains run to get engine time in and wander off due to other work or family needs Dad things…
Your night sounded fun though!