I work as a contractor for Union Pacific RR. About a year ago I took my then 2 year old now 3 yr. old to ride on the big 4000 series motors what a joy he had sitting in the engineers seat pushing and pulling the brake levers and reversers. And little did he know we were shoving about 3,000 feet of BMW autoracks, and little did he know while he was sitting on my lap that we made a 15 mph joint with other cars, but what a memory. he is sitting on my lap now enjoying all the pictures and graphics of the trains. I would love to instill in him a lifelong love of train hobby. My question is how do I get started with models. Whats the best starter kit. What books, magazines or videos are good to learn from.
Bill[bow]
[#welcome]
What wounderfull memories… I’m also new the hobby. I start with a few issues of Model Railroading and other monthly mags, suggestions from my my best friend and wife Gloria, finding some space and a few visits to LHS. This forum has also providing with much guidance, ideas and encouragement.
You might want to see if the “Thomas the Tank Engine” series is still being shown on any of the childrens channels in your area. That seemed to me to be a well done show (at least the few episodes that I saw). Later you could work him into his own Thomas trains.
Thomas the Tank Engine official website:
http://www.hitentertainment.com/thomasthetankengine/us/home/homepage.html
Thomas Trains
http://www.totallythomas.com/
http://www.thomas-tank-engine.com/
It’s amazing how much Thomas stuff you can turn up with a Goggle search:
http://webpages.charter.net/mortickles/
Glad to see you starting him young. That gives you a good excuse to build the layout and run the trains while he’s still too young to operate them. Sly move… [:D]
Regards
Ed
A the young age of three, I would start with videos geared towards children, Brio or Thomas the Tank Engine tains, and maybe some sturdy G scale trains.
I believe Playmobil has a sturdy large scale good quality train set designed for young children. These are much much nicer than the really cheap stuff many department stores sell to run around Christmas trees.
If your son continues to get to ride in a locomotive with dad every once in a while, I think you’ll have a train fan for life!!
How cool… I’m jealous!!
[:)]