Hey guys, I had a fun night tonight at work. I teach music in an elementary school and I occasionally tell the kids about my love of trains. This year has been pretty interesting because I’ve had several of the kids tell me their dad or grandad is into trains. I’ve always wanted to bring up a little layout for them to see and this week provided a perfect opportunity.
I have to admit, I saw it posted on the OGR forum first which made me say, “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that!” But immitation is the greatest form of flattery, so whomever I am copying, thanks!
The second graders in the school work on a project each year creating small scenes and buildings as part of a “living community”. They talk about rural and urban areas and the differences between the two. They make their own house, farm, skyscraper or whatever- then they put them on the ground. I offered to bring my trains up as part of the exhibit and the teachers were thrilled. (Not to mention the kids!) One of the teachers even called the local newspaper who sent out a reporter and even interviewed me! Of course I gave her great one liners like, “It’s such a great hobby for families to share.” and “It’s creating memories.” and even “It’s much more worthwhile than playing video games.” I also plugged the Lionel Hogwarts Express set and even admitted to ordering one. (I really hope my wife doesn’t read the article, she still doesn’t know!) Anyway, here’s some pics for your enjoyment.
What’s funny to me is that it started much like my Christmas as a young boy. One track going around the tree…then some more track to go around the chair too…then around the tree, chair, couch, etc. I started around the inside square, then wanted it bigger, then wanted two trains…I had to pull out my old lionel track and a couple switches so I could have a siding, then I ran the train right through down town. The kids loved it! The teachers loved it! The parents loved it! It was a hit.
DaylightFan wrote the following post at 10-17-2007 1:13 AM:
The teachers loved it! The parents loved it! It was a hit.
BTW, I had several dads ask me about getting into the hobby!
WELL DONE SIR!!!
I work out of my county Juvenile Court, and what you have done has impressed me more than any program I have ever observed to benifit children of this age. You have done a service to them that may well last a lifetime. If even a few parents follow your example, their children will benifit more than you will ever know. Thank you for sharing this.
Awesome! Looks like you have quite a few budding architects! Looks like the people in the photos focused more on the trains.
Great Job! I can’t wait until mine go to school and have a project like that…I’ll be volunteering the trains! Hhhmmmm I’ll need to start procuring some track!
I have often thought of ways that I can use my trains outside-of-the-home. I often think about building a portable layout that could be brought into nursing homes, schools and other locations to get families interested in the hobby!
By the way - I thought my wife was the only wife out there that didn’t know that her husband has ordered a Lionel Hogwarts Express set! [(-D]
That was a great idea. I wish someone did that when I was in school. Finally some possitive news about things that happen in schools. Keep up the good work. I really like the hand made buildings.
The Fort Lee Band will of corse be doing a christmas concert this year. We decorate the theater with tinsle and of corse a tree. I asked my commander if a train ca be placed around the tree. He said make it happen. I’m thinking the Super Cheif.
Hey, thats great. Just a few years ago, i was one of thoise kids, mezmerized by my grandfathers lionel going around the christmas tree. my hats off to you, for spreading the train bug, and letting youngsters know about the “O” guage world out there. I just wish all teachers were like you.
Thanks for the compliments. I had several teachers ask me today if it was a hassle for me to bring up the trains and set it all up. They just don’t realize how much fun it is for me to do that! One of the classes even gave me a $5 gift card to starbucks! I really love my school!
Glad to see the toy trains out of the museums, and back in the hand of kids. Great job by all, please keep it up, need to see more of this. Here in the Northwest our local Astronomy club does a similar thing with telescopes. Showing kids how to build one from Sonatube and mirrors. Kids will react and respond to hands on, they just need a nudge. Thanks for sharing, and keep at it.
For several years, the private school I taught at had a pre-Christmas fund raiser dinner-auction with lots of Christmas trees. I set up a loop of Lionel trains around two of the trees and had several offers to buy the trains. I could probably have made some big bucks but they were some of my favorite trains so no sales!!!
A Polar Express would be great if you had one or could even get one on loan from somebody. If you create a concert program and give a shop an honorable mention as a booster maybe they could be sweet talked into loaning/donating one to the school. If the tree is going to be on stage a “G” gauge P.E. would be even greater visability. [tup]
Hey DAYLIGHT, if I taught with you we’d be in big trouble. I teach wood shop in jr, sr high school. We’d be figuring out all kinds of stuff, nuttin would ever get done, except track work. GREAT JOB.
Great job Daylight. We surely need more like you in this crazy world today. Those kids will forever have happy memories the rest of their lives. I lost my mother back in the middle 40’s and the few memories I have of her is makeing buildings from shoe boxes and coloring them with crayons for my Lionel Scout set. Thanks for shareing this with us and thanks for bringing those happy memories back to me. Ken
Anyway, here’s some pics for your enjoyment.