I am totally new. My grandson is crazy about trains. He loves it when we are stopped at the tracks. i bought a Rail Road magazine the other day and looked through it all weekend.
I am considering trying to put something together for him. He will be 5-yrs old next month.
What scale should I start with? I do not really understand the difference in scales. It also seems like it takes a lot of dedicated space for a track layout.
I was three when my parents started me off with an American Flyer (S gauge) set. I switched to HO when I was eight and my brother inherited the AF. Thirty two years ago I switched to N.
HO might be good for a five year old. But you might want to start him off in a gauge you might be interested in as he may grow tired of it and you’ll end up running and maintaining it.
O scale (also known a O gauge) is 1/48. HO is half that, thus 'H’alf ‘O’ scale or 1/87. LGB is even larger. Typically, if one wanted to build a SCALE model railroad, they would most likely choose HO scale or N scale. (You get more realistic railroading in a smaller space.) If you just wanted something for a child’s train, O scale or LGB would work. HO would not be out of the question for your grandson because he will grow into it. However, some folks do build scale layouts using O gauge or LGB.
To really get a feel for the different scales, prices, and quality, I think you should try to find a Hobby Shop in your area that sells trains. A toy store may be another option.
Wow. 5 Years old. Young kids can be fascinated by trains, but at 5 you are a bit young to be actually working a train set. Start off very small and very inexpensive. A simple HO scale set arranged in an oval using sectional track is the usual way to start out. Put it on a dining room table to start and see how his interest goes. If you find he is bored with it after a short period then just drop it and store it until he is older or re-expresses an interest.
If, however, you are also inspired and interested as well, then you might try setting the thing up on a card table with a small 4X4 piece of plywood as a base. This is just a tiny step farther along than above and allows the board to be stored easily and the table folded up.
Dip in lightly, money wise, until you or he is either bored to tears or inspired to new heights. Buy a “Model Railroader” magazine at a magazine stand or hobby shop and check things out in it. Model railroading is an insidious disease to those who do not have five thumbs on each hand. It brings out the natural desire to build and make, using your own hands.
Your local hobby shop is highly recommended on that first buy. They will shepherd you to a simple yet useful first train set. O scale (Lionel) is nice and many of us baby boomers started there, but that scale is expensive and takes up vast amounts of space.
N scale is also fairly cheap and a large layout can be made is a very small space, but real young hands or really, really old hands and old eyes are not suitable to putting the small cars wheelsets on the rails easily. N is ideal, however, if space is a paramount consideration.
In closing, HO is ideal with N scale being a good second choice. HO and N scale probably, together, service 80% of all model railroading, strictly due to space and cost issues. Do not be put off by the high prices often
Hi
[#welcome]
Besides O, LGB, HO there are a few alternatives that might interest the youngster.
There are Lego trains and there are Thomas the Tank. though if he is fascinated by real trains passing at crossings, he may want something more like the real thing…especially if he understands Thomas is “just a cartoon-type show to entertain youngsters”, and he is a “big boy” now.
O guage can get expensive, but some Lionel O guage 3 rail sets can be had for around $250.00-$300.00 around Christmas at some Hobby shops, online or at some retailers. Most popular would be theri versions of “Polar Express” for the Christmas-tree layout people.
I mention O guage 3 rail as it is really easier to wire up for a little man {who might not understand polarity, current, and etc.} than 2 rail DC HO, though 2 rail HO DCC wiring can also be simplified for a smaller layout than HO DC. O guage has two negative rails on the outside to choose from and only one center positive rail. O guage is also larger in size for small fingers to play with. So are the LGB and Lego trains.
He most likely will want to change the layout tracks on the table if he gets bored with one pattern easily, so if you Choose HO scale {or the smaller N scale} maybe you should look into the Bachmann EZ Track with gray roadbed and Nickle Silver {NS} tracks for best conduction of electricity. The switches can be a bit finicky in the EZ T than not. They “snap” together easily and “unsnap” easily for re-routing your trains. THe HO EZ T switches are far better than the N scale ones, which we found in our household to be junk.
I would also Consider building him a train table that allows him to easily change the tracks around. I know I, as a younster, Changed the track layouts on my O- O/27 layout often growing up, as did my brother. Be sure he has enough extra track to do so. Watching a train go round and round in a circle or oval is nice, but fades fast…
The first thing I would suggest is to
The popular scales with enough commercial support for a beginner are:
G - actually various scales all running on the same track which are 1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1:24; 1:29, 1:32. Used mostly out doors
O - 1:48. There is scale O running on 2 rails that requires a fairly large radius of track 32 inches and up. The toy train side of O running on 3 rails which includes Lionel, MTH, etc. is measured in diameter of a circle of track instead of radius starting at 27" diameter and going up to 72". Track is 3 rail
S - 1:64. Both scale and toy train version run on 2 rail track but the wheels and track are not compatible between the two unless you build special trackwork. Radius for toy train starts at 19" and for scale at 24"
HO - 1:87.1 scale only radius at least 18" and up. Be aware that Marklin HO trains are not compatible with other HO brands.
N - 1:160 scale only radius at least 9 3/4" and up
Z - 1:220 scale only radius about 7"and up
Radius in all scales increases for longer engines and cars. Trolleys and streetcars may run on smaller curves.
If this is primarily for your grandson to play with then I suggest Lionel O27. The 27 is the diameter of a circle of track in inches. Lionel is fairly rugged and easy for a 5 year old to handle. You can get sets for about $200-$300 and up that have smoke and sound effects. To this you can add various action accessories and action cars that a 5 year old will enjoy. It can be set up on a small table to start with although if you have the room a 4x8ft sheet of plywood is good. American Flyer which is the toy trains side of S is another good choice, but is not as widely available as O toy trains. See if your grandson likes Thomas the Tank trains which are wildly popular with kids. 3 rail versions exist.
If you’re interested in model railroading as a hobby for yourself to share with your grandson then I suggest you conside
Any clubs in the area? Utilizing a club can get you and the grandson into the hobby with very minimal, if any, outlay in cash. Then decide if their scale and what the hobby is about really draws him and you in or not.
Some of my first memories are of me running trains at the Cambridge Club that my uncles own/operate when I was about 4.
Also, don’t discount his age as a limiting factor on which scale to buy into and how “robust” of models you must buy. I was put in trust of many Kato and Atlas engines at my young age to run unserpervised (my first engine was a Kato NW2). Heck, at that age I was usually one “put in charge” of giving guided tours and assisted control to visitors during open house events.
It will be your personal observation and trust in him that decides that bit, but not all kids are the Hyper-active, Riddelined, ADD’d children that they all seem to be ‘now-a-days’. Atleast we weren’t 20+ years ago.
One thing not mentioned in the excellent advice given above. Do NOT set the train and track up on carpeting. The fibers from the carpet will get into the mechanism and cause problems.
My grandson is 7 and has been running trains for about two years. My great-granddaughter is 4 and loves the trans also. Needless to say, I always enjoy their visits.
Goodluck with whatever you decide. And if you have questions, we’re always here to help.
Tom
Another source of information and to see what Model Railroading is all about is to go to a Model Train Show that may be coming up in your area. Most of them have will have actual model layouts set up and running so that you can see all the different sizes that are available. There will also be many retailers there to sell you stuff, but unless you have already done a lot of homework on what era, (early, transition, modern) what RR you want to model if any, size, (“G” or Garden Scale, O Scale which is 1/48th scale, HO which is 1/87th scale and is arguably the most popular scale, N Scale which is 1/160th scale and is a close second and Z Scale which is 1/220th scale.)
N Scale and Z Scale I would not recommend for a 5 year old as they are very small and delicate. HO is probably the best choice but they are still models and NOT TOYS. No model railway equipment is meant to be run around on the floor or carpet like toy cars. They are to be run on track powered by and controlled by a low voltage controller.
Obviously, the larger scale that you decide on, the more room that you will require. the absolute minimum for HO would be a 4’ X 8’ table and you would have to run smaller engines and cars to take the turns without derailing. You will need access around all four sides unless you go “Shelf Layout” around the walls.
A decent N Scale layout can be built on a 3’ X 6’ table and a Z Scale layout will do nicely on a 2’ X 4’ table.
Good luck and enjoy the hobby. Just remember, it’s a hobby, not a race.
Blue Flamer.
What scale, what a good question. I have a son who is now 13, but got started at about 5. We have HO, basically since that’s what my Dad had and so, I got involved with as well. It’s also the most popular and easy to find products for.
To me this decision is always a trade off between various costs, available space, features of each scale such as larger/smaller speakers, model railroading vs toy trains, etc.
Someone suggested to make sure you like the scale since you may end up being the user–that’s likely as time moves on, but he will likely come back too. I see it a lot as kids go through the phases of life.
One key item I have found is trying to get some friends that are already into trains or want to be in trains that are around his age. It’s the sharing part that can make a difference. Someone mentioned train shows/stores with operating layouts–do visit them. Several stores around here have at least 3 gauges running so you can see what it’s all about. I would take along one of his friends too.
One key thing, 5 year olds don’t have the greatest dexterity or large hands to handle delicate details. So, for rolling stock, using old blue box Athearn or another sturdy product is wise. Of course if you want locos with OEM sound, you may have to get the expensive types. I have also just added sound to the blue box locos.
Richard
Welcome to the forums.
I’ve scanned the other answers and you have a lot of good information. The one thing I did not see is the suggestion that you get a basic book on model railroading. It will have information on scales and many other things.
If you go to the light gray line at the top of this page, click RESOURCES, then Coming Events and Model Railroad Groups, you can find shows and groups in your area.
Hope the little fellow keeps his interest.
Good luck,
Richard
There’s been a lot of good advice given so far. For a little light reading, you might want to go to the website of the William K. Walthers company, the largest wholesaler of model RR stuff in the US, perhaps the world.
You’ll find it here They have a page with advice for new purchasers (look for the “Which Train Set Should I Buy?” on the left. I linked the image below from that page to give you a visual on the scales.
Now, my nickel’s worth of worthless advice: First, if all you want is something to entertain the grandson, then a train set is fine. If you really want to dive into the hobby and model a scale world of your own, I’d advise you to decide what scale, railroad, and time period you want to model, and make acquisitions which support that plan.
Secondly, don’t let your grandson’s age determine the scale, especially if this is something you think you want to get into for the long haul. Or rather, don’t let anyone tell you that x years old is to young for y scale. All children are different. Just be prepared to suffer some breakage if he turns out to be a little less dexterous or careful than you thought he was.
My 8 year old has been running HO stuff on his own layout (which I’m helping him build) for about 4 years now. He’s always been gentle, calm, and careful, and has never broken a piece of equipment (he’s a little hard on the trees and utility poles, but that’s purely a size problem). Here he is, staining the rocks for his layout (at 4 1/2 years of age):
No-one mentioned Thomas The Tank Engine HO train sets but it might hold his interest very well and allow him to play with a train more intently, without damaging any you’d prefer to keep for yourself. He’d learn that the set was his. I remember my grandson [now 11 ] was really into Shining Time Station from about 3 to 7 yrs. old; then he discovered Spongebob! TTFN. …papasmurf
I’m doing G indoors and while its a very good scale for kids it can get very expensive now that LGB dropped the Toytrain line. I would say go with O-27. Its easy for kids to grab is very durable and will take alot of abuse. Its also very simple electronicly if you keep it simple. Just stick with the starter set stuff until you know if its something he will stick with.
Actually, Galaxy mentioned Thomas in the second reply on this post.
My youngest started with Thomas stuff, and outgrew it within two years. He now demands “real” train stuff.
If you have the space and money go with three rail Lionel in O gauge. A five year old can get the large cars on the track, and work the couplers. The larger and heavier O gauge stays on the track better than smaller gauges and is less likely to come off the track.
If space or money is a concern, HO takes less space and costs less. It’s a little tricky for a 5 year old to work but they can learn. I can clearly remember operating O gauge Lionel at age five but being unable to work HO until I was a bit older. I would not go with anything smaller than HO for young children.
Carpet running is fun and allows bigger layouts (always fun). Putting the track together in new layouts is half of trains.
Consider Brio wooden trains. Indestructable. I didn’t operate my Lionel trains under power much until I was 7 or 8, pushing them around the track by hand was more fun. For that the Brio trains would serve.
Find a train show and take the boy. Both of you will have fun and you can pick up used equipment at good prices.