Building a rough/basic layout for a child

[RobertInOntario]

Today, I suddenly had an idea (it occasionally happens! ) ... I thought I'd consider building a rough layout for my youngest (6-year-old) son to use.

He often runs trains on my larger HO/00 layouts with me. He doesn't get too rough with them but then he has occasionally makes me nervous by how he handles them or runs them too fast, etc.

So I thought I'd build him a small switching layout -- he's already shown interest in shunting freight cars around on my larger layouts. My idea was to create a very small, basic shelf layout. Then I could give him 1-2 of my older, more basic locos and rolling stock (as well as his Thomas locos), and he and I could shunt some cars around on it. The plan was to create a layout/environment where it wouldn't matter if he got too rough, either with the layout or the locos.

Just curious -- has anyone else done this? We bought a very small plank -- only 9" wide by 3'10" long! -- to start experimenting with. Hmm, I'm even tempted to make it a little more serious and add some scenery & detail & have some fun myself!

Rob

[TrainNut]

I've been toying with the same idea for both my boys but haven't gotten anywhere past the idea stage yet. They both like the 2'4 x 2'4 pizza layout I made some time back but I think they might like something slightly more complicated than a single circle of track.

[steinjr]

My kids liked to run, not switch, so we have done a couple of layouts using old Märklin sectional track:

1. Double track layout (one track for each kid) in my workshop in 2005 and left up for a couple of years :






2. Temporary Märklin setup for a birthday party, in our living room:



37.5mm (14.7") radius curves. In the background, a never completed 20" x 7 foot shelf switching layout of mine.


We have also done Brio wooden train setups (two play tables where one is stored inside the other, with planks to attach between the tables to create a donut style layout):


We have also done temporary sectional track layouts on the floor, with buildings made of paper.

But I haven't tried a switching layout for kids - my kids just haven't been all that interested in switching. They have been interested in running flat out, or maybe stopping at the depot or at a crossing and then going again. Different strokes for different kids, I guess.

Smile,
Stein

[RobertInOntario]

Thanks for posting those pics, Stein. This sure looks like a fun layout to operate! Mine like round and round layouts as well but, fairly recently, my youngest seemed to enjoy running an engine one up one siding, leaving a freight car there, and going off and getting another. So I thought I'd give a small switching/shelf layout a try. I have fond memories of running trains with my Dad when I was 4 & 5 (in the mid-1960s) so we'll see where this goes! Cheers, Rob

[eightyeightfan1]

I let the grandanklebiters run some trains on my layout. But its not the good stuff. I use an old IHC commerative set(Big Y stores from 1996). When I know they are coming for a visit, the good stuff is taken off, and the "Anklebiter Express" is put on. They do ask if they can run he good stuff....Still a little hestitant about that though.

[BR60103]

One way to cut down on the speed (a.k.a. spoil the fun) is to put a variable transformer (like an old Lionel one) running a handheld thottle and cut the power down on the transformer. Or use a 9V instead of a 12V transformer.

[RobertInOntario]

One way to cut down on the speed (a.k.a. spoil the fun) is to put a variable transformer (like an old Lionel one) running a handheld thottle and cut the power down on the transformer. Or use a 9V instead of a 12V transformer.

Sure, I could try something like this -- thanks.

(It was great seeing you at the train show today and thanks for the S&D tape -- we listened to it in the car!)

Rob

[ocalicreek]

Santa is bringing my 5 year old some N scale this year. Bulletproof Bachmann stuff on good Atlas track. I will be Santa's helper and build the layout for my son (somebody has to, right?). He too is into switching, oddly. His mind seems to work in steps and stages and the sequence of things...hmmm...wonder where he got that from?

I've been warned/urged to go with HO but budget does not allow this year. The N scale stuff is mine from 20 years ago. I'm setting aside the nicer rolling stock and have gathered a set of 8-9 cars plus matching diesel/caboose combo for him. His fine motor skills have always been ahead of the curve so I hope he can handle the small size without getting too discouraged. I've got a thread started on the N forum about this...when the layout building commences I'll probably start a new one in the layouts forum.

Galen

[RobertInOntario]

Santa is bringing my 5 year old some N scale this year. Bulletproof Bachmann stuff on good Atlas track. I will be Santa's helper and build the layout for my son (somebody has to, right?). He too is into switching, oddly. His mind seems to work in steps and stages and the sequence of things...hmmm...wonder where he got that from?

I've been warned/urged to go with HO but budget does not allow this year. The N scale stuff is mine from 20 years ago. I'm setting aside the nicer rolling stock and have gathered a set of 8-9 cars plus matching diesel/caboose combo for him. His fine motor skills have always been ahead of the curve so I hope he can handle the small size without getting too discouraged. I've got a thread started on the N forum about this...when the layout building commences I'll probably start a new one in the layouts forum.

Galen

Galen, this sounds like a good plan -- I'll try to follow this on the N forum. Planning this for Christmas is also a good idea & maybe I should do this for my son (as long as it's not too late!). Rob

[MasonJar]

In trying to resurrect/finish my Christmas layout (approx 2x2), I decided to revisit Carl Arendt's micro site (<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.carendt.com">www.carendt.com</a><!-- w -->). Lots of new and great stuff there since I last visited.

This one in particular caught my attention: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.modelrailroader.ca">www.modelrailroader.ca</a><!-- w -->. Look for Pete's Pumpkin Patch. Fantastic little layout with operation beyond roundy-round. Although it's built in something called 1n12 (n scale track used as 12" gauge), it could be replicated in On30 or some other narrow gauge format.

Andrew

[LynnB]

I've never done it but what about using a small closet door instead that way you can get a bit more adventurous for the errrrrr little one.

[RobertInOntario]

That's a good idea, or possibly a larger board. I could see both of us having fun with this and me getting carried away by adding scenery and serious detail! Rob