Hello all!

I don't usually frequent this forum, being an HO modeler (primarily) but I have some questions that I'm hoping you can answer for me.

I'm building (well, Santa is, actually) an N scale layout for my son for Xmas. He is 5 and SO ready for model trains. He will be inheriting Dad's N scale from 25 years ago (yikes! ). I have loads of Atlas track and have already come up with a suitable plan for loop running and plenty of switching. The kid loves switching.

The locomotive is a GE U-boat in Chessie colors by Bachmann. Before anyone cautions me about Bachmann, don't worry, this one has always been and continues to be after all these years, a great running engine. In fact, now that I know more about keeping wheels clean, lubing gears, etc. it's running even better than before. There's a matching caboose as well as 8 or 9 assorted pieces of rolling stock, most with metal wheels.

My questions: Since this is his first layout, is it worth the time & money to replace the old square couplers with knuckle couplers?

I'm not sure yet how I'll be building the benchwork, but I want it to be sturdy enough for a 5-year old to lean on (climb over) if necessary. Any suggestions? I've built various types of HO benchwork from open grid to table top & foam construction.

Right now I use DCC for my HO stuff. For now this layout will be one block, DC control.


Any other thoughts, questions, suggestions, etc?


Galen

3 years ago, my (then) 4 year old was very adept and surprisingly articulate at running some of my older N scale equipment. Now, 3 years later, I've another 4 year old that's a little demolitions expert. With both, the rapido type couplers seem better fitted to little hands... more bullet proof and less vulnerable to damage as opposed to the knuckle couplers. The way the two are designed makes it easier for the little hands to seperate the rapidos easier than the knuckles.
As far as construction goes, I think that's up to your little one. If he's a little hellion, build it out of a hollow core door. If not, make it lightweight framing and foam!
My demolitions expert responds well to DC however my (now) 7 year old has discovered how much fun DCC can be!
Good luck to you and post pictures of your progress if you will!

Thanks for the encouragement, TrainNut!

My older kiddo is 5 and his younger brother is 1, so it'll be a while before the little one even manages to do something with his older brother's wooden trains besides chew on them.

I would have started Andrew (the older kiddo) in HO since what I had for him there may have been a little more rugged, but space-wise N makes more sense and he's just drawn to it more than HO. HO is 'Daddy's trains'. He's at a phase where he wants HIS trains to be different, but he's wanting Model Trains vs. the wooden ones.

I'll be sure to post progress as it happens. Can't wait for Xmas morning!

Galen

I would leave the "rapidos" on. They couple easy, stay attatched and usually don't come apart. That sure is a "fun" killer and my make him lose interest. Though, in a few years, girls, sports and cars will put the trains on the backburner(Com'on guys, we were all there......). But if he becomes aggravated early, he may not come back to model railroading later.

What is it with kids and N? My soon to be 5yr old loves N scale. He loves my layout and working on it, playing with my old Bachman(?) stuff on it, etc. But when we went to a show this spring he was drawn to the N scale stuff.

Girls? Yep. Sports and Cars? er, well, I was a band geek who drove a 1970 mustard yellow volvo...not exactly a chick magnet but it got me to and from band practice, home & school. I rode my bike to the LHS.

My first layout was when I was five in 1980, and was HO. I got into N probably 7 or 8 years later, but remained in HO throughout High School and even college.

Anyway, thanks for the good input. This is the kind of information I was hoping to receive. N just seems like a foreign language after so long in HO, but I did have a blast setting up the track on the dining room table yesterday morning. Hey, a train's a train!

Galen

kids are very hands on. They will couple and uncouple cars by picking them up. Rapidos will handle this "switching maneuver" better than then knuckle couplers. I also would not make too many (or any) sidings. Switches cause derailments, and the kids aren't as interested in switching cars on the side tracks as us adults. You are better off making an over/under figure 8, tunnels, or some kind of "go somewhere" interest Trainnut's layout looks about perfect for a small child. As they get older, you can see where their interests are and build a new layout tailored to their interest. I am speaking from my own memory here. Until I was about 10 years old, I only cared about putting the trains on the track and watching them go around in a loop. Tunnels and bridges were interesting, as were uphill/downhill grades. I didn't have much of an interest in sidings or yard tracks until I was about 12.

This is the new thread for the layout construction.

Galen