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Playing Trains With The Kids
by John Carty
photos by Richard Schumacher |
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 One common thread unites model railroaders: the love of
trains. Additionally, most people, model railroaders
included, love their children. Lets face it: whenever the
opportunity presents itself, which of us will not whip out
pictures of our kids. When someone maintains such strong
affinities, he wants to be able to enjoy them but also share
them with those closest to him. While sharing your model
railroad with your children, or grandchildren, remains a
noble endeavor, some guidelines must be followed.
As the tag line of the Model Railroader magazine proclaims,
"Model railroading is fun!" To this end any interaction
between your kids and model railroads must emphasize this
aspect. Children love to explore their world. Part of that
world includes you, the parent. Strangely, when put in a
"learning environment," children often lose enthusiasm for
knowledge. We may blame school for this, but that will not
gain anyone anything. Therefore, one must teach with one
hand while keeping the attention of the child with the
other. Model railroading provides an excellent decoy for
teaching kids about their world.
It is a fact: kids love trains. Even a child who has never
experienced a real train finds the model version
fascinating. Perhaps the movement of the trains on the model
pike holds the blame; but, personally, I believe the
attraction consists of much more. Of course, I cannot quite
lay my finger on what the "more" is. One thing remains certain:
model trains bring out a sense of child-like wonder in all
of us. Additionally, while a kid remains in this wonderland,
his mind becomes receptive to many things, which we would
like them to learn. This grants a tremendous opportunity for
a child to learn about the world. This openness also
provides a chance for a parent or grandparent to impart
wisdom regarding not only trains, but also life and the
world in general. At the very least, model railroading helps
to keep our progeny away from the "boob tube" and video games.
When my own children were quite small, I would take them
along with me to train shows. The first occurred by chance
and ended up featuring the four of us, myself with Matthew,
Meaghan, and Mollie, hand-in-hand strolling through the
gymnasium at Belleville Area College (now SWIC) gawking
at the layouts. Given that they ranged in ages from one to
five at the time, this appears in retrospect to have been a
very gutsy move on my part. The three behaved very well that
day and talked about our little detour for weeks. This began
a period of hitting train shows at every opportunity, since
at the time money was tight, the kids got in free, and we
all enjoyed a great time together. Funny, how kids always
seem to enjoy a chance to be with their parents, multiplying
the joy provided by the shared activity.
 During this time, I taught my children simple rules for
running trains. The first rule consisted of simply
moderating speed. My children learned that racecars required
high speeds, while trains do not. I realized how well this
penetrated when later watching Mollie, then three, running
the Lionel layout provided for little kids at the Great
American Train Show. While two of the circuits looked like
the trains were ready to fly off the tracks, the train she
controlled putted along the track quite contentedly, drawing
the attention and comments of several experienced model
railroaders.
Control of speed ranks first among the lessons children need
to learn. Following right behind, though, stands the need to
understand why railroads do the things they do. For
instance, when the little one throws the turnout and takes
off with his train, ask him whether the brakeman who threw
the switch was able to climb aboard. Also, explain the use
of signals and also that the "Uncle Fester" method of
operation belongs only to the world of television. Finally,
in order to maximize their enjoyment, keep the track and
equipment clean, just as you would for your regular
operators, for nothing is more frustrating than a layout
that sputters and spurts.
While the children are still learning throttle control, you,
the adult, must allow for whims. Allow the tikes to drop off
cars where they wish, with the exception of course of on the
main. At the same time ask the kid why the Staley Syrup tank
car is being delivered to the appliance manufacturer. When
junior replies, "They want pancakes for breakfast," smile
and enjoy the moment, since children become much too
serious, much too quickly. Also, discuss what the recipient
of the car actually does in their line of work and what they
need to accomplish their goals. In this way you encourage
their natural curiosity while at the same time allowing
their whims and avoiding forcing their progress and
understanding. Like sheep, children must be led, not driven.
Remember that much of the enjoyment a child derives from
running trains stems from the company in which the activity
takes place. The child derives more pleasure from being with
mom, dad, grandma, and/or grandpa than from the event he
shares with them. Whether the layout boasts complete scenery
or resides in the "plywood Pacific" stage matters little. As
an adult remember to let loose a little. Allow for the use
of imagination. This includes sound effects. Kids love it
when parents act like goofs. When they see you enjoying
yourself being a little silly, you teach them that they
should enjoy not taking themselves too seriously as well. In
other words, "Sound, it's not just for decoders."
In the prototype world of railroading accidents happen. In
many case incidents are a matter of life and death.
Fortunately, accidents in the model world carry far less
weight. This remains an important point to remember. When
the train jumps the track for the roadbed, bench work, or
even the floor, please keep your cool. Over time, children
will learn caution. Models can be repaired or replaced,
while fixing children's feelings remains much more
difficult. Therefore, make a production of bringing out the
wreck train. Although such incidents are not something to
celebrate, enjoy the moment from the child's perspective.
She will tell the tale of the spectacular crash many times.
Remember this equation:
2 year old + $200 locomotive +
"OOPS" = "Oh, #!&%*!"
The moral of the story is to use
appropriate equipment.
Operations spring naturally from running trains. Since kids
love puzzles and games, teach operating as such. Whatever
you do, do not just dump car cards, waybills, time
schedules, orders, rules, and a fast clock on children the
first time. Instead, begin informally by having them drop
cars here and there as appropriate. Use a sequence schedule
where each train runs after the preceding train finishes,
saving the clock for later. Allow the interest of the
children to dictate when to add details such as brake
checks, throwing turnouts, orders, etc. Always keep in mind
and emphasize fun. Try not to be too ambitious, when the
kids get tired or frustrated or distracted, give them the
rest of the day off. Remember that they are learning and
allow for mistakes. Nothing can happen that cannot be fixed,
so have the wreck train ready. You should block out plenty
of time in your schedule to provide them with your undivided
attention until they are ready to move on to something else.
Another area for you to enjoy with your children occurs with
building. Once again start easy. Basic kits such as those
sold by Accurail, Bowser, and the now-discontinued blue-box
kits from Athearn provide the opportunity for a child to
proudly point at the car she built. From my own experience,
please wait until the child enters kindergarten. As their
manual dexterity and fine motor skills improve, you can
introduce them to more detailed and complicated kits. Always
remember to let the child direct their progress. Eventually,
you will be able to scratch build rolling stock with them.
You can never quite predict when this glorious event will
occur, since my older children have never shown the
interest; but Maggie, the youngest, has started a
refrigerated car at the age of eight.
Kids can also help you paint models. This can result in some
very interesting results, such as the seats in some of my
passenger cars sporting a variety of colors, even in the
same row. Just remember, if the job is really important, do
it yourself. Children can also help paint figures, although
you may have to do a little touch up. One thing my younger
son found truly enjoyable was weathering. Needless to say I
have a few items looking like they may have first seen
service in about, oh, 1066.
Scenery also presents opportunity for quality time. My
children have helped to make trees, both from kits and
scratch. I also learned that kids think that plaster is fun!
I have also learned that it can be removed from fascia
boards. Especially with products from Woodland Scenics,
anyone can clothe your layout in hills, rocks, trees, and
other vegetation. Kids get a kick out this. Just make sure
no one sneezes around the ground foam.
Not only can you enlist the aid of your kids in landscaping,
they can also assist in laying out your towns. This tasks
makes a great "teachable moment" in that you may chat with
them concerning such things as what business actually do,
why things look a particular way, and clearance for the
rails. Also, allow kids to place figures, animals,
automobiles, and other details. When a child puts these
items on the layout, ask them what he wants the scene to
convey to an observer. Lastly, let them clean the track if
they want.
 Most model railroaders play games when naming things on
their pikes. Everyone, especially kids, like to see their
names. With five children, I tap an invaluable store or
potential names. To this end I named businesses Matt Shoe
(Matthew), May Grain (Meaghan), Mike Oil (figure it out),
and McGee Produce (Maggie). I have also used middle names as
in Robert's Meats (Matthew) and Bridgit Coal (Mollie).
Michael's nickname from when he was little provided Paduky
Transfer, while Meaghan's initials became MAC Steel. Each of
these companies owns or leases rolling stock providing a
little variety from the home road. Other items such as
towns, streets, and off-line business may also bear the
names of children.
Feel free to also add a few whims with which to tickle their
fancies. The Short Seven Mine shipping black diamonds near a
house marked "S. White" will certainly add to the
entertainment value of the layout, and not just for the
kids. A cowboy wearing a white hat and black mask along with
a Native American Indian riding by a rock, or the Batmobile
tearing down a country road will certainly get a smile as
well. My kids get a kick out of the man in the yellow hat
with his monkey at a station as well as Charlie Brown,
Sally, the little red haired girl, Snoopy, and the "stupid
cat" populating a neighborhood. Given the popularity of the
"I Spy" books, such touches add an extra dimension your
layout.
On the subject of books, every child likes for her parents
to read to her. Personally, I refuse to read books at the
child's reading level, but still find books that they
understand. Characters like "Thomas the Tank Engine" and "The
Little Engine That Could" provide an entertaining diversion.
My middle daughter used to balk at taking a nap. With a name
like Mollie, however, she found the concept of a locomotive
called a Mallet to be the bee's knees. I would give her a
coffee table book of train pictures for her to look at, park
her on a bed, and tell her that she could take a rest while
looking at the pictures. A little while later I would find
her asleep with the book open. Eventually she caught on to
my subterfuge, but still went along with it.
I also allowed the kids to accompany me on research trips.
These are good times to ask them "why?" Obviously many
places can be dangerous. To this end I went with a friend
sans children to photograph the old Wabash Station on Delmar
Ave in St. Louis. Michael, however, accompanied me after his
little league playoff game in photographing the scrap line
in Madison, Illinois. I also took Maggie in a stroller to
photograph Roesch Enamel in Belleville. As a group, we have
also invaded the library, where they helped me until getting
bored and then pursued their own interests.
I hope these little tips give you some ideas on sharing your
passion for trains and models with your kids or grandkids.
As much as I love trains, the best times will always be
those spent with my family, no matter what the activity.
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