Brand New member, New to the Hobby and a big new problem - Need advice

At that age, I do not recommend putting any of the track on your benchwork at all. It should be on the floor so kids can sit anywhere next to track for maximum play. Please make sure there are no loose parts that can go in their mouths. Around the track you can add buildings, and other safe toys. (As you already know, 0-Gauge is a bit difficult for the 3 year old.) Given that you are dealing with the psychological uncertainties of two young boys, I would first set up both trains separately and feel out if the boys would be willing to gravitate to a single layout they could share.  Even though I have a fancy-schmancy bench layout with whiz-bang stuff, very young guests would rather play with my 4 x 5.5' layout I keep on the floor. I love LionChief for them!

WELCOME!!!  You've got some thinkin' to do and you came to the right place.  To get your feet wet... take a look at thortrains.us.  There are a *lot* of small layouts on Thor's site and it's quite eclectic.  You may also want to download SCARM... a computer aided train layout program ...the basic program is free and it's plenty to get started with.  Come morning you should be getting a plethora of responses.

dennis

In the future, if you need fastrak... I've got a boatload of new track on the cheap, just email me.

I've got a couple of tips for you based on my experience.

First, I think more people should expand via the two starter sets route.  Congratulations!  This gives you the flexibility to run two layouts, or concentric layouts, or one colossal layout, or two trains together, or one super-long train and one engine, or a Christmas tree and a room, or whatever.  You could even do worse than looking for a good deal on a third starter set.  These go out of style as new sets come out and appear at bargain prices on Amazon, etc.  With that third set, you could use the track and cars and dad or a friend that came over could have an engine to run at really rock bottom price.

I do not have any experience with the crossover set.  I would propose that your next purchase would be the inside loop set.  You don't necessarily need the inside loop, but that whole set on Amazon is typically cheaper than the cost of just the pair of switches elsewhere, and the rest of the set is gravy.  You will soon want that pair of switches to connect your sets.

LionChief is ideal for your application.  Sometimes, I do wish that the LionChief came with a speed limiter as some kids love to peg the train to full throttle all the time.  Some kids instrinctually do this in reverse.  There are a couple of other ways to force a train to run slower using voltage regulation or weights.

Drill a hole halfway through the table to hold your smoke fluid.

Kids are loopers.  They need ovals or dogbones or single track with loops at each end.  Each kid needs their own loop that is not shared for the simple purpose of avoiding crashes.  You will discover that this is a major factor is layout design.  These loops should be part of the same "layout" so that they can play more "together".  When the kids get slightly older, you can combine these loops with a pair or two of manual turnouts as described above.  Even if you end up full dolled up with electric switches and everything, the manual switches can be repurposed for applications such as balloon loops, where you don't really care which way they are set,  Turnouts also give you the capability to park everything on an "inside track" for safety purposes.

FasTrack is also (in my opinion) ideal for your application.  I downloaded the free version of SCARM to plan layouts.  I titled the first oval "Layout#1" and then started working on "Layout#2", etc.  on my laptop.  Plan to add features gradually as the kids are ready for them.  Currently, we have "Layout#6" set up on a 4x8' sheet of foam.  Number 7 is already designed and will be a big jump to a room-size layout.  The kids aren't quite ready for it yet, but I enjoy planning ahead.  As a result of planning ahead, I have two cars and a locomotive sitting in the house that the kids don't even know about yet.  I can break these out at the right moment.

As your layout grows, use logic to keep your powered piece of track centrally located in relation to your track plan to avoid voltage drops that might slow the trains down in spots.  You don't want to buy a bigger power supply until you have to.  Also, the power cord itself is a tripping hazard for kids and should be planned.

Lionel combines well with other toys such as Thomas wooden track.  An overpass for Hotwheels cars only needs to be about 3/4" high.

As you go forward, make friends with the 036-031-031-036 180 degree curve.  This will get your train around a tighter turn than you can now while recycling many of your abundant 036 curve pieces.  Many people think it looks and runs better as well because it eases the train into and out of the tightest part of the curve.

Also, making your "L" layout with 2 sections of your 036 inside of an 048 curve will give you the kid's version of a beautiful long sweeting double track curve.  Some purists will say to make that corner wider, but this will look good, run your equipment, and re-use your 036 pieces.  Kids love tunnels.  Lionel also sells a 10" long bridge for about $20 that can give you a nice bridge feature for relative pocket change after you have shelled our for all the other stuff.

Look into some gondola cars.  These are the pickup trucks of the railroads.  They can hold rocks, dirt, legos, purchased inserts, load (pipes, etc.) you make yourself, or just about anything else.

One mistake I made was holding down the Fastrack with every available hole.  The track holds itself together very well and doesn't need a lot of help, especially as the kids grow and the layout changes.

Good luck!

I would if possible get enough O-31 to do your L shape layout so you have one in O36 and one in O 31, In the O-36 loop you could add a 4" piece in the middle of the curves on the end to make it a little wider. This way they can run two trains at the same time side by side and not run into each other. you may need to put the cross-over away for a while.

Hey Mark - I have a 5 and 4 year old and we've been playing with O gauge for a year now. The boys enjoy playing and I feel like they might be a little young, O gauge is robust enough that it can take a minor beating. I'm mind when I get out the expensive locos. I also have a Pennsylvania Flyer set that we started with and the kids still love it. I started with a 4x8 and then expanded to a 5x8 and now we have an "L" with an additional 4x8. My layout is attached. I used two starter sets and planned the rest with fasttrack. It's been great and the kids love it!

Just figured it was worth sharing to see if it sparks any ideas. Best of luck!

Hi,

I have three nephews, between 5 and 8 years old, that visit at Christmas and other times, but not too frequently.  When I have time to prepare for their arrival, I just lay three unconnected circles of old-style Lionel tubular track on a floor and hook up a transformer to each track.  The problem with benchwork is that it's usually too tall for them if it's comfortable for us to work on, and they won't like standing on a stool or a chair at one location too long.  BORING!!

Each nephew gets his own train to run and "play" with, powered by a steam engine (they love all levels of valve gear and wheels).  Play improves (and so does their interest) when you run flat cars, gondolas, and box cars with opening doors behind the engines because they can load and unload those cars with other play things (dinosaurs, mutant ninja turtles, soldiers, etc.).

Be sure to include them in the planning, too, so they will feel like it belongs to them.

Chuck

@Long Hair posted:

As you go forward, make friends with the 036-031-031-036 180 degree curve.  This will get your train around a tighter turn than you can now while recycling many of your abundant 036 curve pieces.  Many people think it looks and runs better as well because it eases the train into and out of the tightest part of the curve.

This is really good advice that I picked up at beginner-plus status on this forum a decade or so ago. My stubborn mind never considered mixing curve diameters when doing a 90- or 180-degree turn. Not only is it acceptable, in some cases it's BETTER!  I've used it with tubular track in many instances. Just thought I'd echo @Long Hair's good advice since OP is a beginner.

Big problem? Nah, great situation.  Look, if this is truly about the kids, then the advice above you were given about keeping it on the floor as a carpet central is the way to go. Both sets will afford the young ones maximum play value and lots of hands on fun. You can lay down a piece of plywood for track leveling, set it up and let the fun begin. However, if you search your soul and this is really about Dad seeing an opportunity to build his first layout, with the kids offering the perfect excuse, then crack out the layout software and get the bench work started. Been there done that over 20 years ago when my kids were the age of yours. It’s the way I sold it to my wife and myself - it’s all for the kids! Yeah, right!  I’ve been building ever since.  Welcome back  to the hobby and enjoy the fun. You’ve come to the right website. Feed the habit and Subscribe to the magazine as well.

Mark,

Here is simple advice.

1.  12 feet by 4 feet is a huge amount of space.   Don't worry about building an L or anything else right now.  Work with what you've got.  You can and will expand your layout later in the future IF you and the kids are still into it.

2.  Build something VERY SIMPLE to start with.  The entire point is to get the kids interested in the hobby.  Little kids do not want to fool with large numbers of switches, or rail yards, or anything complicated.   It will absolutely ruin the fun for them.   You would (by necessity) have to be constantly "taking over" the controls to operate switches, and telling them what to do, etc.  They will not find this to be "fun" and they will go upstairs and watch Paw Patrol.

3.  I have seen two of the kids play for hours on end with a wooden trains set, with snap together wooden track and wooden loco and cars that they push along by hand.  Kids want something simple, that they can control.

4.  Personally, I think it is wrong to have to separate systems running with two controls.   You want teach your kids to be patient, wait for their turn and share.   I would hook all of the track together, with a single conventional transformer.

5.  Kids like motion, toys, colors.  Select 4 or 5 of the classic Lionel toy accessories for them, like the Operating Gateman, and the Flagman, and a moving signal gate, etc, and turn them all on.

6.   I found that 031 and larger curves are the things to have.  Nothing wrong with 027 curves, but it will limit the size and type of locomotives you can buy in the future.

7.   It is very daunting to look at the huge layouts that can be done with a 12 x 4 space. They can be incredibly diverse and extremely complicated.  Do not go this route, or you may spend two years trying to finish the layout, and tons of money.  After this, you may find that the kids just aren't interested any more and you are bedraggled.     The great thing about trains is that you can start really simple for a  year or three, and then if you want, convert it to a more complicated layout.

8.  You have two starter sets. Make a large starter-set layout.  You will only have to buy  a few more things to complete it.  The starter layout with a figure 8 expansion set is a very nice place to start.  Just expand it buy adding more straight pieces, and maybe some larger curves on the outside oval.   Also, if you have a large straight away on the back of the oval, here is a tip.  Long straight-aways are boring to watch as the trains just zooms from one end of the oval to the other.    You can easily make it more interesting by adding double sections of large radius curve  piece into it, so that the train is in effect zig sagging back and forth as it goes down the track.   (A single curve piece going in, then a single curve piece going out, then a straight section or two, then a single curve section going out, then a single curve section going in.  You will then be back to your original straight run line.)

9.  Don't over complicate this.  Just do it.   If you and the kids are still really interested in this a couple years from now, you can start building a more complicated layout in the future.

10.  The only switches I would add would be to make a simple long side track, so that when one kid is operating his engine and cars, the engine and cars of the other kids are "parked" on the side track, with the power turned off on that side track.

All the other comments are good, I'd just emphasize one of the main comments.  You certainly want two independent loops! A set of switches to move between them could be a part of the plan or added later, but separating the running trains will be key for the near future.

My advice, start simple and evolve over time. Two concentric ovals (or oval with separate figure 8 in the center) the length of the table would be a great starting place. Over time you can add switches to go from loop to loop and back. Let the boys help in the thought process of “what’s the next big update we’re going to make?”

Don’t forget a bridge or tunnel. An empty Amazon box with a couple of cut out openings can go a long way.

Also, might I suggest giving the trains a job to do. For example, on the far left in LittleJohnnysVille there’s a hot wheels factory with many cars to be sent out on rail and on the far right is LittleDaveysVille, with a busy dealership that can’t keep up with demand. The boys have to work together to get the cars from one end to the other.

There are a lot of great suggestions above, & I think you are going to enjoy this! It's good to hear you are getting them into the hobby. It will be something that the whole family will enjoy & should participate together. Having the boys sitting in your lap, guiding them through the steps of the control is fun & very rewarding.

First of all, it wasn't exactly clear, are both sets Lionchief? If so that's great, they're simple, intuitive trains, with fun basic features. Since they are electric trains I recommend adult supervision in case of a derailment. Getting the engines & cars on the track properly is the most difficult for children & adults. Lionel makes an inexpensive re-railer, I think you should look into, see attached image. Supervision will also extend the life of the engines and avoid disappointment! Have the power packs plugged into a lighted power strip, preferably with a quick acting circuit breaker. Please understand, I'm not trying to scare you away, just offering advice from a ton of experience. I have 2 Grandsons a little older than your boys, 3 1/2 & soon to be 6. Both have grown up with my trains & look forward to running them every time they come over.

As suggested above, having the first layout on the floor is a great idea & 2 separate loops, one within the other is the way to go from my experience, as large as you like. If the trains have open cars, gondolas or flat cars, adding figures, Hot wheels or other toys will add extra play value. 2 loops will also lead to the 2 trains racing each other, guaranteed! The trains will probably fly off the track if running at full speed. I use a variable transformer to keep the power limited. A carpeted floor is also a good idea, at least under the layout. An inexpensive Home Depot carpet will work.

I have a permanent layout in the basement, built way before grandchildren. The bench work was built for adults to see the trains at eye level, not great for youngsters. I have step ladders for them to view & run the trains, not ideal. During the holidays I have a small Xmas layout on the floor, 5x7, with 2 loops. The boys have the most fun before the tree is in place and after the tree is removed.

I have a ton of suggestions & will probably offer more later. When you choose to build an above floor layout, keep it low enough so your sons can view it at least eye level.

Good luck & have fun!

Joe

In many ways it's all been said here in the form of both good information (two independent loops) and bad (armchair psychology). You know your boys best. I can only relate to personal experiences. I turned 3 in Nov. 1946, received my first trains (Lionel 2115WS Four Car Steam Freight Set) Xmas 1946. By 1949 it had grown to include an 0-4-0 switcher, a ZW, 4 switches, and lots of accessories running on two loops plus. Fast forward to 1978; eldest daughter is 2 1/2, fell in love with riding street cars in San Fransisco and watching trains as we drove from Denver to KC one afternoon; got her a Lionel set that Christmas; interest waned  in less than 2 months. Fast forward 20 years: eldest daughter just finished her masters degree and is home before heading to law school; I find her in the train room Figuring how to use TMCC Cab1, re-arranging stuff, adding drivers to cars,etc., and informing me that if i put a bar where she plans a church she will sue me! See pic below for outcome of that conversation.

Well gents you have out done yourselves as I expected you would.  I really appreciate all the input.  I've decided to take a little of everyone's advice and will proceed as follows....

Take the legs off my benchwork and put the tables on the floor.  It will be easy to put the legs on later if needed.

4x8 for the first kiddo with the figure 8 crossover set up.  Amazon box tunnel for the win. 

Then in March when birthday #2 hits, I'll have an separate 4x8 table (on the floor with no legs).   Those 2 4x8's will meet at an L shape in the corner and I'll try to make loop #1 have an incline to a bridge over the other loop.   

To answer one question - Yes they are both Lion Chief and thankfully different locomotives so the remotes shouldn't interfere with each other.

@Dennis I'll let you know if I need more FastTrack thank you for the offer. 

I'll post pictures of the progress as we come around. 

Thanks again to everyone! 

Thinking back on my childhood I didn't have a permanent layout.  I'd set up an oval on the living room floor for a day or two max and was sitting or laying right next to it.  I too enjoyed full throttle operation and when it was under the Christmas tree placing metal tinsel across the rails.  If you opt for a table, I think it should be low because when I wasn't sparking tinsel I also had my Matchbox cars and Lincoln logs inside the train loop creating buildings and loads.  I had a huge box of squared logs that my father had made on his Shop Smith.  So if you make a low table, (and logs) perhaps you can engineer it such that the legs can be extended or replaced as the boys grow.

I think the boys will be very excited & hopefully on their way to a life long hobby! As things progress & the boys are more comfortable playing & controlling I'm sure the layout will grow.

As mentioned, try to keep it simple in the beginning. An inexpensive carpet will make it more comfortable to play on. One other thought, while elevated track will look exciting, if the boys are playing in the middle of it that might be something that can be tripped over.

Good luck & have fun!

One final thought from my child hood -- when i was 3 my dad put my trains on a platform supported by wooden soda crates. Wooden crates are a thing of the past, but what about putting the platforms on plastic milk crates (also called file crates from places like Staples)?

Rereading all of this, I have one more thing to add:  Remember that kids have different expectations about reaching and access than adults do.  For one thing, kids can't reach very far onto a layout, which can be a blessing and a curse.  For the other thing, while adults hate crawling under tracks and tables, kids love crawling under tables and popping up different places!  I would almost call a pop-up hole in any little kid's layout a necessity.

More than anything, this thread needs another guy named Mark.

I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old.  The three-year-old received the MTH Southern Pacific 2-8-0 freight set when he was about three months old.  Both kids have a lot of experience with the trains, and the three-year-old can run it himself.  He prefers conventional control because it's more hands-on.  

We have a setup with two separate loops.  Despite that, the one-year-old is dangerous and unpredictable, and dialed up full astern and crumpled an entire freight train into a passing Amtrak the other day.  I don't have any mega-buck trains so I don't sweat the inevitable crashes.  

Cliffs: separate loops, conventional controls, and cheap trains.

From one L-shaped layout guy to another ...

An L-shaped addition to our house (a home office for the previous owner) became a train room after we purchased the house and moved in -- perfect for an L-shaped layout.  A track diagram is attached for reference and perhaps for inspiration. I couldn't fit everything I wanted on the main level, so I added a second level with three short trolley lines with a Christmassy theme and Dept 56 porcelain lighted buildings -- 36 in all.

My two great-grandsons (Matthew, now 8 and Hudson, now 7) can operate the THOMAS series trains with LC+ and also control the LIONEL TMCC trains using the basic features. However, they are now refocusing their interest in dinosaur stuff. It seems that paleontology has eclipsed model RR-ing in their minds.  I added a Dinosaur Park to the layout as a bonus, and they enjoy loading dinos into a waiting gondola and transporting the beasts to their "summer feeding ground." They also know how to operate the many action accessories.

Many years ago, I started with annual carpet layouts at Christmas time; at first based on a modest set-up at the bay window in the living room and then growing over a 15-year time frame into a multi-platform, multi-level array in our two-car garage. The take-away: once the genie is released from the bottle, there's no end to the fun.  Now long-since retired (at 81), my  L-shaped layout is my plaything.

Carry on, valiantly ...

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394

Been there, done that!  When my two boys were small, I built two separate ovals with completely different transformers, so they could each run independently.  As I recall, they never had an interest in interchanging cars!  It worked great, keeping them in the "same" location, with one running steam and the other diesel, or one with a passenger train and the other running freight.  Those two ovals were side by side, with one inside the other and having the next smaller track radius.  My thought was to add switches for interchange when they were ready.  Never had to do that.  Each track plan was "different" in that one had a larger yard and a short siding, and the other had a "hill".  (I had to reconfigure the hill at the bottom due to a curve there, my mistake due to the speeds involved!) The buildings and scenery were "different" for each of my sons, but of course both layouts benefitted.  I think based on my experience this is the way to go in terms of avoiding conflict and making everybody happy.  (They did learn sharing and common operation later, when they were older and understood the concept.)  These two layouts were on a common table with mine, using extra inside space, but I can certainly recommend any floor layout as a great alternative.

Ok, I've got to add my 2 cents worth...56 years ago when I was 6, I got my first train set that was a simple oval on a 3 x 4 piece of plywood (with sides).  I used that for years while I was a kid.  It moved from one house to another and then got stored.  I've always loved trains.  Before my wife and I married 15 yrs ago, she had given me another train set (she likes 'em, too) having never seen what I had.  A few months back, I decided it was time to pick up a hobby that was not related to my day-job  So, I dug out the old 3 x 4 board, cleaned up the old engine (and yes, open the new one).  Now the layout is on L-shaped 12 x 8 and actively growing as the bank account allows.  Yes, I still have the original oval and wouldn't part with it.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that at the age your kids are, they are probably going to love it playing on the floor with whatever they have.  And as they get bigger, their layout grows up with them!  I'm having a blast with mine.  Never thought I'd do woodworking or fix wind up toys, but I've done both in the last few months.

Enjoy!

Putting the table on the floor is a great idea.   Yet, I would caution you that kids up to 5 years old will want to step up onto, and walk across, the layout all of the time, to pick up or move cars, or move little figurines from here to there (role playing.)

I not sure how you can train your kids not to do this, but it is definitely something you need to think about in advance.

Another thing to think about (based on my experience), I would definitely not incorporate or allow any super-hero figures, or related trains or cars..   Kids, especially boys, will automatically begin to role play and identify with these figures,  and want to pretend that the figures are flying around or beating up bad guys, and you will have a real problem on your hands.  (My  3 year old grandson flips back and forth, pretending one moment that he is the Hulk, pulling his shirt off and throwing things around, and the next moment that he is Thor, bashing things with a plastic hammer.)

So, the fine line here, is that you have to train your kids to have lots of fun with the trains, but simultaneously train them that these are not like their other toys. Lots of guidance required.

'The tunnel is a great idea. 

Mannyrock

Two 4X8 sheets take up 64 square feet of space in your room.

One 4X8 layout with two independent loops on it - an expanded O-36 and an inner O-31 - (one loop for each child, which can be connected or not) only takes up 32 square feet of space.

Plus, with two sheets, you'll be buying lots of accessories to fill the space, but it will be much less with only one sheet.

Just my  $0.02

Mark,

As I mentioned before, at this age supervision is important or guidance as Mannyrock recently stated. Mostly because of the possibility of damaging the electronics in the engines, after a derailment or not placing an engine or car on the track properly. A quick acting circuit breaker will help with that, and a quick acting adult is also a good insurance policy. As the boys get older & more experienced they will need less supervision.

Read the many great suggestions in this thread and determine whats best for your family and enjoy.

I've attached some pictures & movies of my grandsons, 3 1/2 & 5 1/2.

Welcome aboard!

Two separate loops on the floor is my recommendation.

Avoid, repeat avoid, the temptation for Dad to build a super, great, complicated layout (and making the boys wait for it).

Play value is important.  They are only going to be boys once.

Enjoy the ride!  The boys and you are going to have fun!

George

Just wanted to show how almost anything goes. When my older grandson is playing I don't worry at all about supervision. When the 3 1/2  year old boy is playing he's supervised by me, my wife or his brother.

The pictures & video were taken after the xmas tree came down. I'll probably leave this set up till mid Feb.

Like I mentioned, the on the floor layout is a good opportunity to hug the kids!

Or race the trains!

Another thing Mark, since you enjoy building models, that's another aspect that will teach them skills that will carry over into model railroading, especially as the get older. 1/48 scale airplanes & tanks will fit right in also!

Joe

P.S. Sorry if I'm a little over the top with my suggestions & enthusiasm. It's just great seeing parents & their children or grandchildren enjoying the hobby, especially with the times being as unsettled as they are these days.

If you choose to have your table top on the floor, then you can add carpet underpad on top of the table top to deaden the sound and soften the table tap. I used a light brown paint, applied with a roller to colour my carpet underpad to look like dirt, I then added some ground foam (coloured sawdust) to add some hints of grass. You can then run track power wires under the underpad, up to connect under the track. This way there are now wires to see or "trip" on.

Other layouts I have seen have used a green carpet instead. I prefer underpad, however both work well.

Picture below is painted underpad with Fastrack on top. My table is 22" high, with was designed for my boys when they were around 4.   They could see and reach things pretty well. With this design, you can keep changing the track plan anytime you want. The same Idea will work at floor level. The large area (where the two sidings are located) was originally used for a return loop.  My nominal table width was 24", making things reachable. (the top part upper elevation of the layout was added later, not there when the kids were young and we were just starting out.)

@modeltrainsparts posted:

In many ways it's all been said here in the form of both good information (two independent loops) and bad (armchair psychology). You know your boys best. I can only relate to personal experiences. I turned 3 in Nov. 1946, received my first trains (Lionel 2115WS Four Car Steam Freight Set) Xmas 1946. By 1949 it had grown to include an 0-4-0 switcher, a ZW, 4 switches, and lots of accessories running on two loops plus. Fast forward to 1978; eldest daughter is 2 1/2, fell in love with riding street cars in San Fransisco and watching trains as we drove from Denver to KC one afternoon; got her a Lionel set that Christmas; interest waned  in less than 2 months. Fast forward 20 years: eldest daughter just finished her masters degree and is home before heading to law school; I find her in the train room Figuring how to use TMCC Cab1, re-arranging stuff, adding drivers to cars,etc., and informing me that if i put a bar where she plans a church she will sue me! See pic below for outcome of that conversation.

So the Church will live to fight another day! And, who's to say how many dedicated drunks will be saved by the beautiful cross adorning Joe's Bar & Grill?

Many moons ago (70's), my sons and I had a large layout ((half of the basement in a small ranch home) that I designed for them to operate their own individual sections, accessories and all, yet sharing a long section of a shared trackage rights mainline.  There was also a  "hill" branch with a reversing loop at the end of the branch.  Where all of this came together was at a junction where I would control access to the main and the "hill".  (As towerman, I was in charge of all the 022 switch controllers at the junction).  They would let me know where they needed to go and we would agree on a plan of operation. We would spend hours mixing things up.  It was simple enough for a single operator, but the fun was in the interaction.  We also had a long 072 mainline around the whole thing, with relay controlled signals and blocks, for running 2 long freights or passenger trains while we played railroad.  Have fun sharing the hobby with your children. Nothing better!

Could anyone suggest some freight cars for hauling....you know whatever 3 year old's want to carry on their train?  Hot Wheels cars, Lego men, etc. 

Obviously nothing fancy or anything that would be upsetting to get destroyed.    Ebay always made me a little wary as I wouldn't be knowledgeable about what to look out for as far as condition.   Didn't know if you guys had any better ideas?

Thanks again as always for the massive responses!

Most of my rolling stock is from Menards.  A Menards gondola was perfect for hauling Christmas trees on this year’s Christmas train (apologies for the crummy video quality)

Mark,

Welcome to the Forum!  This place is a great wealth of knowledge and the forum members are fantastic. I have learned quite a lot from the folks here.

Per your above question:
I would personally suggest the following cars:
- Lionel 6462 gondola car
- Lionel 6112 gondola car
- Lionel 6076 hopper car
- Menards freight cars (Boxcars, hoppers,  flatcars, gondolas, etc.)


The Lionel cars are classic freight cars and are relatively inexpensive ($10-25 per car, depending upon condition and who the seller is..). A 3 y/o can put whatever they want the train to carry in these cars. The Menards freight cars are a great bang for your buck, they run $19-$29 per car. Other companies will sell new freight cars in the $40-$100 range. I have a bunch of Menards flatcars and they are great for custom freight loads. Based on what I have read in your posts in this thread, these cars would be ideal for your railroad's requirements but I am sure other forum members will give you their own recommendations too.

Bryce

Hi Mark,

Bryce has some good suggestions above. For freight cars, ebay is fine for used, if the photos look ok, clean or undamaged & the price is right it's probably a safe bet. Check on the sellers feedback & years selling & buying for that matter. Look for items used & no box, & as long as its not a collectible item will be cheaper than new in box. Although some forum members my disagree, I've never had a problem on ebay & always got what I expected, dozens of times.

If you have a local train store they usually will have piles of used, all condition items, mine does. Nows the time to build a relationship.

When you get set up, I think we'd all be interested in your feedback along with some photos or movies.

Joe

I just went on ebay, searched for "used O gauge gondola cars", there are plenty in the $15 range. just make sure they have couplers that aren't damaged. Some couplers aren't  actually functional, which is ok as long as the knuckle isn't broken.

Joe

Killing it as always Gents.  I'll start ordering soon. 

Of course I'll give progress updates and photos!

Welcome aboard!

The key word in this hobby is patience. This is a hobby that grows, ebbs and flows over time. In many cases, it goes dormant for years, then returns with a vengeance. Start out simple so the kids can learn how it works and how to operate safely. As they learn, you can introduce new things to do. Also, take them to see local model railroad clubs, layouts and train shows so they can see scenery and operational aspects on larger layouts. Be careful as you might get roped into this, too.

Whatever you do, don't give the kids' trains away -- if that is to happen, let them make that decision.