Lucky No. Seven: Suggestions For Playing Trains With A 7 Year Old Boy!

Hi Dennis,

Well, I had a small table for a toddler to now 5 year old. We started with Thomas and now have the NYC RS-3 LC+.

He always liked Annie and Clarabel because the "lids" come off. He places any small items that currently have his attention. He liked the gondola that was included with a freight add-on set.

Loads are small people, hardware(nuts and washers), Legos, Lionel containers, small vehicles (he likes farm tractors, but some others are used). He likes construction vehicles, also. Oh, wood scraps, small cut-offs, various shapes are of interest to him also.

I recently acquired the modern log loader/unloader and an MTH log dump car to get him into operations. The logs end up wherever he likes them.

I just assume that whatever is on his table will get some damage. It's been mostly couplers and the bumpers on the Thomas pieces.

A seven year old could probably put loads in a box car.

Anyway, my point is that whatever interests them can be load. Flats, gondolas, hoppers.

My son started with the DCS Commander remote system a couple years ago. He is now operating the full DCS remote by himself. He knows which buttons to touch and does an excellent job with it. He turned 7 in July.

Moonman posted:

 

He always liked Annie and Clarabel because the "lids" come off. He places any small items that currently have his attention. He liked the gondola that was included with a freight add-on set.

Loads are small people, hardware(nuts and washers), Legos, Lionel containers, small vehicles (he likes farm tractors, but some others are used). He likes construction vehicles, also. Oh, wood scraps, small cut-offs, various shapes are of interest to him also.

A seven year old could probably put loads in a box car.

Anyway, my point is that whatever interests them can be load. Flats, gondolas, hoppers. 

Agreed - my 3YO is all about putting things into boxcars and gondolas.  Track clips are currently his favorite revenue generator.  Getting things back out of same boxcars, though, is another matter...

He also loves "buckling and unbuckling" the cars (I think it's the term used in Thomas cartoons).

IMHO, Thomas is keeping trains and our hobby in the minds of our younger generations.  My 26 year old son, while he doesn't quite share my passion for model trains (yet), grew up with the original Thomas the Tank series "Shining Time Station" and starts to complain about mid way through December if the seasonal display isn't up.  (I call it seasonal because I re-do it after Christmas as a winter layout)  My 2 and 4 y/o grand children love Thomas.  When they're over, it is not uncommon to have carpet central rolling right along.  

My grand children also like to add "loads" to some of the cars.  I've added a few extra cars and expansion packs to the variety of Thomas and Friends engines I have.  One of the expansion packs has Harold the helicopter riding on a flat car.  That is a particular favorite.

Thomas and his friends aren't the strongest of engines.  For freight add on cars, I would think used stuff from the Fundimensions era would be a good choice.  They are very light, have fast angle wheels and are mostly inexpensive.  I would stay away from post war freight cars as they are heavy and don't have fast angle wheels.

For a kids layout, I wouldn't think of using any other kind of track but FasTrack.  In my experience, it's rock solid for kids.  I built a new holiday layout last year and used Gargraves track with a few Gargraves switches.  The Thomas engines didn't like the Gargraves switches at all.  At best, most of the Thomas engines would only run through a switch in 1 direction.

I don't like Lionel's direction of Lionchief+ or Legacy.  But for kids, the Lionchief remotes are great.  The Thomas ones are nearly bullet proof.  The throttle is so slow acting that even my over zealous 2 y/o granddaughter twisting it like she is winding a watch doesn't bother Thomas.  I do sometimes allow my 4 y/o grandson to activate some of the functions on my layout with my DCS remote.  But that is more like "here, push this button".  Both the kids already have tablets so by the time they are 6 or 7, I can only imagine that they will be ready for a DCS app.  Maybe MTH will make a kid friendly one??

Tony

Kids usually like anything they can get their hands on.  An old marx hand crank crane is a favorite on my layout.  The magnetic crane and a pile of plastic coated paper clips is also a favorite. 

Rubberbands on flat cars are great for holding down the loads of hotwheels, dinsoarus, wood blocks...

Inexpensive gondolas are always a favorite.

Postwar metal dump cars can be dumped manually and take a lot of abuse without breaking. 

If you build the layout so they can walk all the way around the table you might try them with a dummy or inoperable scrap engine.  My kids and their friends love to run the loop pushing the trains by hand more than they like running the trains with the remote! I have a couple of old plastic body Lionel steamers that I picked up for $5 and ripped the gears out of. 

Fastrack takes a lot of abuse and the switches play nice with the inexpensive short engines.

As far as being able to figure things out... at 9 months my oldest was running conventional engines around the Christmas tree and understood the direction button, to move the throttle appropriately when told "too fast" or "it needs more power" My 5 year old can navigate complex switching layouts and move trains from one loop to another without crashing while several trains are running.  My 3 year old runs legacy engines with the full legacy remote. The hardest part for him is the remote is big. I have a place for him to set it and then he can work the functions with no issue.  We also use the BlueTrain App to control the lionel engines from Android phones and the kids are good at that. Friends are an issue - but only until they are taught.  I've yet to find a kid that is interested and can not be taught to run the trains well if you have the time. Lionchief is excellent for handing to the inexperienced and getting them in to the fun quickly.

FasTrack on the floor.  Make sure you get the cheap FT grade crossings.  Boys love driving their HotWheels over them.  Also get gondolas and open hoppers so they can load them up with whatever.  Also the old Lionel autoracks are great as most HotWheels fit on them.  Run conventional with a simple transformer, like the Lionel CW-80, and the kids will have fun.  I found MTH cast steamers the best as if they do come flying off of the track, they will still run, and all you have is a dent or two.  I also got some dummy locomotives and they loved pushing them around the track more then using the transformer at times.

Whatever you do in the end, make sure you use rolling stock you don't mind getting damaged and let them have fun.  Most importantly, don't get upset when damage or a wreak does happen.  Just kindly let them know the cause, what they could of done to prevent it, and carry on.  They'll learn more from this then from the fear they feel if you get mad or seem upset when something bad happens.

i'm not sure i agree with the general attitude that kids cannot act responsibly.  yes, i had my own Lionel Scout set as far back as i can remember, but i was always allowed to play with the bigger trains, most of the time very loosely, if at all supervised.  i could abuse my own toys if i wanted, but i knew the trains belonged to the whole family and should be treated with a lot more respect.

may be a bit different with digital control these days,
but frankly i'd much rather teach a 7 year old vs. a 70 year old.

again, proper instruction is essential, but at Riverside we have a few junior members who have no problem handling live steam...

cheers...gary

Stay away from metal loads...the will be left on the tracks.  Watch kids TV shows to keep up with current likes so you can share interest (you don't to watch the whole show). Have an imagination corner where then can play with what ever they want on the layout without running the trains.  Keeps boredom from having them leave the train table.  They usually go back to the trains. 

For some reason Thomas bugs me!  We are trying to focus on Chuggington with my daughter rather than Thomas.  But there are definitely less products available for Chuggington.  That said, my daughter is 2.5 years old and loves trains.  She has played with a temporary G scale Bachmann Big Hauler and had zero issues.  She understands fast, slow, stop, reverse and loves the boxcar and gondola as she can put things in and take them out; those are the types of cars I would focus on along with flatcars.  While the loads may not yet be prototypical (i.e. puppy, Sparky, Sherrif Cally, etc.) it is fun to watch her play with the set.  I am working on something in O gauge for her to play with - there seems to be plenty of durable rolling stock that would be suitable.  She does not care if it is Thomas or Chuggington or more realistic.

We will see how long the train thing continues with her, but for now it is great!

Craft wood from the large craft store chains makes good car loads for the trains and they can also build buildings and structures with it like train tunnels, garages for the vehicles, houses for people etc. It's fairly inexpensive and they have packages of assorted sizes along with packages of specific sizes, pretty good selection out there and it is not all that expensive. It does add up though, if start loading the cart with multiple packages of several different hinds. Also it won't short the track.

I have accumulated quite a bit if of it over the last few years and my grandson likes to load and unload the trains with it. He has me stop the train in a spot he chooses and then starts loading the cars. When one is full he has me pull up so he can load the next car. The train then runs for a while and then is stopped again and the procedure is reversed.

He also likes to use some of the trucks and other vehicles on the layout for loading and hauling things, then he likes to drive them around the outer edges of the layout to their destinations. We also have a supply of people and animal figures who also participate in the activities. Some of these ride in and on the trains and also end up in box cars and other places around the layout. They have accidents and the fire trucks and ambulances come to rescue the victims. Police chase speeders and bank robbers, etc. and there can be large crashes during those episodes. I think he has a little bit of Gomez Addams in him, but he is pretty careful and after several years hasn't yet damaged or broken anything , unlike his grandfather who most certainly has... 

Just some of the things that go on around here that other kids might also like. 

sinclair posted:

FasTrack on the floor.  Make sure you get the cheap FT grade crossings.  Boys love driving their HotWheels over them.  Also get gondolas and open hoppers so they can load them up with whatever.  Also the old Lionel autoracks are great as most HotWheels fit on them. 

Whatever you do in the end, make sure you use rolling stock you don't mind getting damaged and let them have fun.  Most importantly, don't get upset when damage or a wreak does happen.  Just kindly let them know the cause, what they could of done to prevent it, and carry on.  They'll learn more from this then from the fear they feel if you get mad or seem upset when something bad happens.

Thanks for the excellent suggestions and advice, Sinclair.  Can you please explain our reference to "the cheap FT grade crossings." Thanks!

rtr12 posted:

Craft wood from the large craft store chains makes good car loads for the trains and they can also build buildings and structures with it like train tunnels, garages for the vehicles, houses for people etc. It's fairly inexpensive and they have packages of assorted sizes along with packages of specific sizes, pretty good selection out there and it is not all that expensive. It does add up though, if start loading the cart with multiple packages of several different hinds. Also it won't short the track.

I have accumulated quite a bit if of it over the last few years and my grandson likes to load and unload the trains with it. He has me stop the train in a spot he chooses and then starts loading the cars. When one is full he has me pull up so he can load the next car. The train then runs for a while and then is stopped again and the procedure is reversed.

 

Great suggestions.  Would you mind detailing the "craft wood"?  Is it sold as "craft wood",or, does it come in bags of various sized pieces.  Guess I need to spend more time at Michaels!!!

Post Script:  I did go to the Michael's website and search  "craft wood".  That search generated a number of wooden items that will make great loads for children.  I ordered several different items on the website for delivery to a porch nearby!!!

RichO posted:

Stay away from metal loads...the will be left on the tracks.  Watch kids TV shows to keep up with current likes so you can share interest (you don't to watch the whole show). Have an imagination corner where then can play with what ever they want on the layout without running the trains.  Keeps boredom from having them leave the train table.  They usually go back to the trains. 

Great suggestions!  I'm sure the metal loads would have been used without close supervision  Postwar plastic autos unless I'm watching carefullly/

Thanks to each of you for all of the great suggestions.  I've gone all "Old School", and have filled 1.5 sheets of looseleaf paper [not, the "Notes" on my iPhone...] with the ideas shared here.  I'm excited to get back to working on that layout, since we have a sleepover with a 5 year old boy this week.

I am surprised only a few hinted at operating accessories. I think a 7 year old is far beyond putting items into cars by hand. How about a gantry crane to do that? Coal and log cars can hold their interest for a while with lumber cars and their accessories being a little easier to clean up after.

Pete

I think Sinclair hit the nail on the head:

FasTrack on the floor.  Make sure you get the cheap FT grade crossings.  Boys love driving their HotWheels over them.  Also get gondolas and open hoppers so they can load them up with whatever.  Also the old Lionel autoracks are great as most HotWheels fit on them.  Run conventional with a simple transformer, like the Lionel CW-80, and the kids will have fun.

This is brilliant stuff, but I would offer the following modest changes:

• Run tubular vs. Fastrack (but that's just because I'm an old crank)
  
  
• Run a 1033 or LW or KW or ZW instead of a CW-80.  Those transformers are are built like tanks and, from an intuitive design and tactile feedback standpoint, they can't be beat.  What I mean by this is that ANYONE who looks at one of these transformers knows what to do.  Anyone who uses them can FEEL that it's doing the right thing.  Their designs are as brilliant as anything ever done by Raymond Loewy.
  
  

I would also add the following:

• Let the boy put the tracks together on the floor.  Show him how, but let him assemble his own layout.  A simple oval is fine.  Then show him how a dogbone or an L-shaped layout might add variety.
  
  
• Help the boy with the wiring, but show him what you're doing and tell him that "next time", he'll be doing it himself.  An original CTC lockon is also a marvel of simplicity and is a good teaching tool all by itself about wiring.
  
  
• Let the boy run the trains.  Let him get the hang of a forward-neutral-reverse E-Unit.  Let the train jump the curves because it was going too fast.  Learning from this is part of the process.
  
  
• Teach the boy about putting his face on the floor at the end of the straightaway to make it look realistic.
  
  
• On future visits, show him how to hook up a gateman -- or a crossing gate -- with a good ol' 145C contactor.  This time, let him do the wiring, under your guidance.

In the end, anything I've added is just a flourish.  Sinclair's ideas about gondolas and grade crossings and Hot Wheels are off-the-charts inspired and it was very difficult for me not to write "What Sinclair Said!"  That guy is very much in touch with his inner seven-year old and I say that with no small amount of admiration.

Steven J. Serenska

Serenska posted:

• Run tubular vs. Fastrack (but that's just because I'm an old crank...)
  
  
• Their designs are as brilliant as anything ever done by Raymond Loewy.
  
  

I would also add the following:

• Let the boy put the tracks together on the floor.  Show him how, but let him assemble his own layout.  A simple oval is fine.  Then show him how a dogbone or an L-shaped layout might add variety.
  
  
• Help the boy with the wiring, but show him what you're doing and tell him that "next time", he'll be doing it himself.  An original CTC lockon is also a marvel of simplicity and is a good teaching tool all by itself about wiring.
  
  
• Let the boy run the trains.  Let him get the hang of a forward-neutral-reverse E-Unit.  Let the train jump the curves because it was going too fast.  Learning from this is part of the process.
  
  

Steven J. Serenska

Thanks Steven, you are reminding me of some of the things that I did when our son was about 8 - 10 years old.  I built a 4'X 8' table for him, supplied him with some O gauge tubular track, and taught him how to do "block wiring", with some other tips as he went along.  I basically let him design and build the layout.  A worthwhile project, since he is now an electrical engineer!

P.S.  As to Raymond Loewy, I'd go with the GG I, and, the Studebaker Lark...

I also had my hands on quite a few of the Loewy designed, 6 oz. coke bottles while running my 1959 Lionel Super "O" steam freight set in the Postwar Era!!!

Missile firing cars, exploding ammo dumps and boxcars have always enthralled kids when they came over to see my old layout.  They also loved the helicopter launch cars as well.  For some reason, the icing station seemed to be the most liked outside of anything that could be fired.

-Greg

hlfritz posted:

For some reason Thomas bugs me!  We are trying to focus on Chuggington with my daughter rather than Thomas.  But there are definitely less products available for Chuggington. 

I agree - I find the Thomas cartoons substantially "darker" than the Chuggington ones and therefore not as appropriate for the under-4 set.  Many Thomas cartoons are based on an inherent conflict between the "Steamies" and the "Diesels", and the Diesels can be quite unkind to the Steamies.  In contrast, Chuggington cartoons are usually about working together as a team - and problems are almost always the result of someone not following the rules rather than one engine trying to be mean to another.

andy b posted:

 

If you build the layout so they can walk all the way around the table you might try them with a dummy or inoperable scrap engine.  My kids and their friends love to run the loop pushing the trains by hand more than they like running the trains with the remote! I have a couple of old plastic body Lionel steamers that I picked up for $5 and ripped the gears out of. 

 

My son also likes pushing the trains around as much as running them electrically.  I'll ask him whether he wants the "pusher" or "control" engine - and then put on a dummy U36B or its powered twin accordingly.

Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

rtr12 posted:

Craft wood from the large craft store chains makes good car loads for the trains and they can also build buildings and structures with it like train tunnels, garages for the vehicles, houses for people etc. It's fairly inexpensive and they have packages of assorted sizes along with packages of specific sizes, pretty good selection out there and it is not all that expensive. It does add up though, if start loading the cart with multiple packages of several different hinds. Also it won't short the track.

I have accumulated quite a bit if of it over the last few years and my grandson likes to load and unload the trains with it. He has me stop the train in a spot he chooses and then starts loading the cars. When one is full he has me pull up so he can load the next car. The train then runs for a while and then is stopped again and the procedure is reversed.

 

Great suggestions.  Would you mind detailing the "craft wood"?  Is it sold as "craft wood",or, does it come in bags of various sized pieces.  Guess I need to spend more time at Michaels!!!

Post Script:  I did go to the Michael's website and search  "craft wood".  That search generated a number of wooden items that will make great loads for children.  I ordered several different items on the website for delivery to a porch nearby!!!

Most of the things we got were assortments packs or packages of many pieces of one item. They also had some larger pieces that were like 2, 3, 4 or so to a package. Some was balsa, some basswood and some pine. I just looked at the Michaels site and it's easier to find in the stores than on their website. Hobby Lobby is another one that has similar items.

I don't go to the craft stores too often, maybe 3-4 times a year, but I always look around for stuff like this when I go. Been getting stuff like this for the grand kids for quite a while now. Glad you were able to find something on the Michaels website. Hope the kids enjoy it.

Norton posted:

I am surprised only a few hinted at operating accessories. I think a 7 year old is far beyond putting items into cars by hand. How about a gantry crane to do that? Coal and log cars can hold their interest for a while with lumber cars and their accessories being a little easier to clean up after.

 

Pete

I have had some of the new Lionel command control accessories ordered for almost 2 years now. Gantry crane is one of them. I think they were supposed to be out last fall if memory serves? They cancelled one, I believe it was the log loader. I am hoping my grandson hasn't already gone off to college by the time they finally arrive. He was 9 when I ordered these, he's 11 now.

I decided on a few Menards freight cars: a couple flats with loads, a couple hoppers, and a boxcar.  Right now, Menards has a promotion with certain freight cars, you get a "free" box truck with each car:

1:48 Union Pacific Box Truck

Model Number: 2793839  |  Menards^® SKU: 2793839

So the boys will have 5 box trucks to also play with.

I was phasing transformers with supervision by phone in second or third grade. Wood blocks, track assembly, wiring....do nothing yourself, but guide them. Careful though, you may inspire self confidence.

This was my world:

"Can I run a train Grandpa?"

"I don't know? Do you think you can? Tell me how you plan on doing it.....Ok, it sounds right. Maybe you can run a train. Go ahead and try if you want to" 

This little ritual gave oportunty to convey changes I might not be aware of yet. I don't remember hearing no too often.

Demonstrations of things like red hot wires and breakers tripping were part of the show too.

  Flat cars( bonus with bulkheads and side rails or stakes), and gondolas galore. One or two Hoppers are OK for fine loads. I prefer the looks of a flat or hopper, but a gondola is " the most useful car, indeed".  Tank cars?, at least a few. Your eyes can't see the liquid but your imagination can. Except box cars. I hated that boxcar doors didn't all open; " a rip off", lol. Oh, and Fishbellys tend to hold things well too...at least my cars didn't fly off the first loop anyhow.

Trains need fueling. Even non operating, a diesel tank, coal tower, water tower, and sanding tower add a few minutes to each run, including deleveries; another run to look forward too, and prototypical operation basics.

You may want to consider a switching and train order game too since operations seem of interest. File cards for all rolling stock and a shuffle of the deck, "go get um" at take them to Chicago, San Fran., or NY, each loop= X-miles, we need X-laps. Some looking and you'll find rules to follow ...or re--wright.

Make up wood crates, and barrels (raw wood ones are sometimes at craft stores cheap) Use a Sharpie or print stickers with a stencil font for various products of interest to them. Cover an old sticker with a new one "whenever". You can always go generic with " fra-gee-lee" or a joke case labeled "heebee jeebees".

A few crates of a tiny wood block and simple framing from match sticks stuck on the edges is an easy white glue project. Balsa and a bolt inside a hole, and a magnetic crane can be used.

 I can't think of an item with better play potential than a working railroad heavy gantry crane. I might have even traded in my rocket launcher and tower gantry for one.

If they like cars, buy cars; construction, a back hoe; military, rockets; etc.

Local industries are a good focus too.

I loved auto-loaders because that what I saw as a kid. Long trains of cars leaving Detroit by rail. Hot Wheels brand may be convenient, but they fit poorly on Evans cars. The cars supplied were too cheap for my tastes and broke quickly. I found the rubber Auburn cars a perfect fit and better detail (any repops?). Finding modern cars the right size is easier, but mostly die cast.

....good times.

I.e. let them tell you how to play, they are the professionals.

Adriatic posted:

 

I loved auto-loaders because that what I saw as a kid. Long trains of cars leaving Detroit by rail. Hot Wheels brand may be convenient, but they fit poorly on Evans cars. The cars supplied were too cheap for my tastes and broke quickly. I found the rubber Auburn cars a perfect fit and better detail (any repops?). Finding modern cars the right size is easier, but mostly die cast.

....good times.

I.e. let them tell you how to play, they are the professionals.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Adriatic,  very thorough and very helpful like the many excellent posts to this thread!  

P.S.  What were your favorite train stores in the Detroit area?  Hudson's downtown, I presume. Ever go to Lopo's Cameras and trains?  A perfect combo for me, as my Dad was a photography and 8mm movie buff.  As a result,  I seldom had a problem getting my dad to go to the train shop...I can still see my mother's expression when we left the house.  She supported our hobbies, but would kid us that, trouble was on the horizon!

If you get a HP or Polar, do not forget passenger ops!

I'm sure the boys would volunteer to have hot chocolate delivered to them on the Polar Express!!!   Good suggestion!

What ever you do, let them play with the trains. Never have anything out that you would get mad if it got broken. Little ones get bored real fast if there are too many rules. Teach em to be careful, but if something gets broken, just let them know it can be fixed.

These are all super ideas and I would just add one thing: stay away from O27 track unless you are only having simple circles or ovals with no switches. I got my first Lionel at age six in 1953 and was lucky enough that my Pop insisted on O31. I built a layout for my grandsons and fell into the trap of trying to cram in as much track as I could by using O27 and was faced with almost constant derailments before upgrading to O31 and broader curves and simplifying the design.

Well, you *could* use O27 track with wider curve radius than 27".  It is just not anywhere as easy to find.  It is indeed far easier to just use the regular O track or the newer stuff with roadbed, etc.

   I never once went to Hudsons downtown during the winter; not even for the parades. The camera/train shop thing seems familiar,  but I dont recall being there.

My Grandfather ordered direct mostly. He collected pre war since it was new, and knew some folks at Lionel well..the layout was 18x30...And he spoiled us..

  The metal steamers survived, The plastic engines did not(7?) . About 30 plastic cars survived(20%?). About 20% of  metal cars survived (3), The transformers 20%  survived,(2),   I still run on my old 0-27 track, lock ons, and turnouts too. Originally about 250ft worth, now about 70ft.

Two floods wrecked half of that or more. His collection was sold when he passed.

The Big Display for me was the Downriver Sears a few miles walk away, which was a great place for a boy to go to stay warm They had a decent single sale selection really.  A regular repairman, and Lionel factory reps and repairmen there daily for the holidays.

The #90 button and its offshoots are underated.

A #90 and operating newstand with the dog lifting its leg and circling the hydrant will occupy even a pre schooler. They dump, lift, uncouple, unload,  reload, start,  stop,  shift,  and shake things. Its a big red "press me" sign. Connect anything and its fun.

Thanks for the great additional suggestions!  I have some Fastrak from sets that I was going to try.  I also have a lot of O gauge since I replaced the track on my main layout, but I don't have much 0-27.

Adriatic,

Thanks for the detailed reply.  Too bad about the floods!  Nice that you were able to save some items.  As to the downriver area, The Downriver Sears sounds great -- much like the Downtown Hudson's.   In the Downriver area, I did some work with National Steel Corp. in the 1990's, and loved their vintage NW 2 Switchers which were generally operated by remote control from the ground due to the soot and heat generated by the various cars.  In this regard,  you could feel the heat from the loaded hot metal cars from a football field away!!!  The Lionel layout at the Carnegie Science Center is very accurate when it comes to a depiction of an operating steel mill -- very much like NSC's facility in the Downriver area.  [The Detroit River]

GVDobler posted:

What ever you do, let them play with the trains. Never have anything out that you would get mad if it got broken. Little ones get bored real fast if there are too many rules. Teach em to be careful, but if something gets broken, just let them know it can be fixed.

I agree with the kids playing with the trains. That's partly why I got trains in the first place, for my grand kids to play with. No special rules other than try to be careful. They are pretty careful and they can play with anything they want to here. If something gets broken, as you say it can be fixed or replaced. So far in about 6 years or so, it's only been grandpa that has broken something...  

Great advice from many posters, I would suggest the following as complementary to everything above and your own thoughts. 

Have fun, and encourage fun, watch him play and see if you can observer what he really likes to do, switching, high speed runs, loading, etc.  The use this to create interactive session with both of you taking segments; for example, if he like running long trains, you could build/take apart in a switching yard. 

Build confidence, and provide a "step up".  If he completed a play session following "the rules" the he might earn a chance to run a nicer engine/train for a few minutes.

Take it beyond the layout, build a kit, paint a car, etc., watch some real train videos, or other layout videos.

Before you end, "plan" what your will do in your next session.

Ask him his thoughts, "If you had a layout...., If I was to expand..., I can't decide between engine A or engine B, what do you think?"

And don't under estimate what a 7 year old can do.  Providing a little challenge can build confidence.  At 7, I as well as many of my friends were driving tractors/pickups/trucks on our family farms.  Much more complex than operating a train. 

Good luck!

Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611 posted:

Hard to believe, but a regular visitor to my layout is a seven year old boy!  Harder to believe is his railroad IQ.  A years long devotee to Thomas The Tank and other kids train shows on subscription TV, he asks to do prototypical things on the layout I didn't learn until much older, including switching cars from sidings, switching locomotives, etc.

I have found that the LionChief Plus locos are perfect for this child.  The controller is simple, with a well-marked speed knob and control buttons The LCP+ handheld controller is also small enough for his small hands!  Before an "Operating Session", I pre-test and set my transformer at a top speed that will allow him to "Highball" without derailing.  [Unfortunately, --"Gravity Works !" -- which I have proven myself occasionally! ]  Also, so glad the LCP+ system works at fewer than 18 volts!!!

Although the benchwork has seen many revisions and different track plans, it is still the height that I had chosen so younger children could see over the top of the layout.

I probably need to purchase some more child friendly boxcars, gondolas, flatcars with loads, and, items that a child would love to place on the freight cars.

I'm creating a small layout -- 7' X 5' -- with the intention of playing with a 7 year old, and a 5 year old - both "train nuts"!

How do you play trains with a 7 year old?  

Any suggestions for freight cars, freight car loads, items to place on the layout that they can safely pick up and move around, etc.?

 

You are a good person to do this.  At the risk of being a complete killjoy, I would tell you to not do this unless the kids' parents are present, and perhaps another adult.  In scouts, coaching, and other adult-kid activities conducted today you have to make sure that you are not in a situation where someone could accuse you of abusing a child.  Five years ago, I would have thought I was being a jerk or too negative to think in such terms, but having sons aged five and eight, and having been through training for coaching and other activities where you can be with other people's kids, you need to protect the kids and yourself.  Please take this advice in the constructive manner it is intended.    

Thanks Ray.  Excellent advice for sure in this day and age.  The two boys are close relatives.

A load of dolls is preferred by my girls

LangsTrains posted:

A load of dolls is preferred by my girls

Very cool!  Glad You added the info about Your daughter.  Great pic; great memory!

Funny,  Ive been thinking about dolls since the wood blocks were mentioned.

A study some 20 years ago saw toys had an apparent effect concerning schooling and the toys kids played with at home. I found it interesting.

  The kids being male or female had no bearing on the outcome: Kids that had access to toy blocks excelled at math, and building and creating in general; while kids with access to figures as toys excelled in English,  social sciences, and general communication with others. Lack of one of the two usually put the kid at an extreme disadvantage corresponding  to a lack of a toy type.  And for so long we all thought the kids sex was the general reason behind girls getting better english garades; boys better math.

Dennis: My family and friends prospered from those same mills since prewar. Hard to grasp that 15 miles of spread out world class steel works is now closer to 2 and weak. Its my old stompin' grounds. Im the first generation in a while to not regularly attend the church and school we helped build at Outerdrive & Jefferson.   Before my injury Id often bike from Taylor to Belenger Park on the North end of the facilities to fish and wait for the ding ding ding of an engine moving the "cauldrons".  It really is amazing how far the intense heat radiates from those cars. On foot Ive had to step back from the rails a few times,  uncomfortable from the heat as it slowly crossed the street.

  In the 90s I was building hot rods a block north from the main entrance right near the tiny tire shop. If you ever saw the 2 huge dogs being walked, that was us. We always had cars for sale near the main gate too. Those tire streaks on the driveway pavement to the gate; most were us going around the block for a test. Grey 64 Nova, green 67 Tempest, green 72 Grand Prix, 2 40s Chevys, blown red S-10, pea soup green 72 4wd Ford crew cab, tourquose and gold A-100 Dodge van, white 73 bug, crappy white 69 vw camper(porshe engine), and more. The dogs, 160&175lb Middle Asian Shepards, black or tan,  were a very memorable sight though.  There was also a small group of mostly steel working vets that had some trains in their "private bar" along Jefferson back then too. But you had to know they existed. The building had no signage,  no windows, and they were a very private group from the neighborhood..I havent seen anyone enter the building for many years now though...... "Good times", thanks for making me think of them.