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I'm putting together a 4x8 for a 9 year old. Probably 2 loops of fast-track. What would be the 2 top operating accessories you recommend? I let her choose 2 new Plasticville buildings and she picked the car showroom and drive thru bank.

I'm bidding on the paratrooper ride mentioned on here but it looks like it will soon be out of my price range.

Last edited by dobermann
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I spent the weekend end helping with a modular layout at a train show. On my modules I have a milk car, sawmill, icing station, and a barrel loader. All have buttons on the outside for kids to push. My experience is the milk car and saw mill are the favorites, but they like them all.

The gantry crane is "the one".

Rocket launchers beat it out for "cool". But for usefulness, PW or TMCC, the crane is king! (versions vary)

 Lots for cheaper though. The bubbling oil derrick, and news stand with dog, were my "simple" favorites. As was an operating luggage station.

 The lumber, milk, and culvert pipe operations had the next most use, in that order.

     A stand alone whistle house so any " cheap locos" have some sound too would be cool.

     A modern digital version is made for many of the old talking stations recordings.  That module mounted in a new, or old station, would be very cool have too.

What a neat project! May I offer something counter-intuitive? I put the 45 Gateman next to the track and activated by a button. The kids love to try to get him to pop out as soon as the engine goes by - I know this is made to be automatic but they spend a surprising amount of time trying to time it.  

Another thing the older ones love is the 785 coal loader - using it to pick up coal (aquarium gravel) and dump it in a waiting wagon.

I put all my working accessories along the front of the layout with step stools so they can get at them. Also, if making noise is an option, I put in one of those HO 'sound machines' with a slider for whistle and a knob for engine sounds. I also have one of those hotel reception bells for them to mash. (with parent permission, I also hand out those wooden whistles - for keeping)

     Definitely a magnetic crane. I have a prewar #165 that works very well, but I think the gantry crane may be easier to use.

     I'm not so sure about coal loading accessories. In my experience with my #97 they tend to be very messy and the loaded cars are a pain to clean up in the event of a wreck. For a similar unloading - loading action, I would recommend a lumber loader (#164 might be a bit too big for your table, but a #364 might work).

Regards,

Last edited by spwills

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