Children & Model Railroading

My grade-school son enjoys running the trains, making up his own running commentary based on what he has picked up from prototype videos & books. When he was about 4, I decided to trust him with Dad’s railroad, including the brass locomotives. Apart from a few tumbled freight cars, damage has been minimal and more than offset by the fun times we’ve had together. Until he was tall enough, we used a variety of chairs and children’s “learning towers” to elevate him up to the 48” high layout.

Nine years later, my son likes modern diesels. We've had fun railfanning in Maryland, California (Beaumont Hill, Cajon Pass), & Pennsylvania (Gallitzin tunnel, Altoona).

Twelve years later, he likes to run steam locomotives as well & joins the model operating group I'm in. Here's his latest steam acquisition, with sound, of course.