Four year old - Getting Started

[Guys Mum]

Hi everyone. I have a little boy who is turning four this month. Train obessed. He has been wanting a Mallard for about a year at this stage and we feel he might be ready to move into Hornby as he's a little bored of Trackmaster.

I've been reading this forum with great interest and feel that the Railroad range might be best for us starting out. Would this be a good place to begin?

My next question is I suppose, where to put the trackmat? Is it a case you can roll out the mat and play for the day or are they more permanent, needing a fixed home etc. If so is the minimum requirement really 1800mm x 1200mm?

I would really appreciate any advice as to how to get going.

Many thanks,

Guy's Mum

[2e0dtoeric]

Yes, Railroad models are simplified ones, without all the little fragile fiddly bits, but still retaining the appearance, so would be ideal for little fingers.

The track-mat - I've never used one, so I cannot comment on that.

The layout - needs to be on a stable, flat surface. You have no doubt read about the construction of suitable boards elsewhere on here.

Ideally, the track would be 'permanently' fastened down, as repeated assembly and dissembly slowly weakens the rail joiners, resulting in poor - or even no - running.

For a start, a simple oval of track, with maybe one siding for parking spare trucks in, and a couple of simple buildings, would be sufficient for your youngster - but be warned, this is an addictive hobby, and the layouts get bigger, and more complex, with more and more stock on them, very quickly - if your bank account can stand it!

 

Also - read up on the merits and disadvantages of both Digital and Analogue control systems, and understand how they work - BEFORE you spend any money. If you decide to change over from Analogue to Digital, at a later date, it can get quite costly.

[Guys Mum]

Yes, Railroad models are simplified ones, without all the little fragile fiddly bits, but still retaining the appearance, so would be ideal for little fingers.

The track-mat - I've never used one, so I cannot comment on that.

The layout - needs to be on a stable, flat surface. You have no doubt read about the construction of suitable boards elsewhere on here.

Ideally, the track would be 'permanently' fastened down, as repeated assembly and dissembly slowly weakens the rail joiners, resulting in poor - or even no - running.

For a start, a simple oval of track, with maybe one siding for parking spare trucks in, and a couple of simple buildings, would be sufficient for your youngster - but be warned, this is an addictive hobby, and the layouts get bigger, and more complex, with more and more stock on them, very quickly - if your bank account can stand it!

 

Also - read up on the merits and disadvantages of both Digital and Analogue control systems, and understand how they work - BEFORE you spend any money. If you decide to change over from Analogue to Digital, at a later date, it can get quite costly.

Thank you for the reply. I think we have decided to go the DCC Fitted route, to future proof ourselves.

Am I right in thinking I would need to purchase the following:

1. The train itself
2. A track
3. A trak mat (optional?)
4. A controller

Could you recommend some coaches that a Mallard would pull?

My poor bank account is right 🤐

 

 

[Chrissaf]

The document I put together might give you a better insight into TrackMat layouts and Analogue vs Digitial control. For a four year old I would think Analogue being easier to master.

.

Anyway the link for my document "Getting Started with Track Extension Packs" can be found in a thread of the same title at the top of the forum 'General Section'. It was written specifically for people starting out with Hornby Train Sets that have no prior experience.

[Guys Mum]

The document I put together might give you a better insight into TrackMat layouts and Analogue vs Digitial control. For a four year old I would think Analogue being easier to master.

.

Anyway the link for my document "Getting Started with Track Extension Packs" can be found in a thread of the same title at the top of the forum 'General Section'. It was written specifically for people starting out with Hornby Train Sets that have no prior experience.

This is most helpful, thank you. I'll have a good read and report back.

[2e0dtoeric]

When you reply, please do not use the blue button. Scroll down a bit more, to the empty box below, type your reply in there, and use the green reply button. That way you do not keep repeating all the previous posts!

[2e0dtoeric]

Mallard - being an East Coast engine, would have pulled Gresley Teak coaches like R4332 and R4333. They are about £15 each, depending on where you look.

[The Doc]

To add to the last post by 2e0dteric, you can often pick up these Gresley teak coaches secondhand off ebay quite cheaply. often grouped in threes or fours, as they came with many a Flying Scotsman trainset over the years.  I've bought quite a few in my time, and there was quite a glut of them when Hornby introduced the superdetailed (and much more expensive) replacement versions.  Make sure you don't buy Hornby "Dublo" coaches though - these were built for three rail track and have different couplings.

[Slornie]

Thank you for the reply. I think we have decided to go the DCC Fitted route, to future proof ourselves.

Am I right in thinking I would need to purchase the following:

1. The train itself
2. A track
3. A trak mat (optional?)
4. A controller

Could you recommend some coaches that a Mallard would pull?

 

Depending on how committed you are to Mallard specifically as the first loco you might also want to look at the digital and analogue sets that Hornby sell (I've linked Hornby's own store here, but shop around for the best deals).  There isn't one with Mallard at the moment but the sets do include everything you need to get started in one package - locomotive and rolling stock, track and track mat and a controller - and usually cheaper than buying the constituent parts separately!

[Guys Mum]

Thank you for all the replies. I appreciate all the advice. 

I was all set to buy a digital Somerset Belle set and a Railroad DDC Fitted Mallard until I found a Flight of The Mallard complete set for sale locally for €200. 

It's not a Railroad one nor is it Digital but I'm wondering is a good place to start? Could it be upgraded down the line to work with a digital controller?

[Buz]

 Hi Guy's Mum

Well your son wants Mallard so it is as good a place as any to start.

Being of modern manufacture I would think it can be upgraded but do check it can be later if it survives.

I started when I was Four my first train set did not survive however it became a life long interest

So the loss of the first set was an acceptable price during the learning process once he has learned how to make it work and how to look after it properly.

If it takes look out he will want a dedicated  space for it where it can be perminantly set up and you won't here the end of trains 😀 😆

Some where to perminantly set it up while not so easy in a modern house is the best solution

The traditional start size is 1200 X 2400 or the old 8' X 4' and this came about because it was an easy size of board to get from the local timber merchants and it can still be had at the modern big warehouse style harware places.

You can go a lot smaller but then what is possible also gets smaller as the space decreases I don't think he is old enough just yet for making inovative decisions 

I certainly would not go less than 1800 X1200 for a childs train set.

Had he been older inspite of me being an analogue Dinosaur I would have said go straight into digital, as this is the now technology and will be for a long time even thought it will evolve a bit as time goes by

Just as when I started analogue was the now technology and did change a bit as time went by.

regards John

[LCDR]

 When my children were starting out with a train set we had to adopt a 6' by 4' (1800 x 1200 in new money) because of space considerations.  It is possible to get an couple of ovals of track and a few sidings comfortably on that size board. Hornby's Trackmat is designed with this in mind and the series of Hornby track packs are designed to exploit this size.

[Guys Mum]

I went ahead and got The Flight of the Mallard set last night. I'm sure my son will be thrilled at the weekend.

I really appreciate the advice. I'm sure this is only the beginning for us.

[RDS]

... For a four year old I would think Analogue being easier to master ...

 

Sorry Chris but I disagree.  There is nothing complicated at all about being able to operate a DCC (Digital) layout.  It only becomes complicated when people complicate it.

For example how do you explain to a 4 year old who cannot move his train in a siding because the points may be the wrong way.

 

Go straight to DCC and let him control his trains, rather than the track.  I have 13 Loco's on my layout and 3 of our grandchildren regularly operate them (aged 4 , 6 & 8).  They tell me which train they want to operate and for the younger one, I the enter the id.  The 2 older ones enter the id themselves.  I have 4 concentric loops, so when the trains are moved from the sidings they can start, stop, reverse etc without fear (my fear) of crashing.  Try doing that (easily) with Analogue.

[poliss]

No names, just a description.

Which system would be easier to operate.

System A: When you have two locos and two ovals connected by points, you have to buy two controllers and put insulated rail joiners between the points. Also, if you want to move locos from one oval to the other, then you have to fit insulated rail joiners and switches to make isolating sections so that only the train you want to operate moves.

System B: When you have two locos and two ovals connected by points, you only need one controller. You don't need any insulated rail joiners between the points, or isolated sections to move a loco from one oval to the other. Only the loco you want to operate moves. To switch between locos, you just press the arrow key on your controller.

[RDS]

@poliss

My thoughts exactly.

[Guys Mum]

Hi again. My son got his Mallard yesterday. Everything was fine yesterday. This morning however it seems the loco has no drive. It's making a connection with the track and the engine is getting power but there is no drive to the wheels. The wheels appear to be free wheeling. I suspect the train was 'driven' off track which may have caused the problem. 

Since this is our first Hornby we have no idea how to tackle this. 

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks. 

[LCDR]

 Hi Guy's Mum,

If by 'driven off the track' you mean it has been pushed along by hand, not under power  it is possible that the worm wheel and pinion gear which transfers the power from the motor to the wheels have either become disengaged or damaged, it depends upon how much force was applied at the time. The loco is not designed to be freewheeled. 

 

If you can hear the motor running but the wheels do not turn or as you say it is freewheeling then I strongly suspect that this is where the problem lies. Nowadays these gears are plastic and can break if subjected to severe stress. If the motor has been displaced it may be possible to push it back and it may simply be a matter of taking the body off, reseating it and re-assembly, but if any of the fixings are broken it may not be quite as simple. Unfortunately this is not something that can be repaired without dismantling, a job best left to people with experience, and if the train set is new you may have to return it to the place you purchased it for repair.

[GWR LNER fan 4472]

If, however, you mean the wheels are turning when you tell them to and don't when you tell them not to but the train isn't moving, it's most likely that it's off the track somewhere and has got caught on something, which is preventing it from moving. Check the whole train for derailments. Loose or broken couplings can also snag in the track, particularly on points, holding the train back. If you've already tried this, and it still doesn't work, go with LC&DR's solution.

[poliss]

Driven off the track? Was it on a table and fell on to the floor?

[Guys Mum]

Thanks everyone. My husband is an engineer so he is going to take a look. He wondered apart from the service sheets is there somewhere when you can find detailed schematics for the locos? 

We do have a model shop reasonably close so we can leave it in there also, but it would be good to know how to fix these things also. 

Poliss, driven around on the floor by an enthusiastic four year old! 

 

 

 

[olly]

Hi Guy's mum 

here's the service sheet for Mallard . http://www.newmodellersshop.co.uk/service_sheets/hss-344-railroad-a4.pdf

maybe you could post pictures here of the locomotive with the body off and showing the sides with the valve gear (thats the rods that join the wheels ) maybe someone on here will spot what's wrong with it.

dont let this put you off model railway this things happen 😆

[poliss]

Did he try pushing it along? That could dislodge the motor from the gears.

[Guys Mum]

Thanks, that service sheet is much more detailed than the one we have. Will come in handy. He isn't put off and said 'when I learn, I'll get better' but he is having a hard time not driving it around. 

Yes Poliss, that's exactly what he did  😢

I spoke to our model shop and they do repairs so my husband is going to take a look and see what the damage is.