Hi and welcome to TB, I was about 7 or 8 when I got my first train set as a birthday present from my Dad and the hobby intrest lasted into my late teens before other pursuits sidelined it ( girls, sports and flatting) But I remember having alot of fun, I ran whatever I could get my hands on, so diesels and steamers shared my rails. I also managed to pull everything apart to find out what made them tick, putting them back together, not so good. Boys are not good at running things at prototypical speeds as Watash noted. So my advise is to buy less expensive 4 axel diesels, Atlas being my brand of choice. It's a great hobby and your son will learn alot of usefull skills as the hobby develops. Don't forget to ask questions when you need advise as you will get heaps of help here. Good luck and have fun!
Take a look at the turtle creek central layout in Model Railroader from a while ago. It's a 4x8 designed for a new modeller and looks like it could do what you need to start. It's also designed for expansion. I believe there's a book by Kalmbach that details how to build it from the benchwork up. Take a look at it, maybe make a change or two to make it your own, and go for it. I can't wait untill my kids are a bit older so we can run trains with each other as well.
AJB1995,When I was a boy on LI in the 50s there certainly was no internet!! Now you have all us geeks tellin you what to do..I supose it's because so many of us have made so many many mistakes(but wonderful,too)we're trying to see you and your son have a smooth ride on the hobby-rails via this new fangled gadget, the net...And it's a way of displaying our talents in print,with immediacy;some thing which used to be way more difficult to achieve...Anyway.someone above mentioned the library..Yes,check this out ASAP...Also,be frugal with your purchases and construction..You're in a hobby,not a job site..take it slow..Make some simple accomplishments and stand back and appreciate each before advancing too much and getting over your head.No need to buy or build everything at once..Little things done well are more rewarding than widing up with a bunch of things you have to re-do..The nice little jobs(a piece of benchwork wood measured and cut just right,A section of track layed perfect,a nice building kit finished and square,one fine switcher loco and a couple of cars and a caboose)...all add up to a nice little railroad of your own..All yours and Austen's creation...to visit whenever you feel...Always fun..always facinating...
Nicely put Markin, I just got started a little over a year ago. I bought to much thinking I needed all the stuff. I found myself getting overwhelmed by it all. I could not get it done quick enough. I caught myself cutting corners to speed up the process, staying up to late to finish something and just working myself to death. A few months ago I realized that my approach was completely wrong. I started over and I am taking it slow and easy. Point is; it should be enjoyable not a burden. chip
Chip is correct, we never actually "Finish" our own layout, we always find something we wish to add or change or improve, so try to 'smell the roses" as you go along, but do enjoy the ride!
