No parent or Den Leader to supervise… sorry kid, but that is the way it is.
I don’t mind getting out my Smokey Bear hat. 
Because of the liability, the clubs that run ride-on trains have a strict policy,“No Parent, No ride.” Not only does this keep unsupervised children from getting hurt, leaving the club with a big liability, it also protects both child and club from child predators and/or false accusations. In this day of sue happy people and sometimes over reacting police it’s best to cover one’s butt. It’s my opinion that any club that comes in contact with children should have the policy of “No parent, no participation.”
Re: Supervision---- I was working as a vendor at a large outdoor show (not trains) in western New York a few years ago. These two kids (about 9 and 11) kept coming back to my space over and over, touching everything, etc. No parents in sight. The older one (purposely) broke a $100 item. My (now ex) wife caught him in the act and confronted him. Meanwhile, the younger one ran off to get mom and dad (who were halfway across the fairgrounds!)
The parents’ attitudes, when they finally arrived, were…interesting (to say the least!). They were angry at us for having interrupted what they were doing. They argued that we shouldn’t have had the items out on display if we didn’t want their children to play with them. They refused to even consider paying for what their child had broken, and generally were VERY loud and abusive… We eventually got them to pay the wholesale cost… but only after 2 golf carts full of security people showed up because of the ruckus they were causing and threatened to evict them from the show!!! These were fairly well dressed people, middle to upper midddle class at a guess, and they acted like the whole world owed them whatever they wanted… 
Anyway, my usual problem ISN’T with the children (teens, sometimes, children, no). Most are pretty well behaved, they simply look and ask endless questions…It’s their good old dad who has to touch everything, fiddle with it, and then walk away leaving a trail of semi-destruction!
Both of which begs the question: WHO is going to supervise the parents?
The Bridgewerks R series transformers allow a switch to be connected that allows a small child to safely control a train. Press, and the train goes, up to the speed Dad or Grandpa has set on the transformer. When the child releases the button, the train comes to a graceful stop (provided momentum is on).
Bridgewerks sells the switches for US$9.95 each. Smaller (and less colourful) versions can be had at DSE stores in Oz for a bit over a dollar each.
The switch required is momentary, normally-closed, and can be connected to the yellow jacks on the back of R series units. Polarity doesn’t matter; there are two solder tags on the switch, and they can be connected to either of the yellow jacks.
Many thanks to Bridgewerks’ David Sauerwald for information about both the size of the stepdown required and the type and connectivity of the switch. I am a rank amateur when it comes to electronics, and Dave sent me a series of short eMails that enabled me to get this setup going on our 220RM with no trouble at all.
Our grandsons, ages 4 and 2, are visiting as I type this. Some observations:
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Little blokes can get excited and reach for the trains while they’re in motion. A G scale train can pack quite a wallop, so keep your eye peeled.
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Little people get even more fun out of the toys that are on the trains than on the trains themselves. As I sit here typing this in our lounge room, Gabe and Sam have the floor around me covered with die-cast Falcons and Corvettes, a couple of Tiger tanks, a few trucks purchased from Al Kramer on eBay, and a couple of helicopters I got locally for a song because they were broken and easy to fix. A USA Trains crane is also down there; the boys are playing “good crane, bad crane” with it and Kramer’s crane. A couple of goats are running the cranes, and the concrete truck is carrying small chocolate Easter eggs! The Tiger tanks take a couple of AA batteries, so we’ll have tank races around the house when I finish this. YEE-HAH!!!
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Little people like tunnels (train goes away, train comes back) and a dark room with the bright lights of the trains racing round and round (though be prepared to hold a little hand if they find trains in the dark a bit scary at first). Switches, sidings, etc. can wait 'til they’re older.
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Re breakage: my toys, my grandkids, my responsibility. The boys have been warned to go easy a couple of times, and they do so immediately. If you knew their parents, you’d know why - very loving, but no messing about. I’ve had to make three running repairs so far - nothing major, and all due to less-than-robust workmanship.
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I feel very sorry for those of you who have had unpleasant experiences at shows. Working with the public is a very a different thing entirely from working with family. I concur with Mik - it’s the PARENTS who more likely to be rude and ignorant than the kids. Warren’s 100% correct when he warns of the dangers of liability - don’t even THINK about running a public display without taking AT LEAST the sort of precautions he mentions.
Off to the tank race now!
I would agree that we do need to let kids try to and do operate our trains. I tend to get more enjoyment out of watching a child try and accoplish a task of stopping at the station than just watching some people asleep at the throttle. With supervision it can be done.
I have a just about 2 year old daughter and one of the major reasons I got into large scale was her. She might hit the wrong button on the controler but have we not all done that before? When we go to shows or other club functions we keep a close I on her, making sure that she does not grab or destroy any of their property. And when we are at home she plays with my trains a hand rail may break off a car or a piece of track will get stepped and pushed out of place but that is no big deal to me on our home layout. I figure it in the cost of teaching her to like and enjoy a family hobby. Now everyday we go out to car she looks at the track and buldings and looks to me and says choo choo. And yes she has learned what button to push and at the right time.
If we don’t let the kids get a chance at enjoying our hobby, it will not grow very much more. I do believe that kids are the future of this railroad. If a younger crowd gets involved and like it manufacters will keep production expanding and going. Otherwise consider our hobby to become like slotcar racing, just gets put on the shelf to look at or gets thrown in a box.
I am just reading this thread - it’s 1.30 in the afternoon here, BTW, and looked over my shoulder to see my 20-month-old grandyeb, Georgina, pushing her little floor choo-choo around the track of our little raised-up layout, built so that her wheelchair-user mom could play a while back.
I have just called my brother-in-law in North Wales to ask for my LGB feldbahn quarry cars back…
Get 'em young, I say, like the Jesuits say.
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Regarding Warren Mumpower’s post of 04-05-07, As the Conductor of the Inland Northwest Garden Railway Society, I can assure you that there are two sides to his story. For the rest of the story contact me.
…just had to say this…“It looks like in the case of LGB; it’s the kids that broke the company”…but that’s another story…!!!
Warren Mumpower said:
.............................I do have a small portable layout of my own that I take to shows. I still need to get it RC equipped so I can let kids of all ages run the trains.
That’s the plan here, too. Small switching layout, let them have a go at things. Even with DCC and sound, set the CVs that 20smph is top speed.
Tony Goatz said:Tony,
Regarding Warren Mumpower's post of 04-05-07, As the Conductor of the Inland Northwest Garden Railway Society, I can assure you that there are two sides to his story. For the rest of the story contact me.
How about you give us the other side here?
I was going back though posts and stubbled across this. The little light bulb above my peanut went off. I know I really never properly introduced myself as asked by Bob when you join , I joined a long time ago and my info has since been lost(makes no diff either way) for what I have to say. I will be careful on how I word this.
Hello to this forum …I have been collecting G scale stuff for 6 years and I’m finally building my first outdoor railway(not a garden RR). I was introduced as a child to trains with a Lionel set around the Christmas tree as most were. Now I’m a mere 37yrs old but it makes no diffrence how old you are. I came from a family with a lot of love and hardly any money so I had to cut a lot of grass to get my HO stuff as an early teen.
I was a naughty boy in high school(just mischevious) so when in detention you were required to read or work on something educational. I chose to read Model Railroader or train books(Lin Wescott??) which were available at the school library(wonder if they still are)?
I built my first HO layout in the attic of my parents home outta old discarded skids(couldn’t afford lumber). A few years later my mother decides to get into the ministry(kids are grown) and dad retire’s early leaving me with no where to go. So instead of packing up my stuff I decided to by the house,which is an 1852 Victorian they bought in the early 60’s in need of a TON of repair(layout got torn down n the process).
I launched an import car repair business(mainly Swedish cars) and started restoring the old box. That was in 1993. Eventually got married(together for 16yrs married for 8 can’t get free milk forever) and the house is basically finished ,business is good, so now I have a RR to build.
My son was born in June 2000, I wanted to get him his first train set and looked into G scale as my HO stuff was too fragile for him at the time. Loe and behold I’M HOOKED.
Now that you have the skinny on me…“I have no problem with kids running trains!” In fact I’m not only building this for me but for him! Don’t care if the trains have hook and loop couplers and neither does he. I have about 150’ of mainline completed(350 to 450 is total run) and the neighbor kids peeking over the fence(and their dad’s) make it all worth it.
Basically what I’m saying is my son has no idea how good he’s got it and many kids don’t have it that good so let’em run the train’s ,educate them!
I personally think that I got most of my knowledge from model railroading. I quit school(which I’m not proud of and I hope my boy never finds out) I really don’t have any education to speak for but I made something of myself with the skill’s that I feel model railroading had a good part in teaching me. Let’s see there is carpentry,electricial,artistry,creativity and so on and so on.
HELL LET THE KID’s RUN THE TRAINS!!! They are our future and this hobby has a mountian of learning info for them!
With that said…Stands up, clears throat, my site…I have 6 diffrent albums here and the RR is on the bottom right.
http://saabpics.com:3000/gallery2/v/MrWinkey/
Fred Mill’s stated on this post that basically we have questions that you guy’s are dying to answer?
Can anyone tell me if Bill Logan’s showcase RR in Ohio turned into a roller coaster after the first frost heave?
If so I’m screwed!! I like the HDPE roadbed method, stuff is slick but not real sure about pounding flat stakes into the ground. Understand the float theory though. Guess I will find out? BTW I’m in PA
Sorry for the book but I’m into the sauce and this thread kinda hit a spot!
Thanks for reading it though!
Dave
P.S. Battery power is not even considered in my book(I want to conquer all the element’s of track power first)
Yes my ball’s are big…LOL
David;
My experience is with floating roadbed. I never sink stakes into the ground. We usually just prop the continuous roadbed (Pressure treated 2x6/2x8) up to the levels we want and backfill under it with crushed stone and earth.
Putting stakes into the ground is a waste of time, and asks for frost heave, from our experience.
When I say prop it up; I mean with anything you want to bury…old bricks, broken concrete blocks; or anything you can imagine. We haven’t resorted to human bodies yet, but who knows what we might want to get rid of in the future, after a wild night of holy water tasting…!!!
Others have different ideas, and because of the enviorment they live in; may have different needs.
Our PT roadbed has stood the test of time up here in Ottawa Canada, but may not work so well where the quality of PT lumber is less than desireable, or better stuff is available.
Keep the kids involved…great idea…we try to here.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts…very much appreciated.
If you care to; look in on the OVGRS and the IPP&W, at: www.ovgrs.org/Waiting on my Eli’s 4th Bday Surprise to Arrive!
Traded for an LGB SV Diesel, will be powered by Batteries and Controlled by RCS,Dave has shipped Eli’s very own TX-24! this will be a nice surprise for sure! Dallee Sound in Trail Car, I think…I think the engine should be OK for a kid of his age!
cale
Fred
Thankyou so much for your reply it is very much appreciated and respected! You gave me an answer I was looking for.(at least to some extent)
All I can say is “Good Lord” I was into the holy water heavy last night after I/we(son) spent all weekend working on the RR! (kinda embarrassed about the long post and info given)
It’s blunt and to the point though and I actually remembered I posted it too!
I cannot believe I worte all that ??
Thanks again to all of you guy’s that post here and run this site as you could never put a $ sign on your experience but sharing it is worth more than money can buy! I actually moderate on a Volvo repair site and help out on old home sites and am thrilled to do so.(as I see you guy’s do here)
Now let the kids run the dang trains!..LOL
P.S. Fred I have been all over that site, along with many others to see what you guys are doing. It can be mind numbing and add the affect of beer, now you can conquer the world(at least till you wake up)
Thanks Again and sorry for the book
Dave
Geez, David. Somebody has to give Fred a run for his bheer!
I’ve never seen Fred run for his bheer…maybe get confused about which hand is holding it…
I’m all OK these “Daze”, Ken. As soon as I learned that the right hand is the bheer hand, and the left is the throttle; things seemed to sort themselves out, right and proper !!!. (I’ve even been seen operating a train lately !!)
David;
I don’t have children of my own; and never planned on any; but, I do promote the idea of responsible parents bringing their children over here to operate the railroad.
We have to use caution as we all know; having been young at one time, centuries ago; that touching, and running about helter-skelter, is part of the act. Damage can occur to other peoples’ equipment; or the kids can get hurt falling or tripping, so we advise parents that they must act responsible, and keep some light control over their charges.
With this attitude; we have found, that everyone has fun, and a few young people have been introduced to the hobby.
On the subject of all forms of beverages; I always promote MODERATION. It is fun and very enjoyable to enjoy your favourite beverage; BUT, moderation is always the rule.
Sobriety rules around here, and I will not tolerate any stupidity, from myself or others on my property.
YES; there are many pictures of me with a bheer in my hand; but that might have been the one for the day, or one of only a few without any need to drive on my part.
There are always a few bheers in the fridge; along with soft drinks and water, for my guests; and I have never had any problems with anyone. It must be the honour of having high class and respectful guests that make this place so much fun.
Nice to see that you enjoy the same attitude that I have, David.
Fred,
We tease you about “Holy Water” because you tease yourself. We all know that there is no way that you could do the things that you do in building and maintaining your railroad if you were immoderate. Like with Dean Martin, it is part of your “shtick.”
I’ve found that most kids are responsible if one takes the time to get to know them, however briefly. Explain to them the “rules,” and they will follow them. Only rarely do I find that I need to give “rudder orders,” even without their parents being nearby. I do keep a “weather eye” on them, however.
Fred, I have to point out to ya that while moderation is alright, a LOT of moderation is even better.
Best
tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Terry…now, now; we all know that in the case of some individuals, abstinence is most nessesary, due to health or alcohol related problems.
But......let's not get carried away with "Overmoderation", to the point that people can't have a choice of beverages; be they alcoholic or otherwise. Not everyone has a problem, being their own "Liquor Control Board".....!!!
When I speak of holy water; I’m speaking of a fine beverage of a persons’ choice; alcoholic or otherwise. This is as you might notice; not spelled with caps; and has no religious meaning, or connotation meant. A beverage that brings satisfaction, warmth, and good feeling to the person enjoying it, in the company of good friends…“Branch Railroadians”, as a group, seem to enjoy this idea, as part of their main functions, which are socializing, sharing ideas, and promoting the idea of successfully operated “Branch Lines”, and even the shortest or longest of “Short Lines”.
BY the way, Terry…when is your next visit to the IPP&W…the Invasion is starting on July 19th this year; are you avoiding meeting your fans for another year in row…!!!