Model train starter sets are both a good way to get into the model trains hobby and good trains for teaching children. Last weekend I used a low-priced Marklin HO starter set to entertain four toddlers for a good part of Saturday morning. The set I used is an older model that has now been replaced by the nicer Marklin 29156 low-priced starter set . Since I've been in the hobby for a few years now, I've got some higher-priced engines that are lots of fun, but should not be subjected to handling by toddlers!
Using the same O=O shaped layout I described in my last posting, for the first little while we introduced my friends' kids to driving just the engine around and working the manual switches for the "O" sidings -- and learning to reverse the engine and go forward again. After everyone had the hang of that, I set up the 2 cars from the starter set with one on each siding. The kids had fun backing into the siding and coupling the cars together (by backing the engine up slowly), and then reversing to pull forward out of the siding.
The kids had a lot of fun -- more fun than just running the train in an oval -- and I had fun teaching them! For more information about Marklin HO starter sets, and other Maerklin items, please see my Marklin Trains site.
