While every child is different the following guidelines will help in determining the right time for your child’s first train.

Birth to 2 years. At this age, all babies are intently interested in anything that moves, makes a noise and is repetitive. Anything which helps to stimulate the babies curiosity, focus and concentration span is acceptable. As they develop, their brain starts to realise how something will happen if they do a certain thing (cause and effect). For example, if I push this button the train starts. If I push this button it stops and if I push this button a noise occurs. Under parental supervision a train set fits perfectly into this criteria. Of course, it need only be a wind up or a battery operated train set as long as it moves and can make a sound.

A word of warning. An electric train set should always be operated by an adult and the child supervised at all times.  A child this age should never be left alone with the train set and it should never be allowed to touch the rails.

Children from three to five years old. This is the time when children have an increased attention span as well as greater self-confidence. Their imagination now comes into play and they start to build bridges and tunnels from any object that is lying around as long as it is big enough for the train to go over or through. They can have hours of fun just putting things into trucks and then taking them out again at the station or just moving things from one place to another. The layout is never quite right for them, so they are always taking the track apart and putting it together in another configuration.

At this age, the battery operated train is still the best option from a safety point of view. Depending on the aptitude of the child, it may be appropriate to introduce them to an electric train set with the word of warning stated above still needing to be observed.

Children from five to eight years old. “Toys for this age group should promote skill development and creativity”. This advice comes from the prestigious American Academy of Pediatrics. This age group can be introduced to the electric train set and gradually be allowed to take over the controls. This will give them a sense of control as well as of responsibility. They will also start to take more of an interest in creating scenery and landscapes in order to make the train set appear more realistic and appealing. They love to get praised after creating something: “Look what I’ve done”!!!

The dangers associated with the transformer and the wall socket as well as not touching the rails when the power is switched on should always be pointed out to them.

Children older than eight years old. This is the age when children develop interests that will continue for many years to come. The passion for model railways may have already been developed during their earlier years or it may not start until their teen years. However, for many kids, this will be the time when their interest will develop into a passion, particularly if they have friends who also have train sets.

This passion is something that will most likely provide them with a rich and rewarding lifetime pursuit. My observation is that people with this passion never grow up, they only grow older!!!!