An idiot's guide to trains

[speedymama]

My DTS, who are nearly 3yo, are really into Thomas the Tank Engine. Prior to having DTS, I knew nothing about Thomas or his friends. Now I know many of the characters and even the song. What I don't know, is the difference between the trains. On a basic level, I know that Diesel is a diesel engine and Thomas & Co are steam engines. However, how does Thomas differ from Gordon, apart from size? The trains, according to the song, perform different functions and I'm trying to understand if this is a reflection of how they differ in terms of construction, output etc. In addition, there are the narrow guages like Peter Sam.

I know nothing about trains but I'm conscious that because of the boys inquisitive minds, I will soon be facing a barrage of what, why and how about these engines.

I would be really grateful if someone would provide me with a basic understanding of trains in terms of how they differ and how this is reflected in the functions that they are assigned.

TIA

speedymama, your post just made me lol. I have a 2.7 yo ds who is also mad about Thomas, although the obsession ebbs and flows depending on what else he gets interested in. One thing I'm absolutely sure about is that if you do learn all there is to know about steam engines your dts will immediately lose all interest in Thomas and your study will be wasted.

What I would do is try and find some steam engine information sites on the internet and bookmark them so if they have questions you can look it up with them, or buy a steam engines book and leave it on the bookshelf for when they ask. That will also help them to learn to find information rather than rely on someone else to provide answers.

What amazes me is that children can identify the different Thomas characters from such a young age, I think it's facial recognition. If I can't see the number on the engine I have no idea at all who it is.

I think you're right Bran about them losing interest. I'm amazed at how easily they recognise the characters, even when they are unrecognisable to me (lol).

I did think about checking the web but I could not face wading through oodles of info so was hoping someone could provide a simple summary.

Thanks!

I wouldn't worry - they learn exactly who is what and what job they do just by watching it.

have a look here

My dh coud answer all your questions in detail - he knows a lot of broing stuff about trains including what type of engine they are and when they would have been used. Yawn.

The major difference between Thomas and Gordon is that Thomas is a tank engine - ie has a tank as part of his structure and carries coal as part of the engine, whereas Gordon is a much bigger engine and has to pull coal behind him in a separate carriage thingy. Well, you can see I know nothing either!

Thomas is also small and chirpy and rather irritating whereas Gordon is large, pompous and extremely funny at times.

. That is exactly the kind of info I'm after Dumblesdoregirl. Silly me thought that they were all tank engines Doh! I really want to know more now. Who knows, I may end up becoming a trainspotter!

Great website Furball.

You have to watch all the episodes and you will soon learn. All tank engines, pfar, you have a lot to learn my girl. There are diesels too you know. Some pull passenger coaches, some work at the mine. Sodor has it's own micro climate too!! Can you tell I have a 5 yo ds?

He has just announced that Thomas the Tank Engine is for little boys not big boys and has given me permission to sell his videos at my next boot fair. I searched high and low for that collection of vids and he discards them so callously.

Like Furball's link. The numbers refer to the number of wheels - number of 'steering' wheels (the little ones at the front), number of 'driving' wheels (the big ones) and the other little ones behind that some big engines have. Not sure I've got the correct terminology there but the system is right!

The smallest engines shunt carriages and trucks in the yard to get them in place for the big, powerful engines. Or pull just a couple of carriages/trucks like Thomas. Narrow gauge railways were mainly industrial - bringing slate down from the quarries in Wales, for instance. They didn't go very far and were just the right size for the job without spending any more money, IYSWIM. Great Western engines ran on a wider gauge as they were designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who always wanted to make things bigger and better.

Track down the Ivor the Engine DVD, it's lovely and always cheers me up if I'm in a bad mood because ds has got up early. Classic children's animation from Oliver Postgate who did the Clangers.

You could always find out where your nearest steam railway is and take them on a trip. Bet they'd be very excited. If you can manage to get to the top left-hand corner of Wales (a la Ivor) the Ffestiniog has double Fairlie engines - back to back ones that can go both ways.

And how about buying them a grown-up book with lots of pictures? Ds has a couple of 'proper' books that railway buffs buy (because my dad writes them). He loves leafing through them.

I saw Sue Johnston's Who Do You Think You Are programme. She found out about her grandad who was an engine driver. Striking comment about engine drivers being 'working class aristocracy' - you couldn't get a better job!

Thanks Edam. I'm planning to take them to one of the Days out with Thomas activities in summer so hopefully they will still be into it.

I think I'm going to purchase a book about trains and leave it around for them to look at.

The original thomas books are good too. This is how much of a trainspotter i've become - i took the book with Stepney the Bluebell engine with us when we went to the bluebell line at christmas, and we wandered through the engine shed looking for the engines mentioned in the book. We are now have hornby as well as brio and i can't wait until we clear out the garage and set up a proper model railway...
i'll just get my anorak and flask

If you're anywhere near York, you can take them to the National Railway Museum.

All three of mine have been/still are Thomas enthusiasts but haven't ever pestered me for real-life info about steam trains, thank God.

Dino, I got thoroughly sick of trains as a teenager. All three of us girls used to go 'Oh, daaaaad' if he started to tell us anything. But now I've got ds I love taking him on trips, watching his DVDs and reading the original Thomas stories (none of that merchandised rubbish written by Those Who Are Not Wilf Awdry in this house).

The original stories are based on real incidents btw - Thomas crashing into the station master's house, the little lost engine etc. etc. (Lost engine makes me cry because even if it's only a machine, it's still a character in a story that you care about. And it's true - the real lost engine is called Prince and Revd. Awdry really did find him. I think he's the thin clergyman in the stories.)

We've got the collection of original stories too, but I'm afraid that (Philistine that I am) I grew very weary of them on the third or fourth time through the book with DS1 .

I don't blame you. But it is lovely, rediscovering my own childhood. And ds is dead impressed that I've fired Mallard, the fastest steam engine ever!

Well, I've seen Mallard....

You should go to the railway museum in York. I love it, and after the sixth visit since DS was born, some of it is beginning to sink it.

sink in