It seems like every boy loves trains. Whether its the size and speed of a train or the tracks and the sound they make, trains captivate boys and men of all ages. It is as if a love for trains is hard-wired into our DNA. Most of us got our first train set as a young boy and many still have them today as adults. They are true collector's items and are very hard to part with for sentimental reasons. Maybe we received it as a hand-me-down from our father or grandfather or it was a special birthday gift that we always cherished. Regardless, our train set is an important part of our life story and provides an anchor to our childhood.
In the past train sets were laid out on plywood and propped up on sawhorses. They took up a lot of space and weren't exactly aesthetically pleasing. Somewhere along the way an enterprising fellow - most-likely inspired by matchbox cars - scaled down the train set into smaller models that rolled along wooden tracks. The most popular of these is the Thomas the Train Table set which most of us with boys have scattered around our homes. Evolving along with the train set was the method for track layout. The train table was born.
Today's tables have many different options but at the core it is a table on four legs with a recessed tabletop for laying out tracks. With the option for adding large storage trundles under the table, this helps keep the clutter organized and hidden from view. Small details like the t-molding around the edges of the table provide durability and minimize cracks and chips in the wood. Furthermore, the curved edges and smooth lines are safer for your child and eliminate the danger of sharp corners.
Not content to just offer a train only table, many companies are now including pre-built scenery and tracks with their tables. This saves you the time of setting up the track - although I admit that is my favorite part. You can literally buy a simple kit today and have it up and running almost immediately.
I highly recommend laying out your wooden tracks the way you like it and then gluing them to the playboard surface. I was told the same thing when I purchased my son's table and I ignored the advice. Don't make the same mistake as me! You will spend an hour putting together the most awesome track layout only to be disappointed when your son destroys it in 20 seconds. Kids love to take things apart and train tracks are irresistible. So glue them down and secure it for good! You will save yourself lots of time and headaches.
I also recommend establishing a budget for trains because the Thomas line is rather expensive. The typical train costs between $15 and $20. The various scenery items will run you anywhere from $39 to $100 depending on the complexity. So you can quickly ring up a hefty bill at the train store. Make sure to explain to your child that these trains don't grow on trees!
Train tables are easy to assemble and will provide hours and hours of safe entertainment for your child.
See Also : cheap cookware sets find more save about Space Pen and Software coreldraw find more save about Homedics Massager and laminator
No comments:
Post a Comment