There were still a few more fundamentals to become acquainted with before we could get rolling. Because there was no scenic treatment of any kind on this Inglenook the kids’ attention was focused on the trackwork and it quickly became apparent to me that even this was entirely new to them. I showed them how flipping the lever on the ground throws moved the switch points. Even that tiny bit of animation drew exclamations of surprise, “Oh, I get it!”

At the next session the kids were excited but leery – aren’t we ever going to make that train go?

There was a list of operating roles on the blackboard. My classroom has three beautiful gray slate blackboards along one wall. They are unusual today, and the kids are fascinated with the whole idea of writing and drawing with chalk, though they also find the experience a little bit “edgy” and uncomfortable because of the squeaks when they push the chalk instead of pull it.

Switchperson (two required)

Flagperson

If you give a kid some sectional track, a power pack, an engine and some cars of course the first thing most of them will do is make a circle of track and see how fast the train will go. That’s the natural order of things.

My intention with the Inglenook was to disrupt the natural order enough so that the kids would sense that there’s something else going on.

I'm a middle school math teacher. This last year I began to use model railroading as a vehicle for engaging my students with fun, interesting and educational activities that have vivid connections to meaningful real-world themes.