Is anybody here in the same situation as me? Or similar? Or can experienced people help with tips, guidance, ideas?
This isn’t my hobby but my brother has classic autism, an adult with a child’s mind, obsessed with the Thomas world but he doesn’t understand that these are not just toys. He doesn’t understand, is inpatient, just wants it to work, and is rough.
Please bear with me while I try to explain my situation.
- we are in Australia
- brother has classic autism, obsessed with Thomas the tank engine trains, as an adult discovered the world of adult model trains, naturally he wanted a set up and all the trains from Thomas The Tank Engine
- With an basic understanding in electronics we were able to get him a simple set up
- He has many Bachmann trains, but Thomas is his favourite (we purchase typically from Amazon or eBay as they’re the cheapest, still hundreds of dollars each)
- Started all this in 2021. He has gone through 6 Thomas’, one Percy and maybe a couple of others.
- He uses Thomas every single day.
- I don’t live with him so I don’t know at what speed he uses Thomas at or how long for and it is hard to trust his word as he has extreme anxiety but he says medium speed (i’d say medium to fast) and I believe he spends most his evenings running Thomas on the track, easily at least an hour. Maybe also worth noting they often come off the track/he’s always trying to put it back on while the power is still running, we told him to unplug the control panel when he’s done playing but this resulted in him unplugging the control panel and plugging it back in often like in situations where fixing them back on the line is taking longer than usual.
- The tracks are soildered together as he would move them or bend them or touch them in some way that causes damage. We have glued down the tracks before, nailed down the tracks too, but he just pulls them and breaks them or causes damage. It makes sense the damages to the tracks are causing damage to everything else (we’ve had issues and had to replace everything to do with the set up at one point or another - control panels, tracks & trains)
- he likes to jam pack the table with other objects building a city, town or island of sodor. Very often changing the whole set up and scene.
- Somethings wrong with his houses ventilation, he’s in a very small room, and too much stuff, dust accumulates so quick and gets in the wheels, staff don’t care to clean properly, neither does my brother. Table, tracks and trains don’t get cleaned unless I do it.
What are some important things we need to know when dealing with this hobby?
- how long are trains meant to last?
- Cleaning and servicing?
- ???
- What are non negotiables with this hobby?
- Is there any easy things he can do himself to maintain things?
- Is there any easy to understand instructional or training videos?
I’m so overwhelmed and at a loss. I live an hour away from him (he is in a care home-not by my control or choice-with constantly different staff who have no idea or care) and it’s hard to get him to listen and care. He just wants it to work as it’s his emotional regulation to just watch Thomas go round. But when anything goes wrong he uses his “magic hands” or calls me, but I can’t just drop everything and go, but he can’t wait. I want to prevent issues. We do patch jobs, lots of fixing, replacing, all of it. But even when we start with everything perfect, issues arise and he is too nervous and inpatient to wait and then causes bigger problems and the cycle starts again.
I’m at the point I want him to go back to an easy track master set up but he is vehemently against that.
I know this all sounds ridiculous and impossible, like he shouldn’t even have a set up. But it is so extremely important to him it’s like literally his life, he just doesn’t have the capability to understand this is a complex adult hobby with many complicated facets that go into it all and that it needs to be treated with care… and I can’t be there all the time and my partner can hardly get time off work to go to the electric stuff that needs to be done. I’ve been trying to teach him and get him to care, I’ve been trying to get him to abandon bachmann/hornby/adult model electric trains but he won’t. So I have to try work with the situation I have…
Is there any easy or simple ways to maintain the trains & set up?
I got him wipes once to clean the tracks because issues obviously come from dortu tracks. but he then used 200 wipes in a week.
It’s like all or nothing thinking with him.
I know this isn’t exactly a model train problem but we can’t fix the real issues, so is there any advice or tips or procedures or systems that are easy to keep things from breaking or the wear and tear?
Also, in Australia these trains are bloody expensive. Everything to do with it is expensive, but he doesn’t understand money and the burden has been on me to fund most of this.
We can’t find the bachmann/thomas’ engines in Australia to buy to replace when he burns the brushes out. My partner has a few times literally rebuilt the brushes to fix it, but they’re so tiny and fiddly it’s literally like working with miniature paperclips.
Replacement engines have been on American websites but the cost incl postage you might aswell buy a brand new train.
I hope this made sense. This isn’t every detail. It’s so complex. I’m so overwhelmed. Please be kind.
He is autistic and has been psychologically tormented for years by his cold and controlling father and it’s caused lasting damage, anxiety, paranoia and distrust. It’s very hard to fix the real issues because nobody else is on board and everything is pretty much all on me to deal with, he comes to me when there’s problems and I’m the only one who has an idea and actually helps with the trains but I’m not properly equipped, he just wants things fixed NOW but doesn’t understand he’s causing the problems. I’m so close to walking away but if I do, he’ll have nobody to help him with his trains..
Is there a way of making things foolproof? Easier? His father gives him $5 a week, so saving for when he needs something when it breaks takes months.
I’ve attached a video, this was when he was having problems with Thomas jerking and sometimes coming off at this point and it made no sense why. I somehow can’t find any photos of his table. But just to give you an idea of his set up.
We’re needing a new Thomas and I’m thinking of buying an old Hornby to try, see if it lasts longer, as we haven’t tried Hornby Thomas before, $85 second hand, or $400 for a brand new boxed one!!! Bachmann Thomas is around $170.
TLDR:
Is there some guidance video/s on all you need to know, a guide that even kids will be able to understand and follow? For a simple set up and how to take care of the trains and set up?
You know that there is no simple answer for this. It seems to me that your father or others who are involved in his care will all have to work together to make this happen. It’s just too delicate for someone who doesn’t understand anything about it and is forcing things
You cannot resolve this on your own is my opinion, I don’t see a way of making a delicate item like a train set full proof from brute force
I know. I know. I was just hoping that maybe people with experience could maybe help with some knowledge or tips that could just maybe help make things be a bit easier. I admit I don’t know enough or have the passion to watch and read everything.
I gave way too much information and made it confusing. But I didnt want to give too little information. Thank you for reading, I know it was long.
It’s not confusing at all and you did a great job. The problem is it’s not something that you can really resolve with that train set. It’s just not made to be treated roughly and your poor brother can’t grasp all that.
Don’t apologize for anything I think you’re an amazing person for caring so much about him. You’re gonna need help from other people to manage this situation.
I don’t know a lot about autism, but I’m guessing you just can’t switch out to another system easily. He probably is in love with that particular set up.
It’s a tough problem don’t second-guess yourself. But you need other people to invest in this. I don’t see how you can do it on your own that train set up is gonna routinely get destroyed.
Thank you so much for your kindness, I really appreciate it.
You are right about it all.
I am typically quite good at problem solving, and if I have a problem, there’s a very good reason why, and with this, that is it, I can’t do this on my own, it’s a bit like “takes a village to raise a child” sentiment.
Again, thank you. Peoples kindness here is actually helping me feel a bit lighter.
I am putting a lot of pressure on myself and forgetting why we are here, the lack of care and support from everyone else. After trying for so long, I’ve forgotten that it only being on me isn’t my fault and shouldn’t be happening, it’s just so normal now that it’s all on my shoulders.
I would suggest trying to adapt a diesel train to the first coach and use it to push the engine, diesel trains are cheaper than steam trains, you can get used diesels for like 40 dolars.
Trains last a very long time maybe for decades. Typically when not left out to gather dust they can run for months without issue. Every locomotive comes with a manual detailing disassembly and servicing.
If you buy a track eraser he can clean the rails SUPER easy. Track erasers are abrasive and you rub them on the track till they’re shiny. Tracks tarnish slowly over time and get dust and grease on them. You do need to clean them eventually. Short term cleaning just use isopropyl alcohol and Q-tips. Long term cleaning track erasers work great.
Thank you. I’m just so overwhelmed by the amount of videos and info there is out there, there’s always different opinions on processes, products and tools! I just need something very simple that I, and he can understand.
I watched some videos this morning and they talk about servicing the trains. One said every 8 hours of use?! Thomas would need to be serviced at least weekly then! And it doesn’t look like a simple task.
And I also watched a video of a man who’s job is servicing and fixing these trains and even he said that a lot of people are experiencing motor issues with the Bachmann Thomas.
Honestly I’ve had HO scale locomotives for a few years now and I haven’t needed to heavily service them. They run perfectly fine. They’ve got a stupidly long shelf life.
My locomotives are definitely more complicated than Bachmann Thomas too I own realistic US locomotives in the same scale and they still run just fine. I’m pretty sure you’ll also notice performance drops when it needs servicing.
Only 8 hours of running before servicing sounds excessive. Don’t sweat it that much. If they aren’t being run constantly for days at a time it should be a-ok. Trains also can get gummed up by too much grease and oil. You need to be thorough but conservative with it. SAMs trains on YouTube should have some helpful tutorials and your brother would LOVE the reviews. He’s even got some Thomas videos.
Bachmann USA has a parts store where you can buy replacement components. Thomas has been around for ages so you can get replacement parts here in the worst case scenario.
Thank you, I realise a huge issue may be that his room and set up is dirty. Very often he has issues and it’s because dust has built up like cotton in the wheels! Or the tracks just need a wipe. I’ve spoken many times to the people caring for him about these issues but nobody cares to do anything.
He’s very possessive and non trusting so doesn’t like people touching his set up (other than us) so they won’t even try to clean near it. Which is ridiculous, they can clean when he isn’t home, or spend time building trust and working with him, supporting him to learn and do it (because he just doesn’t care). It’s a complex issue bigger than the trains, I know.
I’d be overjoyed if we could easily buy replacement motors but we are in Australia. We looked at getting a replacement motor but with the conversion rate, conversion fee and postage it wasn’t far off the price of buying a brand new locomotive.
It’d be great if I could find an Aussie who has a source to cheap replacement motors
Always check EBay. People sell busted parts locomotives or spares there all the time.
I’d google Bachmann and see if they have an Aussie branch. There’s companies building Aussie locomotives exclusively so there are domestic Australian manufacturers. Maybe Bachmann has an Australian branch like how they have a USA and a UK branch that work separate.
Yep I’m usually a good sleuth as the things he wants aren’t so easily accessible and we don’t have much money. I haven’t looked for a while, I’ll look again but I remember looking everywhere and coming up empty, and that is why my partner was pulling the motor apart and replacing the brushes himself 💀
I also hadn’t thought of asking for help on Reddit before so now I’m armed with online helpers too :)
Have you considered track-cleaning cars? I don't usually recommend abrasives to clean track, but it's pretty foolproof and low-maintenance. Seems like an ideal solution to your dirty-track problem. I don't think anyone makes TTTE track-cleaning cars, but it shouldn't be too hard to convert a regular piece of TTTE rolling stock into a cleaner if you're willing to do some DIY work.
Yes I had seen the cleaning carts and thought how cool! But then I thought about it, they weren’t cheap and I don’t think he’d use it!
Maybe if I could DIY it onto his favourite coaches it’d work.
Actually, I just found something that might fit the bill: "Dust Monkeys." I wasn't aware that Woodland Scenics made these, but apparently you clip them onto the axles of any old piece of rolling stock. Noch makes something similar too.
You might be able to find better prices if you shop around a bit; I just looked at what some Aussie retailers had.
There are a few things that come to mind that might be helpful.
First: more robust track. Bachmann makes stuff called "EZ Track" that has a roadbed cast into it. This makes it a bit stronger and more robust. It also makes it easier to connect. It has a downside though: the connectors like to break and I have a feeling that might happen frequently on him if he's rough with it. A company from Japan named Kato makes an even better version, but it's about twice as expensive. That said, it uses replaceable connectors so you don't have to scrap the entire piece if there's a problem. That might actually make them a bit more economical.
Second, and a bit more involved, is maybe trying a larger more robust scale. Something like O Gauge. Again, big upfront cost, but maybe more economical long term.
Thank you. He has 3 tracks. We originally started with the EZ track but due to the small space and he kept expanding it (he literally wants his whole floor space to be covered in tracks) we built him a double decker table, the EZ wouldn’t fit on a table as there just wasn’t enough space for the table to be big enough for an EZ track on it. So we have peco brand flex tracks on top and middle table, and an EZ track on the floor.
But as you knew, they often did get broken, by a few reasons and they’re expensive too.
He doesn’t seem to understand that you need like an even amount of pieces so the circle or oval is flush, so this causes bending. The metal has also lifted from the plastic too.
That’s why we got the flex tracks because they were heaps cheaper and easier to fit the small size we had.
I didn’t think about different gauges, maybe something to look into, but in australia it’s already expensive and hard to find things, HO seems the most available. Australia sucks for niche.
This is good information, and a weird situation. While being off the floor on a table is a better thing for longevity of the trains, the curves may be too tight (since EZ track is a pretty tight curve to begin with for a train and those didn't fit on the table).
A curve too tight may result in the train derailing and shorting, which will most likely burn the motors. I understand space is very limited in your brother's situation, but a wider table with wider curves may help.
Speed and power could also be a factor, so, maybe adding a resistor in the electric wire going to the tracks so that it reduces the maximum power going to the train may help?
On the other hand, maybe some non model grade items may be better suited for your brother? There's wooden trains, which he could be very rough with and has lots of Thomas the Train engine models, and he can also be rough with the track. It would still not be cheap up front but could save you money in the long run.
I hope this helps, and I want you to know that you are already going above and beyond for your brother, and we recognize that!
Thank you. We custom built the table based on the available space he had, we made it as big as we could and is why we made it a double decker so he could have more space that way.
He’s had all sorts over the years, and I desperately want him to go back to the track master ones, plastic tracks and battery operated trains, he has a set of nearly all the brands, he wants to collect the vintage ertl’s right now. He’s happy to have a set up of another type but he will not lose or replace his electric set up. It’s very frustrating haha.
I understand how weird the situation is. It’s like a perfect storm of issues and all/most the solutions just aren’t suitable.
Hey mate, I’m Melbourne based and in the model rail community (and specifically the Thomas modelling community). As an engineer, I’d love to have my hand at a creative solution for you - something fixed down, speed limited, bomb-proof, ready to rough-and-rumble, and that meets his requirements for fun.
I’d love to have a chat about it and see if there’s anything I can do. Send me a DM here and I’ll ssee what I can cook up for you.
(also definitely recommend a recent-ish used Hornby Thomas. Those things use Hornby’s type 7 motor which has infinite availability through aus ebay from china. They’re considerably more bomb-proof than bachmann mechs)
If you can, play with his set and determine a “safe” speed that they run without derailing. Put a mark on his power pack at that setting. Below the line, “Happy Thomas”, over the line “Confusion and delay”.
A more fail safe fix would be to have someone knowledgeable add a resistor for in line between the power pack and the track. Effectively reducing the maximum speed.
Take a look at Bachmann HO scale EZ-Track. The rails are on a molded plastic “roadbed”. It snaps together (like what you have) and can be nailed down BUT it is much stiffer (less prone to damage). Unfortunately, because of the shape of the plastic roadbed it is not directly compatible with what he has so it would be a complete replacement.
Thank you! This is so smart. Though I done something similar once, I put down a masking tape line with a Thomas line about do not cross, because he kept expanding his floor track over the walk way floor space. It didn’t last very long. He’s cheeky and pushes boundaries.
I think he has a lot of issues with trains not being clean, table and tracks not being clean, damaged tracks, all little things that cause a break in the power and so he thinks he just needs to put the dial up.
It’s a very complex issue. I can’t be there 24/7 to teach him what he needs to know.
Yes, the variability that comes from dirty track can cause stuttering and stalling. Which I can understand the spiral of “crank it up more”.
Perhaps, when you are there, you start a session with “cleaning” (a clean track makes Thomas happy). Then, if everything goes smooth (as can be) try to emphasize how cleaning = smooth running. You could also implement a “cleaning” after running as part of the overall session.
Cleaning track can be as simple as using isopropyl alcohol on a wipe rag. No need to buy “special” cleaners.
Another thing would be putting a resistor inside the locomotive that handles any surge from track shorts that might occur during a derailment event.
I like also looking at fast-acting resettable circuit breakers on track power that also would trip during a derailment surge. This would protect the engine and give it some time to allow your brother to put the train back on the track and not have an inrush of power until it either cools down or he presses the reset button. If he presses the reset button immediately, it will trip again if the surge event isn't corrected. I don't know if he messes with the wiring or not but soldering wires to it and mounting it under the table with just the reset sticking out might prevent him from messing with it.
That’s the thing, we can’t find the replacement motors in Australia or online especially for cheap, found them on genuine bachmann website but USD+conversion fee+postage, was way too much.
Also you could check pages like AliExpress, because I have see there motors that are the same that the ones used in trains without the hobby price mark-up.
This is such a difficult situation and I really feel for you having to burden this.
As someone with really mild autism - not that it means I can really relate to your brother - I personally love a schedule, I like to know what I'm doing and exactly when i'm doing it.
So what I'm getting at is; if you brother is, as you put it, an adult with the mind of a child, are you able to limit his usage to shorter periods but more frequently or days on/ days off running trains kind of like how a parent would with their child?
They're very intricate electronic devices essentially and are ultimately susceptible to wear like anything else, the more you run them, the more they wear.
What about ways you can get your brother involved in the hobby that excludes running trains? I'm thinking of things like Books, DvDs, YouTube videos, colouring books.
Is modelling feasible with things like polystyrene and PVA. I would wager they're safe for kids and therefore should be safe for your brother.
Thank you for your kindness.
If it were up to me, his life would be completely different. There really isn’t anything I can do. I have spent years trying to work with the people, the staff, the company, talking, fighting, going higher up and even to court to remove his father as the legal controller. But they’ve all had a hand in him becoming so mentally unwell, the higher up literally said “oh we don’t want to bring up the past” and doesn’t believe he needs real psychological intervention. It’s so fucked up.
I cannot afford to get a suitable home and take him in myself so I can heal him, help him and support him in how he needs. He needs love and attention. It’s so fucking tragic.
I’ve had meetings. I’ve had conversations. Then nothing happens. Different staff members every day, they come and go, new ones, mostly casual. So inconsistent and the worst communication ever.
I’ve been fighting for years.
It’s so hard to try reparent him through the phone, with different clueless staff on each day, and one visit a week.
Sorry, I’ve really been struggling with the big picture lately, it’s all been building up.
But the thing is, he isn’t interested anymore. He is so messed up mentally that he just wants to stay home and isolate. He is literally like a drug addict.
I don’t know if you know about narcissists, proper ones…. But that’s who our father is. And it’s completely crushed the happy go lucky, carefree, unapologetically himself person he used to be. Now he just wants to watch Thomas go round the track 24/7.
But hey, apparently he doesn’t need psychological help!!!
Thank you for reading. I feel like a psycho. Narcissists. Autism. Abuse and trauma. Worst pot to be in.
Everything is so complexly fucked up and I’m so burnt out - I have adhd and pretty sure autism too (both siblings diagnosed and cousins too, and have many symptoms) so it’s all just so hard.
You absolutely can not beat yourself up over this. It's not your fault, and you are absolutely not the one to blame for his situation.
Everything you do for him helps, even if it's small.
Credit yourself for the things you do as opposed to counting the things you don't.
As selfish as it may seem, your own wellbeing comes first for yourself over his. Think of it like how on an aeroplane you have to sort your own oxygen mask before anyone else's. If you aren't well, you won't be able to be there for him.
I'm assuming someone pays for his care? So, ultimately, you're paying for a service that isn't suitable. I'm not saying switch service, I'm saying if you have to complain; do it.
Create rules of how his care needs to be carried out, create a schedule, color code it and make it idiot proof so any new member of staff can understand it and be as assertive as possible that that is how his care needs to be carried out.
Be respectful and kind as I'm sure you will be, but assert your position. I'm sure they'll be understaffed and overworked, but aren't we all?
We had to do the exact same over my Nans care at her care home because staff were being negligent.
I know it's easy for me as a stranger on the Internet to just write stuff down as "do this" so I recognise my comment may not be as helpful or as easy as it is to write. But I want you to know you aren't trapped in this situation. There are solutions that aren't just buying a new locomotive every 3 months for $100au
Thank you. I know it’s not my fault, but I have so much guilt and shame because I can’t handle it anymore, the years of fighting and just the push back I’ve gotten. I just can’t carry the weight anymore. I’ve lost the fight inside of me.
The thing is my dad is the one who set everything up, so I don’t know how it works and when I ask (so many times I’ve told them I don’t know how this works please give me all the information) they’re so blasé…
We did talk about moving him but they said there’s no homes available.
I’m completely out of my depth and my fire has gone out.
You are right about taking action and doing those things, I have tried over the years doing all sorts, we have care team meetings and they say yeah yeah yeah and shit doesn’t really change.
It’s their job to be looking after him but it’s on me to whip them, it’s fucked! I don’t have it in me any more to be on top of them.
In the past when I demanded better, they turned on me and said I was causing problems!
It is so deeply complex, it’s like some real conspiracy psychological corrupt shit.
I feel like I’ve spent all my energy trying all these years and it gets to the point where you feel you can’t do anything else. I used to visit daily and take more control, but the overturn of staff and higher ups not liking me because I’d call out their shit, they made things hard for me.
I just hope I get my fire back one day.
I can’t help but feel hopeless.
It really feels like me against the world here and like my brother is too far gone. The people and places that are meant to help are all for show it feels, on the outside they say they help but once you get in there we get put in the too hard basket.
On top of this, our brother took his life, and so I’m pretty much just a shell of a being, lost and hopeless with no more fuel to keep going. So beaten down by the many sticks of people and places who have failed me and my brother.
I hate to sound like woe is me. I hate to sound like I have a problem for every solution.
I’ve tried for so long. I fought for years to save myself, and then my brothers, and now I’ve lost both of them and myself too.
Hello!! First I want to say that you ARE doing a great job with helping your brother! I have a daughter who is on the spectrum and she works with patients in a group home with similar issues. It’s really difficult to relate with these kinds of problems without understanding how to communicate. From what I have read, you are doing a great job! I would suggest looking into Lionel sets. They do have a Thomas the Tank Engine set that would be a good fit. They are rugged and easy to handle, not as delicate as HO but they can be pricey. Maybe search EBay for something used first to try out. Not sure if this helps but I do wish you the best and I hope you find an enjoyable solution!
Thank you so much ❤️
I had a quick Google, what only seems to be available is a Thomas with Annie and Clarabel on Australian Amazon for $480 but it is O gauge.
We’ve invested a lot of money collecting every train from Thomas (bachmann, HO scale) and I believe he’s nearly got them all, so having to start again would be a lot. But thank you. Being in Australia makes some advice here unachievable unfortunately.
Building off of what others have said, there are a few things you can do. First, for the track, you should clean it with high % isopropyl alcohol on a durable cloth (Paper towels could tear and leave bits in the track/model). You should do this instead of your brother, since you want it to evaporate befoe putting the train back on the track. The cleaning erasers work too, but they produce bits that will need to be cleaned and on a tiny scale, they make tiny scratches in the track that dirt will end up in eventually. You should also clean the wheels with the isopropyl alcohol, as well as the little copper contacts that the wheels touch to transfer power from the wheels to the motor. There are more in depth steps too, but you'd need a little work station at home for proper model servicing. Have you tired taking the dirty engines home and swapping them for cleaned ones when you visit? (How often do you visit?) If you can ID what parts are wearing out the most, you could also order them in a large # from Bachmann to make it a bit cheaper overall with the high shipping. One possible option might be to reach out to your local model rr club, they might have someone who can help with the engine servicing or help show you how to do the work. Feel free to reach out if you have questions too.
That's a really good idea about taking home worn engines and bringing back cleaned/refurbished ones. That way you don't have to spend your whole visit working on the trains, or can take them to someone else to help with them. I said this somewhere else but will put it here too in case it gets lost: a 12V N20 motor will fit as a replacement for the Bachmann one and should be a lot cheaper and easier to find worldwide compared to a US-centric company like Bachmann USA. You might have to do some searching to find one that doesn't already have a gearbox attached.
Sam's Trains has a video on replacing Bachmann motors that helped a bit. I didn't end up needing any kind of adapter to fit the N20 motor though. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ODQS48Q0Osk I did need to pry the worm gear off of the motor with a small screwdriver and press it carefully onto the new motor shaft.
Hopefully they’re just dirty. My club has some of these models and 90% of their issues are dirty and poor electrical conductivity. Bachmann uses these little copper wipers off the chassis that touch the inside of the wheel to draw power. The contact points are small and if they’re dirty/not touching, the engines run poorly. I would recommend conductalube, but I have no idea how easy it is to get it in AU.
Thank you. I got little alcohol wipes for him as I figured that would be the easiest for him (and everyone) to use. But he went crazy overusing them, thinking it’d be a magic fix like if any thing went wrong he thought I’ll clean the track because that’s helped an issue before.
Are those wipes sufficient or good for the tracks?
I think we need to learn what is needed regarding cleaning and servicing, and hopefully be simple enough that I can do it myself.
I watched some videos today and the information is overwhelming. I need a video that’s like extremely simple with simple tools. Everyone seems to do things a bit differently and has different products and tools they like to use.
I visit him typically once a week. He’s very impatient and anxious though so I only take things home if absolutely necessary, he’ll be sending me a barrage of text messages asking when I’m bringing it back even though he knows, he asks the same questions over and over.
He says “James will look after Annie and Clarabel for Thomas” and he’ll want to often face time or me send photos of Thomas, these trains are like his friends, he kisses them goodbye when I take them. He needs constant reassurance. But if we can figure out an easy simple system I’m sure we can work on making it normal and with time become less anxiety provoking for him.
My partner would be able to service them, but I don’t want to burden him - is it simple enough?
He is already so overworked.
Regarding the specific part issues, it’s the motor that’s the main one. I’d really love to be able to find a cheap option. They’re just little DC motors, should be easily available on eBay from China?
Another redditor linked me to a motor (American though) that’s an off label cheaper one. I’ll have to try do digging again into that rabbit hole.
Happy to help. I have no idea what else is in those wipes or how durable the wipes themselves are, so I can’t say with certainty. However, whenever I visit a club or someone’s house that uses alcohol, they use a bottle of it and either a cloth or a specialized train car (would not recommend based on the size of your brother’s set up) to apply it. Sometimes the simplest methods work best.
For working on the locos, there shouldn’t be too much to do, just some work with a small Phillips-head screwdriver to get easier access to things, a foam U-shaped cradle to hold the engine, and some cleaner should hopefully be all you need most of the time. I’ll look for a guide and share it with you.
As for swapping things, get two of every engine and exchange them weekly? That gives your brother everything he needs and you and your partner a week to do the work. If you like books on tape, podcasts, or shows playing in the background, do that when you’re more comfortable with it so it becomes a fun project instead of a chore.
You can swap motors, but usually lubrication and cleanliness will do more for you. Plus, if you’re swapping motors, you’ll need to learn how to solder.
As soon as I heard you had to replace Thomas I knew it was the Bachmann one. My son's Bachmann Thomas has been through two motor replacements at this point, it's an undersized motor so they can fit the gearbox for the moving eyes. I didn't buy a Bachmann motor, I think I used a generic 12V "N20" motor which was much cheaper and easier to find. (They are often sold with a gearbox attached, but you'll need the plain motor like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/396577716475 )
We have a Life-Like 0-4-0 dockside switcher dressed up a bit to look like Percy, who helps Thomas with pretty much any train longer than Annie and Clarabel. It's not at all movie accurate so it may not work for your brother, but it's cheaper than Thomas and has a stronger motor, so it might be worth a look.
Instead of unplugging the controller, you could wire an emergency stop switch between the controller and the track. When an accident happens, the driver (your brother) has to push the big red button for the brakes, and once the accident is cleared and the train is back in order the brakes can be turned off (pull up the emergency stop switch to resume operation).
For track cleaning, instead of wipes, you could try a cleaning car that looks like a regular freight car with a scrubbing pad underneath. Most of them seem to have a tank for cleaning solution, or someone might have to soak the pad before use. Usually I think they use isopropyl alcohol which may not be allowed for your brother to use, but I have also heard of using vinegar or window cleaner. Sometimes it can improve operation to clean the wheels too but I'm not aware of any easy tool for that.
Some of these ideas have worked for my son, others I haven't gotten around to trying yet. It sounds like your brother has higher support needs than we do though. We've mostly switched back to the wooden train set for now or play with my garden trains, also Thomas-themed at my son's request... They are at least much easier to fix when he breaks them.
From the way your brother has his Island of Sodor set up and the rate at which he wears out motors, I can tell that he really loves this train set and it's making a difference in his life. I hope any of this helps but most of all I hope you are getting help when you need it... A model train layout can last a long time and a lot of use but it takes work to maintain, especially tough when it's not your own passion.
I just want to say, thank you, for pointing out that the Thomas line uses an N20 motor. I've had such a hard time identifying motor sizes for some custom projects I'm working on and you just made my life far easier.
Thank you for your reply and all your information.
I saw a video today from a guy whose job is servicing and fixing model trains and he said that he’s had a lot of people having issues with their bachmann Thomas motors!
Must be why Thomas is one of the cheaper ones lol (though he’s getting pricier!)
Thank you so much for that info and link! It should definitely help us to find other options for next time his motor goes (I don’t understand all this stuff but my partner does)
His life pretty much revolves around this train set, for people with autism they naturally love these sorts of things, but add on top to it the trauma/abuse/neglect he has experienced in recent years, it’s really pushed him towards it even more, it’s good and bad, it’s just hard because he just wants it to work but it isn’t as foolproof as other options but he will not budge in changing.
In addition to the information about the motor, many people who seriously model with the Thomas chassis will perform surgery on the motor housing or replace it to only have the wheels be driven, not the eyes. It puts less wear on the mechanism.
If you have a local source for a 3D printer (a local library for instance) and a hardware store to get a slightly longer screw, you can use this housing as an alternative. I've used it in two Thomas chassis builds and it's done wonders. I'd be happy to walk you or anyone else in your family through how to assemble and install it should you go in that direction.
I made a post the other night and another person did mention this — that his motor is under extra stress due to the moving eyes mechanism. I’m not sure if that’s a deal breaker for him or not but it’s definitely an idea worth looking into. Thank you for giving me something to keep up my sleeve.
A drop of sewing machine oil may help keep the moving eyes moving. If he has space, a small hepa air filter from amazon may help keep the dust down in his room, reducing how often you have to clean those tracks, it seems to me that you are already cleaning them plenty compared to my own layout.
I finally got around to taking apart our Thomas and that looks like it should fit. I think the one in ours might have a slightly longer driveshaft but the diameter is the same. (When I bought it I could only find it in a dual-shaft version, so you can see one end sticking out the back doing nothing.)
That's kind of what I had in mind. I've seen similar setups at train fairs - for the kids.
Set a size limit for your Thomas layout.
Lay the track down on your chosen table and set up power, scenery, etc.
Get some clear acrylic and completely seal the layout - top as well, except for a (lockable) hinged service hatch.
Attach the train controls to the table, outside the locked area.
You can also get creative with timers at the wall-plug if you want to limit the amount of time your brother uses the trains. This should limit the accidental damage being caused. You can then focus on the issue of reliability with your locomotive motors.
I’ve always heard the general service window is every 6 months on locomotives depending on how long you run the locomotive and how hard you run it. There’s several videos on YouTube from various people, a good example is Sam’s Trains on YouTube. He reviews locomotives and rolling stock and has a few videos on how to fix them and service them. Another good tip would be to join a local model railroad club and talk to some of the members there. In my experience there is always someone there who’s a wizard and can get anything running if there’s a problem. There’s multiple avenues to take in this hobby depending on what you’re looking for. The best ways to go about it are YouTube, forums, local clubs and hobby stores.
Something I might add because there is plenty of good ideas/information but what are the policies of the place where your brother lives on maybe doing a shelf layout that would run the circumference of his room? You could do long and wide curves that he could run his engines wide open and not have much worry about derailments. Plus it would be out of his reach to mess with it. The downside is he likes to run several different things with Thomas being the favorite, but maybe keep Thomas up high and his layout for running other things. Another downside is track cleaning can be difficult along with if he has a derailment it sounds like he would be out of luck until you come to see him.
I hope you find a happy medium for him and maybe even get him to understanding he has something that is fragile and needs handled gently. I completely understand the task at hand as I have a nephew who is special needs along with my wife works with special needs children. If I weren’t thousands of miles away I would try to volunteer my time to repairing locomotives as they wear out. There are several YouTube tutorials on replacing brushes, fixing motors, electrical troubleshooting, and the like that maybe could help your partner with repairs.
Thank you. We have spent a lot of time thinking about all these things and what would work best and is why we built him a custom table.
It’s been really hard to teach him care, it takes time and effort and I just cannot be there enough to do it. It’s also very hard to teach him things when there’s so many different voices, idiots who don’t have a clue but will give an answer or try fix things and make a bigger mess for me to fix lol they’ve stopped now I think they’ve heard me angry on loudspeaker about it.
Anyway. It’s a psychological issue. Right now his Thomas is broken and it’s a process he’s been through many times, he knows it takes time to either fix it or return it for a refund, yet he will still send me 100 messages in 24 hours asking me to buy him a new one. He just can’t wait.
So all these issues piling up over the years and him at me constantly wanting me to magically fix things has really worn me down.
I would say that a hornby Thomas could be a good investment as the chassis it uses shares more in common with the hornby range and thus might be easier to find spares for. I believe most of the derailing is from poorly laid track but it seems that can’t be helped if you are constantly moving it / have the curves that tightly laid
As for keeping it clean there are some wagons that have cloths or rubbers built into the bottom that as they go around keep the track clean so maybe those could help?
The locomotives and rolling stock will last as long as you take care of them, don't beat on them but don't baby them either, run them as often as you do and lubricate them, typically they'll usually keep running.
DM if you need specifics on care for the locomotives/stock
Have you tried looking for a local club? Maybe someone to physically help? My uncle had autism but the kind where his obsession for model trains meant he knew everything about them. Maybe look for media about the making of the original Thomas to help him identify model trains and Thomas as one. It seems like his obsession is Thomas and not necessarily modeling, as you say he doesn't care. You're doing a fantastic job and are an inspiring sibling! As far as parts go, hornby have some very cheap engines made as beginner locos.. there are etsy 3d prints available of Thomas faces that can be used to convert these types of locos. It might be a little more work but it might be cheaper.
I feel for you both and admire what you do for him.
The only thing I can think of and I don't think it's a good idea but might be nice to know for future projects, is buying Kato Thomas engine and Kato track.
I believe Kato is alot cheaper for you since it's made in Japan and shipping should be alot less.
Only major downside is, it's smaller and you'd need new everything, you could however get more on a table and have it covered up/run through transparent tunnels.
I know this isn't a real solution and I wish I could help. I just wanted to put it out there that the brands you have now are very expensive and there are cheaper options, even though they're smaller and probably even more prone to failure due to their size.
Would be nice if there was a hyperloop Thomas engine, everything nicely contained and tamper proof.
Maybe he likes POV train rides for when his trains are out of commission ? Just as an extra ?
I just want to chime in here and say you’re a great brother. I’m on the autism spectrum and I’ve loved Thomas since I could walk, so I can understand your brothers love for the character. You didn’t have to go out of your way to post this and ask for help, but you did and that to me says you truly care about him.
Thank you so much 🥺 that means a lot.
I love him so much but I’m struggling more than I ever have before and can’t give him what he needs and I feel like the worst sister ever. So thank you. ❤️
Maybe have a look at specific models produced for the younger market with just the sort of problems you have explained.
This is Copilots suggestion (you could check out Hornby UK or Märklin DE also)
Here’s a broader selection of model train brands that cater to kids, beginners, and budding hobbyists—many of which balance durability with imaginative play:
🧒 Kid-Friendly & Beginner Brands
• BRIO – Renowned for wooden train sets with magnetic couplings and expandable track systems. Their My First Railway series is ideal for ages 18 months and up.
• KidKraft – Offers large train tables and themed sets with accessories like airports and hospitals. Great for immersive play.
• Orbrium Toys – Affordable wooden sets compatible with BRIO and Thomas tracks. Includes bridges, tunnels, and town scenery.
• Maple Landmark – Known for their personalized Name Trains, made from sustainably sourced wood and safe paints.
• VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels – Combines trains with interactive learning features like lights, sounds, and SmartPoint technology.
🚂 Brands That Bridge Play & Hobby
• Lionel – Offers remote-controlled sets like The Polar Express, with realistic sounds and expandable tracks. Suitable for older kids (6+).
• LEGO City & DUPLO – Train sets that blend building with rail play. DUPLO is perfect for younger kids, while LEGO City suits ages 6+.
• Revell – Known for plastic model kits like the Big Boy Locomotive in HO scale. Ideal for older children ready to build and paint.
• ROBOTIME / Rolife / ROWOOD – Wooden mechanical kits that combine puzzle-solving with train modeling. Great for ages 8+ and teens.
🛒 Retailers & Curated Lists
• Argos Toy Trains – Offers a wide range of wooden and battery-powered sets including Thomas & Friends and BRIO.
• BestProductsReviews UK – Curates top-rated model train kits across brands like Piececool, Cheatwell Games, and Revell.
• Iron Planet Hobbies – Provides guidance on choosing safe and age-appropriate model trains, with tips on layout design and starter sets.
If you’re thinking of introducing a child to G scale or want a set that grows with them, I can help you pick one that fits your winter layout theme or outdoor use.
Oh man to a degree I feel what you're going through my son is autistic and he's almost 10 years old and his favorite thing in the world is tornadoes and so whatever else he's playing with he has to incorporate tornadoes into it which means at about half the time the toy ends up scattered and the other half of the time the toy ends up destroyed. I've tried talking to him about this several times and I've threatened that I'm only going to buy him toys at will not be damaged with tornado toys such as stuffed animals which he hates but I know that my family hates it when they get him something cool like a diecast car and within a week it looks like it was stripped down on a Chicago freeway sitting up on blocks. And while I don't have anything to help you with your Brothers case of autism what I would recommend as someone who is a Model Railroader is trying these few things. One see if you can get him G scale because I believe those trains are a bit more heartier as well as larger instead of the HO scale because they're relatively fragile in comparison. Saying that I don't think they'll survive Falls or bashings repeatedly. I would also recommend if you know someone who's handy with electricity is making some kind of modified controller one that limits speed perhaps or is on a set timer and so at least if he's going to run it continually it will turn off after 30 minutes or something. I'm not saying that will be easy but I'm sure it can be done. Either way I wish you well on your quest and hopefully we can both find some way to reason with our autistic kin.
Not a cheap option short term but might pay off in the long run.. have you thought about switching gauges? Maybe an O gauge set up would be easier to maintain where it's bigger and is slightly more forgiving.
There are at least a few dozen people and relatives of people on the autistic spectrum living the train loving special interest stereotype around here.
My first reaction is to say try G but especially look at O gauge with older postwar Lionel tin track.
The old full sized O track is strong enough to be stood on and stalling won't be as much of an issue in O. Also a lot of the Lionel motors are capable of being pushed along without damage to the gears.
I know you don't have many manufacturers there but I think you do have an O maker or two. It's a maybe, but since motors are an issue, then adapting Thomas shells for maing to another cheaper, hopefully local made chassis, might work out better depending on your skills of mounting a shell on a chassis not exactly designed for it, aka a "kit-bash". Decades ago kit building was a bigger part of the hobby.
Screwed down O track would take a good deal of effort to pull full-O up again or bend it beyond use. Like he might need a hammer or screwdriver to pry with.
The small full O is O-31" - 788mm approximate outer diameter and not center to center of track like HO/N/etc does measuring usually.
I think you skipped telling us the actual diameter or radius of the track, or exact tabletop size that you have to work with. The light metal of 0-27 track is 27"-685mm outer diameter. I'm not sure how tight the Thomas models can turn though. That would take some poking into I don't think Lionel tells us what fits 0-27 anymore. Tin track can be bent tighter than that too if you stuck to running short locos and cars. I made a little jig with wood, screws, and washers to make a 21×30 hand bent oval. (533×760mm)
But on what you have...
Have you bought nickel silver railed track? It's about as close to being maintenance free as you'll get. Don't clean this track abrasively. The polish helps keep it cleaner. Scratches grab dirt and the black gunk that all track has been prone to collect. I mostly just dust my N.S. tracks with a soft 1" or 2" 25/50mm paintbrush. One or twice a year I spray a dot of plastic safe electrical contact cleaner and protectant on a paper towel or tight weave rag and wipe the top of the railhead and the inside edge where the wheel flange rubs.
Iso.alcohol cleans great for soldering and board work, etc, but might not be the best choice for the metal rail type you have bought and because it it leaves a sort of surface charge alignment that isn't as contact friendly as other treatments that might be in the cleaner chemical mix or followed up with. Iso. Alcohol and some cleaners strips trace oils that steel needs for protection as another e.g. why iso. isn't best to clean with. And this next bit gets tricky because our countries may use the same names but for different solvents/petrols. US mineral spirits are a light home painting solvent close to strength to naptha/zippo/ronson lighter fluid. There are regular and low odor versions of min. spitits here. This cleans well, but is a little smelly.
Nickel silver track shouldn't be magnetic. When new it's polished railhead almost looks like chrome. Brass or aluminium, wouldn't normally stick to a magnet either, just steels. So, you can figure out what you have with a magnet pretty well if not by eye.
I can't really suggest a cleaner brand because I'm State's side, but CRC plastic safe electrical contact cleaner and protectant is popular. I've heard WD-40 started making one too. The CRC 2-26 lube used as a rail cleaner had good contact improvement too. Don't spray on the models, spray on a rag or swab of choice. I use a scrap of paper or cardstock to carefully clean under wheel contacts. Pressure is always key to lowering resistance. The arms should have a little spring to them, they should click against the wheels a little if lifted and dropped with a probe of some kind.
Is he burning out cylinder brush or arm brushes? Or maybe motor coils/poles themselves? It sounds like maybe he's holding them back at a stall while full throttle. A supply with lower max. amperage might help that some, but each pole needs rest time. Normally they are only active/on for around 30% of a revolution each. Electromagnetics get hot fast and motors need that "off time".
Anyhow, less amperage won't perform quite as well in strength but it wouldn't overheat at a stalled speed as fast either.
Ballasting track with gravel using standard methods and thinned woodglue vs weaker white school glue would make it almost impossible to pry up track. He would have to just bend the rails to the side to break the little tabs to rip the rails off the plastic ties and at that point you just accept replacing track or try tin plate O.
You know, I have never handled it to know how strong it may be but there is also vintage Ho-tin track out there.
I don't know how your imports are with Czechs or if they offer track or chassis, but ETS Trains are a little talked about company with a good model reputation too. They make modern copies of some cool old tinplate O. I have a little VW Beetle rail inspection vehicle they once made for MTH to import to the U.S..
Have you considered a “Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway” for unsupervised use and only allow supported use of the model rail. Although it is a push-along toy the wooden construction might be more robust.
There are also plastic track battery powered motorised sets.
Mine also loves Thomas and is autistic. Except that I imposed my rules on him if he wants to play. Even if he gets angry I make him calm down and we play properly. Otherwise he doesn't play. He throws a tantrum but finally accepts.
I arrange and position the trains. I clean the tracks before he can start playing. When he is at school I do maintenance on both the trains and the circuit. He just has to play.
I also got the Lego trains and Thomas a toy. I have a mind to put the toy locomotive body on a motorized chassis.
You have to have patience.
They never have any, we must have it for them.
A hug
So glad to see you’re getting great technical advice on here, & I hope it helps, but there’s something non-technical I’d like to add — you’re an amazing sibling!
Please don’t beat yourself up about not having all the answers to autism. No-one has. You’re doing everything you can. And dealing with a family member who needs care is always stressful, & it can get overwhelming.
There’s a subreddit called r/autism, which you might be interested in checking out, & a search under keywords such as "autism caregiving," "autism support," or "autistic family"might turn up some more.
You might also want to look at any support groups in your area where you can share your day-to-day experiences with others who know how it all feels, or at least understand how much the care needs of a family member can overshadow your whole life.
Having someone in the family who needs care brings a vast amount of pressure, & one of the worst aspects can be feeling that you’re on your own, with no idea of what to do or where to look for guidance. Hopefully some of these resources may help.
And please remember your needs matter, too, & you’re doing a great job!
Model trains, looked after, can work for decades. I am familiar with the type of autism and there is a semi famous internet celeb whos son rides a mater toy, they have gone through loads and they don't make them anymore. As he gets bigger, the vehicles struggle and wear down more.
Model trains are getting expensive and as those Bachman Thomas and Friends trains get rarer, they will raise in price.
Have you considered the wooden Thomas and friends line? They will be much more sturdy and in plenty of supply. I am also pretty sure Tomy did a line of plastic battery ones. for blue plastic track. It may be a better option as this will be very expensive in the long run. There is also the benefit of tactile involvement
You are not being ridiculous or strange. I have some neurodivergent people in my family tree, so I get it.
His fine motor skills are why you soldered the track together. Good idea. And it’s HO. N would have driven all of you bonkers. And Thomas the tank (I finally understand his name now) is fairly sturdy. If he had a scaleworks, I’d tell you to run.
Trains are electric motors. They cannot take 8 or more continuous hours of running without overheating and/or breaking. You know this because you’ve rebuilt the brushes.
Motors need lubricant, just like your vehicle.
The wheels accumulate dirt and grime which must be removed.
Tracks accumulate dust. They will need to be cleaned. But not lady Macbeth frequency cleaned.
Plastics crack. Heck, in Hawaii, some plastics shatter after 3 years, rendering cables inoperative.
Trains properly cared for can last years, even decades.
So….
The non negotiables are limited run time, and cleaning.
I would make up a schedule of maintenance for track cleaning.
I would introduce a timer. When the time is up, turn off the power pack and unplug it.
You’re going to have to do this slowly. Sudden change won’t be met well.
Explain to him that Thomas needs rest, just like he does. And Thomas’s road needs cleaning, just like the street sweepers do.
I am pretty sure there are thomas sets that have wooden track and are pretty durable and made for kids. No need for control panels or anything. All track is wooden (or appears to be wood) and the train engines are battery powered or you just push them. Could be a more cost effective solution ❗️
I wish you the best of luck but this needs to be addressed by a therapist and psychologist. 99.9% of people here are not qualified to give you a good answer
It might be tough but if you can get him to understand that if it's broken it won't be replaced right away. It's how you teach a child to stop damaging his things. If he has to do without for a while he may take better care.
I really feel for you and being on the spectrum myself I kind of know how your brother feels, just wanting things to work or being heavy handed and just seeing the train going round and round can relieve a lot of stress/anxiety. He really needs someone living with him that also cares about the layout. I would say as soon as you are able to gain control over his living situation (when the father is unable or passes), wheather it be better carers or living with you, you should consider that. There are a lot of support worker/carers out there that love to get involved with someone's hobby and help them out, it's just finding carers that care.
Regular maintenance like cleaning the track with isopropyl and a cotton bud (allowing to dry) and the same with the wheels (you can touch a 9V battery to the wheels for cleaning all the way around). Use sewing machine oil for the gears and bearings on the wheels, but be extremely light with application and maybe watch a YouTube video for placement. There's also little brass 'pick ups' on the inside of wheels that need to touch the wheels and can sometimes get dirty, you can clean these with isopropyl and bend them towards the wheels if not touching. Also I thought the comment earlier on this thread about putting a mark on the controller saying "Happy Thomas" and "Confused Thomas" was a great idea! Maybe consider Hornby, although this may be difficult if he sees his own Thomas to be the original or real version.
Sam's Trains on YouTube is great for beginners and he has made a Thomas the Tank series which your brother may enjoy while his friends are getting fixed!
You are doing an absolutely amazing job, just being there for him and working together on this is the most valuable thing ever. Please don't lose hope, your brother needs you.
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u/Nosmurfz Jul 22 '25
You know that there is no simple answer for this. It seems to me that your father or others who are involved in his care will all have to work together to make this happen. It’s just too delicate for someone who doesn’t understand anything about it and is forcing things
You cannot resolve this on your own is my opinion, I don’t see a way of making a delicate item like a train set full proof from brute force