Theory:
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/train-book.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-yamanote-line.jpg)
Practice:
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-shinkansen.jpg)
Today's lession: Shinkansen driving for toddlers.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-0-kei-shinkansen.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-0-kei-shinkansen-2.jpg)
Woah! Me next please!!!
You've got his future well planned!! Or are you just jealous? :D
Can you teach me too? You'll also need to pay my air fare of course :thumbsup:
I would like to enroll ,but like trainfish can you pay air fair and hotel please.
Bob
No piccies, but the Squidlet continues to demand daily access to Daddy's Room, where Trains can be seen running round in circles. Recently he's been demanding to be held at eye level to see them trundle past, mainly a Japanese EH200 with a rake of green oil tankers with which he's familiar (most recent sighting last week) but today there was a Farish Class 40 hauling some blue/grey Mk1s and he was keen on those too, so I think we're on to something here.
The Squidlet, wondering WTF Daddy is making him pose in front of this piece of classic 1970s traction while there's a train he actually recognises on the other plaftorm.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-189-shinjuku.jpg)
Oooh, and from last week some locomotive driving practice:
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-ef58.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-ed75.jpg)
Awesome! :greatpicturessign:
Shameless indoctrination! :o
You need to let him know that there are other things in life, like...... er...... er...... um........... wait .... they'll come to me in a minute..... :hmmm:
Carry on! :thumbsup:
These are probably the best set of photos yet posted to the forum. :thumbsup:
:thankyousign:
Definitely a train enthusiast!
We'll done, Dad! :thumbsup: :beers:
Great photos! I can't believe Ive not taken my son on a train yet, he's nearly 5 months old!
And this weekend's train museum comes to us (or vice-versa) courtesy of Tokyo Metro (http://www.chikahaku.jp/).
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-marunouchi-300.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-ginza-01.jpg)
Have just discovered this charming thread. :greatpicturessign: :thankyousign:
Needless to say I am very jealous :D
Cheers John.
He's certainly enjoying himself. I was 7 or 8 before I got into a loco cab, mind you it was the Flying Scotsman at Kings X before we got on to go home.
Simply brilliant! Lucky boy.
Among many other things (the colour yellow, penguins, pandas, flowers, and anything which runs on the Chuo line in Tokyo) the Squidlet is utterly fascinated by the whole concept of tunnels, so I took him on a tour of various tunnels of interest, starting with Shinsen Station on the Inokashira Line, which is one of those implausible locations which would earn you jeers of derision if you presented a model of it to "real" modellers:
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-shinsen.jpg)
as it is a tunnel which opens out onto a level crossing after which the line goes into a tunnel with a station, and you can literally stand on the level crossing and touch the platform, if that kind of thing floats your boat. Google Street View here: https://goo.gl/maps/UHCDjuSF4J12 (https://goo.gl/maps/UHCDjuSF4J12)
Quote from: railsquid on July 30, 2017, 03:30:02 PM
...Shinsen Station on the Inokashira Line, which is one of those implausible locations which would earn you jeers of derision if you presented a model of it to "real" modellers:
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-shinsen.jpg)
as it is a tunnel which opens out onto a level crossing after which the line goes into a tunnel with a station, and you can literally stand on the level crossing and touch the platform, if that kind of thing floats your boat. Google Street View here: https://goo.gl/maps/UHCDjuSF4J12 (https://goo.gl/maps/UHCDjuSF4J12)
Thank you - that's amazing. :thankyousign:
I've just had a look at it, on the link you kindly posted. It looks like something you might also make up with a Lego Trainset (
which I still have... :().
Have found your posts, on this thread, incredibly endearing; not least because your son looks like... ...well
me, at that age! :worried:
Mind you, I can understand (sort of) why that location exists. Although, I have never been to Japan, given the known (extreme) pressure on available land use, such things will surely exist.
Keep up the good work; bringing your son up on the
'right lines', so to speak, but
not quite literally...
Charles.
What a fascinating view, thank you for posting the link :thumbsup: the location really shows off the lack of space available.
I think it is brilliant how the little ones get hooked on particular things, when my Godson was the Squidlets age, it was the moon he was hooked on, especially a full moon and he made sure everyone present had to go to the window to see the moon. Great times when they soak up knowledge better than a sponge :headbang:
Cheers John.
Great photo Squiddy, and great link too Thanks. :thumbsup:
I've been looking at that link for ages now, and I'm wondering why the trains aren't running. :hmmm: Maybe it's because there's an idiot with a 360 degree camera stood in the middle of the track! :o
;) :D
Delightful.
Thanks for posting.
Ray
That 360° view is really something! :thumbsup:
The Squidlet practicing N gauge.
The word he utters -"eki" - is Japanese for station.
Very nice. He has such a gentle touch. :thumbsup:
Great thread with some lovely photos.
Dave
The Squidlet has been getting the hang of this whole speaking thing in the last few weeks, and we just spent a couple of days in a static caravan in the boonies (derived from a Tagalog word (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondocks) if anyone's taking notes), anyway he pointed at the caravan and said "kasha" (which is Japanese for freight wagon (https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B2%A8%E8%BB%8A) if you're still taking notes), which is admittedly easier to pronounce than the Japanese word for caravan, toreiraa hausu (https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8F%E3%82%A6%E3%82%B9).
Quote from: railsquid on September 30, 2017, 03:05:50 PM
boonies (derived from a Tagalog word (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondocks) if anyone's taking notes)
Notes taken, I'd never heard of Tagalog before! My first thought was something to do with The Bristol Stool Chart (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_stool_scale) :-[
Quote from: tutenkhamunsleeping on September 30, 2017, 03:15:22 PM
Quote from: railsquid on September 30, 2017, 03:05:50 PM
boonies (derived from a Tagalog word (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondocks) if anyone's taking notes)
Notes taken, I'd never heard of Tagalog before! My first thought was something to do with The Bristol Stool Chart (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_stool_scale) :-[
Now that's something I hadn't heard of until relatively recently (probably due to googling toddler-related ailments).
My knowledge of Tagalog derives mainly from the novel Cryptonomicon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon), which I can highly recommend for the technically/historically minded.
Quote from: railsquid on September 30, 2017, 03:35:26 PM
My knowledge of Tagalog derives mainly from the novel Cryptonomicon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon), which I can highly recommend for the technically/historically minded.
Looks an interesting book, I've put it on my list :thumbsup:
So, the Squidlet (ca. 2.75) wandered into my office/railway room and found a clump of foliage on my workbench (aka old desk which prevents accumulated stuff falling onto the floor).
"Bwoccolli?" he asks. For he eats the stuff, freaky little blighter.
"No, it's for making trees" I said. So I sat him on my lap, got some PVA out and demonstrated how it is applied to scenery. Utterly fascinated, he was.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-workbench.jpg)
Now every time he comes in, he insists "daddy! make twee!". Well it would be heartless to refuse, and I've got more scenic stuff done than I have for a long time, though I'm fast running out of ground which needs foliage cover.
Lovely
The only solution is to make the layout bigger, or move house. :D
It's great that he shows such interest. A future railway engineer? At 43 my son is too big to sit on my lap.
Quote from: railsquid on November 10, 2017, 04:42:44 PM
"Bwoccolli?" he asks. For he eats the stuff, freaky little blighter.
Blimey! :sick:
Quote from: tutenkhamunsleeping on November 10, 2017, 08:59:01 PM
Quote from: railsquid on November 10, 2017, 04:42:44 PM
"Bwoccolli?" he asks. For he eats the stuff, freaky little blighter.
Blimey! :sick:
Nuffink wrong with broccoli, when properly done, but I draw the line at natto (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natt%C5%8D), which is where I appear to be a minority in this household.
Meanwhile the Squidlet discovers the magnifying glass and is intrigued how small things (trains, fingers etc.) look bigger.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-magnifier.jpg)
Looking at those photos, natto is a no-no for me too. :sick2:
Quote from: Mito on November 12, 2017, 09:14:12 PM
Looking at those photos, natto is a no-no for me too. :sick2:
It's not all
that different from baked beans...
Quote from: railsquid on November 12, 2017, 11:56:34 PM
It's not all that different from baked beans...
LIAR! :D
Hopefully I'll meet your freaky little blighter in May! :thumbsup:
The Squidlet admires his Christmas present:
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-christmas.jpg)
(For those keeping notes, a Plarail JR East E257 "Azusa", which is one of his favourite trains which we went on last week).
Merry Christmas, Squidlet! :thumbsup:
We just got off Skype talking to Bealette in Japan!
Time to eat! :beers:
Lunch and a container train.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-containers.jpg)
Cool! :thumbsup:
And not a piece of litter to be seen, unlike the carpholes in the UK :thumbsup:
Thanks Railsquid.
My pair of twins (now five) cabbed quite a few locos when I dragged Mrs Kirky round a RailEx open day at York about five and half years ago. She was 7 months pregnant. The kids loved it!!
Kirky
Brilliant.
What's he eating?
Looks like a giant cornish pasty in a bag!
I thought that, but going for a visit in May, thought better of a comment :beers:
Quote from: port perran on January 25, 2018, 09:35:05 AM
Brilliant.
What's he eating?
Looks like a giant cornish pasty in a bag!
Nothing more exciting than a rectangle of cheese bread.
So that's what I order when I arrive, then. :beers:
Quote from: Bealman on January 25, 2018, 10:02:55 AM
So that's what I order when I arrive, then. :beers:
First you must find a decent bread shop, but they're quite rare. But no worries, I'm sure we can find some local delicacies for you.
Cheese? .......... Bread?
I've seen the future - Cheesebread
(with more than a nod to Peter Kay)
Quote from: railsquid on October 02, 2016, 01:13:38 PM
Today's lession: Shinkansen driving for toddlers.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-0-kei-shinkansen.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-0-kei-shinkansen-2.jpg)
His license was up for renewal so we went in for another round of driver training.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-shinkansen-2018-05-06.jpg)
The Squidlet practicing with his push-along N gauge.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2018-08.jpg)
As is conventional in Japan, we have had the Squidlet modified to carry a cranial pantograph.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidelet-2018-11-17.jpg)
:laughabovepost: :laughabovepost:
That's cruel, but I suppose he'll always have strong wi-fi :D
Where's that, Ian? :hmmm:
Quote from: railsquid on June 03, 2018, 05:14:06 AM
Quote from: railsquid on October 02, 2016, 01:13:38 PM
Today's lession: Shinkansen driving for toddlers.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-0-kei-shinkansen.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-0-kei-shinkansen-2.jpg)
His license was up for renewal so we went in for another round of driver training.
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-shinkansen-2018-05-06.jpg)
A year later to the day (pure coincidence!) we visited the same location (Ome Railway Park (http://www.ejrcf.or.jp/ome/english/index.html)). Unfortunately the Shinkansen was closed for renovations (long overdue, it was getting a bit mildewy inside) but this time the Squidlet discovered the kettles and we spent most of the afternoon clambering in and out of cabs while I tried to explain the basic principles (which, bless him, he now kinds of understands to the extent that black stones go in the big box in the cab, steam comes out and the wheels move).
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-05-06e.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-05-06d.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-05-06c.jpg)
(http://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-05-06b.jpg)
Cool! Go Squidlet!
And he still likes his cheesebread, too! :thumbsup:
What lovely pictures!
It's good to see a new generation of enginemen starting out. Your little boy is naturally adopting the classic poses of a driver - staring into the distance and smiling benignly down upon the crowds of enthusiasts on the platform.
That's the great thing about the footplate of a 'new' steam locomotive, one soon works out what most things do. I have an inkling that's a LNER-style regulator just making it into the picture. It looks good in pink.
Many thanks.
John
Before they can enter primary school, all children in Japan must, working in teams of two under adult supervision:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-10-05a.jpg)
must prove themselves capable of pulling a 2-car 65 tonne train from a standing start and moving it by about 1.5 metres:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-10-05b.jpg)
Later, they must stand facing away from the train and not flinch as it rolls up and stops behind them at low speed.
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2019-10-05c.jpg)
A sound policy. Over here the little Herberts have been running round loose ever since they stopped 'em sweeping chimneys ;)
And a big hand for the Squidlet (currently aged 6-and-a-bit) who came up, seemingly of his own volition, with this innovative way of extending his "Plarail" line all the way to the horizon:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-backscene.jpg)
That is pretty damn cool, if he's been taught how to use that method of drawing distance. I used to teach that to teenagers! :thumbsup:
All I've got for a counter photo is GrandBealette watching the bowls at lunch this afternoon
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/107/255-190321093101-1076961341.jpeg)
Quote from: railsquid on March 19, 2021, 09:12:42 AM
And a big hand for the Squidlet (currently aged 6-and-a-bit) who came up, seemingly of his own volition, with this innovative way of extending his "Plarail" line all the way to the horizon:
Absolutely brilliant!
Best wishes
John
Quote from: railsquid on March 19, 2021, 09:12:42 AM
And a big hand for the Squidlet (currently aged 6-and-a-bit) who came up, seemingly of his own volition, with this innovative way of extending his "Plarail" line all the way to the horizon:
Well, that puts things into perspective.
Brilliant! :thumbsup: - but no sign of Squidlet himself, whom I assume has reached his own vanishing point. :D
The Squidlet is starting to get creative with his modelling:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-plarail-2021-09.jpg)
Bonus: freelance attempt at a Tokyo railway network map (for comparison the real thing (https://www.be-en.co.jp/products/detail/3278)):
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-tokyo-map-reduced.jpg)
Quote from: daffy on March 19, 2021, 09:58:01 AM
Brilliant! :thumbsup: - but no sign of Squidlet himself, whom I assume has reached his own vanishing point. :D
Here you go:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2021-08-29a.jpg)
Clothing colouring entirely coincidental.
The pictured train is an all-stations stopper from the western edge of Tokyo all the way to Nagano (also stopping at the interestingly named Obasute Station (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obasute_Station), which literally translates as "
Grandmother Throwaway Station), though anyone actually intending to head to Nagano (unless intending to dispose of unwanted elderly relatives) would be better served by heading back into the centre of Tokyo and hopping on a Shinkansen).
:thumbsup:
No chance of him vanishing with those trainers on - which is roughly what my first wife said of me when I came home wearing a similar pair of fluorescent yellow Gola trainers back in 1974 (though I was a bit older at 22 ;) ). I loved 'em, as will Squidlet. :thumbsup:
Same trainers, but not posing in front of a train for a change:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-2021-11-21a.jpg)
The object in question being the pre-dreadnought Mikasa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_battleship_Mikasa), which apart from playing a key role in the 1905 Battle of Tsushima (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tsushima) is apparently the only surviving example of such a ship. Moreover she was built in Barrow-in-Furness, which is on the other side of the Duddon Estuary from where Railsquid spent some formative childhood years. There is even an eponymous street (https://goo.gl/maps/9jQ9r4za9aJLj99H6).
Quote from: railsquid on November 21, 2021, 03:24:26 PM
Japanese_battleship_Mikasa]Mikasa[/url], which apart from playing a key role in the 1905 Battle of Tsushima (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tsushima) is apparently the only surviving example of such a ship.
She's a double last - the last pre-Dreadnought battleship and the last British built battleship.
QuoteMoreover she was built in Barrow-in-Furness, which is on the other side of the Duddon Estuary from where Railsquid spent some formative childhood years.
Not Millom, perchance? That's where I am - or just outside to be more accurate.
Quote from: chrism on November 21, 2021, 03:36:31 PM
Quote from: railsquid on November 21, 2021, 03:24:26 PM
Japanese_battleship_Mikasa]Mikasa[/url], which apart from playing a key role in the 1905 Battle of Tsushima (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tsushima) is apparently the only surviving example of such a ship.
She's a double last - the last pre-Dreadnought battleship and the last British built battleship.
Eh? I thought that was the much later HMS Vanguard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Vanguard_%2823%29).
Quote from: chrism on November 21, 2021, 03:36:31 PM
QuoteMoreover she was built in Barrow-in-Furness, which is on the other side of the Duddon Estuary from where Railsquid spent some formative childhood years.
Not Millom, perchance? That's where I am - or just outside to be more accurate.
Bingo.
Millom achieved its justified fame with a Minitrix wagon and very nice it is too.
Is she the last surviving British-built battleship?
Best wishes
John
Quote from: railsquid on November 21, 2021, 03:52:48 PM
Quote from: chrism on November 21, 2021, 03:36:31 PM
Quote from: railsquid on November 21, 2021, 03:24:26 PM
Japanese_battleship_Mikasa]Mikasa[/url], which apart from playing a key role in the 1905 Battle of Tsushima (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tsushima) is apparently the only surviving example of such a ship.
She's a double last - the last pre-Dreadnought battleship and the last British built battleship.
Eh? I thought that was the much later HMS Vanguard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Vanguard_%2823%29).
Sorry, I meant the last surviving in both categories.
Quote from: Train Waiting on November 21, 2021, 04:36:39 PM
Millom achieved its justified fame with a Minitrix wagon and very nice it is too.
Is she the last surviving British-built battleship?
Going by Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battleship#End_of_the_battleship_era) the only surviving non-American battleship, even.
I am not quite sure what we have done to the Squidlet, but he has become an industrial-grade Drawer of Things and Producer of Books (you should see what he can do with a stapler and a pack of A4 paper), here a recent train drawing:
(https://japan-train-blog.infogogo.com/static/misc/squidlet-e235_2022-02-26-01.jpg)
In the off-chance anyone does not recognize the prototype, it's a JR East E235 series, albeit here in a fictitious Squidlet-designed livery.
Here is a model of an actual one:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/1734/42367118671_e41ac66b5e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/27xQyki)
Kato E235 (Yamanote Line) (https://flic.kr/p/27xQyki) by Rail Squid (https://www.flickr.com/photos/railsquid/), on Flickr
That is really excellent - he's got the perspective on the train perfectly.
I just hope the driver wasn't hurt when the cannonball went through the windscreen...
Cheers,
Chris
Quote from: Papyrus on March 18, 2022, 03:52:46 PM
I just hope the driver wasn't hurt when the cannonball went through the windscreen...
I thought it was a large spider, but I am assured it is the reflection of the sun.
I actually worked that out, which shows what a great drawing it is! :thumbsup: