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I'm looking for a nice starter electric train set. I'm just looking to have something I can set up around christmas time for the kids to watch/play with, maybe get a new village piece each year to build up around it. Any suggestions, particularly on what scale I should look in to?
For Christmas tree use exclusively, I'd recommend "G" scale. There are a lot of sets on the market, but most are from either Bachmann or LGB. The Bachmann sets usually include two or three cars, as well as track, the power pack, and everything else you need, and even have locomotives that have sound effects. I think the LGB sets are similarly equipped, but are usually a little more expensive. Some of these sets are designed with a Christmas theme. Many of the online model train outlets sell these sets, such as discount trains, wholesale trains, and walther's, just to name a few. You can use a smaller scale, but the smaller scales don't look as good around the tree, IMHO. If you want to use it at other times besides Christmas, you might want to consider HO, O, or On30 scale. These are smaller than G scale, and don't take up as much room, but as I said earlier, don't look as good around the tree. I personally have HO scale trains, because I enjoy modeling them, but I don't like how they look under the tree because they are too small for that purpose.
G scale does tend to be quite expensive. However, outside Xmas time can be used as a garden railway if that appeals (not big enough to ride on tho)
For indoor use and expandable for younger children definitely go for HO. There is a huge amount of stuff available, not too pricy and not too small for young fingers!
If space is at a premium and Dad is going to be the real model railroader then you might look at the smaller scale of N
I'm looking for a nice starter electric train set. I'm just looking to have something I can set up around christmas time for the kids to watch/play with, maybe get a new village piece each year to build up around it. Any suggestions, particularly on what scale I should look in to?
We have a train around our tree. It's an inexpensive one though. It's not like a good train you would buy at a hobby store. It's more along the lines of a 'Walmart Special'. But I wouldn't invest much money in something that my 3 yr old son is going to be playing with. We only get it out during the month of december so it is less likely to be broken.
No idea what the scale is but the locomotive is probably a foot long and 5 inches tall....which seems big compared to a lot of other model trains I've seen.
There is a difference between toy trains and model trains. There is nothing pejorative in the word toy train, there are toy train collectors, and some go for lots of money. You don't give kids "model" trains unless they understand how fragile they are and are willing to be careful with them. Get a nice G scale boxed setup and enjoy. It won't break as easily and can be fun without worry. Accessories are common.
This is HO stuff only -------- Marklin sells G but they are way expensive.
But yeah for around the tree.......G or On30 would be the way to go.
For about the same price you can get Marklin digital
VERY easy to work with and can be the start of a bigger set.
Problem with Marklin is very limited American Prototypes
This little set 29755 is bottom end but their bottom end is very good quality.
This is a good price for it. You can usually pick up a lot at good price if you shop sales.
Location: Prescott Valley,az summer/east valley Az winter
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g looks good around the tree~ move it outside an you can get expensive very quickly~ mine did!
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