I need professional help! (choosing a train)

[Anonymous]

I want to buy my first train. I've always wanted one. I don't live anywhere near a hobby shop, so I'm researching on-line. I know I want an O gauge Lionel. I also know I want something better than a pennsylvania flyer. A set seems like a good idea since I have no idea what I'm doing, but I don't know which one. I was looking at the Boys set. Does anyone know if it's plastic? It's aesthetically pleasing to me, but is it a quality set that will be adaptable to a growing setup?

[guilfordrr]

Welcome to the forum!

The Boys' set is a good choice, if you're not bothered by the paint scheme. It's definately quality stuff, as it was a high-end set when released a few years ago and of metal and plastic construction, but it doesn't include track or a transformer. Steam locomotives tend to be die-cast metal, and are only of plastic construction on some vintage Marx and other cheap lines. Rolling stock and diesels/electrics are usually plastic, WHICH IS NOT A BAD THING! The plastic used on toy trains is quite durable and survives well. Many people have 1950's Marx that, while made of plastic, still look great. If I were you, I'd go for the Boys' Set if you want quality, but for a smarter investment & better start with the hobby, choose the Nickel Plate Road Super Freight Set, or one of the other starter sets.

[Anonymous]

Check out www.justrains.com, they are in Delaware and have very good prices, if you buy a large set, shipping is free. Their site does not have Photos, so you should go to www.lionel.com, or k-line.com to see what sets consist of.
Don't rush, there are many choices available. Check them out carefully.

[chorst01]

Don't limit yourself to Lionel. Lionel makes some good producs but so does M.T.H. I'm in California but JusTrains has a good reputation. If you can, go visit them or another dealer who handles both brands. Talk to the people there. There's always the possibility of running into a jerk but for the most part they would be interested in helping you and showing you the differences.

--chh

[daan]

If you don't have anything yet regarding track or trains, I would choose a starter set. In the descriptions on the website's of the manufacturer they tell you all about their product. Try to stay away from cheaper truckmounted dc can motors, since their running quality is poor.
The Lionels with "pullmor" motors are fine. They are AC motors which are build for durability and easy repair and last a lifetime. Also locomotives in which description mentionnes a "momentum flywheel" are good. Those motors are vertical mounted and are the better quality strong can motors with a good gearing. The cheap ones telling you that they have 2 motors are mostly mounted in the trucks with a minimum of gearing in between. They don't last long, can't pull much and speed is not well controllable.
The track is the second important thing. Tubular rail is fine and cheap to buy, but the looks are far from the real thing. The newer fastrack provided in the sets from Lionel is good quality, as long as you don't want to make multiple levels. It's rigid and sturdy, and that's the drawback if you want to make easy changes in grade's when going up a hill.
The best thing you could do before buying a set, if you want to expand later on, is going to a hobby shop and see the difference with your own eyes..
If you just want a train to run now and then, track is not the most important thing.

If you're planning a huge layout, or think about expanding in big forms, try to find one with the possibility to run digital (tmcc or dcc) because it can safe you lots of problems with wiring your big layout later on.
With that digital control you also get automatic couplers and a huge variation of sounds (usually) to play with. Later on the switches, animated houses and loading docks can be fed from the track and operated by a digital signal send through the track. It saves a huge amount of wiring and electrical switches. In digital they also have very neat operating cars, like a full function crane operating completely on remote control. But it's far more expensive then conventional control, so only worth it if you "must have" the digital extra's or if you want to build a huge layout.
It makes no sense running around a christmas tree to look at, because that can be done with the conventional control too.

Best advice is: look around and learn before you buy..

[Anonymous]

I would definatly recommend the Nickel Plate super set from Lionel, comes with a darn nice train, large diecast metal steam loco with smoke and sound. A nice set of freight cars for it to pull, even a correct NKP bay window caboose. All the kids the watch my trains run on the layout I set up at the local train show are always interested in the digital aspect. Running the train via wireless remote control and being able to do things like blow the whistle, ect are all pluses to the digital so that is an important feature. MTH is also nice, but some of the early sound systems have a battery that is prone to failure, but that is easily fixed. Let us all know what you get. Merry Christmas. Mike