0 gauge set for child

[Anonymous]

I wanted to spend 200-350. I have been really pleased with the information I have received here.  I did go back and look at the older post about starter train set for Christmas.  Many of you have about sold me on the Polar Express, and maybe I can buy some frieght cars for it. The talk about it having the Berkshire (I think) engine is nice also. The pink Williams train would be nice, but $400 without track. What is the "story" on Williams Trains? Also, are they all 027?  Other possibilities I am still considering are the NYC Flyer or Penn Flyer. If I buy some K-line cars, do they have the same coupling? Thanks. Philip

[jimhaleyscomet]

Let's see...Polar Express mail order $200....Lionel Freight Expansion Set $100 each ($70 mail order or on sale)... two should be about perfect.  You will then have 4 freight cars, two operating tracks, two operating cars, 6 more straights, and a few trucks.  Lionel sells additional passenger Polar Express cars but they are spendy (about $40 or $50).  Passenger cars do look nice on the layout but freight cars have more play value.  The K-line cars do work with the Lionel cars but they tend to be a tad smaller (some would say 027 scale). 

William's has two lines, Traditional and Golden Memories.  I believe the traditional is sized like the current cars in a Lionel set.  The Golden Memories might be a tad larger. 

Note:  If you purchase a set mail order be sure to check that everything works long before the big day!  Sometimes sets have a bad transformer. 

Jim H

[jimhaleyscomet]

The polar express has just a whistle.  You might want to consider the Lionel Express baggage car (with steam sound trainsounds) for about $100 ($75 mail order). 

Jim H

[jimhaleyscomet]

Ignore what I said about Williams Traditional vs Golden Memories.  Looking at the catalog it seems you can not generalize about which line is what scale.

Jim H

[pbjwilson]

Here's a great buy. MTH Pennsy freight set w/locosound $194.00. This engine works beautifully and the set comes with a very nice transformer. 

 http://www.trainworld.com/mth/mth2006sets.htm

[pbjwilson]

OOps, that one may not be in stock. How 'bout this one. Pennsy deisel freight. Might be easier for a youngster to get a diesel on the track compared with a steam engine.

http://www.railking.com/detail2.asp?item=30-4147-0

[rogruth]

You never mentioned the childs age or if there is already train interest from the child. I got a Lionel Thomas for my grandson. He loves it and it is low geared and does not fly off the curves at full speed. But you may want something more traditional.

[anjdevil2]

Looking at another post, I found a 40% off coupon on the Hobby Lobby website.  I hustled myself down there and picked up a 2006 Pennsylvania Flyer for $128.38 with 7% tax included.  A great buy, I think.  I had been patrolling eBay for several weeks and none have been this cheap (including shipping).  Sticker was $199.99

Just a thought, hope this helps!

[Kooljock1]

The Lionel New York Central Flyer now comes with a searchlight car, and already has the full "TrainSounds" system with chuff, whistle, bell, crew announcements etc.

Buy the NYC Passenger expansion pack, and you've got a big layout, a station, and two trains to run with one loco. I'd buy a switch, some extra straights and a bumper for a plave to park the cars that aren't running, and you've TOY TRAIN BLISS!

Jon

[MikeSanta]

Williams is good stuff, to answer one question. One thing I did with my grandkidswas get contemporary trains for them. I could see the Polar Express set if the kid liked the movie. Other people have said the Thomas set was junk, so I wouldn't do that.I question giving a kid a steam set or an F3 set of a railroad that was a fallen flag when their parents were in diapers.

[Dave Farquhar]

Looking at another post, I found a 40% off coupon on the Hobby Lobby website.  I hustled myself down there and picked up a 2006 Pennsylvania Flyer for $128.38 with 7% tax included.  A great buy, I think.  I had been patrolling eBay for several weeks and none have been this cheap (including shipping).  Sticker was $199.99

Even $199 isn't a bad price for that set--just my opinion--let alone $128.38. It would be difficult to put together a comparable set with used Marx or MPC-era Lionel and come in much under $130. I agree, you did great!