A couple of questions . . .

[Anonymous]

Hey guys/gals, this is my first post on the site - found it via internet search.

My son is VERY interested in trains - he's only 3, but loves 'em as much (or more) than I did as a kid. He has lots of Thomas, etc. I built him a table for Christmas last year - thought that was much better than buying a particle board job at the toy store.

Anyway, on to my questions.

First, I have a couple of old Tyco's I got as a kid (I know, they're junk, but kinda sentimental) - one is a Spirit of '76 (I was 5 - got it for Christmas). I decided to drag 'em out to see if they could be made to run at all for my son to see. One has a wire pulled loose, will solder it back shortly. The '75 tries to run a little, but acts like it's not making good contact. I've cleaned up the wheels with some jewelry poli***o get all of the tarnish/oxidation/etc. off. The track show good with a voltmeter all the way around. What else can I do to improve it? Please, no flaming, etc. - I know they're pretty much junk . . .

Which leads to my second question - what inexpensive (~$50-100) brands out there these days would you recommend?

Thanks, Clint

[cnw1995]

Hi Clint and welcome, I have a three year old that's gaga about trains - just got him another Thomas DVD out of the library last night. Anyway, I have some Tyco trains too but found they're just not worth restoring - especially with his hammy fingers. I saved up a bit more - approx. $120 - and got a Lionel train set. It was a circus train with an oval of train, whistle, bobbing clown head car, chase-around gondola car - in other words, things to look at and listen to - He loved watching it go 'round and round - and I didn't mind when he wanted to put things in the gondola or accidently knocked it off the track. It was also inexpensive - now that I got the toy-train bug - i was telling myself I was doing it all for him, don't you know - that I could get some more 027 track and make the layout much bigger. Then find a car here and there for $10-15, and we were off and running setting up something big in the basement. This said, you can easily find some HO units in that price-range at a local hobby store - they'd run better than the oldies in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Hello Clint and welcome to the forum,

I have a great nephew who's four. He loves Thomas too! Don't know any Kid who doesn't.

1st ) You've done much what I would have. (I'm not much on train repairs anyway.) My only other suggestion would be to take to reputable Hobby shop. If you have one. Other members can help you more than I can in the repair issue. Best of luck.

2nd ) If your son likes Thomas. Bachmann trains has them in your price range. My Gr. Nephew has a set and loves it. It's still breakable...The only drawback, but affordable.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/

Have fun,
Dave