Hello everyone, I posted this question in one of the other forums and was directed here as a more appropriate forum, so I figured I would ask here as well. I seem to keep posting in the wrong forum, I hope I finally got it right this time.
I am new to the hobby, as well as the forums and was just wondering if anybody might be able to offer some helpful advice. I am the proud father of a little girl who is a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan. I have too much Thomas, than I care to admit! Ok, it really is fun playing with her with them
My wife put the bug in my ear that I should consider getting an electric train to put under our Christmas tree. I liked the idea, because I've always had an interest, and just never moved ahead with it. So like anything I purchase, I try to talk to people, look online at product reviews and consumer opinions, etc, to try and find out what is best for me.
Until recently the only name brand I knew of was Lionel. A couple of local hobby shops here carry nothing but Lionel, and a couple don't really stock them at all. The other brands that seem to be popular here are Bachman and MTH. I was shown a Bachman set and it just didn't seem to catch my interest. I was shown an MTH Railking Christmas Express train set, and the Lionel North Pole Central train sets. I liked both sets, but the price tag on the MTH was a bit higher than the Lionel.
I was wondering if anyone had either of these train sets and could give me any opinions of the pros/cons, or likes/dislikes of the sets. Or if there are any other sets out there I should look into?
I've read there have been some legal battles between the two companies, and some people may swear by either company. I just want everyone to know I my intention is not to start a war of words of which company is better; I'm sure both make decent products. What I'm trying to do is just get some helpful feedback on a particular train set. Thank you everyone.
Hi Skullie,
As you said, both manufacturers make great trains. Both also have disadvantages. The most heard disadvantage of Lionel is their cw80 transformer, but then again they are sold in thousands, and some of those don't work the way they should. (Lionel does give a new one under warranty)
MTH also had problems with their Protosound 1 units, with scrambling chips leaving the locomotive standing on the track. They don't make protosound 1 anymore, protosound 2 doesn't have that scramble problem.
Both brands do have some quality problems now and then due to insufficient quality controls at their factories sometimes, but in general things are ok and warranty backs up the problems which could show by operating. Both Lionel and MTH have a dealer network to help you with warranty defects, if they might occur.
The starter sets of both brands are very good value for the money. In your list I miss the Lionel Polar Express, which is, in my humble opinion one of the best values for money. It has a big steamengine and a passenger train in it and they are of good quality. The engine doesn't have sound.
MTH also has some very interesting starter sets and sometimes they offer sets with Protosound 2 already installed. The steamers however are a bit smaller, but also of very good quality.
Best is to search on internet, www.lionel.com and www.mth-railking.com are their websites. (where you can also find a dealer locator)
Also look for Williams, since they offer also very nice engines, without sound (but with horn and bell) for good prices.
Skullie,
I would go with an MTH train set as I have had problems with Lionel on a few occassions that Lionel would not do anything about.
Williams makes some great quality trains but does not sell track or transformer with a set. That is one drawback to starting with Williams, another is that most hobby shops will not have Williams trains in stock to buy. Personally I would buy Williams before MTH or Lionel because of quality issues.
Lee F.
On this forum you will find more folks interested in O gauge and S gauge. We prefer them over HO, N, and Z because of the heft. Some of us also model G scale (which is huge and more of a Garden Layout). O stock stays on the track easier and is easier for young kids to play with.
In O Lionel has a very nice electric Thomas set and a more expensive Polar Express set. Both are affordable and very basic. Lionel and MTH both sell entry level sets for $120 - $250 (and some K-line sets are still out there) but Lionel probably is more readily available. Lionel and MTH also sell more expensive starter sets with many more sounds (here MTH probably has more available) for $300 - $600. All the units will run on any track but a few conversion pieces may be required to go from one track system to another.
Hobby Lobby sometimes has (including this week) internet coupons good for 40% off one item. That would be great for a train set. Otherwise their prices are a tad high.
ALWAYS TEST OUT A SET AS SOON AS YOU RECIEVE IT! Sometimes they come with a bad transformer (Lionel CW-80) or engine (Lionel or MTH). MTH engines have a rechargeable battery inside that should have enough charge but if they do not will need to recharge on the track for one hour before they work. TEST OUT YOUR SET as you do not want it to be dead on the big day!
Jim H
Just like Jim said, I purchased a Pennslvania Flyer from Hobby Lobby (6-30018 2006 Issue)for $128 with the 7% Florida sales tax. I had purchased a Southwest Expansion pack for $70, but I returned it. It just didn't fit in with what I was doing. Great Bargins I think. I really like the Pennsy Flyer, it has sort of the "retro" '50's thing which I sorta missed with the Fire Train and the NY Central I have.
The sound issue, for me, just a bonus. When I left the hobby (Dad packed up the O27's years ago when we moved), we were still using air whistles. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I really missed this stuff. We set it up under the tree (Missus gave her blessing), and I'm really excited about turning the wheels on this thing after the tree is decorated!
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
The lionel expansion sets are a very good deal. Especially if you get one a Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon.
P.S. You can use one coupon per day....so if you print out a few you could get the set one day and the expansion set the next day, and a switch siding the next day.
My four year old loves trains also. Last year for Christmas, we bought an electronic Thomas the Tank HO scale set for her. She loves to run the train. Most hobby stores should have this and some of the other engines. Good luck and have fun with your daughter.
slebones
As you can see by the posts here, either Lionel or MTH would result in a very excited child and a good time for the Dad. Not knowing what part of the country you live in I would recommend that you check out both websites, and see if there is a "common" dealer in your area that has both brands. (Even if you don't end up purchasing there.)
But a side by side comparison is priceless! Having been a collector for 10 years, then being away for 15 years, when I saw a side by side comparison of similiar pieces in the same price range I was overwhelmed. Since that time I have purchased both and am very pleased with the products, and service I have received.
Enjoy!!!
And welcome to the forum
Don
Thanks to everyone for all of the replies. That Hobby Lobby deal sounds great, but unfortunately for me the closest one appears to be about 5 states away. I am in CT.
I took a trip to a local hobby store after work and talked to the owner for a while. He took the time to unpack and show me a bunch of trains.
Considering my budget, especially with having to continue to do Christmas shopping, I am leaning towards the Lionel North Pole Central set. Simply because for one, it is cheaper than the MTH, and he is willing to give me a discount that will allow me to get the set for under $200. In addition, he showed me quite a few of the cars that can be purchased as add-ons, and I liked a few of them a lot. The MTH set didnt seem to have as many add-on Christmas cars. For now, considering the price, I thnk that will be a good starter set for me and my family for my first "under the tree" set. Perhaps as I get more interest and knowledge in the hobby, I will get a higher quality set somewhere down the road. I have seen the Thomas and Friends sets, but I wanted to stay away from those because I already have so many wooden ones, and I'd like to have a set that we can use long after my daughters interest in Thomas fades.
Thanks again everyone, I appreciate all of the replies.
You really can not go wrong with any "under $200" set. Getting that first set at a Hobby shop is very smart! The only real advantage Thomas has (aside from a child liking it now) is its lower retail price. If you get Thomas and she tires of it you buy another set or pick up a train cheap mail order or from Ebay. I am partial to Thomas in Lionel, it is soooo cute and different and the whistle is fun! The Thomas transformer and track will work with all rolling stock and engines priced under $300. RMT makes the beep locomotive for $70 and Lionel sells expansion sets (four straigh tracks, one operating and a few cars) for about $100.
Again, buy whatever you desire. You really can not go wrong if you are spending under $200.
Well folks, I really appreciate all the friendly advice and opinions. I'm heading out in a few, and am going to pick up the Lionel set that I mentioned. I'm bringing my girl with me, I'm sure she'll be excited!
I'll check in later with probably another 20 questions after setting it up, lol. Thanks again everyone.
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