Toy train operating and collecting

Hi Toy Train Forum:

I want to get back into model train running for my 2 year old's sake, after playing with Triang sets for most of my childhood.

However, I was surprised at how many different companies are selling sets today (though not Triang, it seems!)!

Lionel seems to dominate, (and I did read many posts about Lionel quaity) but I do want to start right and pick a manufacturer that consistently builds high quality, durable sets. Is that Lionel? Or someone else?

I'm not rich, but I would rather pay a higher price point now if that is going to give me (er, I mean my son...) years of happy railroading.

Thanks in advance!

I couldn't encourage you enough to try and get to a Hobby shop that would have both Lionel and MTH on display or running on a layout.  I think you will find the quality has vastly improved from what it was 15/20 years ago.  The forums are a good source of information, but remember it is mostly opinion, and the "Manufacturer Quality" issue is constantly discussed.  Both companies have great products, but have some deficincies as well.  Before you invest, try to look at both product lines, you will be glad you did !!

 Bluebottle, I don't want to overwhelm you with a lot of info. Don makes a good point of trying to find a train dealer who hopefully has an operating display layout. Here's some video links from YouTube demostrating some Lionel and Atlas Industrial Rail sets.

http://www.youtube.com/user/trainzstore#p/u/10/Iw3SdJfLQw8

http://www.youtube.com/user/trainzstore#p/u/5/2dEL821LUTs

http://www.youtube.com/user/trainzstore#p/u/6/nxKvsbPxruE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVEoMVnwM7A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/user/AtlasEric#p/a/u/1/ulwuvtU6pFY

Yes, there are a lot of choices today. Lionel is the name that is synonymous with this hobby and the Lionel starter sets of today are all very decent sets... I know because I run the basic stuff and have had some of the New York Central Flyer steam locos (the 4-4-2 version) for almost 20 years. Like anything else though, you can break them if you don't use them properly and take care of them.

Atlas Industrial Rail also makes some very decent sets. The loco is a tad smallish in size, but that's the only downfall of it. Both train magazines have given high marks to the track systems made by Lionel and Atlas in these starter sets. I believe this magazine, Classic Toy Trains, actually thought the Atlas track was a little better than the Lionel FasTrack, but both are suitable for immediate floor set up without worrying about carpet fibers getting into the loco as with the older more nostalgic looking 3-rail track.

This last link has a lot of info, but will suitable answer many questions you could have. It's a great site and I heartily recommend you spend a little time looking it over.

 http://www.thortrains.net/

PS: if you type in the names of the train set or train company on YouTube, you can find other videos of these new trains in action.

to the forum.

Toy trains are like any product, there are going to be some units that don't perform well out of the box. This happens and there is simply no way to have a 100% bug free product, no matter what any one tells you. With that said, you can not go wrong with any of the starter sets on the market today. I would agree with Don that getting to a train store that has both Lionel and MTH running on display is a wise thing to do. Atlas is also making some nice sets in their Industrial Rails line.

again !

All good info so far, but also check out www.railserve.net as they have directories for all kinds of clubs, shops, etc all over the place. If you are lucky you might find a club/organization reasonably close by which could give you the chance to see more goodies to consider.  

To the original poster, where are you located?  I grew up with Triang OO scale in the UK and while I know that they made O scale, well sort of, I don't think it was exact same scale as O, did these sets get sold in the US?  Triang as a model train maker long since vanished from the scene, essentially vanishing into what is now Hornby.  Anyway, curious about location as it might have an impact on what is available locally?

BLUEBOTTLE,

  to DA FORUM.  As all the other GYZ have said, if you have a hobbey shop that has both Lionel and MTH ask them to run them for you.  Then you can see for yourself what you like and don't like.  Also check out You tube for both sets running.  I have both manufacturers and like certain things about one over the other and visa versa.  WELCOME to the hobby but watch out it is addicting.

laz57

Welcome to the forum!!  The other guys are right, you should stop in and check out what your local hobby shop has to offer.  I on the other hand grew up with Lionel postwar trains that were handed down to me from my Dad and Uncle so when my boys were little I bought them Lionel train sets.  I bought them New York Central Flyer sets a few years apart one had 027 track and the other had Fast Track and both have stood up over the years.  They got banged around pretty good and still run like they did when they where new but it has been a while since they were set up, my boys have lost interest because of perfume and gasoline.    And, the first set I bought for myself was the Polar Express set and I love it, I have not had any problems so far but that set is mostly for under the Christmas tree but now that I am building a layout it will get more use soon hopefully.   Good luck in whatever you decide to pick.

Paul

Bluebottle,

Wasn't Triang (Tri-ang) all two-rail? Most of what gets discussed on this forum is three-rail. Many would argue that three-rail is easier to use than two-rail, and thus better for children. In this country, three-rail O-gauge is certainly easier to find than two-rail, but there are magazines and forums devoted to two-rail in several gauges, including O. Some folks find the third rail to be off-putting, so your first decision may be to decide which way you want to go.

BTW, are you an entomologist; a police officer; a fan of the Goon Show;  or what?

.

Thanks, great advice Don. I'll go in and look at those two.

Go with Gilbert American Flyer!  Sorry had to say that.  But really the advice already given is sound.  Be thinking at the start what you want to be doing in say five years with the hobby.  I would recommend going with the lionel size train.  HO is too small for young people to enjoy and S is too limited in what is available and compatibility.  You are wise for not going with the cheap trains.  They end up being frustrating and broken.  The Lionel starter sets are very nice.  My only deviation from American Flyer was the Polar Express.  It is simple to operate.  Fairly robust and relatively speaking, inexpensive. On the front end figure your scale, then your track type.  And most of all, have fun.  Welcome to the forum

Jim

Agent 027: Thanks very much for your advice and links. i will look them over as I think about where to jump in!

Thanks Brent: So far I have only been able to find one store here (London, Canada) and he only has one small set up. I might need a trip to Toronto to see some side by sides.

Bluebottle

Thanks Doug: I will look at your link, and check to see if there is a group in town.

Bb

Hi Simon: I am posting from Southern Ontario (Canada), but my parents (and the set) came from Cheshire, just north of Liverpool in the 50's, and so it travelled here with them when they emigrated. Unfortunately, none of us kids knows where all the trains went - probably passed on to othere relatives when we moved out in our 20's - sure wish we could find them now though!