Collectibles for kids

[Anonymous]

Hi all, my wide and I are interested in starting my nephews in collecting model trains. Right now they are only 2 and 1. We would start with a basic set, and then add pieces after that. I was thinking about getting N scale (saves their parents the space), but am not sure of which brands offer good quality without worrying about the kids breaking the pieces because of the cost, and the product line dissapearing in 5-10 years. I hope that they will be able to play with them occasionally and keep them as a momento of our gift to them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[Algonquin]

Hi Tim,

My kids are currently 5 and 6. Both could handle running my Lionel trains at about the age of 2. My kids enjoy Brio now and since they were very small. I tried my son on the Lionel G-gauge "Thomas" set when he was three. However, even with my supervision, it wound up broken. Seems at the younger ages kids love to push rather than electrically operate the trains.

Both my kids now have their own Lionel O-gauge sets. I purchased sets with Lionel engines the roll freely. This is an important aspect to my kids. I'm not sure if the smaller gauges will standup to a kids handling. Most Lionel trains are extremely tough but some can be broken. My Lionel Service Station has always been able to repair everything we somehow manage to break.

I guess if I was to recommend something for small childern it would first be the Brio and brio compatable train sets. Second, If it has to be electric, a Lionel set that has a free rolling engine in it (A Lionel Service Station could help select one)

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Tim P.