While buying a train set is the easiest way to get into the hobby, it isn't necessarily the best way. If you're new to model railroading, you should read Model Railroading 101. If you don't know O scale from Z scale you should also read about scales and gauges. If the set is for a child, you should also read about scales for children and my parents' guide. After you've selected a model train set, you'll want to read about setting it up.
Be DCC Ready
If you've decided to start out with a train set, but want to upgrade it later, make sure the locomotive is DCC ready. This means that that it can be easily upgraded to digital control later. Few sets today come with with DCC equipped locomotives, but most locomotives can be upgraded.Ask your dealer how much it would cost to put a DCC decoder into the locomotive in the set you're buying. Some dealers won't even charge for labor on an easy installation if you buy the decoder when you buy your train set. You can have the decoder installed even if you're not starting out with DCC; a DCC equipped locomotive will run on a non-DCC layout unless it's programmed not to.
Kato Santa Fe Super Chief - N Scale
Photo courtesy of Kato, USA
From 1936 – 1971 the Super Chief was the standard of luxury for travel between Chicago and Los Angeles. Kato offers a beautifully detailed Super Chief train set with an F7 diesel locomotive and three passenger cars: a Sleeper, a Dining Car, and an Observation car. A 24 inch by 48 inch oval of Kato's Unitrack, their standard power pack, and a plastic railing guide complete the set. For those interested in something more up-to-date, Kato offers a comparably equipped Amtrak set. MSRP $270.00
Athearn Thunder Rails - N Scale
Photo courtesy of Athearn Trains
If you prefer something more vintage, Athearn's Thunder Rails is an "old west" style passenger train set. The Thunder Rails train consists of a Mogul class 2-6-0 steam locomotive, four Overland passenger cars (combine, coach, sleeper and business car). The set includes a 24 inch by 36 inch oval of E-Z Track and an Athearn TrainPak power supply. MSRP $179.98
Athearn Iron Horse Express - HO Scale
Photo courtesy of Athearn Trains
Athearn's HO Iron Horse Express products are modern diesel freight train sets. They come in your choice of three different railroads: BNSF, Union Pacific, and CSX. The train consists of a EMD GP38-2 diesel locomotive, three assorted freight cars, and a caboose of the appropriate railroad. The track is a 36 inch by 45 inch oval of E-Z track. The Athearn TrainPak power supply completes the set. MSRP $119.98
Atlas Trainman - O Scale (Three-rail)
Photo courtesy of Atlas Model RR Co.
Atlas offers three-rail sets with a GP15 diesel locomotive for Conrial, and and the Union Pacific railroads. They also offer a Great Northern set with an RS3 diesel, and RSD4/5 sets in Chicago & North Western and Cotton Belt railroads. Sets includ ebox car, stock car, extended vision caboose, and an oval of track approximately 4 feet by 8 feet. MSRP $449.94 with transformer (Great Northern only); $399.95 without transformer.
Atlas Trainman - O Scale (Two-rail)
Photo courtesy of Atlas Model RR Co.
Atlas offers two-rail sets with a GP15 diesel locomotive for Chessie System, Conrial, and the Norfolk and Southern railroads. They also offer RS3 diesel sets for the Delaware & Hudson and the Great Northern railroads. Sets include box car, stock car, extended vision caboose, and a 36 inch (6 foot) circle of track. MSRP $429.95
Note: Atlas two-rail sets do not include transformers.
Note: Atlas two-rail sets do not include transformers.
Lionel Alaska Steam Work Train - O Scale
Photo courtesy of Lionel, LLC.
Lionel's Alaska Railroad set features a 0-6-0 steam switcher locomotive with sound, a flatcar with load, a 3-dome tank car, a crane car, and a work caboose. A 40 inch by 60 inch oval of Lionel's Fastrack and their CW-80 transformer complete the set. MSRP $269.99
NOTE:Lionel's use of frames on their web sit does not permit direct links to individual products. Use the link above to access the Lionel site. Click on "Product Finder" and search for "Alaska Steam" for more information.
NOTE:Lionel's use of frames on their web sit does not permit direct links to individual products. Use the link above to access the Lionel site. Click on "Product Finder" and search for "Alaska Steam" for more information.
Micro-Trains Line Table Top Railroad Set – Z Scale
Photo courtesy of Micro=Trains Line
Micro-Trains Line (MTL) is one of the few American manufacturers of Z scale model railroad trains. Their Table Top Railroad Set comes with your choice of three different diesel locomotives and a total of 15 different railroads . It includes four assorted freight cars and a caboose. A 17 inch by 20 inch oval of track and a power pack make this set ready-to-run. MSRP 239.95 – 299.95 depending on locomotive and railroad.
Marklin American Starter Set - Z Scale
Photo courtesy of Marklin, Inc.
If Z is your scale, but you want steam power instead of diesel for your train, then look to the German manufacturer Marklin. Their 120 volt American Starter Set features a Northern Pacific Railway steam locomotive with tender, a Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad flat car, a Great Northern Railway gondola, and a Northern Pacific Railway caboose. The set includes an oval of track and a power pack. The overall length of the train is 13" (330 mm). Marklin offers a wide variety of expansion options for both the train and track. MSRP $275.00