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New member 1 post Macgruff_69 New member 1 post
Macgruff_69

Hi everyone. I have a toddler and I'd like to get him interested in the hobby. I have fond memories of playing with train sets with my father and brother when I was a child. My son is only one but already seems to enjoy trains. 

Everything looks a lot different from when I was a child. I have an older RTR set, a Lionel 7-21905 a NY Central Freight set, very basic with a 40 w transformer. For right now I'd like to just set up a set around the tree during the Christmas season until he is a little older and is able to do more. I really want to get him the O gauge polar express lionchief. I'm hoping to be able to build off that set down the road with possibly a lionchief plus engine and getting more track using  the cars from my old set. I'd use the polar express around the holidays and the regular set the rest of the time.   I'm just not sure if the PE set is the wise choice or if maybe I should do a set like the Allegheny hauler 6-81269 set which has more track but like I said I already have an older freight set that's like new but pretty limited because it's older technology and low wattage transformer.   I'm thinking due to the movie and the digital sound and voices that the PE set would be a big hit with my son which is why I was leaning that way.  Any thoughts or suggestions? 

 
 
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Neil Erickson NeilEr Moderator 5,796 posts
Neil Erickson NeilEr

Lego Trains

My nephew was fascinated with with Thomas the Tank engine and had Brio at around your sons age. When he became more careful my brother began getting some of the Lego trains. These have plastic rails about 1-1/2" gage  and battery powered, remote control engines. While more expensive than the ones you are considering it seems the little builder has huge amounts of fun making the engines and cars as well as laying out track in different configurations.  They are quite durable and meant for little hands but I still think these are very popular with adults as well. 

I hope you share whatever direction you chose! 

Neil Erickson, Hawai’i 

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ctxmf74 Super User 15,984 posts
ctxmf74

"I'm thinking due to the

"I'm thinking due to the movie and the digital sound and voices that the PE set would be a big hit with my son which is why I was leaning that way.  Any thoughts or suggestions? "

 

     I got a Lionel Thomas the tank train set for my grandkids years ago and it's been very reliable, three have played with it so far with another little guy almost ready for it. I got some Lionel Fast track turnouts and extra track so they can make different layouts, the track snaps together and has plastic roadbed for carpet running. I think the O equipment is a good match for little kids as it's sturdy and easy to keep on the rails. We use old Lionel O-27 freight cars with the Thomas engine to give longer trains.......DaveB

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James Willmus JamesWillmus Super User 310 posts
James Willmus JamesWillmus

Here's what I built:

For a toddler, you need something durable, almost indestructible.  LEGO trains are always fun, but there's also O scale and G scale.  As for a layout, I built a temporary railroad on a door and used exterior grass carpet for a "lawn".  One door 36 inches wide (like mine) works for O scale and LEGO (for LEGO trains you might just want a grass mat from Woodland Scenics)

For G scale, using two doors side by side would do well.

No matter what you choose, I'm sure your kid will love it!

Good Luck!

--James

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James Willmus

Website: Homestakemodels.com (website currently having issues)
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