Electric Train Sets
Please select from one of the following subcategories:
How to pick a model electric train set
Many people get their start in the model
railroading hobby with a train set. While most train sets do not include
high end components, the benefit is that you get everything you need to start in
one box and you know that it will all work together. When first getting
into the hobby (or picking a set as a gift for someone else), you first need to
decide on a scale. HO Scale is the most popular. Click
here for information on scales if you are not familiar with them.
Once you have decided on a scale, here are
some other things to consider:
- Do you want a set with a steam locomotive or
diesel locomotive?
- Do you want the train to consist of
passenger or freight cars? Tip: Children seem to enjoy freight trains
as they appear more varied in terms of consist.
- What road name do you want? Tip: Many
people like to model trains they see in real life. Therefore, it is
very common to pick a railroad that runs in their area.
HO specific things to consider:
If picking an HO Scale set, you should consider
the coupler style that is included. Couplers are the parts that actually
connect, or couple, the cars together. Life-Like's standard sets come with
horn-hook style couplers and most other sets (Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, and Walthers)
now come with the more standard knuckle style. Life-Like's Proto (P2K)
series do come with knuckle couplers. Please keep in mind that you can
change couplers if needed. We sell a wide variety of HO Scale Couplers,
which can be found here. The plus
side of the standard Life-Like sets is that they tend to come with more
accessories, which appeals to children.
Most beginner sets come with steel track.
The better sets, including Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann's Spectrum series, Life-Like's
Proto series, and Walthers sets come with the better Nickel-Silver (NS)
track. Nickel-Silver does not rust and therefore requires less
maintenance. Many sets come with Bachmann
EZ Track, which can be easily expanded by purchasing additional track.
Life-Like sets can be expanded using their Power
Loc track which can be found here. Some Walthers sets come with Atlas
code 100 track, which can be found here. Read the train set
descriptions for information on the included track type.
