Hello, all. I’ve been interested in garden railroading for a while now, but am new to the forum. I finally own a home, so I can start to get serious, now.
Anyway, one of my ideas is to lay real track when we build the garden, then use Playmobil trains for a little while to get started. My thinking is that they’re cheaper than real trains, can take some abuse from my son (2 years old now, will be around 3 by the time we get the garden RR in with a 1-yr old brother), and when we start getting real trains, we’ll have “Dad’s train” and the “kids’ train.”
My son is very hands-on, so I’m leary about getting started with expensive stuff until the kids are older. That, and they’ll enjoy it a lot more if they’re not just standing around watching.
The Playmobil website lists their track at 1.75" wide, so it seems like their stuff should work on real track. Has anyone tried this?
Playmobile is g guage and will work on any g track, it even uses the same hook and loop couplers just like LGB if I remember right. The only caviet I can think of is the plastic might be more prone to UV damage so you might not want to leave it out in the sun for long stretches of time. As for cheaper, not from what I’ve seen on eBay. those things go for more the LGB sometimes, but If ya got’em, use’um.
Yes, vsmith is right, Playmobile is compatible with gauge-1 track and LGB’s products. They aren’t that much cheaper; though. If you’re looking for some inexpensive large-scale stuff perhaps try New Bright products. They usually have starter sets out around the holidays.
What about durability? It seems like the Playmobil would be more able to handle young kids’ handling. Or, would a simple LGB setup (like one of the starter sets), be just as or more durable? I don’t own anything yet (except for an old N scale set I had as a kid).
I definitely want the kids involved hands-on. Obviously, they’re not going to beat the heck out of these things, but I can certainly see a few drops every now and then. And fine details may get mangled a bit from little hands. UV damage isn’t a big deal, the trains will be stored inside.
Have been using Playmobil Locos on my garden railway for some years; seems to be fine on ‘Tenmille’ track and pointwork. I use rechargeable batteries rather than track pick-up; the 4 wheeI motor ‘bogies’ are great for scratchbuilding diesel and electric locos’ but am not sure that they are made now ! does anyone have any information about their availability?
I have been using LGB Toytrains with my young children for a few years - and can recommend it as relatively inexpensive, very good quality and tough. The starter sets are a good initial source of LGB track if you are going to use this type of track. My only problem so far was an LGB Bubble-blowing car - if you use this indoors and knock it over, you can create a bit of a mess with the bubble mixture
Hi everyone,
New to this forum. Decided on this topic to start since I have a history in it. My wife and I purchased Playmobil last Christmas for the kids and built a neat basement layout for them. It is horse-shoe shaped and has a bridge to close the loop. Works wonderful for an indoor line.
A little history. The original Playmobil sets came with LGB brass track. A close look at the loco revealed the drive to be LGB also. The underside says Playmobil though. These sets were track powered. Very rugged and dependable. The real nice thing about these was the fact that the tops came off the Loco as well as the passenger cars. This made it very easy for my kids to put people and/or accessories into them. Playmobil offers an exellent lifetime warranty. The sad part is these sets have long since been discontinued. The set we purchased was on clearance at a toy store in town. If you can find one around…grab it. I still see one occaisonally on ebay…but they do not go for cheap. What does that tell you? They are good. As for here in town, the last time I checked, I could still get a new diesel and a new steam loco. On sale also! Think I will grab those. Under 100 Canadian is exellent for a new Large scale loco. The new Playmobil sets are battery operated and come with plastic track. I think someone else mentioned these will operate on Guage 1 track. Anyhow that’s my two cents worth. Have fun at Christmas morning! Incidentally I "tested " our set also as a good dad should. Gave my wife the line about not wanting to see any sad faces on Christmas morning if the train would’nt run. She replied with “Let me try it out also”. Big grin included! We are all big kids at heart right?! That’s why we have BIG toy trains. Take care all. Later eh…Brian.
Hello, all. I’ve been interested in garden railroading for a while now, but am new to the forum. I finally own a home, so I can start to get serious, now.
Anyway, one of my ideas is to lay real track when we build the garden, then use Playmobil trains for a little while to get started. My thinking is that they’re cheaper than real trains, can take some abuse from my son (2 years old now, will be around 3 by the time we get the garden RR in with a 1-yr old brother), and when we start getting real trains, we’ll have “Dad’s train” and the “kids’ train.”
My son is very hands-on, so I’m leary about getting started with expensive stuff until the kids are older. That, and they’ll enjoy it a lot more if they’re not just standing around watching.
The Playmobil website lists their track at 1.75" wide, so it seems like their stuff should work on real track. Has anyone tried this?
Playmobile is g guage and will work on any g track, it even uses the same hook and loop couplers just like LGB if I remember right. The only caviet I can think of is the plastic might be more prone to UV damage so you might not want to leave it out in the sun for long stretches of time. As for cheaper, not from what I’ve seen on eBay. those things go for more the LGB sometimes, but If ya got’em, use’um.
Yes, vsmith is right, Playmobile is compatible with gauge-1 track and LGB’s products. They aren’t that much cheaper; though. If you’re looking for some inexpensive large-scale stuff perhaps try New Bright products. They usually have starter sets out around the holidays.
What about durability? It seems like the Playmobil would be more able to handle young kids’ handling. Or, would a simple LGB setup (like one of the starter sets), be just as or more durable? I don’t own anything yet (except for an old N scale set I had as a kid).
I definitely want the kids involved hands-on. Obviously, they’re not going to beat the heck out of these things, but I can certainly see a few drops every now and then. And fine details may get mangled a bit from little hands. UV damage isn’t a big deal, the trains will be stored inside.
Have been using Playmobil Locos on my garden railway for some years; seems to be fine on ‘Tenmille’ track and pointwork. I use rechargeable batteries rather than track pick-up; the 4 wheeI motor ‘bogies’ are great for scratchbuilding diesel and electric locos’ but am not sure that they are made now ! does anyone have any information about their availability?
I have been using LGB Toytrains with my young children for a few years - and can recommend it as relatively inexpensive, very good quality and tough. The starter sets are a good initial source of LGB track if you are going to use this type of track. My only problem so far was an LGB Bubble-blowing car - if you use this indoors and knock it over, you can create a bit of a mess with the bubble mixture
Hi everyone,
New to this forum. Decided on this topic to start since I have a history in it. My wife and I purchased Playmobil last Christmas for the kids and built a neat basement layout for them. It is horse-shoe shaped and has a bridge to close the loop. Works wonderful for an indoor line.
A little history. The original Playmobil sets came with LGB brass track. A close look at the loco revealed the drive to be LGB also. The underside says Playmobil though. These sets were track powered. Very rugged and dependable. The real nice thing about these was the fact that the tops came off the Loco as well as the passenger cars. This made it very easy for my kids to put people and/or accessories into them. Playmobil offers an exellent lifetime warranty. The sad part is these sets have long since been discontinued. The set we purchased was on clearance at a toy store in town. If you can find one around…grab it. I still see one occaisonally on ebay…but they do not go for cheap. What does that tell you? They are good. As for here in town, the last time I checked, I could still get a new diesel and a new steam loco. On sale also! Think I will grab those. Under 100 Canadian is exellent for a new Large scale loco. The new Playmobil sets are battery operated and come with plastic track. I think someone else mentioned these will operate on Guage 1 track. Anyhow that’s my two cents worth. Have fun at Christmas morning! Incidentally I "tested " our set also as a good dad should. Gave my wife the line about not wanting to see any sad faces on Christmas morning if the train would’nt run. She replied with “Let me try it out also”. Big grin included! We are all big kids at heart right?! That’s why we have BIG toy trains. Take care all. Later eh…Brian.
