Best O Gauge Starter Train Set?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I looked through the forum and didn’t find an answer to this, but based on the Newbie index I’m posting the below. If there was a posting about this already, I apologize!

Anyway, I am interested in getting a starter O Gauge set for myself and my kids (3 year old and 5 year old) especially for under the Christmas tree, but maybe more. I would like the best train for the money. I’ve read people bashing and/or loving Lionel and MTH. It’s difficult to know which one is better (or is there another brand that is better, even?). It’s very confusing, too!

A local MTH dealer of course says MTH is the way to go. They do look good, but I don’t know what to look for exactly. At around $350 for a set, I want to make sure I’d be getting the best. Then, I’ve seen ads for similar looking Lionel trains at around $200.

I’d like to get a set for less than $350, but if the $200 Lionel set is junk, then I’d be better spending the extra money on an MTH.

I’d like the bells/whistle sounds and smoke, but can probably live without them, if having them is not worth the effort.

So, I guess it comes down to which brand would give me the best value? Are there other things to consider about them that I’m not thinking about?

Thanks for your help,

Krister

2

The Polar Express is a good starter set - I’m getting that for Tyler’s (my 5 year old) first set. (Ordered that from Grzyboski’s Trains in PA for ~$235.) A couple year’s back I got either the New York Central or Pennsy Flyer starter set (both by Lionel) for my nephews at Xmas.

3

A Lionel set is defenetly the way to go. they are alot cheaper then $300 and are very good quality. You can pay a bit more money and get a set with trainsounds which is a decent sound system.

4

Both companies offer quality entry level sets, I’m not sure how anyone can say one is better than the other. Go with the colors you like and have a great time. I have both companies “beginner” sets and like 'em both, I also have both companies higher end products and they are fine. I do have my preferences but I’ll keep that opinion to myself because it’s only an opinion.

5

I agree with Jonadel as they both have great sets but let me throw a wrench in the mix here as the saying goes Atlas also offers a complete set now and theres also is very fine items. And to confuse you a little more MTH offers starter sets so does Rail king ( a division of MTH) and then so does Lionel and they own the lease to K-Line who also has starter sets and then as I said you have atlas but wait they also own Industrial rail which also offers starter set. So the bottom line is you need to find a place that offers all and look at them and see which appeals to you the most and then read about it on the companies web site then make a decision. I personally feel you may have a MTH bias hobby shop owner or he has a bigger mark up in that set than the Lionel one. You do have hobby shops out there that either won’t carry a brand or will talk up one or the other as they like them better as there was a big like hate going on for a while and still does to a extent. I also won’t really tell you which way to go as I have only owned one brands starter sets but have seen all of them and thought they all looked great.

6

Hi Krister -

If you think there is ANY chance of upgrading to Command (Remote) Control in the future, consider the MTH starter sets…they come DCS ready and smoke like demons! They run fine on Conventional Control. Since you have a Local Hobby Shop (LHS) ask if they will demo Command Control for you.

I believe the Lionel Polar Express is capable of Conventional Control Only and you would have to upgrade them to Command capability. Check out the PE transformer capability against the MTH transformer that comes in the set…again for future expansibility. The Lionel Starter Sets are not known for prolific smoke output.

Please take advantage of your LHS in your case to get familiar with both choices…

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What ever set you get consider the play value. KIds, especially boys, will have more fun with a freight set that has a car or two that’ll carry “stuff”. All passenger trains do are go round and round.

8

Ditto to what Roger and the others have said.

The MTH starter sets are really nice, come with engine sounds bell and whistle. The Lionel starter sets aren’t as well equipped as far as sounds go. But I give the Lionel starter sets a bit of an edge , especially since it is for youngsters, based on the ease of track assembly with Fastrack and the starter set pricing. Some of the docksider sets can be found for less than $200, the loco only has a whistle but they are pretty much bullet proof and have a great play value.

[#welcome]

9

My first 2 sets were lionel starter sets from 95 and 96. The first was an Amtrak passenger set and the second was a Steam frieght set. Although I loved the passenger set, I think the steam frieght would be the best option. You get smoke, whistle (better than horn IMO), more moving parts, and as said by another guy “cars to put things in”. The only exception would be a theme set like polar express or thomas.

As far as brand goes… Ive owned lionel and MTH. Both are good products overall. My opinion would be go with the cheaper set since the quality of both brands starter sets is close. You also have to account for the fact that they may not have interest in the trains after this year or even at all. So, even though MTH is better for upgrades Id go with Lionel.

Plus, “I remember when I got my first Lionel” has a nice sound to it… dont you think?

10

Thank you all very much for your responses. These are some great responses and give me some direction. Trains are much more confusing than I expected. [:)]

Depending on which brand I get, would I be able to mix them at all? In other words, would one set’s trains/tracks work with the other brands’?

Thanks again!

Krister

11

Hi Krister,

I have many of both Lionel and MTH, it’s kind of a Ford/Chevy thing, they both make good products, but MY personal preference, having had both is Lionel. Lionel does include operating cars such as log or coal dumping cars in more of their sets than MTH seems to do. As others have said open cars such as Hoppers, gondolas and flat cars add a lot of play value to a set.

If you do something more permanent, a lot can be done in a small space, and think about using that green indoor/outdoor turf carpeting on the table top, it looks good and is very durable. Tubular track will be much cheaper if you want many switches, but the Fastrack(Lionel sets) or Realtrax (MTH sets) will be a good choice for on the floor under the tree, or for temporary floor layouts year round.

At their young ages go for less expensive buildings like the Plasticville Station, church and house in my pics below. K-Line (by Lionel) also has similar buildings available as well, lots of play value for a reasonable price.

Below are some pics of a Halloween display, I built for my Girl Friend and her Kids, it is built on a 36" hollow core door for the table, with screw on legs and trim molding added.






What ever set you decide on HAVE FUN!!! OH, and let us know, enquiring minds want know!

Merry Christmas to You and your Loved Ones,

12

Different brands of cars will intermix, the new track brands will not. You will need to pick a brand of track and thats it. all brands of trains will run on it. Lionel sets come with FasTrack 036 curves, a good place to start. MTH engines have a rechargeable battery in them and if you let it run down you will have to recharge it before you can run the train. It will recharge while the train runs if has not gotten to weak. I run several brands of trains but I am and have been for many years a lionel man they have been around since 1900.

13

Hi Again,

The trains should all work together, with some exceptions such as running a sound equipped locomotive like an MTH with Proto Sound 2 Diesel with a Lionel Starter set 4-4-2 Steam Locomotive coupled to the front wouldn’t be a great idea, as they would start at different voltages, run at different speeds and would be fighting each other.

To run Lionel or MTH on the other companies track would work just fine. Again the exception would be a matter of whether the track curves are large enough for the equipment you want to run. MOST starter set trains will run on either an O-27 or O-31 minimum curve. MTH Real Trax’s smallest curve is O-31 and Lionel Fastrack’s minimum curve is O-36 so most starter sets trains will run fine on either. O-27 tubular track will cause difficulties with some Locomotives that require O-31 curves. Another example is the Hogwort’s Express set, needs a Minimum O-36 (Which it comes with)

It is best to stick to one type of track, to mix tubular, Fastracks or RealTrax with any of each other you would need adapter pins or track sections. Fastracks and RealTrax work well on the floor. Tubular is much cheaper to build a permanent layout with, if you are going to have much track and many switches.

Yes, there are some things that can get a little confusing at first, but yopu will learn it a lot faster than you might expect. If you ever have any more questions, don’t be shy, there are many out here who will try to answer any questions that you might have.

Have Fun, and Merry Christmas,

Doug

14

You don’t have to worry about “starter set junk” with “O” gauge, like you do with “HO” or “N”. All brands are fine…however, I think the best “starter” track is Lionel FasTrack. The fact that Lionel sets come with it is a plus. It is very easy to connect, disconnect, and store. It also STAYS connected. The plastic base keeps dirt and carpet fibers away from the trains.

15

TODAY, Lionel makes some very good starter sets that include the “basics” like whistles, horns, and/or entry level sound systems.

This was not always the case, up to the late 1990’s, Lionel was still making some entry level starter sets that were beyond cheap.

MTH and K-Line deserve credit for vastly improving the quality and play value of starter sets, and happily Lionel bowed to competitive preasure and vastly improved theirs. That said, you will find some Local Hobby Stores (LHS) that remember Lionel’s not so good days, and thus they became loyal

to MTH.

The biggest plus to MTH starter sets (called R-T-R, as in Ready To Run) are their smoke units

called “proto-smoke”, it does smoke like no body elses. If you can afford a set with Proto-Sounds-2,

they sound effects are impressive.

MTH does make some basic sets that contain a simple air whistle, or horn.

Some hobby stores may even have some K-Line sets left from before K-Line became part of Lionel, and although these sets will not fall under warranty, I have never had any issues with engines from K-Line’s starter sets.

Lionel recently revamped it’s Pennsylvania Flyer set with an all new engine, and reports so far have been good. Many Sears stores have been carrying this set.

Lionel’s Polar Express became a fast hit, but if you want a set that will lead to a year round hobby, you may want to avoid any set with a Christmas time theme.

Ken

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I have bought 4 or 5 starter sets and the one that I think would be the best for you is the Lionel Line Classic Set 6-30070. Charlie has if for $199.

http://www.hobby-search.com/trains.htm

here is a pic of what it comes with

set

The engine smokes the Tender has Trainsounds (it chuffs, rings and talks) and the whole set is just chock full of play value.

I bought mine from Charlie and the tender died. He made it right and in a hurry.

Again YMMV but I was really impressed on the play value of this set

17

Thank you all so much for your insight. Your posts have all been so helpful. Considering all this information, I think I’ll be going with a Lionel and that Lionel Line Classic Set 6-30070 looks perfect.

Thank you all for your input and for the pictures. I’m really glad I found this site and posted my question. This has been a great experience.

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mrtoys.com has the Lionel Classic Freight Train Set for $168.85 and shipping is free in the USA.

Bill

19

I belive this was also the third set Menards was selling and if you can find one left, they were at $149 in my stores…

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Dennis, those sets are still in our local Menards - $169 though.