My son is beginning to become interested/fascinated with model trains, so I am beginning research into getting him some sets, possibly for Christmas.
I inherited from my grandfather, a Tyco “Diesel Flier” train set (Model# 7304 B:2700).
All the parts are there in the original boxes with the original outer box and all paperwork (as far as I can tell). I would classify inner box as good, outer box as fair. I wouldn’t know how to classify the trains themselves (Though they good to me :).
My question is this:
Do I have my son’s potential college fund here?
I’m OK if not, but I wanted to know before I took it out and let the 4 year old start playing with it.
No. There are a few Tyco collectors out there, but for the most part the Tyco equipment is way too common to be of any value.
Yup that would be an OK plan. Tyco equipment can be poor runners. It might be an exercise in frustration trying to get it to go. Four years old might be a little young for HO equipment.
OR since you said you were looking into things, he might do better off with one of the wooden push type toy trains. I had great fun with a Brio wooden train for years and years even after I had electric trains. If you really want to start him on electric trains, one of the Lionel/Williams/Atlas three rail O-gauge starter sets might be a good place.
If you are really set on HO scale look for one of the sets by Athearn or Atlas Trainman. Do NOT NOT NOT buy a Life-Like set. It gets more confusing with Bachmann and Model Power which each have two different levels. I would avoid the straight label Bachmann and Model Power, but their up-grade products called Bachmann Spectrum and Model Power - Metal (the old Mantua line) would be worth considering. Our local hobby store has a deal (10% off) where one can go in an cobble together their own train set from pieces parts, maybe yours does too.
That set is apparently not that old, relatively speaking. According to the following site, that #7304 set was made circa 1974-1975: http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/trainsets/id14.html. I don’t believe that there is much collector value in plastic HO trains.
Its a great question. Especially with all the antique shows on TV nowadays. But I have to agree Tyco is not worth a whole lot. I was the same way 18 months ago. Dug out my old stuff that was 30 years old. Got the engines running, but had to replace all of the track. The plastic ties were just too brittle after 20 years in an attic. I’m still using some of my original structures. I run my Tyco trains, more or less for sentimental reasons. The new stuff out there now is a whole lot better, smoother, and quieter. As for a 4 year old, thats a tough question. Only you know your child and how he will treat it. My advice if you go with HO is to get a cheap oval set of Bachmann with the EZ track system. First, they are relatively inexpensive. Their entry level engines are a decent quality as far as performance and my kid’s are reliable. Higher priced stuff is a lot more and better detailed. (Does a 4 yr old care about that?) I suggest looking at the EZ track system as a way to get started. When you put the track together, it stays together. It can be set up on carpet, a table, under the bed, etc. It is very reliable. Looks awesome under the Christmas tree. The idea here is not to build an empire, but to spark his attention and curiosity. My parents did the same for me when I was 7. Now I’m 40 and got back into it with my son. Above all, make it fun. A kid’s imagination can turn that circle into an empire.
A train set is certainly not to be seen as an investment, maturing into a fortune over a time span of 15 or so years. Train sets are toys and their sole purpose is to put a bright shine into a boy´s/girl´s eyes on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, some of them don´t even last longer.
If you want to kindle a life-long interest, make sure to get some quality stuff. I am not sure, whether the Tyco sets fall under this category. For a 4-year old, a Lego train set might also be an option.
Ahhh memories. I got started in this hobby when I was probably 4 or 5 and yep it was a Tyco set. Still have most of it and intend to have it all on my layout. I will say the the loco was garbage and adding 20 yrs to it’s age can’t help. But I still have the power pack which works ok for a beginer, especially since a kid is likely to want to run it fast as possible and not bother with slow speed control.
As for collector value, not to anyone else. But to you maybe sentimental value. Would you be ok if when something gets broken?
If you’re ok with it, maybe buy an upgraded loco and run it…
Actually Tyco is a bad word in a lot of Model Railroaders’ minds. They were poorly manufactured and where engineered for the locomotive motor to last only 70 hours. ( 70 hours was the magic number that was used because most parents won’t take them back to the store for a refund when they break down after the 70 hours of runtime.)
Also, as was mentioned, your son is still a bit young for an electric train set. If it were my son, 7 or 8 years old is a good time to purchase his first train set for him. I would also stay away from the “Train Sets.” They are usually poorly manufactured, scantly detailed, and won’t hold up for long. (with the exception of Lionel or the Atlas “Trainman” sets,) you will be better off if you buy it piece by piece. Atlas track is sturdy and fairly priced. Also, by purchasing individual locomotives and rolling stock, you’ll get a lot better quality train layout.
A company called MRC has some nice power packs to run the trains that won’t break the bank if you decide to build your own layout by purchasing each item individually…chuck
A 4 year old is kinda at teh stage of not wanting the wooden pusharound Thomas the Tank enginge and wanting teh Bachmann electric Thomas the tank. IF he is interested in THomas at all.
I YOU are sentimentaly attached to the TYCO set {which I’m afraid isn’t worth much by the way}Then I would not give it to the kid to pay with. I would also seriously consider getting him a good athearn, or Bachmann train set “of his own”. Passing down daddy’s set is something you can do when he gets older and can appreciate it, but for now he might want his own set to play with. Also if he destroys it, you haven’t lost your treasure.
On final thing the tyco has been sitting for years and may need a good tune up or may not work at all. It would be a HUGE disappointment to teh boy if it didn’t work, or work well, or didn’t run for very long.
I was aobut 7-8 when I got my first Marx O27 guage trainat Xmas. Brand new, and I still have it and the box…still have to share it with my brother though!