Hello! My 4.5 year old wants an electric train that he can control for Christmas. Anyone have any suggestions on a brand or model we could start small with an grow if his interest grows? He has been train obsessed for years, so I think he’s in it for the long haul (is there a long haul train like a long haul truck? If so, pun intended!)
I see the last post about something like this is from 2013, so I thought an update post was warranted.
Thank you!
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Hi there. Did your son show interest in anything in particular?
My two cents worth: At his age, the most common options are Thomas the train and Lego sets. But if your son is an early bloomer, you could consider more realistic train sets in HO or O scale. I don’t think he’s there yet (scale trains) if he’s a typical 4 year old.
Simon
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Hello, Simon! Thanks for your answer! I think he is way beyond the Thomas and Lego sets. I will have to set it up with him, but I think he could do more “real” (his words) trains. Do you have any brands you could recommend or systems that would be compatible with him as he grows?
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Something I think is is important is to find out what prototype things he likes.
I was four when the Freeman Hubbard ‘Great Tales of Railroading’ came out. And I wanted a Santa Fe passenger train!
Didn’t matter that one of the locomotives was a dummy Fleischmann FA, or that the cars were Athearn short. I loved that train, and gleefully took it from an oval ‘under the tree’ to a layout in the basement between Christmases. Find out what might spur that same interest.
There’s also a place for some kind of O scale under the tree, if you have the disposable income. See the various ‘penny trains’ layouts over the year for ideas how to do that right.
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O scale is twice as big as HO (HO stands for half O) and would definitely be the way to go with someone his age. I got my first model train at his age, an O gauge set, it’s still going strong with minimal broken pieces, it was a Lionel Santa Fe Fast Freight set from 2005 (available only that year). My second train I got for my 5th birthday, an assortment of used (but good condition) HO scale items. The locomotive got destroyed within the first year. All of my early HO items are in poor condition now, but that Lionel set, and the others that came after have little to no damage.
If you want some pointers, don’t buy directly from the manufacturer, it’s always more expensive. In terms of what set to buy, I would say one with a 2-8-4 or 4-4-2 steam engine, I can’t vouch for the sets with an 0-8-0 steam engine as I don’t own one, but they always seen to end up broken when I find them used & a child played with it. Lionel does not currently make any realistic sets with a 2-8-4 or 4-4-2 in them, but they are out there, both new and used.
This set would be good, but be mindful of shipping costs if you are anywhere else other that the west coast. Lower price than if buying the same set on eBay. Lionel Boxed Santa Fe Freight train set 1, with track and transformer - The Public Delivery Track
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I’d say that O Gauge is your best bet to begin with–it’s sturdy, forgiving, and easy to use. For new, you would have to shell out a fair chunk of change–Menards has a nice train set for $250 and Lionel has some that are all more expensive, but they have better variety. Oh, by the way, I have one of the 0-8-0s that Yellow_Tank_Car mentioned. If you ask me, it’s a good locomotive but I haven’t had it long enough to say anything about the durability. If you’re cheap (like me), look for used trains. Vintage locomotives, even from the 1950s, can be had for less than $50. However, they are sometimes a bit cantankerous, and require some understanding of basic train repair. It would not be hard to learn said repair, but…
If you move up to trains made in the 1990s, you’re looking at good reliability and still prices in the $80 range per locomotive. You’ll want a locomotive, at least two freight cars, and a caboose, or else a locomotive and some passenger cars. You will also need a transformer (for O Scale, it has to put out alternating current) and at least a basic oval of track. I’d recommend that you immediately buy some turnouts (AKA switch tracks); just running a train in circles gets boring fast. We can go from there with what to choose.
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The logical thing for a Christmas tie-in with a 2-8-4 would be a used Polar Express set. Be aware that a larger curve radius than the track originally bundled with the train would give a better appearance, if you have the space. (Be prepared to make a replacement rear platform for the observation car, as that piece is very easily broken or lost when playing…)
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I was thinking that if he has been obsessed over them, it would probably be brought out more than just at Christmas, yes Lionel offers a few sets with 2-8-4’s or 4-4-2’s but they are Christmas themed or some sort of other theme (e.g. Disney), and the only ones with actual railroads are pulled by 0-8-0’s or diesels, and I would guess a steam loco would be more appealing to him.
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The 2-8-4 could be given something like a Hudson tender and a different paint scheme if he gets tired of the Polar Express story, and the passenger cars could likewise be painted and superdetailed for interest. This of course is presuming the ‘original’ set and not one of the cheaper new versions.
I bought large-radius track in both MTH and FasTrack so that we could operate the MTH Centipedes and PRR consist through the living room along with the Polar Express train.
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Welcome aboard TrainMom!
I have to ask, are there any train or hobby shops in your area? They’re a good place to start looking and asking questions PLUS you get to see the starter sets up close and personal.
If there’s no shops let us know. There are a number of places where you can order sets on-line we can point you towards.
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Kroger’s Maxx Action Train Set might be of interest. Good bang for the buck at around $34.99.
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Check out Lionel’s starter sets with Bluetooth remote control. Like they used to say when I was a child, nothing beats a big, rugged Lionel. I got mine when I was born 
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I would second that or S gauge as well. We had S gauge when we were kids and it was indestructible. And it’s about 1/2 way between O and HO. A nice sized layout will fit on say a ping pong table.
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Here’s the review for the $34.99 Kroger Maxx Action Train Set (about the size of O gauge and this is also available at Dillon’s):
Maxx Action Train Set Review
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I’ll agree with the others on this forum saying that O scale is probably the best for the youngin, but HO still a good starting option. I got my first train set when I was 4 and I want to say it was a LifeLike one with a Santa Fe F7. I still have the locomotive! Doesn’t run because it’s 20 years old and for most of my childhood we had cats, but from my experience HO scale can be quite durable. Bachmann’s train sets aren’t too bad. Decent quality locomotive with a few cars and a caboose, and the track is super easy to set up.
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Hi TrainMom and welcome,
Wondering what your price point is? If you have a local hobby shop, I’d stop by there first. Many shops sell used equipment that would be less expensive.
You might also look at Lionel’s “battery O” line. They use batteries and water for “smoke,” and cost about $125 for a starter set. The equipment can be used with the plastic track that comes with the set, on the floor, or with 3-rail track. Here’s a sample of what I’m referring to (from our store): Lionel® ELF Ready-To-Play Train Set – Trains.com Store
Here’s a product review I did with a Thomas set (not sure if that one is still available): Lionel Thomas and Friends Battery Operated Train set - Trains
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Sounds like a rock solid suggestion to me!
Simon
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Yeah, the battery operated trains (like the example I posted earlier) can certainly be controlled (just in a slightly different way from electric). They’ve come quite a long way.
Considering he’s 4.5, I am guessing he doesn’t need anything expensive. An early train set is more of a tester to see if he wants to move in a more expensive direction later on.
My guess is that in a few years, an electric starter set would be more appropriate.
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A lot depends upon your son. Many four-year-olds are extremely rough on toys, and for kids like that, it’s wiser to hold off for a few years. Others understand right from the beginning that trains have to be handled with care.
In my own case, Santa brought me my Lionel 2026 and three freight cars in 1951, when I was three years old. I still have them all. The 2026 lives today in honored retirement on our coffee table, although it makes a run under our Christmas tree every year. Still looks like new, and runs even better.
I don’t think there is a “one size fits all” answer to your question.
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If you saw my brothers and me you’d define us as rough. That S gauge American Flyer ran and ran and ran. We were about 3 or 4 when we got it.
HO is not for little kids. My dad had HO and it did not stand up well to us clumsy kids. Save HO for middle junior high schoolers.
Can’t speak for O gauge but I recall neighbors having O. It was rugged too.