When choosing a train set you first need to take into account the age of the person you are buying it for. For this reason I have split my advice into children and adults.

With the massive number of entertainment devices in the modern home there are many distractions from pursuing a model railway hobby.

Before you read this advice remember that the right set is not always the set they want nor is it the set I recommend. You should balance what the person wants against what would be more entertaining for them. This is the difficulty of buying presents for others.

Children (under 14)

Well for children the key words are operating interest and ability to expand the railway. With that in mind, I would always get a set that includes at least one point and preferably two. Watching a train go round and round a loop of track (or stopping it and watching it go the other way round and round the loop) gets very boring very quickly. Sidings = interest.

To get the most out of the sidings I would advise you to buy a freight set which has an assortment of different wagons. This allows you to shunt wagons from one siding to another, drop wagons off to be loaded and pick up loaded wagons. With trucks or flat bed wagons your children have the option of loading them with toy cars, solders, lego bricks, etc.

Passenger train sets have limited entertainment value for children (I was a child once). You can leave a carriage or two in the sidings but it's not that exciting or different, particularly when the carriages all look the same and they can't carry a load.

If possible I would also recommend you buy a few track packs and/or extra wagons. Hornby's trakmat system allows you to build a model railway layout step by step. Each packs adds some more track to your layout without you having to figure out which pieces of track to buy. These items can be bought after Christmas if their interest holds. Remember there is no point spending hundreds of pounds/dollars on a model train set if they are going to lose interest in it in only a few weeks.

For this reason I would recommend the following sets:

Hornby "The Rover Set - This is the cheapest Hornby model railway train set and only comes with a small oval of track so I think buying Hornby extension track pack A is a must to get the one point and a siding that I feel is the minimum for an enjoyable layout. I would recommend you buy extension track pack B as well. This set comes with the midimat for use with Hornby's new track and building extension packs.

1. Hornby "Local Freight"

Product Code: R1085

Price: £40.00 RRP Online Price: £36

Production Details: The romance of the railways in Britain was at its best when hundreds of minor cross country lines traversed the country. In those days drivers would have unscheduled stops along the line picking up or dropping of goods as they went from village to village. It is not surprising that these trains were often called the "Local Freight".

Contents:
0-4-0T Locomotive

7 Plank Wagon

6 Plank Wagon

20 Ton Brake Van

Track; Basic Oval (1070mm X 1040)

Wall Mounted Power unit for operation from AC mains 220-240V AC 50Hz

Train Controller

Power Track

Trakmat: Midimat

2. Hornby "Gravel Tipper Freight Set" - This is an older pack which has been reduced in price I assume to clear the stock. It uses the older track mat and packs and comes with track pack A which means you get one point and siding and an accessories pack as standard which includes a signal box. This set has the gravel tipper operational accessories wagon which will tip out gravel when you pull a lever. This train set also comes with 3 other wagons including a flatbed wagon which can be used to carry toy cars and a truck which can also carry a load such as Lego bricks.

This train set has lots of operational interest included and with the reduction in price this train set is a bargain.

2. Hornby "Gravel Tipper Freight Set"

Product Code: R1063

Price: £90.00 RRP Online Price: £63

Production Details: With the inclusion of a gravel tipper wagon in this set there is plenty to keep the hardworking Class 06 diesel shunter busy. An all action freight yard scene can be created as the locomotive hauls the heavy load of mixed freight including the gravel wagon around the track. The locomotive can slowly shunt the loaded gravel wagon alongside the unloading bay and by operation of a lever, the wagon body tips the gravel load into the receiving bin. Once unloaded the gravel wagon body pivots back onto its chassis, ready to be taken back for another load.

Contents:

BR 0-4-0 Diesel Electric Shunter Class 06

Gravel Tipper and Wagon

Ore Wagon

VDA Van

Trackside Accessories

Signal Box

Track: Starter Oval track plus Track Packs A (R8010) (measuring 1640mm x 940mm)

Buffer Stop

Wall Mounted Power unit for operation from AC mains 220-240V AC 50Hz

Train Controller

Power Track

Trakmat (R8011)

3. Bachmann "Coal Traffic Freight Set" - This Bachman set only comes with an oval of track and because of this I would advise you to buy at least Hornby track pack A (track is compatible). This set has two advantages. Firstly this set is the locomotive, which has 6 wheels giving you more traction and and 6 wheels (4 wheel on the loco of the two sets above) to pick up the power from the track reducing the possibility of stalling on points. Secondly the locomotive that comes with this set is a detailed and accurate model of a popular prototype and not just a made up for the bottom end of the market.

3. Bachmann "Coal Traffic Freight Set"

Bachmann Coal Traffic Freight model railway train set - 30-010

Product Code: 30-010

RRP Price: 71.45

Production Details: Consists of 0-6-0 Pannier tank loco, 5-plank wagon, ventilated van, GWR toad brake van, oval of track, mains wall transformer and speed controller.

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Fantasy Model Railway sets

Another option for younger children is a Fantasy set. For young children Thomas the tank engine train set is always a great buy especially if your young ones love the TV program.

Hornby Thomas The tank Engine Train Set

Hornby Thomas The tank Engine model railway train set - R9071

Product Code: R9071

RRP Price: £50.00

Production Details: Thomas & Friends Thomas Set

Contents:
Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive
Annie Coach
Clarabel Coach
R965 Train Controller
Wall Plug Transformer
R602 power Connecting Clip
R9080 TrakMat (new for 2005!)
Track: Oval (requires 1040mm x 1070mm)

The Harry Potter train set is a great choice for slightly older children as it does not look out of place in the real world and can continue to be used if the hobby is taken up seriously into adulthood.

Harry Potter Train Set

Hornby Hogwarts Express Train set

Hornby Harry Potter model railway train set - R1067

Product Code: R1067

Production Details: Hogwarts Express Electric Train Set

Contents:
'Hogwarts Castle' locomotive
'Hogwarts' Express Brake Coach
'Hogwarts' Composite Coach
'Hogsmeade' Station Halt
Wall Plug Transformer
Power Connecting Clip
'Harry Potter' TrakMat
Track: Oval with siding, point and buffer stop

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Recommended Sets For Adults (aged 14+)

Adults are a bit different as they are more likely to appreciate the high level of detail on modern model railway products. For this reason I would recommend a more expensive high quality set. I would still recommend a freight set for interest but this is less important for adults. They can always expand the set at a later time. I would personally advise you to buy a quality historic express train set. Something like the Flying Scotsman or the Orient Express would be good options. These models are often of sufficient detail that they can be displayed as ornaments if the model railway interest fades.

For the reasons above I would recommend the following sets:

1. Hornby Flying Scotsman - This is one of the most popular train sets for Christmas according to the number of emails I received about this. This set comes with 4 realistic coaches and includes track pack A and B meaning you have 2 sidings to enjoy. If you buy the older set the size of the sidings are limited as it uses the older Hornby Trakmat and these coaches will more than fill both of them. The newer set has one longer siding which will hold most of the coaches and comes with the newer trakmat and packs. The older set does have one more brake coach.

You may want to buy at least another track pack (Pack C) to give you another loop of track to run on. If the hobby takes off I would suspect the next purchase will be a freight loco and wagons.

1. Hornby Flying Scotsman (Old)

Hornby Flying Scotsman model railway train set - R1039

Product Code: R1039 (old)

RRP Price: £120.00

Online Price: £84 (clearance price)

Production Details: The famous London to Scotland train is presented here in a top-of-the-range Hornby train set with LNER 4-6-2 locomotive and classic teak coaches, depicting the Flying Scotsman as it ran non-stop from London to Edinburgh in the summer seasons of the 1930s. The prototype locomotive had a corridor link through the tender to the coaches to allow crews to switch over without stopping the train. This set contains the Starter Oval track plus extension Track Packs A and B, providing a layout with two sidings, but you can also add extra Track Packs when you are ready to enlarge the circuit.

Contents: (old version)
LNER 4-6-2 locomotive 'Flying Scotsman' Class A1
Two LNER composite coaches
Two LNER brake composite coaches
Starter Oval track plus Track Packs A and B (R8010 and R8016)(with two points and two buffer stops) (measuring 1640mm x 940mm)
C912 Wall Plug Transformer
R965 Train Controller
R602 Power Connecting Clip
R8011 TrakMat OLD

1. Hornby Flying Scotsman (New)

Product Code: R1072 (New)

RRP Price: £120.00

Online Price: £110

Production Details: The most famous locomotive and train in the World features in this high range Hornby train set. The striking LNER apple green liveried Class A1 Flying Scotsman helps to recreate those wonderful days of train travel in the 1930s when the two great rivals, London North Eastern Railway and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway vied for the lucrative passenger traffic between London and Scotland. Included with this set is the Hornby TrakMat which accommodates with ease the large oval of track and two sidings.The larger of the sidings which sits inside the oval can comfortably handle the full train when operations have finished for the day. By using additional Hornby Track and Accessory Packs a complete layout can be constructed on the 6 x 4 TrakMat.

Contents: (old version)

LNER Class A1 4-6-2 Flying Scotsman locomotive

Two LNER composite coaches

LNER brake coach

Track: 3rd Radius Starter Oval

Track Packs A and B (with two points and two buffer stops)

C990 Wall Plug Transformer

R965 Train Controller

R8206 Power Track

R8217 Hornby NEW TrakMat (1575 x 1143mm)

2. The Premier Boxs Set M/Navy

Hornby The Premier Boxs Set M/Navy model railway train set - R1038

Product Code: R1038

RRP Price: £225.00

Production Details: Inspired by the luxurious rail experience which is the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, this beautifully presented and incredibly complete train set makes a perfect gift for those looking for a creative and rewarding pastime.

Not only does this set have a top-of-the-range locomotive but also three sensational Pullman cars which are complete with extensive detail and table lamps that actually light when the train is in motion. The substantial double track circuit is large enough to allow an additional train to be added at a later date to either the inner or outer oval and it is for this reason that the HM2000 twin controller has also been included so that two trains can be independently controlled while operating on the two separate circuits. And when it comes to planning a larger layout, the Hornby Virtual Railway CD-Rom, also included, will help the user to do just that!

Contents:
BR (SR) Class 8P 4-6-2 'United States Lines' Merchant Navy Class locomotive
Pullman 1st Class Parlour Car 'Cygnus'
Pullman 1st Class Kitchen Car 'Ibis'
Pullman Brake Car 'Minerva'
HM2000 Power Controller
Two ovals of track and crossover (requires 1905mm x 1067mm)
Hornby Virtual Railway CD-Rom

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DC or DCC? What is DCC?

Both DC and DCC refer to the method of powering and controlling the movement of the model locomotive. DC stands for Directional Current. DCC stands for Digital Command Control.

DCC control has almost done away with the need for isolation sections. With DCC you can have a single siding full of locos and only the one you want to move will move.

In the past to run more than one train you needed a second controller and a second loop of track. If you wanted to cross from one loop to the other it involved moving the first train in to an area where it could be isolated for example in a siding before you could move the second train on the first trains loop. If you then wanted to move the first train on to the second trains loop you would have to put the second train in an isolated section and then move the first train out and on to the second loop.

Confused? I know I am

Remembering which switches to move to do this and having enough isolated sections of track big enough to hold both of you trains on one loop of track is very unlikely unless you previously thought of this.

DCC takes away all the complex point work involved with operating more than one train on your model railway layout. You also wont get the problem of crossing the circuits (sort circuits) by changing the points, or accidentally running two trains at the same time because you didn’t isolate one of the trains or you switched the wrong point.

The only problem with DCC is leaning how to use it and the fact that it is very possible to run two train’s head on into each other, but then it wouldn’t be fun without a hint of risk. There is also the problem of modifying old locos to run with DCC and fitting DCC chips to DCC ready locos. It would also be difficult to return non DCC locos that have been modified to run on DCC back to DC control.

The above problems are easy overcome with some time spent learning the control and paying your local model shop to install DCC chips in to any old locos you have. All New DCC sets come with DCC chips fitted to the locos and are the best way of introducing someone to DCC control. If you have never had a model railway set I would probably recommend you go straight for a DDC set if price is not an option.

If you think that DCC is right for you then I would recommend the following DCC Train sets:

1. Hornby GWR Western Pullman DCC Train Set

Hornby GWR Western Pullman DCC Model Railway Train Set - R1077

Product Code: R1077

RRP Price: Due Out Shortly

Production Details: The ultimate in train sets! A Castle Class locomotive, four Pullman cars, a Pannier tank plus wagons, add in the Hornby Digital Select Control Unit and you have more than a set, you have the makings of a really impressive model railway layout! The track configuration will allow the operator, using the Select digital unit, the ability to have the Pullman train running around the looped circuit while the 0-6-0 Pannier locomotive can be busy shunting the wagons around either of the two sidings. Or course, there can also be interaction between the two trains with the locomotives double heading and pulling all the Pullman cars and wagons in one long train. This set includes a new design Hornby TrakMat.

Contents:
GWR Castle Class 'Whittington Castle'
Three Pullman 1st Class Parlour Cars
GWR 0-6-0 Class 2721 Pannier Tank
Ore Wagon
6 Plank Wagon 'Wallace Spiers'
GWR 12ton Vent Van
Track: Starter Oval plus Extension Track Packs A & B (with two points and two buffer stops)
Hornby TrakMat
Hornby Select Digital Control Unit

2. Hornby Pendolino DCC Train Set

Hornby Pendolino DCC Model Railway Train Set - R1076

Product Code: R1076

RRP Price: Due Out Shortly

Production Details: This stunning four car Pendolino set is representative of Virgin Trains' latest 'state of the art' passenger rolling stock. The new Hornby four car model is ready to use straight out of the box. The large oval with two sidings ensures that there is plenty of track for the Pendolino to show off its accurate tilting mechanism especially when the train travels at speed around the bends. Each drive unit has lights that illuminates in the direction of travel but can, using the Hornby Select Unit, be independently switched on or off even when the train is in motion! The set includes a new Hornby TrakMat.

Contents:
Virgin Trains Class 390 Power Car (motorised)
Virgin Trains Class 390 Power Car (non-motorised)
Standard Buffet Coach (non operating pantograph)
Standard Open Coach
Track: Oval of track with two sidings, two points and two buffer stops
Hornby TrakMat
Hornby Select Digital Control Unit

3. Hornby Goods DCC Set

Hornby Goods DCC Model Railway Train Set - R1075

Product Code: R1075

RRP Price: Due Out Shortly

Production Details: You can really see the benefits of Digital Control once this set is assembled. Each of the two locomotives has a decoder factory fitted and are immediately ready for operation. Independent control is guaranteed for each loco even though they may both be on the same track. When the powerful diesel locomotive is coupled to the four wagons included with the set, the Class 08 diesel can then pull them round the circuit just stopping in front of the little 0-6-0 'Jinty'. The 'Jinty' can then be reversed carefully so that it couples to the front of the 08. Then by programming the engines to work in unison the double headed train can move off down the track. The set includes a new design Hornby TrakMat.

Contents:
BR 0-6-0 Diesel Shunter Class 08
BR 0-6-0T Class 3F 'Jinty'
Ore Wagon
6 Plank Wagon 'Wallace Spiers'
BR 12t Vent Van
RMC Tanker
Track: Starter Oval plus Extension Track Pack A (with point and buffer stop)
Hornby TrakMat
Hornby Select Digital Control Unit

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Suggestions

If you have any suggested changes to the model railway sets recommended on this page please email me with your suggestion and comments. This page will be under constant review as new model railway train sets and associated products become available

email: info@newrailwaymodellers.co.uk