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What train set should I buy for Christmas?
Choosing the right train set
(click
here to discuss this article)
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, soldiers, 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 only a few weeks.
For this reason I would recommend the following
sets:
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1.
Hornby "Devon Flyer"
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Product Code:
R1121
Price:
£59.99 RRP Online Price:
£58
Production Details:
The romance of the railways in Britain was at its best
when hundreds of minor cross country lines traversed the
counties of Britain. In those days drivers on these
rural routes such as those found in Devon would
encounter unscheduled stops along the line picking up or
dropping of goods as they went from village to village.
These trains were often subjects of local humour and
given nicknames similar to the Devon Flyer!
This set includes a Hornby Midi TrakMat
and an oval of track which can be enlarged to a simple
but effective layout with the addition of Hornby Track
and Accessory Packs.
Contents:
Blue Dimond 0-4-0T Locomotive, Two assorted open wagons
(may vary from those illistrated), 20 Ton Brake Van,
Track; Basic Oval (1178mm X 1010mm), Wall Mounted Power
unit for operation from AC mains 220-240V AC 50Hz, Train
Controller, Power Track, Trakmat: Midimat (1600mm X
1280mm) |
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2.
Hornby "Goods Master Diesel Freight"
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Product Code:
R1070
Price:
£79.99 RRP Online Price:
£74
Production Details:
This excellent starter set boasts a feisty little
shunting locomotive which is more than capable of moving
the assortment of wagons around the oval of track
included with this set. The locomotive is based on a
Class 06 locomotive which saw most of is working life in
the shunting yards of Scotland. This set also includes a
Hornby Midi TrakMat plus an oval of track and with the
addition of Hornby Track and Accessory Packs, can be
enlarged to a simple layout with two ovals and two
sidings.
Contents: BR 0-4-0 Class 06
Diesel Electric Shunter, Three assorted open wagons (may
vary from those illustrated), Brake van, Track; Basic
Oval (1178mm X 1010mm), Wall Mounted Power unit for
operation from AC mains 220-240V AC 50Hz, Train
Controller, Power Track, Trakmat: Midimat (1600mm X
1280mm) |
[back to the top]
Fantasy Model Railway Sets
For younger children a Fantasy set is a great way
into this hobby. The set to buy this year is the Disney Pixar
Toy Story 3 train set which features the train from the very
popular toy story 3 movie.
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Hornby Toy Story 3 Train Set
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Product
Code:
R1149
RRP Price:
£69.99
Online
Price:
£64.99
Production Details:
This Toy Story 3 train set sees Woody and Buzz
riding on top of the train in this adventure filled set. Based on the Disney Toy
Story 3 film. The set includes a Western style
locomotive, 3 carriages and a desert scene track mat
measuring approximately 1150 mm x 820mm.
Set also includes a controller and
wall mounted transformer. |
Thomas the tank engine train set is always a great buy
especially if your young ones love the TV programs.
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Hornby Thomas The tank Engine Train Set
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Product
Code:
R9260
RRP Price:
£109.99
Online Price:
£99.50
Production Details:
Thomas the Tank Engine Locomotive
(Weathered), Annie and Clarabel Coach, Open Wagon with brick load, Blue Open
Wagon with plans load, Open Wagon, R965 Train Controller, C990 Wall Plug
Transformer, Oval of Track with siding, point and buffer stop. |
Boys should enjoy
playing with the codename strike force train set. It combines
the fun of a train set with playing with soldiers.
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Hornby Codename Strike Force Train Set
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Product
Code:
R1147
RRP Price:
£89.99
Online Price:
£86
Production Details:
Its the
Good Guys versus the Bad Guys in this all action train set. Who is Good and who
is Bad - only you can decide! The camoflaged train must travel around the track
circuit carrying much needed supplies to the troops. The BattleMat included
allows for the track circuit to be extended using the Hornby Track Packs,
providing plenty of scope for an all action railway layout.
Contents: TrackMat
1600mm x 1280mm, Starter Oval + Track Pack A |
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
Royal Scot 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. This
set comes with 4 LNER teak coaches and includes track pack A and
B which gives you two sidings to enjoy. The newest version of
this set has uses the new track packs and building packs. The
track packs that are included in this set gives you one long
siding which will hold most of the coaches and comes.
You may want to buy at least another track pack
(track 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.
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1.
Hornby Flying Scotsman
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Product
Code:
R1072
RRP Price:
£139.99
Online Price:
£136
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:
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 TrakMat
(1575 x 1143mm)
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2.
Virgin Trains Pendolino Train Set
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Product Code:
R1134
RRP Price:
£129.99 Online
Price:
£120
Production Details:
Virgin Pendolino Train Set
(DCC Ready). 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 one siding 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. The set includes
a new Hornby MidiMat which allows for the staged
expansion of your layout.
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 one siding, one point and one buffer stop, Hornby
MidiMat,
C990 Wall Plug Transformer, R965 Train
Controller, R8206 Power Track |
[back to the top]
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:
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1.
Hornby Mixed Goods DCC Set
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Product Code:
R1126
RRP Price:
£149
Online Price:
£140
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
BR 0-6-0 J83'.
The BR 0-6-0 J83
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 Class 08 Diesel, BR 0-6-0 J83
Steam Locomotive, BR Ore Wagon, 7 Plank Open Wagon, BR
12 Ton Vent Wagon, Tank Wagon, Oval of Track With Single
Siding (track pack A), DCC Select Unit Controller and
Transformer
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2.
Hornby
East Coast Pullman DCC Train Set
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Product Code:
R1097
RRP Price:
£274.99
Online Price:
£270
Production Details:
The ultimate in train sets!
A LNER B/12 Class locomotive, 3 Pullman coaches, a J52
Class Locomotive plus wagons, add in the Hornby Digital
Select Control 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
J52 locomotive can be busy shunting the wagons around
either of the two sidings. Of 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.
Contents:
LNER B12 Class locomotive,
Two Pullman 1st Class Parlour Cars, One Pullman Parlour
Brake Car, LNER 0-6-0 Class J52 locomotive, Tanker
Wagon, 7 plank wagon, LNER 12 ton Vent Van. (wagons may
vary from those illustrated) |
[back
to the top]
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
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