Does any-one know anything about model railways?

[oscar]

My brothers 5 yr old little boy has asked me for a train for Christmas.
I have looked at some Hornby sets that start at around £150.
This little boy is extemely precious to me and I have always bought him gifts that he can keep throughout his life to pass on. I want to get him a model railway set but apart from the Hornby's, I don't know where to start. I don't know what I should be looking out for and what they should Include.
I bought him one when he was 3 yrs old that he has grown out of and he is fascinated by the real thing in railway museums.
I'm willing to spend up to £400 so does anyone know about these things? I don't want to buy the wrong type or model.
Help would be much appreciated. I can go on the web but I really don't know know what I'm looking for. I'd like to get him a set that other family can add to on birthday's etc.
Thanks,
Oscar.

[dubs]

My brothers 5 yr old little boy has asked me for a train for Christmas.
I have looked at some Hornby sets that start at around £150.
This little boy is extemely precious to me and I have always bought him gifts that he can keep throughout his life to pass on. I want to get him a model railway set but apart from the Hornby's, I don't know where to start. I don't know what I should be looking out for and what they should Include.
I bought him one when he was 3 yrs old that he has grown out of and he is fascinated by the real thing in railway museums.
I'm willing to spend up to £400 so does anyone know about these things? I don't want to buy the wrong type or model.
Help would be much appreciated. I can go on the web but I really don't know know what I'm looking for. I'd like to get him a set that other family can add to on birthday's etc.
Thanks,
Oscar.

With Hornbys you get a complete set, depending on what you want to spend. Also you can add to them. Other makers tend to sell individual items, engines rolling stock etc seperately, which can end up a dear game..Check this out, see if you see anything....

What Model Railway Train Set Should I Buy?

[oscar]

With Hornbys you get a complete set, depending on what you want to spend. Also you can add to them. Other makers tend to sell individual items, engines rolling stock etc seperately, which can end up a dear game..Check this out, see if you see anything....

What Model Railway Train Set Should I Buy?

Thanks mate... that's a great help. I will look at that in detail.

So you think the Hornby is the best? I looked at one set that was £150 upwards and seemed to have all the basics.

[dubs]

Thanks mate... that's a great help. I will look at that in detail.

So you think the Hornby is the best? I looked at one set that was £150 upwards and seemed to have all the basics.

I only really skimmed that site, but they seem to do them by age, so that a young un can get a basic set, see if they don't get bored with it and can then be added to with extra track, locomotives, freight trucks( they recommend freight for little uns cos they can put lego and stuff in...Passenger carriages, bit boring). The basics start around 40-50 quid I think, but you say he's already showing interest, so maybe one of the bigger, more interesting set would be better!

[oscar]

I only really skimmed that site, but they seem to do them by age, so that a young un can get a basic set, see if they don't get bored with it and can then be added to with extra track, locomotives, freight trucks( they recommend freight for little uns cos they can put lego and stuff in...Passenger carriages, bit boring). The basics start around 40-50 quid I think, but you say he's already showing interest, so maybe one of the bigger, more interesting set would be better!

Thanks... Yep, he's extremely advanced for his age and a babyish set would bore him very quickly. He's technical minded and I want something that will keep him Interested for a few years. He's asking Daddy when they can next go to the trains all the time so i'm sure this is not a fad. As I said, he showed an interest at 3 yrs old and I got him a young set which he loved but he wants the real thing now. Your right about the frieght trucks. His baby one, he loved to put his farm animals in them.

[oscar]

With Hornbys you get a complete set, depending on what you want to spend. Also you can add to them. Other makers tend to sell individual items, engines rolling stock etc seperately, which can end up a dear game..Check this out, see if you see anything....

What Model Railway Train Set Should I Buy?

Thanks for all your help Dubs. I went with the Hornby in the end as like you said, other family can add to the stock at a later date. There is quite a bit of rolling stock with the set which he'll enjoy sending his farm animals off to market in. ( I must have a word with that boy).
I hope to get a pic of his face when he opens his present at Christmas.

[spot]

What gauge did you end up choosing for him?

[oscar]

What gauge did you end up choosing for him?

00 Guage

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)

Thats the basic set, then there are extra's.

[spot]

I overtook the Flying Scotsman once, passing the Watford Gap. It was on a colossal flatbed heading south after a major service in York. It was a startling moment.

[oscar]

I overtook the Flying Scotsman once, passing the Watford Gap. It was on a colossal flatbed heading south after a major service in York. It was a startling moment.

I've never had the pleasure myself. Do you think he will like this set?