So, I know squat about trains. I do know that I want to buy a new train specifically to go around the Christmas tree this year (I'm sure a lot of the experienced guys are rolling their eyes about now! :teeth: ). Anyways, I've looked around and it seems that O scale seems to be the way to go for what I am looking to do. Any suggestions on Models or name brand? I want to try and stay away from the "typical" Christmas sets. I'd like to stay nearer the "real" train sets. Any comments or suggestions are really appreciated. Once I find one I like, does anyone have suggestions on purchase point? Has anyone had luck purchasing online sets? If so, where? If that is a bad idea what retail/specialty stores are good? Thanks in advance!
Jay Hawker, You, sir are on slippery ground! You are standing where I was last year at this time. I dug out the G Scale set I had packed away and decided to up grade it in some way before putting it under the tree this year. So, off to Mizells. . . Wow, have trains changed in the past couple of years, one listen to an HO Broadway Limited 4-8-4 QSI sound system and I was hooked, big time. For around the tree, I think G is a great choice, as it is rugged and child tolerant. Aristocraft and Bachmann make inexpensive starter sets. I found 2 rail O gauge to be so darn nice, but it is just so expensive and not nearly as child tolerant as the G, due to the abundant delicate details. If I had it all to do over again, I'd skip the around the tree thing and build a nice Christmas Diorama in HO scale with a trolley or something in it. Good Luck and have lots of fun! Joe Oh, and Merry Christmas!
I purchased Lionel's Polar Bear Express for running around the Xmas tree, not sure if it is still available.
For just going around a tree in a circle, any scale will do depending on children/pet density and proclivity. If you get the "bug", think about space and what you are willing to spend for your new obsession.
I would look at the Bachmann On30 sets or the Lionel sets. Both those are O scale which to most people is the traditional size of train for a xmass tree. Bachmann: that advantage of bachmann is the cheap track expansion and also the potential for expanding into a scale model railroad layout. It is also fairly cheap, and possibly expendable. Here is a link to lionel: http://lionel.com/Products/Findex.cfm
If you want to go G scale, go to Sam's Club and buy their Bachmann Christmas set. It comes with a quality "Annie" 4-6-0 Steamer and tender and 2 nice Christmas coaches. You also get a separate powered trolley in the same scheme. For track, you get 40' which does a circle for the Trolley and a separate oval for the big train and it comes with 2 power packs. A steal at $169 if you like the Christmas theme.
