Hey guys, My son asked for a few model trains. He's been doing well in school, and I agreed to buy him a few train sets.
I am not familiar with the hobby and did not know how expensive it can get. He asked for a blue comet, an apple green something or other, or a great northern train (an orange and green combination). When looking these trains up I realized they are Lionel tinplate trains made by MTH. Also, I realized buying the blue comet with the passenger cars would be more than 2k, which does not include input controls and the train tracks.
Are there high quality options of these sets that are less expensive? Does the blue comet model come in a set that includes the passenger cars and the tracks? Because even if I were to spend 2500 on the locomotive and the passenger cars, then I would be somewhat stuck on the tracks and the controller to get him.
Any help or any direction at all, would be a hugely appreciated!!
ibsenhenri
Hello & Welcome to the Forum!
A Tin Plate Fanatic already, your son shows good taste... lol...
He has certainly chose some very fine trains to begin the hobby with.
You didn't say whether he is interested in O Gauge or Standard Gauge
trains, there is a price difference.
And then there is the option of a vintage/antique set, a restored set or a reproduction set(MTH).
To be sure, you will want to hunt all the online dealers and auction sites looking for the best prices.
If you do evilbayou, look at the prices of the sold/completed auctions not the auction/asking prices
for a price range that is realistic. The other online forums do have classified ads that you can view
as well as the for sale/trade sub forum on this site.
Track and transformers are readily available, both new and used.
Not certain if this is the model your son was seeking in Apple Green, but if you look at my gallery photo's
there is an antique Lionel set that may be what your son was referring to, or close to it.
If l remember correctly, it was around $100 when l purchased it a few months back.
I hope this is some help to you, if you wish, you can pm me here if I can be of any help.
I do have a combination LGB/Bachmann Great Northern Train in G scale for sale.
Happy Rails!
dave