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!!