I've been wanting to put up a model train set for the Christmas tree and I figured you guys would know everything I need to know. A quick search revealed some information but not all. If I wanted to spend up to $100 for a set that will last a long time and do laps around my Christmas tree....what do I want?
I think we did this last year...
I searched and couldn't find anything. Got a link?
This is all I could find and it doesn't seem like anything was really answered.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/another-model-train-thread-recommend-a-set-for-aro/42791/page1/
Check Lionel's website today for Cyber Monday deals. You may be able to find an small set for around $100.
I grew up with Lionel trains beneath the Christmas tree and they are well suited to do so.
How old are your kids? As a general rule, the smaller the kids, the bigger the scale you need.
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Check Lionel's website today for Cyber Monday deals. You may be able to find an small set for around $100. I grew up with Lionel trains beneath the Christmas tree and they are well suited to do so.
Probably need to spend closer to 200. Beware the Lionel-branded stuff in G-gauge, or anything battery-powered. It will be cheap plastic junk.
I vote for a Lionel O-gauge set, just like Grandpa used to run!
Oh man. I am going to have to set up my late 40's Lionel soon. I had it serviced over the spring and it runs like new. (or so I'm told by my dad) I just need more space for a good layout. 
No kids, just thought it would be fun to have. So avoid G Gauge? I assume that is a size?
In reply to Enyar:
G-Gauge is a size, you don't have to avoid it, jus the Lionel G-gauge stuff is battery operated.
In reply to 1988RedT2:
Yeah it will probably be closer to $200 for a cheap Lionel set. I forget how much that stuff cost nowadays.
Enyar wrote: No kids, just thought it would be fun to have. So avoid G Gauge? I assume that is a size?
Nice G-gauge stuff is awesome. It's the size that some people use to make a layout outside around their garden. You can find battery-powered G-gauge plastic stuff for cheap, but they're toys. The real G-gauge stuff is super expensive.
The one I previously posted at the bottom is G gauge and electric. Not the highest quality Bachman, but for a couple of weeks around Christmas, it'll be fine
I would try and get a Lionel starter set. I've seen one advertised at about $150 with the track and transformer Just try not to get carried away. I started with a 3x5 oval when I got married.
Look for a Bachmann On30 narrow gauge set. O scale train, runs on HO sized track and handles tight turns much better. They actually began selling it to go with some miniature Christmas village buildings and whatnot but it's since become immensely popular in the model train world. It's the difference between model trains and toy trains (which is what lower priced Lionel junk is). 
If you look around you can probably find one in a less tacky paint scheme. These run super well, the track is reliable and when you decide to make a real layout and/or do some modeling you won't have to replace them because they are toys.
This guy is a personal friend and will help you out. Though he doesn't stock train sets, he can probably get one and should be price competitive since he's a one man operation. John Weigel's Peterboro Railroad
Don't discount noise. O gauge trains tend to make the most noise. HO the least, G gauge tends to be low as well.
HO is small and tends to disapear under the tree. It also doesn't like the trash that tends to live on the floor. Quite quiet
O gauge can be seen, and survives the trash just fine. Noisy though, hard to talk when it's running.
G gauge is big enouth to be easily seen. The cheap sets come on plastic track which is nearly silent. Also ignores the trash on the floor (battery powered ones a bit less so).
Think also of kids. If they see your train, they're going to dive for it. Kids are rough on Christmas trains.
foxtrapper wrote: Don't discount noise. O gauge trains tend to make the most noise.
I was frankly surprised at just how loud the Lionel O-gauge trains really are.
+1 for Bachmann On30, particularly if you like steam-era locomotives and/or narrow gauge. I think they make a version in Denver & Rio Grande/Durango & Silverton colors that is less garish. Plus, Bachmann make an On30 version of Rio Grande Southern Motor No. 1, AKA Galloping Goose 1, scaled from the re-creation we built here in Ridgway, Colorado at the Ridgway Railorad Museum.
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