A Dearth of Train Sets

CRACKED · Joined: 12 Jun 2013 Posts: 159 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk

It may be just in this area, but there seems to be a distinct lack of train sets in the local stores. None in any of the supermarkets or department stores. Only in model shops and the odd specialist toy store.

The cheap battery toy ones are only in B&M and Poundstretcher.
Poundstretcher have two at £5.00 consisting of a diesel outline and two wagons on a simple oval, or a steam loco with a single short carriage. They also have a Deluxe version at £15.00 which offers considerably more play value with a steam loco, two carriages, two tank cars, and two container flats (all bogie vehicles. These may be of interest to some of this group for conversions. It also contains a small station and more track (inc 2 turnouts if the box is correct),

The real point is how many kids are getting into the hobby nowadays?
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Clive

Blackcloud Railways · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 2052 Location: Sandbach UK

The brutal truth is that train sets (proper ones capable of being developed into model railways rather than cheapo plastic toys) are ridiculously expensive.

Better shopping around and getting the bits separately, after all the box is the only bit that makes it a "train set" and usually gets thrown away as soon as the track is pinned onto plywood to make that first step from toy train to model railway... And there's nothing wrong with buying second hand when you're doing that shopping around.
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Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.

ruedetropal · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 12:36 am Post subject:

like much else,online is way people buy stuff. Our local ASDA had a Hornby trainset(basic one) a couple of weeks ago. Assume they must have sold as have not seen any since.
Some may think train sets are expensive, but add up price of items separately and they cost more. Everything to get started is in the box. Also compared to many of the electronic/computer type games they are sometimes not as expensive.
The problem is when you try to find somewheretoset it up. OO layots need space. I have found that yougsters like my shuttle type layouts with train going back and forward, disappearing and reapperaing, and have suggested to parents that all it takes is a shelf with some track on. Easy to set up.
I am sure someone could put together a simple set with a built in timer/reverse unit.
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Simon Dawson
Will try anything once, looking for the ultimate easy to set up portable exhibition layout, preferably French narrow gauge and with lots going on, not necessary on the rails.

http://www.rue-d-etropal.com

alastairq · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 6:04 pm Post subject:

The Poundstretcher sets aren't listed on their website....although the B&M one is.

Anybody any suggestions for other types?

{Maybe useful as cheap fodder for narrow gauge, or other offbeat stuff?]
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My views are my own, and usually reprehensible

ruedetropal · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:37 pm Post subject:

I picked up a couple of the B&M Christmas sets yesterday at half price. I had got some before a while back. My Emett type train I had at Telford when Bob and I had the APA box Gn15 modules is based on the loco chassis.
As they are 32mm gauge they are useful for garden railway models. I wanted the Christmas ones as it had an open coach, with bench seats,possibly to1/32 scale. I can always use the track and other bits as well.

I got the original ones in Poundstretcher but have not seen them there for a while. Some of the smaller sets are odd gauges, possibly 24mm or one inch gauge. I have bought sets off eBay, but it is not always possible to tell how big they are.

Just had a look at Argos catalogue, they do have some Hornby train sets, 2 basic starters ans a Tornado loco one at under £100. None would survive some children, as too fragile.
l also found this which is very similar to the ones I got in Poundstretcher and B&M
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5553617
The B&M ones have more track including single bladed points, and different wagons

Mind you, there is always this one
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/2264387
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Simon Dawson
Will try anything once, looking for the ultimate easy to set up portable exhibition layout, preferably French narrow gauge and with lots going on, not necessary on the rails.

http://www.rue-d-etropal.com