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Reliability
and local dealer support should be foremost in the mind of anyone buying a
starter set as a gift. Nothing will turn a child away faster than a train set
that won't start, quickly breaks, or is plagued by irritating problems like
track separation or couplers that won't stay closed.
Generally,
today's starter sets run better than those of 20 or 30 years ago, and they
also do a good job re-creating a prototypical look. Locomotives have nice
detailing, and graphics are generally top-of-the-line. In most cases the sets
passably duplicate the real thing in miniature. Still, realism is usually
secondary to reliability and sturdiness in starter sets. That's okay, though
- most children want a train that looks similar to the real thing, but very
few count the number of rivets or vent fans for accuracy.
What do
children like? Toy speed and color for starters. Is the set eye-catching or
are all the cars the same shade of boxcar red? Look for a variety of colorful
cars of differing types. A standard mix including a boxcar, gondola, flatcar,
and caboose should satisfy most children. A few extra separately purchased
cars will serve to enliven train operations even more.
The set needs
play value as well. An adult might be content to just start the train and
watch it circle the layout, but youngsters want action. One reason some
manufacturers avoid passenger train starter sets for kids is that there isn't
all that much you can do with them.
A good
freight set, on the other hand, should have boxcars with opening doors and
flatcars or gondolas with loads that can be removed or replaced. Locomotives
should have headlights, and whistle/horn or smoke units are nice bonuses. A
lighted caboose is a definite plus, too.
Follow-on
purchases
If the train
set is a hit, what should you buy next? Track, switches, buildings, rolling
stock, or extra locomotives? Perhaps an operating accessory. Classic Toy
Trains magazine polled a few dealers around the country and asked what they
would recommend.
Steve Suskin of Eastside Trains in Kirkland, Wash.,
said "I wouldn't recommend a second locomotive for someone just
purchasing a set. I would suggest track, switches, or an accessory. You want
to give them more action!"
George Fleury of 3 Rail Trains in Blaine, Minn.,
agrees that track, switches, and accessories are the first follow-on items
customers should buy. When asked to suggest a postwar Lionel product for that
new layout, George doesn't mince words: "Anybody who would want to
purchase an add-on postwar engine after seeing MTH Rail King or K-Line
locomotives operate have to get out and smell the roses more!"
Jack Sommerfeld of Sommerfeld's
Trains in Butler, Wis., comments "No O gauge train set
is complete without the Lionel no. 3462 Operating Milk Car or the no. 45
Gateman." Jack added that good, used postwar versions of both
accessories could be bought for around $100 each.
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