Reddit mentions: The best hobby trains & accessories
We found 123 Reddit comments discussing the best hobby trains & accessories. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 79 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Rio Grande Games Carcassonne Big Box 3
- For 2 to 6 players
- Play time of 45 minutes
- Contains the base game, plus the most popular of the expansions: Inns and Cathedrals, Traders and Builders, Princess and Dragon, Abbey and Mayor and Bridges, Castles and Bazaars
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 55.8 Inches |
Length | 39.3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | S2 |
Weight | 4.63 Pounds |
Width | 18.7 Inches |
2. Bachmann Trains - Thoroughbred Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Freight Train Set
- Powered by a F7 Diesel Locomotive with Operating Headlight
- Includes; Open Quad Hopper Car, Gondola Car, and Wide-Vision Caboose
- 47" x 38" Oval of Snap-Fit E-Z Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- HO Scale 1:87
Features:
Specs:
Color | Red |
Height | 19 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 13 Inches |
3. Bachmann Trains - Pacific Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Freight Train Set
- Powered by a 0-6-0 Steam Era Locomotive and Tender with Operating Headlight
- Includes; Gondola Car, Box Car, and Off-Set Cupola Caboose
- 36" Circle of Snap-Fit E-Z Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- HO Scale 1:87
Features:
Specs:
Height | 28 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2018 |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 18 Inches |
4. Bachmann Trains - Santa Fe Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Freight Train Set
- Powered by a EMD FT Diesel Locomotive with Operating Headlight
- Includes; Open Quad Hopper Car, Gondola Car, and Off-Set Cupola Caboose
- 36" Circle of Snap-Fit E-Z Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- HO Scale 1:87
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 28 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Size | 19.50 x 3.00 x 13.25 Inches |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 18 Inches |
5. Bachmann Trains E-Z TRACK ELECTRONIC AUTO-REVERSING SYSTEM - NICKEL SILVER E-Z TRACK With Grey Roadbed - HO Scale
- Set Includes, 4 - straight auto reversing tracks, 4 - radius curve auto reversing tracks, 2 - straight tracks, 2 Hayes bumpers, power pack and variable speed controller
- Trolley Car Not Included ā Sold Separately
- Perfect Solution for Point-to-Point Travel on Your Layout
- Nickel Silver Rail with Gray Roadbed
- HO Scale 1:87
- Set Includes, 4 - straight auto reversing tracks, 4 - radius curve auto reversing tracks, 2 - straight tracks, 2 Hayes bumpers, power pack and veriable speed controller
- Nickel Silver rail with Gray roadbed
- E-Z track system--snaps together, stays together on floors, tables and carpets
- No nails, screws or special tools needed
- Modeled from AAR track engineering dimensions
Features:
Specs:
Height | 3.38 Inches |
Length | 14.63 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 13 Inches |
6. Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer Electric O Gauge Model Train Set w/ Remote and Bluetooth Capability
Set Includes: 0-8-0 locomotive and tender, Three-dome tank car, Boxcar, Caboose, Eight curved O36 FasTrack track sections, one 10ā straight FasTrack Plug-Expand-Play power lock-on section, one FasTrack terminal section, and two 10ā straight FasTrack sections, 54W Wall-Pack Power Supply, LionChie...
Specs:
Color | Various |
Height | 8.5 Inches |
Length | 16.75 Inches |
Number of items | 19 |
Release date | August 2017 |
Size | Complete Set |
Weight | 14 Pounds |
Width | 17.75 Inches |
7. Lionel The Polar Express Electric O Gauge Model Train Set with Remote and Bluetooth Capability
Set Includes: 2-8-4 locomotive and tender, Two coach cars, Observation car, Four articulated movie characters, Eight curved O36 FasTrack track sections, one 10ā straight FasTrack Plug-Expand-Play power lock-on section, one FasTrack terminal section, and two 10ā straight, FasTrack sections, Wall-...
Specs:
Height | 8.5 Inches |
Length | 16.75 Inches |
Number of items | 24 |
Release date | February 2017 |
Size | Complete Set |
Weight | 17 Pounds |
Width | 17.75 Inches |
8. EZLine Simulating Wires Charcoal/Black - Fine
- Elastic Polymer will stretch 700% and go back to original shape
- Authentic Look that goes great with any project
- Fine .010" for N & HO scales
- Heavy .020 for S, O, & G scales
- Available in 5 colors, white, black, green, rope, rust, blue
Features:
Specs:
Weight | 0.011875 Pounds |
9. Bememo 22 Pieces Model Trees 1.18 - 6.29 inch Mixed Model Tree Train Trees Railroad Scenery Diorama Tree Architecture Trees for DIY Scenery Landscape, Natural Green
- Good quality: these mixed sized train trees are made of plastic material, flexible and beautiful, seems real and durable
- Various sizes: this set of model trees are mixed with sizes from 1.18 inch/ 3 cm to 6.29 inch/ 16 cm, suitable for DIY a landscape scenery looked more natural
- Quantity in the package: come with 22 pieces mixed sizes of model trees in natural green, enough quantities of artificial trees for DIY landscape accessories
- Wide application: suit for applying to building model, sand table model, model train tree, toy model, scene layout or landscape decorations, etc.
- Warm notice: it is normal that there may be some debris in the package, please be sure you don't mind before purchase. Item can't use on cakes
Features:
Specs:
Height | 1.181102361 Inches |
Length | 7.87401574 Inches |
Weight | 0.16093745126 Pounds |
Width | 5.118110231 Inches |
10. CMX N Scale Brass Clean Machine Track Cleaner Car
N ScaleSolid brass constructionPrecision machined partsEasy fill designControllable dispensing rate
11. Bachmann Trains - SCENE SCAPES - 5"- 6" PINE TREES (6 per box) - HO Scale
Though suitable for all scales, the most common size/scale is denoted in the parenthesis after the size description5"-6" (HO scale)6 per boxRealistic colorNatural texture
Specs:
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 15 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Width | 7 Inches |
12. Bachmann Trains - Village Streetcar "Christmas" Auto Reversing Set - On30 Scale - Runs on HO Track
Complete Ready To Run Holiday Street Car SetPerfect for Detailed Holiday Village Train Layouts - Compliments Department 56 and Lemax Village BuildingsIncludes; Holiday Decorated Streetcar with Headlights and Lighted Interior,On30 Scale - O Scale Narrow Gauge Model That Runs on HO TrackIncludes Bachm...
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Height | 25 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2019 |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 16 Inches |
13. War World Gaming Large Model Basing Kit ā Wargame Themed Tabletop Layout Terrain Scenery Landscape Model Modelling Figure Diorama Display Material Scaled
- Ideal for any model railway layout, diorama or wargame (, 40k, Age of Sigmar, Necromunda)
- Large Model Basing Kit by War World Gaming
- Quick and easy to apply with our Modelling Glue
- Carefully selected basing materials from our extensive range
- Kit contains a variety of foliage and turf scatter, lichen, forest ground cover, cork, sand and rubber
Features:
Specs:
Color | Standard |
Height | 0 Inches |
Length | 0 Inches |
Number of items | 10 |
Weight | 0.49383546688 Pounds |
Width | 0 Inches |
14. Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Old-Time Passenger Train Set
- Powered by a 2-8-0 Locomotive and Tender with Operating Headlight
- Includes; Open Excursion Car, Old-Time Combine Car, and Old-Time Coach Car
- 47" x 38" Oval of Snap-Fit E-Z Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- HO Scale 1:87
Features:
Specs:
Color | Yellow |
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 47 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2019 |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 38 Inches |
15. Bachmann Trains - Overland Limited Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Freight Train Set
- Powered by a Union Pacific 4-8-4 Steam Era Locomotive and Tender with Operating Smoke and Headlight
- Includes; Grain Car, Three-Dome Tank Car, Flat Car with Logs, Center-Flow Hopper Car, Open Quad Hopper Car, Two Plug Door Box Cars, Wood Stock Car, and Wide-Vision Caboose
- 63" x 45" Oval of Snap-Fit E-Z Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- HO Scale 1:87
- Union Pacific 4-8-4 steam locomotive and tender with operating smoke and headlight
- 8 Freight cars and wide-vision caboose
- 72" x 45" oval of snap-fit E-Z Track
- Power pack and speed controller
- Illustrated instruction manual
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 38 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2017 |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 20 Inches |
16. Bachmann Trains - Chattanooga Ready To Run 155 Piece Electric Train Set - HO Scale
- Complete Ready To Run 155 Piece Freight Train Set
- Powered by a 0-6-0 Steam Era Locomotive and Tender with Operating Smoke and Headlight
- Includes; Plug Door Box Car, Open Quad Hopper Car, Single-Dome Tank Car, Off-Set Cupola Caboose, Suburban Station, Signal Bridge, Miniature Figures, Railroad Signs, Street Signs, and Telephone Poles
- 47" x 38" Oval of Snap-Fit E-Z Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- HO Scale 1:87
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 28 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 7.10108945902 Pounds |
Width | 18 Inches |
17. Bachmann Trains - Spirit Of Christmas Ready To Run Electric Train Set - N Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Holiday Passenger Train Set
- Powered by a 0-6-0 Steam Era Locomotive with Tender
- Includes Holiday Decorated; Old-Time Combine Car, and Two Old-Time Coach Cars
- 34" x 24" Oval of Nickel Silver E-Z Track , Power Pack and Speed Controller
- N Scale 1:160
- Recommended For Ages 14 & Up
- Complete ready to run train set
- Powered by an 0-6-0 steam locomotive and tender
- N Scale
- Includes nickel silver roadbed track
- Great first time set
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 1.5 Inches |
Length | 34 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Width | 24 Inches |
18. Bachmann Trains Thomas with Annie and Clarabel Ready-to-Run Large Scale Train Set
Complete Ready To Run Train SetThomas the Tank Engine with moving eyesAnnie and Clarabel coaches5'4" x 4'3" oval of trackLarge "G" Scale TrainThomas the Tank Engine with moving eyeAnnie and Clarabel coaches5'4" x 4'3" oval of trackPower pack and speed controllerIllustrated instruction manual and DVD...
Specs:
Height | 32 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2021 |
Weight | 4.8 Pounds |
Width | 17 Inches |
19. Kato USA Model Train Products N CB&Q Streak Zephyr UNITRACK Starter Set, Silver
Contains a 4'x3' (1337mm x 677mm) loop of Kato UNITRACK with a re-railing crossing, N scaleIncludes a Kato 12V Power Pack that connects to the Kato UNITRACK loop with easy-to-use plugs for operating your trainsContains a complete CB&Q Silver Streak Zephyr locomotive and car set with one locomotive a...
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 53 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 4 Pounds |
Width | 27 Inches |
20. Bachmann Trains - Night Before Christmas Ready To Run Electric Train Set - Large "G" Scale
- Complete Ready To Run Holiday Train Set
- Powered by a 4-6-0 Steam Era Locomotive with Operating Headlight, Smoke, Speed-Synchronized Sound , and Tender with Coal Load
- Includes; Holiday Decorated Gondola Car, Merry Christmas Bobber Caboose, and Santa Figure
- 5'4" x 4'3" Oval of Steel Alloy Track, Power Pack and Speed Controller
- Large "G" Scale. Requires one 9V battery (sold separately)
Features:
Specs:
Color | Grey |
Height | 32 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2019 |
Size | 8 |
Weight | 2.20462262 Pounds |
Width | 17 Inches |
š Reddit experts on hobby trains & accessories
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where hobby trains & accessories are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
I can't recommend a Bachmann HO Starter Set enough. I got this particular one for my four year old son and truth be told I probably have more fun playing with it. The size is perfect IMO as it looks the part of a model train but won't take up half your basement like an O scale.
The Bachmann EZ track is very easy to assemble/disassemble and we set it up on the carpet in our family room. It's also very easy to build upon. We go to model train shows a few times a year where we buy extra track pieces and train cars for about $40 bucks total. We now have a huge layout with tons of cars.
When my son gets older I've got a crate of O scale trains and track that I'd like to restore. In the meantime though, this Bachmann HO fits the bill perfectly.
Hope this helps.
My girlfriend and I were really introduced to Boardgames with Carcassonne. It is a game that I think plays great with 2 players and can go up to 5. There is a ton of replay value.
Someone also suggested Arkham Horror which if you like horror movies or H.P. Lovecraft it is very fun. I know a lot of people don't like it since it is a lot of dice rolling, but I think it adds to some of the fun to see what is going to happen to your characters and pretty much taking them to hell and back to win, or almost win. Even when you lose you will still have fun.
This is the version of Carcassonne that I have and all the expansions. It is under a new publisher now so the new Big Box isn't worth it. The base came, Traders and Builders, Inns and Cathedrals, Abbey and Mayor, and the Bridges one is great. The Dragon works better with more people since it is a way to "attack" people.
There's this US shop on ebay who makes track cleaning cars by hand. Their design is super simple but it works great. It's not for a thorough cleaning but more for regular cleaning.
https://www.ebay.com/str/espeetcpexcessbaggageshoppe
I bought a car from them, they're nice people and the cleaning car works great! Plus it looks like a normal car so it can sit on your layout without looking weird and out of place.
For a more thorough cleaning there's the CMX cleaning car
It's expensive though but /u/ronstrainsnthings of Ron's Trains N Things reviewed it and said it works great.
EDIT: just saw this was posted 5months ago. Sorry.
Going to a pet store or model train store will get you a lot of cheap terrain that looks reasonably good. If you have some coin to throw around, I may recommend a nicer tree set, like this one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JXW7OK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I've bought a couple packs of those before, and they look frankly fantastic.
My forest boards usually have a mix of nice/expensive trees and cheaper trees to fill up the board. Remember to get some line-of-sight blocking hills and cliffs to, and it's always nice to have a building or two.
For basing I'd recommend styrene sheets. They're cheap, easy to cut (I just use common scissors) and work well with regular model superglue.
Artsy for life
One of my favourite crafts is Warhammer. I've done a conversion from $ which is Ā£15.50? I love painting the models, never really been a fan of the game though. I have a lot of painted models, which I believe to look pretty good, thing is the basing. I've never really tried to do anything to adventurous with the bases, but have always wanted to.
This basing kit along with some PVA Glue would get me off to a great start at having 100% complete looking troops.
I used to have loads of photos of my Warhammer, but cannot really find any at the moment. I found one which is on my website Sorry for the small image.
Although the models are small and fiddly to paint, I just find it so relaxing, and have such a sense of achievement at the end looking at them finished. I can take more photos when I get home if anyone is interested.
For HO, go with a new set with modern EZ track which is much easier to set up for around the tree, it just clicks together and stays together then easy disassembly.
$80 gets you DC analog control no sounds, Bachmann Trains - Santa Fe Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale $80.
If you can increase your budget, $225 gets you DCC digital control and SOUND, Bachmann Trains - Thunder Chief DCC Sound Value Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale.
Could you use Amazon. Im not a steam person so I dont know exactly what your looking for or what "cheap" is for you but I found some if you wanna check them out.
Bachmann Trains - Chattanooga Ready To Run 155 Piece Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000ISI1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IObkDbAAW8W6E
Bachmann Trains - Durango & Silverton Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NHEQWY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yPbkDb778QMPP
Bachmann Trains - Pacific Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RG0LLE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uQbkDbMTKK635
Bachmann Trains - The General Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NUA2RA8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pRbkDbBBZ0K1P
Bachmann Trains - Overland Limited Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006KQGF2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HTbkDbGYCDSFV
Planes look great, but Iād suggest improving the attachment of your antennas. EZLine is fantastic for this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KSDVF4V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XuT7Cb5WEJ1M4
Bachmann sets are good value, especially what you're wanting to do. Here's the one on Amazon I think you were looking at...
https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Spirit-Christmas-Ready-Electric/dp/B0038LJS9C/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bachmann+N+scale+christmas+train+set&qid=1567614521&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Walthers sells everything at list or a little bit less.
​
For the price, it's a good deal. I model HO trains and have plenty of Bachmann engines and freight cars on my layout. No issues!
Good luck!
Very nice for your second. Heres a tip for trees, ive been slowlly learning how to do this. You can make some pretty good trees with some thin wire twisted a few times. Or if you want to buy some pre-made, this is one pack i purchased recently,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8G7S25/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
what ive been doing is chopping off the green on the trees and putting on some glue to the branches and sprinkling some woodlan sceneics fine turf on it for the leaves. also works nice for make shift bushes.
Orgy. Requires no pop cultural knowledge at all and suits as many people as you can fit in the playroom XD
Anyway, we often play this:
http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Grande-Games-435RGG-Carcassonne/dp/B004DZ8WYE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1314322123&sr=8-2
Officially it only works for up to six people but it can be easily expanded to eight players. It's quite an amount of fun, allows strategic planning and can take a few hours to complete.
Thomas & Friends G-Scale to put around the Christmas tree. It's expensive, but hey....kids love watching them.
http://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Thomas-Clarabel-Ready/dp/B001RG0NAS
I bought my nephew the HO scale Bachmann Thomas & Friends set for his 3rd birthday. Everyone thought I was crazy going with HO scale, but he manages to run his set just fine.
I wouldn't mess around with any other brands until your son realizes that scale trains are delicate. The last thing you want is to plop 300 bucks down on an engine and have them play destruction derby with it.
Thank you very much!
I guess at this point I know enough about scales, power source and current to know what to choose from.
Knowing my husband he would prefer steam train.
I had quite a look at what you could buy right here, it's not even nearly as impressive as US/EU options.
While researching myself I found Bachmann/Lionel Trains, they are actually very attractive, electric, H0 and you probably could plug them here with adapter (gonna check) not sure about AC/DC thing yet, have to check too...
Christmas Bachmann one https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Before-Christmas-Electric/dp/B0006MZN7C/ref=sr_1_28?keywords=Bachmann&qid=1573035232&sr=8-28
Penny https://www.amazon.com/Lionel-Pennsylvania-LionChief-Freight-Bluetooth/dp/B01N1A3JS4/ref=sxin__ac_d_rm?ac_md=2-2-bGlvbmVsIHRyYWluIHNldA%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=Bachmann&pd_rd_i=B01N1A3JS4&pd_rd_r=308bf438-5fcf-40a0-ba89-22df7c818209&pd_rd_w=6gcYs&pd_rd_wg=rXUiF&pf_rd_p=ed481207-4bea-4e19-bbad-73ed40fdc292&pf_rd_r=HT2XTHB8V41CFAXFSMWC&psc=1&qid=1573035232
Christmas Lionel https://www.amazon.com/Lionel-Christmas-Express-Scale-Train/dp/B07BDZVT1H/ref=sr_1_97_sspa?keywords=Bachmann&qid=1573035663&sr=8-97-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFWUjVZSlVGOUU4RkQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzNjQ1OTFHTVU5RU1JQzhJSTcmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDE5NzkzNzNKTkk5REJIVlJJNVImd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I'd advise sticking to one of the scales used by model railroaders because it means you'll be able to easily add to it year after year. I also recommend avoiding battery powered trains because they're kinda meh whereas trains powered through the rails typically last longer if cared for. So for scales look into O and HO and decide what you think would look best around your Christmas tree.
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For the traditional O scale train from the likes of Lionel:
here's one for $99.99 but it's a smaller diesel train.
here's a steam version but it's $109.99
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O scale doesn't really come cheap so if you wanted you could opt for the smaller HO scale:
here's a Bachmann set for $85
here's another Bachmann at $92
and another Bachmann at $81
the cheapest Christmas train I could find is from the British company Hornby for $65 this one is OO scale but is compatible with American HO scale as the track gauge (size between rails) is the same. Apparently there's two versions of this and this one is $60.
You should be able to find reviews for all of these products very easily on YouTube.
Princess and Dragon is amazing! I bought my buddy the game then wanted to try all the expansions so I made the original game and 5 of the better expansions (fuck the River), but for anyone looking to get into the game I heavily recommend getting the big box.
Carcassonne is really fun with just 2 players as well. The gf and I play it alot! Check out Carcassonne Big Box for the game and 5(!!!) expansions for just the price of the base game alone in most gaming shops.
Here are links to the train set. There are multiple versions of this.
First of all, the one above is O gauge sized, and is the most popular size and the size of the original Lionel trains that your dad and grandpa played with when they were kids. They are heavy duty and meant more for older kids and adults. There are also multiple add-on cars and accessories to go along with this, including characters from the movie, the boy's house, etc.
From newest to old:
link1
This one is controlled by both the remote and BlueTooth. It also has snow on the roofs. It also has the lettering on the cars in the correct place to match the movie.
link2
Contains only the remote, no snow on roofs, and lettering on the cars not prototypical to what is shown in the movie.
link3
This was the first set released back when the movie was released. It's only controlled by the wired transformer. Does not have any included movie sounds, but you can buy an add-on tender and add-on car to get more of the sounds.
link4G-Gauge version
This is the cheaper version that you see sold at Costco, etc for around $70. This is a true toy for smaller kids and is really designed as a toy.
I found a nice starter kit for you - its on sale!! https://www.amazon.com/Kato-USA-Model-Train-Products/dp/B00FXS4I5C/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=train+starter+kit&qid=1556490659&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Here's some scenery too - https://www.amazon.com/Woodland-Scenics-Landscape-Kit/dp/B00CEHCCK8/ref=sr_1_24?keywords=starter+kit+train&qid=1556490670&s=gateway&sr=8-24
Yes. There are ready-to-go products like https://smile.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Nickel-Reversing-System-Ho/dp/B0038LDLQI, or you can do it yourself with your own sensors.
https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Village-Street-Ready/dp/B000EHH3HC
Kitbash for your pleasure.
This and This
Edit: Look into some bachmann nickel silver HO scale EZ track too.
Looks like that amazon has same price on polar express, what is difference between these two models, other than the price obviously?
Lionel Polar Express Remote Train Set - O-Gauge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BK5MXQ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QjT-BbZ4GAMXQ. $330
Lionel The Polar Express LionChief Train Set with Bluetooth Train Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3D2VTC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nkT-Bb2M8XBVW. $250
I bought Lionel's Pennsylvania Flyer set last year as a black Friday special, believe it was only $180. Fantastic value, and more surprising, the engine is actually damn nice (for its size anyway). It's no Big Boy of course, but it ran around the tree just fine. Hell, for that price you could buy 3 of them and tripple head them, and still have change left over compared to the price of a Big Boy. (Of course, if you want a BB, get that, just realize you're looking at more like $1300 not $300).
If you go used, be careful, Lionel has used that name for decades across multiple sets and price points, so it can be hard to tell them apart.
I assume you know that the base game only plays 3-4 players, so you'll need the 5-6 player expansion first and foremost.
After that, I'd recommend Seafarers, as it fleshes the game out a bit with new tile layouts, boats to go across water, gold tiles that score you a resource of your choice when their number is rolled, a pirate ship (functions as the robber at sea), and objectives ("land on another island to score 1 victory point"). Of course, you'd then need the 5-6 player Seafarers expansion for that too (including the 5-6 base game expansion).
So: Base game ($34) + 5-6 player exp ($16) + Seafarers ($34) + 5-6 expansion for that ($16) = $100 (based on Amazon's prices). That's not exactly cheap (for me at least), so maybe you should just go with the base game + 5-6 player expansion at first?
I'd maybe alternately recommend the highly regarded Carcassonne Big Box, which comes with the base Carcassonne game + 5 expansions for less than $50. You can check out a review here.
What track are you using? Were there any pieces taken from something like this?
Nah, more like a train set, here I'll start you off; this one is only 70$.
You can even get this spiffing conductor's hat for another 10$.
If you're ok with On30 (That's O scale narrow gauge, running on HO gauge track), Bachmann has a trolley set almost identical to that, but specifically Christmas themed:
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=487_672&products_id=5213
I highly recommend shopping around. For whatever reason, Bachmann's equipment tends to retail for lower prices than listed on their site. I often see companies selling their equipment at as much as 50% lower without calling it a sale.
For example, here's Amazon with prices ranging from 100-150:
http://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Village-Street-Ready-/dp/B000EHH3HC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413225292&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Bachmann+Christmas+Streetcar+Set
Most of the photo etch was included in the kit, I only added the outside railings, which was just a Eduard kit: 1/350 Royal Navy railings. The Rigging was done with a product called EZ Line, I used the fine black product.
Amazon has it for $53 shipped if you're in the USA: http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Grande-Games-435RGG-Carcassonne/dp/B004DZ8WYE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1TVYDM1PF5JXD&colid=27SIQOHQROPGF
Thanks re wagon. I canāt claim the trees though. I bought those on Amazon Bememo 22 Pieces Model Trees 3 -... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B8G7S25?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Figured as time poor terraniac newbie Iād do that before spending time to make my own with sea foam, wire and clay.
https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Thoroughbred-Ready--Scale/dp/B001RG7LDU/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1468465621&sr=8-13&keywords=train+set this is cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EHH3HC?pc_redir=1405363191&robot_redir=1
This is the set I was talking about. Anything similar to it in HO?
https://www.amazon.com/Kato-USA-Model-Train-Products/dp/B00FXS4I5C