Reddit mentions: The best toy train sets

I think the most Classic Christmasy basket would be the 12 days of Christmas! Obviously it wouldn't make sense to get 4 calling birds and 5 gold rings, but I do think it'd be really cute to continue with the ascending order theme!

Depending on the charity that you're giving it to, you can theme the items in the basket around that. So lets say if the charity was kids based, you might do something like-

• 1 wubble bubble
  
  
• 2 deluxe art sets
  
  
• 3 Lego monsters
  
  
• 4 egg race play sets
  
  
• 5 adorable dinos
  
  
• 6 pool/bath friends
  
  
• 7 IQ brain games
  
  
• 8 dauber markers
  
  
• 9 jigsaw puzzles
  
  
• 10 bath toy lights
  
  
• 11 superhero activity books
  
  
• 12(0) piece train set
  
  I really put all of my eggs in the same basket with the children's charity, but I do think that the concept is versatile. If this isn't a kids charity and you're able to tell me what it is for, I'd be happy to make a new list to fit! I had a shockingly great time making this one. Now I'm wishing I had a kid to use this idea on!
  
  Not sure of your company's budget, but this ends up being about $275 with shipping-- (to Arizona, may vary) which is up there. But it would be a pretty memorable gift basket!
  

I would honestly recommend going DCC, even on such a small layout. DCC can be easily continued if you expand or build a new larger layout. The based on experience with Lenz, Digitrax, and NCE I would recommend the NCE. I own Lenz personally, and I love it, but it's very expensive and overkill for a small layout. I can't stand Digitrax, I find it cumbersome and annoying. NCE is used by my club, and I've loved it since I joined. I still prefer my Lenz system at home, but NCE is very close to being as good. Not to mention you can get a started set very cheaply. I'm looking at the Power Cab set on Amazon right now for $155.57:
https://www.amazon.com/NCE-Corporation-5240025-Power-Starter/dp/B005M8GRKW

The nice thing is that the PowerCab starter set is very easily expanded by adding boosters, a separate command station, and more handhelds.

EDIT:
Forgot to mention that most systems can be connected to a computer as well, for many purposes. This will allow you to use the very awesome JMRI ( http://jmri.org/ ) software to do a lot with any size layout. JMRI is free and open source. I'm a development contributor who uses it both at home and at the club

Additionally, one of the things that I love about Lenz is the open protocol, which means I can build my own equipment as described in the DCC and Lokmaus sections here:
http://usuaris.tinet.cat/fmco/home_en.htm

Good luck!

Oh, thanks a bunch!

I liked that solution because I can still use the slow cooker as a slow cooker. And the little controller lives inside it when not in use.

I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Digital-STC-1000-Microcomputer-Temperature-Controller/dp/B00EM2Q9VQ. (That's the 220 volt version you'd likely need.)

It's very easy to wire up. You essentially hook one of the wires from an old extension cord to the electric outlet. The other one goes into the controller, for the heating circuit. Then another wire goes from the heating circuit jumper to the outlet.

So what happens is that when the temp probe senses that the temp is half a degree less than what you set it at, it switches on the heater circuit. That completes the loop to the outlet, which energizes and then powers the slow cooker (this is why you want an analog model, one which is either on or off like a light bulb).

Once the probe senses the target temp has been reached, it shuts the heat circuit off. So basically it vacillates between 53 C and 52.5 C (or whatever temp). The ceramic or the slow cooker holds heat very well. And that towel you see on the side was originally "insulation" for the top. But it's not needed.

It's housed in a box that they use for external electrical things like flood lights. I just went to the home improvement place and fodn one that would fit the controller and wires. But I also like that it keeps the outlet fairly high, in case of spills and such.

I've left it running all night, on 72 hour cooks, etc. Perfectly safe.

Total cost, not including the cooker, was around $40. It took perhaps 45 minutes to build and test. The unit also has a cooling circuit, which does the reverse of the heating one, so it's perfectly suitable for use as a meat curing chamber, a beer cooler, etc. You can also use it as a yogurt maker.

It does get attention. I've built three of them so far, and have the parts to build a fourth for a friend.

The one downside is lack of water circulation. But I find with thinner things like steaks it's fine without it. An entire chicken or whatever might need one, though.

I've done steak, fish, pork chops, lamb, shrimp (makes awesome shrimp scampi, just put the butter and garlic right in the bag and then saute for 45 seconds when it's been cooked through in the water bath), scallops, eggs, asparagus, etc. It makes a fucking fantastic scallop, by the way. Exactly, precisely cooked interior, and then you just char the outer bits in a hot pan with a little clarified butter. Some folks use a torch for this even. Best scallops I've ever eaten, including some very expensive ones in restaurants.

Oh, and if you want beef short ribs, you seriously want to sous vide them. Holy balls do they come out superb.

I could gin up some diagrams for you, or do a search for "stc-1000 sous vide controller" and you'll find a bunch of stuff.

Toddler, 1-4 years old, yes wooden trains. For ages 3-4 there are also battery operated push button locomotives and Brio even has locomotives with remotes. Great for playing with them together as well as independant play.

At 2-4 my son loves playing on an old neglected 4x8 HO layout on the floor I found for free and and a bunch of junker locomotives and rolling stock I found for $1 each that he pushes along. Then he also runs my DCC N and HO table layouts with full supervision.

For the holidays, the Lionel sets come out for around the tree. He can push play with an inexpensive set, or we run my nicer sets together powered.

He loves Legos as well as trains, so a Lego train is next.

Where are you looking at used DC locomotives for $50 to $100?

Clubs and train only specialty hobby shops only often have higher end products and don't often carry entry level with low margins or the entry level stuff is often at or higher than MSRP.

You won't find beginner level Bachmann at clubs or many train only specialty hobby shops, however it is great for getting started with a kid. (If looking for sound, skip the EZ App phone control, the sound is from the phone and not the locomotive, and get DCC with sound)

You can find lots of affordable beginner products online. Check out Train World. Lots of beginner to higher end products and lots of items %25 off MSRP or more. Sign up to the email sale list.

Much of these starter sets can also often be found on eBay new for less and even less used.

• HO DC sets starting at $89.
  
• Lionel O guage sets starting at $99.
  
• HO DCC with Sound $199.
  
• Lionel #6-84709 New Haven RS-3 Lionchief Set $199 with Lionchief remote control and Bluetooth.

It's not hard to do!

http://smile.amazon.com/MOTA-Classic-Train-Real-Smoke/dp/B00AEVIG9C?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage It's $43, it's loud, the track has to be perfectly flat (carpet might not work), and it requires some fine precision and a steady pair of hands to get the train on the track just right. Also any child or dog will easily tip it over. That said, it's awesome and reasonably sturdy and totally worth the Christmas effect! It's easy to store in the summer, batteries last a while, and everyone appreciates it.

I would turn off the smoke (too chemically) and the engine sounds.

I hope you get it. Let me know! Merry upcoming Christmas :)

For outside play, our daughter loves her picnic table because she can bring her art stuff outside and paint there. She also has a tee ball set like this one. Bubbles are definitely a favorite, and we have a brick patio so she enjoys drawing with chalk. And, really, she just likes to play pretend. She will set up a beach ball and random toys and pretend she's at the beach with friends... or she'll make a pretend boat out of a box and "sail like Moana" on our lawn, haha.

For inside, my daughter draws, builds train tracks, plays with magnet tiles and Lego, molds play doh, paints, colors, draws on her dry-erase board, uses her play kitchen, plays "picnic" with her lovies, and dances to music.

My son just turned 4 and loves his Brio and other wooden train pieces. He got a bunch of tracks and cars for the sets last year, and this year he got a train table with more pieces and has been loving it. Just so you know, there are some great off-brand wooden tracks and trains on Amazon for super cheap that play nicely with Brio, Thomas, etc. They'll basically work with any of the big name wooden tracks. We have some of them and they work well with our Brio sets. Here are some links (not affiliate stuff or anything).

https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Engines-Collection-Thomas-Chuggington/dp/B00HNAPNE8/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1482876545&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=wooden+train&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AW85YG/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?smid=A1B7M9EQGNCLQA

https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Train-Car-Set-Compatible/dp/B017ABHE64/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1482876545&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=wooden+train&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Orbrium-Toys-Destinations-Chuggington-Imaginarium/dp/B015VMORBE/ref=sr_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1482876545&sr=1-4&keywords=wooden+train

I don't know, I'm not from the UK. But there have to be forums other than eBay, no? The problem with eBay is that it was sucessful and it pushed most other 2nd-hand sites out of the market... Nice, because now you only have to look in 1 place, not nice because everyone's looking at the same place... driving up prices, less chance to win an auction.

Another problem with eBay is that they take quite a bit of money (10%?) on every sale, again driving up prices.

So eBay... I avoid if I can, although I bought a lot there... sometimes you're very lucky (I bought the 33481 Adventure Tunnel for €4 for instance) but most of the time you will be paying more than you'd like :)

But hey, it would look good in the videos! ;)

A good source are toy stores' websites... see what they have. They keep stock around for longer... but even then I'm afraid you won't find any pre-2000 BRIO :) The move to plastic came in 1999 or so, that's 20 years ago.

1. Something Grey We are indeed all mad here.
   
   
2. Something reminiscent of rain. I love the smell of tomato plants after rain.
   
   
3. Something food related that is unusual Carrots were originally purple until the Dutch bred orange ones
   
   
4. Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. For my husband because he is evil and can do Rubix Cubes without much/any thinking involved. This will teach him to be so smug.
   
   
5. A book You should read because it's mad, very clever and very well written, the entire series is so easy to consume.
   
   
6. An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping - ¬_¬ damn you americans and you awesome cheap amazon items.
   
   
7. Something related to cats My playing sounds like a wailing cat
   
   
8. Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it :)
   
   
9. A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. If i have to explain this one to anyone here...
   
   
10. Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. I'll be able to hide away int he deepest woods behind all my defences and grow food to survive no matter what the climate.
    
    
11. Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. I daresay there's nothing I can link for this one as it's not a physical item.
    
    
12. One of those pesky Add-On items Screw you add on items!
    
    
13. The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item I can't imagine the freedom one could gainwith a 3d printer to hand. For myself i could print bits and bobs and crochet hooks and. jeeze what can't you do with a 3d printer? Plus i could pretend i'm in a time dilation in star trek.
    
    
14. Something bigger than a bread box. Hehe
    
    
15. Something smaller than a golf ball
    
    
16. [Something that smells wonderful.](http://www.amazon.co.uk/F1043-
    amp-Golden-Curry-Mild-Hot/dp/B003OMMUKE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=7ROEFRHQDCZ&coliid=I1XPSYGUO07V8E) Best ever
    
    
17. SFW Toy choochoo!
    
    
18. Something that would be helpful for going back to school :)
    
    
19. Something related to your current obsession bwhahaha, it's not for real floristry!
    
    
20. Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it - It's IRN BRU FOR A SODA STREAM!!!! ZOMG!!!! Irn Bru is one of only 3 world wide to unseat Coke Cola as the number 1 drink
    
    ----
    
    Oregan
    
    fear cuts deeper than swords

The base! Sure, here's a quick guide;

So, the material that the rock is made of, is Plaster of Paris (you can find it just about anywhere, but here it is on Amazon). It can seem a little intimidating to start working with, but I promise it's very accessible. That material was shaped with rock molds from Woodland Scenics (this one and this one). Takes something like 30 minutes to do each batch, don't be afraid of failure and remember to spray the mold with Wet Water before putting the plaster in.

Once you have your rocks, you'll need to sand down the flat end, and super glue them to your bases. Next will be to use Vallejo Earth Texture to blend it all together.

Hit with some prime, then paint the rock grey, the dirt brown. Dry brush the whole thing with a light blue, then bring down the whole thing with one wash, I used Agrax Earthshade. Dry brush the dirt brown, then the whole thing light blue again, then the sun facing side of the rocks white. You're done painting!

You might want to put some grass on the dirt, your call, I happened to use these because they're tonally appropriate, though over-sized-- so I cut some up. Then you'll want to spot some Vallejo Snow, or whatever snow you want to use.

I pinned my guys to the rocks, but the the Vallejo Snow also works really well as a method for securing your boys, since it's pretty much just glue.

​

I hope this helps and I'm thrilled you like it!

Here’s the Amazon listing. On the mobile site, it says “Product packaging: Standard Packaging” and “This item’s packaging may indicate what is inside and cannot be hidden.” There is a checkbox for “This is a gift” with a “Learn more?” option which brings up the following :

“Include a packing slip so the recipient knows who it's from.
Hide prices on the packing slip.
Add optional gift wrap.
Include a personalized gift message.
Keep the gift a surprise by concealing items that ship in only the manufacturer's original box”

When ordering from the Amazon app, there is a prominent option on the checkout page that says “Ship in an Amazon box”.

At 18 months - my kid loved:

• wooden puzzles (like Melissa & Doug)
  
• this totally awesome xylephone/pounding thing
  
• he got really into his shape-sorter
  
• we found a used train table that he really loved
  
• balls, balls, balls, balls - throwing, rolling, tossing, chewing, whatever. If it was a ball, he loved it.
  
• board books!!! He loved (still does) us to read to him, but he also really liked any of the touchy-feely books, and lift-the-flap books

I bought the seasonal Christmas train set off Amazon so that I could add the Lego train on it instead.
It has all the parts to support the track. Good luck and enjoy.
I'd put a picture if I knew how to post pictures on this site. seasonal Christmas tree train my Christmas tree train support.

Thomas the Train stuff. It looks like there is a mix of things in your image.

The straight sections with offset connectors look like Trackmaster pieces. Example:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Thomas-Friends-TrackMaster-5-in-1-Track-Builder-Set/37421413

The other track looks like Take N Play parts. Here's the bridge:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042RU070

And a Google image search for the Take N Play stuff.

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.

-------------------

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

------------------

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.

Yes. 6V across a 10 ohm resistor is 3.6 Watts, but due to the internal resistance of the battery itself this will probably be more like 2.5 Watts. If you use a resistor of sufficiently small wattage (.25 Watts, for instance) it will heat up rapidly and may catch fire within a few seconds. Many film resistors can catch fire. It should work with a 9V battery as well.

However, if you want more of a sure deal just use something designed to work the way you want, like a model rocket igniter. But you do not have to make your igniter actually catch fire, as long as it gets hot enough to ignite your firecracker fuse, or whatever. A loop of nichrome wire would be enough to do this.

Memories!! Does anyone know where I can buy the exact same carpet? Want to get it for my lil nephew :)

Edit: Found it! In case someone else wants to travel down memory lane, you can buy the carpet on amazon https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Carpets-City-Life-Carpet/dp/B002R5A0ZQ?th=1

I love it! I've been looking for something like this for my kids' room actually! They would play with one of those rugs like this but I don't like the way they look when they're not in use.

You could get a Christmas train (basically a decoration) for £50~ and set it up around the tree just to test the mood/interest and then expand on it.

But you'll need to know what era/country/scale/railroad company etc he likes to get something specific.

I also saw a Hornby starter set in the middle aisle of Lidl yesterday if you have one near you

First, decide on your scale. HO, N or Z. Then, decide whether you are modelling any particular country. If not, you can pick up for example the Christmas Train packs for quite cheap. That will give you an analogue controller, a loco, and a loop of track. Hornby (OO scale, compatible with HO track), sells their Christmas train pack for 81 euro om Amazon.de...
https://www.amazon.de/Hornby-R1248-Santas-Express-div/dp/B07N8BSFPS/ref=sr_1_2?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&keywords=hornby&qid=1573392910&sr=8-2


All DC analogue locomotives are compatible with each other. Digital (DCC-fitted) locomotives will not run on analogue track. DCC locos expect a fixed high voltage. Analogue locomotives expect variable voltages. Some digital systems will allow you to run a single analogue locomotive along with the other digital locomotives. If you want to play around with digital, again I suggest looking at a DCC starting set. Hornby has one coming in for around 200 pounds...


https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/shop/all-sets/digital-train-sets.html

Used to have one of these - it's pretty much the same thing: http://www.amazon.com/Brooklyn-Peddler-4-Tone-Pinewood-Whistle/dp/B0006O4AK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410233743&sr=8-1

My son is two. This train set is his new favorite thing in the entire universe.

Better invest in some of these because the BLAINE TRAIN IS LEAVING THE STATION

https://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Hobby-Brooklyn-Peddler-Pinewood/dp/B0006O4AK6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1511811463&sr=8-6&keywords=train+whistles

You want something like this. Order it there or check out your local hardware store.

Extra Large Learning Carpets City Life Play Carpet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002R5A0ZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jDR3CbKWS9HKZ

Here is the OG, but there are several different carpets all over amazon! Never too late 😎

110V version

220V verstion

Based on what I'm reading on the links above (I haven't used this product before) they are both rated for up to 10amps at 250V on the circuit they are controlling (your compressor or heater). The difference is the power supply for the controller itself.

If you are using this to control a 110V refrigeration compressor, heater, gas valve, etc, then get the 110V version because otherwise you would have to run a separate 220V circuit to the controller.

If you are using this to control a 220V electric heater (or anything else 220V) then you have a choice: use the 220V version, or run a 110V circuit to the controller, since there is probably a 110V circuit nearby. 220V is only used for large appliances (dryers, central AC systems, etc). Those circuits typically don't leave the basement.

Here you go

Wooden train whistles. Less plastic, more whimsy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006O4AK6/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_H1IMDbBCJXM5X

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Carpets-City-Life-Carpet/dp/B002R5A0ZQ/ref=pd_lpo_21_bs_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=117DYH14Z7XD4TQVGNFJ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002R5A0ZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_FTkZDbZ2Z66WN

FTFY : One used in OP's picture

[FIXED]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002R5A0ZQ/ref=psdcmw_404457011_t3_B072883CSF?th=1&psc=1