Lionel Trains

Starter sets are a good way to get started with Lionel trains. Starter sets generally have everything you need to begin running a train: engine, cars, track, power source and controller. As often times a starter set is something of a "loss leader" to get customers into the hobby, starter sets are usually an exceptional value with a price less than the sum of their contents if purchased separately. Also, there are often exceptional prices for starter sets on eBay (just watch the shipping charges), so please do take a look at the eBay selections listed below.

Some popular Lionel starter sets are: the Thomas the Tank Engine set, the Polar Express set, and the Pennsylvania Flyer set. Some starter sets also have companion "expansion sets" that can be purchased separately to add era-appropriate and location-appropriate train cars and accessories to your set. If you are up to spend a bit more, the Lionel Acela set provides a very detailed model with lots of sounds -- a very top-notch item.

There are also Lionel sets specifically for the Christmas season -- including some sets designed to go around your Christmas tree.

Lionel O scale trains use a 3-rail track with a solid center rail carrying power to the train. Lionel engines (and lighted passenger cars) pick up power through a metal "shoe" on their under-side that glides along the center rail. Older 3-rail track was not great for running on carpet, unless you had a piece of plywood underneath it. For those that do not have a permanent layout, and set up trains occasionally, it is not always convenient to have to have a large piece of plywood around. The newer FasTrack pieces solve that problem by combining the track with a plastic "road bed" that allows for smooth functioning on most every surface. Lionel Fast Track layouts really make it much more convenient to set up a train for some weekend fun.