Best Hobby Train Sets
announcement of the Polar Express conductor, you'll also get a brand new "Tickets Please" announcement that's only available in the LionChief remote control version of the train set. All tracks must be connected properly in order for the engine to have power, the engine must also be on the tracks properly to complete the circuit.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We'll start at the front of the train: The mighty Berkshire engine is almost exactly the same, with some exceptions: There are no longer separate hand rails adorning the sides of the tank. The third difference, and this is big, is the previous model used a very simple metal bracket to "couple" the tender, which I never liked. This model uses a new over/under coupler (quick connect drawbar) that's heavy plastic with copper diodes inside. The diodes are responsible for sending sound commands from the engine to the tender and also syncing the chuffing noises with the speed of the locomotive. The old engine was hit or miss - most of the time the train had to warm up by going at least half speed around the track for a few minutes before there was any smoke. This is Lionel's "RailSounds" module, as opposed to the less feature rich "TrainSounds" or "SteamSounds". There are silhouettes in the windows that adhere to the book and movie - children lining one car, forgotten toys in one, and the last has one lonely child near the back. I feel like this piece could easily break, so I used a line of super glue to keep the deck permanently attached. I've even seen video of multiple LionChief trains running on the same track with a single power supply. (Tip: If you plan to put this around the Christmas tree, I recommend ordering additional track. You can't simply pick up a replacement and set the frequency to match the engine. The control knob moves to neutral, forward, and reverse and there are three buttons for the bell, whistle, and announcements/chatter. If chuffing is turned on, you'll hear slow chuffs and steam noises and some chatter after a little while in neutral. The lack of transformer makes it ideal for remote control around a Christmas tree. Also in the set you will receive 4 plastic movie figurines (Conductor, Engineer, Fireman, and the main character), smoke fluid, and a commemorative jingle bell as depicted in the movie (I guess it makes a nice ornament). One Final Note: Lionel is releasing a LionChief Plus series in 2014 that will have upgraded features such as a toggle for use with a traditional transformer and automatic decoupling. As of now, they have not announced if they plan to release a Polar Express model with LionChief Plus. But, that requires opening the transformer to full throttle and using the remote to control the movement of the engine. My advice to anyone who wants the option of remote or transformer would be to wait for the LionChief Plus line to be release."
"Judging from the negative feedbacks they probably don’t know this is an issue or they would address it rather than have a bunch of train set returned. Another issue is the track snaps together but will loosen from the weight of the train when used over carpeting. Overall I like the train and would have given it 5 stars if I didn’t have to go through all this aggravation to fix the issues."
"Love this train for our Christmas village display."
"The whole train looks realistic and it is so easy and smooth in its operation. The train whistle is hard to hear as well as the Tom Hanks quotes when the train is moving pretty fast."
"It’s not model railroader grade but for the average guy like me it’s perfect."
"As it just so happens our family rode on the Polar Express last week and I'd been eyeing this train for my kids for months. My son, who has Asperger Syndrome, lay on the floor playing with the train and watching it go around."
Lionel - Pennsylvania Flyer LionChief Remote Control Steam Set. 3 dome Tank Car.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There is a ton to like about this train set from the substantial die-cast locomotive model to the remote control system, unfortunately poor execution of the audio electronics is a major negative in this set. The two "automatic" effects are a "standing still" clanging/steaming effect (always on when the track has power and the train is still), and an "in motion" chuff sound that simulates the way a steam locomotive sounds in motion. It would be ideal if you could also disable the standing-still sounds (or if they shut themselves off after 60 seconds) because short of powering off the track you cannot silence the train when it's not moving and the track has power, a frequent complaint from the earlier Thomas the Train remote control O-gauge sets with the same audio effect functions. Everything else about the train set is actually really nice and makes it great for a beginner, the complete failure from poor solder joints to noisy electronics playing poor samples in the Railsounds RC system is an unfortunate flaw specific to the Lionel 2013 LionChief steam locomotives with tenders (the Thomas/Percy and diesel locos like the Santa Fe Scout do not have the same issues)."
"Train runs great."
"The train is set up and I'll just do with out the lighted caboose."
"The sound is intermittent unless I fidget with the connection between the tinder cart and the engine."
"This is my first train set, I just love it."
"Awesome train set."
"Wonderful what can you say about a train set."
"Only ding I'd give it is that the remote frequently looses contact with the locomotive, at which point you have to turn it off and back on to reset."
• Includes signal bridge, 36 people figures, 24 telephone poles and 48 railroad and street signs. This ready-to-run train set includes: EMD GP40 diesel locomotive with operating headlight, open quad hopper car, gondola car, steel reefer car, off-center caboose, 47" x 38" oval of snap-fit E-Z Track, including 12 pieces curved track, 1 piece straight track, and 1 plug-in terminal rerailer, signal bridge, 36 miniature people, 24 telephone poles, 48 railroad and street signs, power pack and speed controller. Powered by a EMD GP40 diesel locomotive with operating headlight.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Some cheaper sets have such light-weight cars that keeping them on the track becomes difficult. A serious model railroader may not be satisfied with the weight of the cars or quality of wheels and axels, but they are just fine for this starter set, and most people will be satisfied. The engine and cars are fitted with EZ-couplers that work very well. Please note that you must couple the cars on the two pieces of straight-track provided in the kit. If you are new to HO-scale trains, you MUST USE THE RERAILER to get each of the cars - including the engine - on the track. You do this by placing the engine or car on top of the rerailer section, and then moving the engine or car back and forth completely over the rerailer section, which ALIGNS THE WHEELS FOR YOU. If you cannot easily see that the track sections are connected correctly, just run your fingers back and forth over the connected sections (turn power off prior to doing this). The back of the box displays several track layouts that are NOT POSSIBLE, unless you buy extra pieces of track. The road, rail, and other signs are easily snapped off their plastic piping, but also require some filing of excess flash before they can stand up straight. You might be able to use plastic model enamel paint to give the signs a more realistic color, as they are all black lettering on yellow signs, poles, and pedestals. The little extras - telephone poles, signs, people, and signal bridge - are a very nice touch and can provide the basis for a great starter-layout. I would give the set two thumbs up, but my wife broke one of my thumbs for using her nail file to trim the flash off the signal bridge kit. Pros -. Good-looking black and orange engine. Engine has headlights that grow brighter with increased speed. Engine has taillights that grow brighter with increased speed. Lots of brown, telephone poles with slim pedestals that allow easy tacking/nailing down to board (no wires for poles). Lots of pink, HO-scale people figurines. Lots of yellow, HO-scale road, rail, and other signs. Power pack and wiring seem to be of high quality. Speed controller feels substantial and of high quality and works very well. A detailed HO Scale Signal Bridge Kit (can be purchased separately for about $13.00). Cons -. Rerailer track section causes train to rise up slightly (section is bowed upward a little) which can cause decoupling of the engine from the cars (does not happen often). Engine makes no sound (whistle or horn). Engine makes no simulated exhaust or steam. Box car has no slighting doors, but is nice-looking. EZ-track bed looks a little fake, and may not please every eye. All signs have yellow poles and sign-boards with black print (e.g. stop signs are yellow and black, not red and white). People figures are all pink - arms, hands, faces, legs, clothing (uncertain if they can be painted with enamel paints used for plastic models). People figures cannot easily be broken off their plastic piping, you must use nippers (i.e. wire cutters)."
"We put it into the oval shape in the living room and were able to transport it upstairs to my son's room without it breaking."
"The train and track seem to be good quality."
"What a great starter set!"
"Just what I wanted and expected."
"Just make sure track fits together without any of the rails connections ticking up and train should run fine."
"This is a train is terribly made."
"I tried a single car and it would not stay on the track, I returned the item."
Best Hobby Train Cars
Our classic toys are not only tested by the small fry - we’ve ensured each toy meets or exceeds ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standards, because the safety of our toys is as important to us as it is to you. Quality is also of the utmost importance - we like to think our toys won’t just entertain one child, but will be passed down to siblings or friends as they grow, which is why every toy we sell comes with a 5 Year Cubbie Lee Toy Company Warranty. 30 piece train set, including track, bridge, three part train, cars, policeman and scenery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The only complaint is the bridge/tunnel, just barely does it fit the trains from the set under it but def not the brio trains he also got for xmas don't fit!"
"The toy was delivered in a timely manner and enjoyed be my grandchildren."
"The tracks all fit together, tho not the highest quality on the market, it is perfect for a young child that may not yet treat their toys with care."
"Nice small train set, pretty durable for being made mostly of wood."
"Purchased for a very smart two year old."
"Nice train set but the track connections are not very tight leaving gaps when the battery powered trains ride on it causing the trains to veer off the track."
"Great first train set."
"Great product, was a big hit with grandson he plays with it everyday."
Best Hobby Train Accessories
Dimensions: Length: 10" each. Two terminal sections under each piece of straight track for transformer and/or accessory power connections no Lockons required.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We bought my train crazy 5 year old his first o gauge “big boy” train for Christmas this year (Pennsylvania Flyer Lion chief) and I ordered this set of track to go along with it."
"We had our train under the Christmas tree and continued to find cracked segments of track which made the train stall."
"Easy to connect and works great."
"as described and works well as long as you wipe down/clean the rails before using,"
"Arrived quickly and in perfect condition."
"These are sturdy tracks and work well with my Lionel Santa Fe train set."
"Had to get some extra track for our train set, these work wonderfully."
"good product made my Polar Express alonger and grandkids love it."
Best Hobby Train Power & Control Supplies
![[2018 Edition] FSLabs DJI Mavic Pro;Platinum 5 In 1 Rapid Battery Charger Smart Multi Battery Intelligent Charging Hub With Ground Connection, LIPO Bag and Battery protectors](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71S16TpBn9L._SS600_.jpg)
5 in 1 charger,specially designed for DJI Mavic Pro/Platinum RC Quadcopter,Can charge 3 batteries at one time,dual USB port can output 5V/2A power for Mavic Pro remote control and smartphone charging; intelligent temperature control, when temperature rise up, fan will speed up automatically, when charge controller only, fan will stop since current is low. Intelligent charge control, 3 separate power rails, one for each battery.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I would have loved for it to have a on/off power switch so I would not have to unplug it once I'm finished charging my equipment. It also included the contact covers for three batteries and the Mavic, which seemed like a good idea, but in practice drove me nuts trying to keep them in place, plus I really don't see them as being necessary."
"It charges the batteries simultaneously unlike the dji block charger. Minor detail as this is so much faster then charging batteries one at a time."
"I came across this charging hub for my Mavic and have been using it since."
"It fast-charges everything but it does not over charge any of the batteries (including the Galaxy Note 7 phone). The company is solid too."
"Excellent charger that chargers everything at one time rather than in series like the DJI chargers."
"Works great was able to charge three batteries and my remote all at the same time."
"Beware many of this model are NOT EQUIPPED with a ground wire on the power cord socket. It now shows an error code of over voltage on the led display and one of the cells consistently shows .5-.8 volts less."
"When I received the item, I immediately took the side off to add the ground. That ground would have disintegrated when 14 amps touched it."