Conventional Style Inexpensive Trains in the UK?

There are not many places to buy MTH , LIonel etc in the Uk. The main one is Tennents Trains - they have a web site. They are a bit pricey, the service is great and Rob their technician can fix anything - thank goodness.

You might also find something on Uk e/bay - stranger things have happened and I have seen some good prices for the likes of the Polar Express etc.

I would also recomend buying from the USA direct. Pick one of the recognised dealers - there are many to choose from. Dont forget the dreaded VAT however!! I hvae never has a problem that went unfixed in buying from across the pond

MIKE

Thanks Mike, that's good to hear.  What I was also interested in is what might be the equivalent of Lionel etc, in the UK.  There must be kids in the UK that like trains and parents who can't afford to drop $300-$400 on an engine.

Mike

There is no producer of starter sets in 3 rail O British outline.

The easy answer is Hornby OO (4mm to the foot) gauge which is what most British kids start with.

I had Hornby OO as a kid but I don't think it is the best for children.

To put together a 3 rail O gauge set from British equipment will set you back a few quid. ACE trains, Bassett Lowke etc. Cheepest loco £300 aprox. Plus the track a few

wagons (freight cars) and a transformer (Ace, Bassett tend to be 12V DC)

That is a very expensive train set.

It would be best to send over a US set. How about the Lionel Hogwarts set as it is British outline.

A few words of caution.

If you choose a Lionel set make sure the CW-80 transformer is the latest version with the "QC50-OK" sticker showing that it will work on the 50Hz power here in the UK. You will need a 230V to 110V step-down transformer to run the CW-80 from the UK mains.

DO NOT choose a set with Lionel TrainSounds as this system malfuntions on 50Hz.

RailSounds is fine (Not sure about the new Railsounds RTR, will need to check with Mike or jon at Lionel)

MTH gear is fine a Z1000 for example can have the US power brick replaced with

a 230V to 18V Brick. This is what Dave does Down Under. I would think it would also work with the US brick with a stepdown transformer as I have seen MTH's Z4000 run

this way here in the UK with no problem.

Hope this helps

Regards

Nick

Nick,

Thanks for the information.  Hopefully we'll be able to figure out something.

Mike

Harry Potter set would be perfect, low cost and works fine on 50 Hz.

Yes Mike the Harry Potter set is a great start, I will email you some info.

Add 4 or 5 low cost freight cars for additional play value.