lionel train sets

I think you need to give some more information: What's the space of your proposed layout? How much do you have to spend? And it's not just the set, but then the track and everything else. Obviously, you won't do it all at once, but it is still something to consider for the long haul.

If your budget is limited, then your choice of sets will thus be more limited. Most Lionel sets are traditionally proportioned, so if your interest is more scale, then your choices become more limited and much more costly. Conventional control will be less costly, as will a used set. Tubular track will be less costly than FasTrack. What you can comfortably spend makes a huge impact on your choices. And how comfortable you are tinkering with stuff. Obviously buying used is a big savings, but sometimes this necessitates making repairs.

Do you like current modern diesel types? MTH would be the way to go there, but that's more money up front. LionChief sets are less costly, but your diesel will not be a current modern one, as with the MTH Imperial sets.

So your particular interests would help narrow down the field of possibilities.

I think that MTH gives you more for your money, or what I have seen with prices for MTH verses Lionel on sets it seems that MTH is a little lower in price.

Keep in kind if you buy a Lionel Lion Chief set you can only use the Lion Chief remote control system with it as it supposedly don't work with TMCC or Legacy.

Williams is another brand you might want to look at, but don't buy from the Bachmann website as they are too overpriced on there. Also Williams don't have remote control features built-in like MTH or Lionel. Try Trainworld or another internet website.

Lee Fritz

I think MTH offers the most bang for the buck. Those Imperial ES44 diesels they put in sets are really top notch engines. If you want the high tech stuff, the MTH ES44 set is the way to go. 

Personally, I'd vote for a Williams set. Mario's Trains has the Alco FA passenger sets for well under $200. A little bit more will get you the 4-6-0 steam freight set. The 4-6-0 steamer runs like a dream. Either option will provide years of quality service. The Williams sound boards aren't great but Williams does offer the much better diesel sound board for separate sale. 

I agree with the others about the MTH starter sets. Either the ES44 or SD70Ace sets are very nice. You get a lot for the money and the engines have complete PS3 DCS controls in them and are fully compatible with the full DCS system if you ever want to upgrade your control system. I started with a couple of MTH sets a few years ago when I got back into the hobby. Then added the full DCS system after getting them up and running them for a while.

I would get a Lionel postwar engine and transformer, and then some nice used cars. Put together the set YOU want.

But don't overthink this. Buy what you like. It doesn't matter if your decision is based on appearance, price or some intangible. Sometimes there is too much information on this forum, especially if you ask such an open-ended question.

Legacy, Vision line, Lionel top quality, a lot of money for this type of engine. I love my VL Bigboy , VL Hudson and Legacy engines  but I could have more trains and just as much fun with conventional engines, so I have both, had I really though it through, the conventional trains would be my choice , looking backwards but build your Railroad the way you want it , after all, it is your Railroad to play with.

Good luck and happy railroading.

Brent

Lionel offers a lot more sets to chose from. And they have better track and customer service. You can find anything within your budget. Yes the MTH comes DCS ready but that will cost you 300 plus. The Lionchief is a good stand alone engine that even 2 and 3 year olds can run.

Starting with what you like....couldn't be better advice.

I love to include "build a carpet layout to keep you happy and inspired, while you build big".

  Never had one? Buy and sell off again, or borrow, a..... tin Marx, cheap 0-4-0-ish lionel can motor, Polar express tmcc can motor Berkshire, 6-driver post war, then small, and large diesels with Pulmore and can motors.

Avoid the PW with a plastic motor case till your sure about wanting one. Interesting and fun, but not impressive, or a "starters" train anymore.

  Early MTH had such oddball tech issues I still fear the brand. But my brother had all the issues, not me, and he still prefers them. (great Gramps liked Kusan/AMT/Auburn, Gramps liked Lionel and (early) Williams, Brother likes MTH, and I'm growing very fond of Marx after 50+ years of Lionel. Dad fished alone on rainy days

  Anyhow all those suggestions are easy on the wallet (bet I could find all of them for under $300 total), all easy to find too. You run those a few hours each, and you will know a whole lot more about your own running tastes, and know if you "need" more tech. a bigger loco, etc., or not.

   A smart move might be the older sets that included the TMCC systems. Usually a good price on them, and good locos of those years. Almost get the TMCC free if you compare similar trains being pieced together. The Warhorse comes to mind. A Hudson J, and coal hoppers

   The whole hobby has a learning curve but it all begins with what you like. Doesn't mean your tastes won't change as you "mature" either. It may flip flop a number of times during your life. Be prepared to notice before you get too bored!

  Whether style, scale, toy, switching cars or looping, PW bullet-proof-ness, or modern tech; work on learning "hands on" about what you really like doing -vs- your perception today, of what you think you will like doing, before you totally empty the bank.. Shows, clubs, stores, and visits to other layouts before you spend a ton, is prudent. Hint, or bluntly ask to man the throttle, many will grin and step back. No fun whitewashing the fences totally alone.

    If one mfg. was "hands down; aces" the others would have folded.

    I think most of the LC line could be converted to another command system eventually, if you wanted to do it.  Sounds would likely need to change with the new boards too. Too many folks are plenty happy with them, don't just ignore them. MTH had a good mid grade line of starter sets with remote unit at one time didn't they?(mentioned?) ("remote", is not always "command")

Not sure? More confused? Low dollar now, means a smarter large purchase later IMO.

Williams is basically modern PW. Bare bones runners, at a good price.

 Sounds and remote/ command, aren't my thing. Williams has less $ tied into those things, and I see that as very attractive. The Bacmann/Williams site is normally higher in price as noted by PhillyReading Lee. It's priced that way to help the small shops stay alive, they sell more. Support your local hobby shop before its gone. 30+ years ago you could hardly drive 10 miles (though a town) without seeing a hobby shop. Buy "something" every visit. Even if its paint you don't need, bulbs, or extra smoke fluid. Feed your neighbor. I sense you will, but have to spout the propaganda

   Buying a cheap starter set, could get you a weaker loco than you might like. Ask before you leap. Check on the power, not just style.     E.G.- for Lionel "car body" (or similar with the "same" general look), EMD or Alco, magnetraction, traction tire, or plain wheel, dual motor or single. At first glance, they look alike to many folks; they aren't. 

  Although you've mentioned freight, if your going to have a focus based on past eras, vs 70's to modern, I'd suggest at least 1 loco that also pulled some passenger trains. (I like F's, GG-1s, and some medium-large steam for that very reason)

   Running passenger trains in the dark, is underrated for a quiet rooms ambiance. The lighted cars are stunning; captivating; elegant; soothing.

   Personal opinion, but I think costs, and dollars crying "spend me TODAY" from our pockets, keeps there from being more passenger car sales. Save up; they are sooo nice.

    If you have enough experience to know what you like in a loco, spend big on the strongest of the bunch, best options to please the ear, tech to suit ya, and then piece your ideal freight train together as you grow.

Same for power, once you know your place, skip to the best you can afford.

Overkill is seldom a serious regret there.

Just a longer version of many opinions, mileage and post length may vary.

If you are going to a specific train shop, I'd go with their recommendations, assuming they make sense and you develop a nice trust with them.  If you run into any problems (unlikely, but always possible) they will be the ones who resolve the issues.  Likewise, they can advise you on additional purchases, the technology involved, etc.  Experienced advice from someone you can talk with is infinitely more valuable than whatever you can find on the internet.  If you decide not to go with a local hobby shop, then ask advice here.

While you could go just buy a boxed set, any good train shop would help you assemble your own. Like MTH engines but like Fastrak? Lionchief and tubular? You could do it. It may cost you a bit more up front with a piecemeal approach but then you'd get exactly what you want. Some shops might even give you a break on a package deal.

Peter