What's a good, affordable standard set?

I think you might receive more useful answers if you specify a price range.  Originals in working condition can easily run more than ten thousand dollars for a restored State set.  An original in great condition went for a quarter of a million dollars a few years back.

The same State set in Lionel Classics reproductions (contracted by Lionel in the late 1980s through Mike Wolf before he went his own way) could cost a tenth of that (around $1000 to $2000 in like new condition).  MTH branded stuff might be a bit less because of the non-Lionel nameplates, but might be pristine compared with originals.  If you want something less gigantic and expensive than a State set, you can find some smaller standard gauge locos and cars for a few hundred dollars, either prewar in beat up shape, or MTH repros like new from recent decades.  If you are not concerned with brand, there are various repros or originals over the years by Williams, McCoy, etc. that might be functional and less expensive out there.

The best value in Standard Gauge is a MTH starter set. Not only a brand new flawless set. You get a transformer, loop of track and a remote control. The engine is equipped with PS-3. Look them up on there website.

MattR posted:

I don't need the rarest set, but something nice.

Modern era State Sets are a bigtime bargain right now. 

A guy has a Tinplate Traditions, 4-car set listed NIB on eBay right now "Buy It Now" for $643.  And it's not the only State Set listed right now.  It makes me weep knowing what a paid for a new State Set. 

If you're going with repro Standard Gauge, go used!  It's going for half to a third what it went for new and usually LNIB.

Forum sponsor SideTrack Hobbies has brand new O Gauge sets in PS2 and PS3 as well as Traditional.

Thanks for the input. I was kinda thinking a user new release would be the best. I know of a beautiful original 385E set from the 1930s. Around $1800 with track and transformer. But that's still a lot of money.

I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Thanks again

I only use original  Standard gauge and you can find a decent 8E for $100 then look for a set of passenger car for  $150 or pick out various freights. I would use new track and a ZW. If you want a bigger engine a 318 is nice.

Hi, i recently saw a standard gauge Tan  #402 engine with 3 passenger cars for $550.00 on ebay, you can try there, hope this helps, good luck, Phil

Brought this set from a Stout auction last summer for $130 plus commission and shipping, already rewheeled too, so more money saved. And like a great many old locos, all it required was an oil and it was away like a good'un.

Mark

Thank you gentlemen. Nice looking set Mark. 

I just pulled the pin on a superb 385E set. Original and flawless. Original track, transformer and bridge. It's a freight set, but I'll pick up a set of passenger cars too. Thanks again for the input. I don't know how to copy and paste the pics here. It won't let me.

Most sets can be had for less than $500.00,, pulled by a Lionel 8, 10, 33, 38 + 2-3 cars.  Heck, I bought a Lionel Standard Gauge set pulled by a 318 +3 cars for $250.00 at a show in New Jersey 8 years ago.  

Mark - that is a sweet set.  Gray and maroon #10.  Best color combo of the series.   That is my dad’s and what got me interested in collecting some nice prewar pieces.  His still runs perfectly and is in nice shape.  Nicely played.  Enjoy.

William 1 posted:

Mark - that is a sweet set.  Gray and maroon #10.  Best color combo of the series.   That is my dad’s and what got me interested in collecting some nice prewar pieces.  His still runs perfectly and is in nice shape.  Nicely played.  Enjoy.

Thanks, I was very pleased to get it, but just to say, the loco is a 318. 😊

Mark

Lionel Classics, MTH Tinplate Traditions, Lionel Corporation Tinplate, and original Lionel are all good choices and readily available at competitive prices. 

He said standard set not standard guage, he did say O gauge for a outside loop

Now another question. I spoke to a few guys already on it. Is there a height difference on couplers between the 300 series and 400 series Passenger cars? How about overall size of the two?

BILL: He did specify standard gauge near the end of his first post.