Advice on 1st train set for 6 year old

Welcome. How much space do you have available for a layout? Will you need to pack it away every time after use?

You might want to wait to see what other responses you get today before replying because you'll be restricted to 2 posts initially.

Hi Dee as long as there is an adult present I'm sure your son will enjoy something along the lines like the Hornby Santa express trainset or you could purchase a Thomas tank engine trainset which Hornby no longer make but eBay have many. Be warned though some are going for silly prices.

Welcome to the forum, Dee.  My advice  - based on having introduced a 4-year old boy to model trains, also after Brio -- is start off with a complete Gauge 00 set. This will give you a good selection of all the items you will need. As you are both new to Hornby I would suggest an analogue set (otherwise known as DC). This is a less expensive option as Digital (DCC) can be quite expensive and you will not know at this stage if your son's interest continues to be keen.  Also a set works out much better value than buying the items individually.  As your son is six already don't buy too "babyish" a set as I am sure he would not be amused !  Let him air his views.

A good choice would be a set with a 6-wheeled loco (known as 0-6-0 mostly) with Goods Wagons or an Express Passenger set with a larger loco. If desired these locos can generally be upgraded later to DCC as tour son becomes more advanced  Does your son prefer steam locos or the more modern diesels or electrics ? Or a mixture. Important to find out. Moreover, it is important to choose a set suitable for the amount of space you have. Best to run the railway on a large table or proper layout rathern than on the floor or carpet because of fluff, hairs, dust etc.

I hope these thoughts are helpful and I am sure other more expert members will wish to add their advice. Please don't be shy about asking more questions. Good luck. Jimbo

My Grandchildren regularly use my layout, under my supervision.  It is DCC so they can select a Train they want to control and off they go.  Children adapt very quickly.  The youngest is 5 years old.

Hi Dee - Welcome to the forum. Having read your post and all of the subsequent answers - which seem to have covered most of the normal questions a beginner asks, without getting into to much detail. I had a quick look at the "shop" section of this site, and the section headed "Train Sets". If your budget will run to it I think the GWR Freight Train Set would be ideal. It contains everything you would need to get up and running. It has an 0-6-0 loco, which JJ explained was better than the 0-4-0. The set includes a Trackmat, this is a large sheet of thick paper(?), on which the track plan is printed - you then lay the track on top of this - additional Trackpacks can be purchased to complete the layout - although the track included in the set will give you a loop at least. It will also have possible a station printed, so that when your ready you can place a station on the mat. The set is DCC Ready - not something you need to worry about now, but if your sons interest progresses in the right direction, your already at Stage 1 of DCC. If you took this route, the Trackmat should be attached to a board (wall paper paste works well) - I have not got my tape measure out, but I think the Trackmat is about 5' x 4' (ish!). The board (ideally plywood) should have a 2" x1" frame attached (glued and screwed) to the back to stop it warping. Finally the controller that comes as standard with most sets is just about ok - something a little better should be considered - but when your son first opens the box he will have everything he needs.  BB 

I would add that before buying the Train Set - shop around - there a large savings to be had against RRP. BB

@ B. B. / Dee :- I think / if you are referring to my "My Review Of The GWR Freight Model Set" on my YT Channel...

The set includes a Trackmat, this is a large sheet of thick paper(?)

@ 1:09 I didn't say a "thick paper" - I just said about the size - 1600mm x 1180mm & not thickness!!!

 I had a quick look at the "shop" section of this site, and the section headed "Train Sets". If your budget will run to it I think the GWR Freight Train Set would be ideal.

@ 0:35 - If you want to save yourself a bit of money then do what I did - I went to W. D. Models in Chesterfield (My Loco Model Shop) & got if for £110.00 instead of £119.99 from the Hornby Web site!!!

Yes I agree - it is a good set to get - it includes a crane, small Carriage, a Wagon & a Brake Van - also it includes Hornby NEW Basic Controller - With this new Copntroller I have noticed that it makes the Loco "Hummm" a little but if I use the same Loco with my H & M Duette or 2000 Controller (for which I recomend to get rather than just using the 'Basic' controller!!!) it DOES NOT "Hummm" at all - nothing to worry about - it's just the new controller that's all!!!

It will also have possible a station printed, so that when your ready you can place a station on the mat.

In fact it has 2 staions printed on it...:-

Do not bother with the Hornby Junior train sets - they are only really for very young children who are prone to dropping / breaking items. It also has no ability to expand the track or locomotives in the set, so when you get bored with the Paddington set, you then have buy all of the stuff on top of the Set for a "proper" layout.

I'm sure the sets mentioned by the other members above will be fine. The R8250 & the R7229 controllers are very weak and trip their thermal cutouts just by looking at them (a quote from @Chrissaf which I can't stop laughing at!) So I would suggest after you purchase some more locomotives maybe upgrading to a more powerful controller.

If you do a search for "Appropriate DC Controllers" in the Forum's search box at the bottom of the page, there is some good info about what to choose.

I'm sure if you explain to your child/ren that the models are quite delicate and need to be handled carefully, and that they should not be run at full speed, then you will be fine.

Oh, and one more thing, the electricity in the track is not dangerous because it is at a low level, so it is safe to touch. I have seen some children scared of the rails because of the electricity on them, so maybe just a quick explanation that the tracks are safe to touch as long as they are not put in one's mouth may benefit your child/ren.

I am an Analogue (DC) person myself, so what is coming is to be expected, but I feel Analogue will probably be better for a beginner - just select the direction, turn the dial, and off you pop. Digital control can have some problems from time to time and can be quite frustrating. Maybe consider Digital in the future, but I think Analogue is better for beginners. 

Hope this helps,

14xx Tank

I got Mixed Traffic Train Set for my nephew (7 years old) and he really likes it. It depend on your sons patience.