Getting the right starter set is the most important decision you can make when buying a train set - the choice of scale and sometimes even make can be costly to change once started.

So here are a few things to consider before ordering.

This is the term used for the width between the two rails on pieces of track. Several different scales run on the same gauge of track.

The gauge of track can not be changed without replacing all the track and potentially all the other items on your layout. However different scales which share the same track gauge may only have differences such as variations in the size and spacing of the plastic sleepers which hold the rails together.

In OO & HO Scale (e.g. Hornby or Trix) the track gauge is 16.5mm apart. 

Thankfully once you have chosen the scale you wish to model in, the gauge is effectively chosen for you. (We are talking about train sets here so we will ignore the complexities of Narrow Gauge and Fine Scale modelling)

This means how much smaller than the real life item the model is reduced by. So a ratio of 1:76 would indicate the model dimensions are reduced 76 times from the real life prototype. 

An alternative way to say this is the number of millimeters of model represent a foot of the real thing. The equivalent of 1:76 is 4mm to the foot. 

Each scale has a short name for ease - 4mm or 1:76  is commonly called OO scale.

Cost

There are three governors of cost - 

1. How much time and material the item takes to design and build - the smaller the scale the more effort goes into making the model a working replica of the real thing. At the other end of the scale the amount of material in a G scale set also effects its prices.
2. The source of the manufacturing company - being UK based means any British manufacturer will be cheaper for us to buy from than an American company where we would have to pay air freight costs from America before we could offer the model for sale. European companies are a half way house - we have to pay for the higher costs of shipping to us, but we do not have any import taxes to pay.
3. The larger the market for any given scale the more competition - which will help lower prices in a particular country. So in the UK OO and British N gauge are particularly good value.

There is one simple rule to remember when buying a train set - buy the biggest and most expensive set you can afford to start with. All train sets are sold at only a fraction of the value of the individual items they contain, and adding items later which can be purchased as part of an alternative set is more expensive.

In the UK the most common scale is OO. It offers a good compromise as models are easy to handle, low cost but still allow a reasonable size layout to be built. It's effectively a British only scale so you wont find many models representing other countries railways.

In Europe and America the slightly smaller HO scale is the nearest equivalent. The range of models and accessories are larger than OO and the scale difference between them means scenery and many accessories can be mixed between them without too much notice. There are no British HO 'train set' manufacturers.

Smaller scales allow you to fit more railway into a smaller space - although the models themselves can cost more then OO and the range of items is smaller. 

TT scale is 3mm to the foot but has no 'train set' manufacturers. A similar state exists for all Narrow Gauge models.

N scale is much better supported - and at 2mm to the foot, roughly half the size of OO. You can obtain items in both British, American and European outline easily.

Finally the smallest  commercially produced scale is Z. Made my Germanys Marklin the scale allows you to literally run an oval of track around a cup and saucer - the cost of items are quite high but the engineering which goes into fitting motors into these locomotives is amazing. Marklin produce European and some American models with scenery and accessories available from five other suppliers as well.

Going up the scale, there is two final ranges available for the beginner. G scale is frequently seen in the garden and as working displays in a range of shops. While in O scale Fleischmann produce their bright and colourful Magic Train range. The models are large and tough for fairly robust handling. They are produced in both European and American outline by  LGB. 

Finally Marklin produce the largest ready to run range in Gauge 1. The cost is higher for these items - principally because the items are built so well and consume so much material in their construction, they are serious investments rather than toys!

All model railways require power to move the locomotives. Excluding a few Clockwork locomotives in the Children's Thomas the Tank range this effectively means a small electric motor inside the locomotive.

The motor is powered by electricity supplied thru the track. (Models of some electric locomotives can also have power supplied via the overhead  catenary system which you can purchase separately)

This electrical current is a safe low voltage which can be used as per the operating instructions without risk to you. 

With the exception noted below the electricity is supplied via one rail and passes thru the locomotive, operating the motor before returning via the second rail - this is called the two rail operating system.

The exception is Marklin HO scale models which use 'Stud Contact' in this method the electricity arrives at the locomotive via both rails and is returned via a separate central strip. You can not mix Marklin HO track and rolling stock with any two rail system! It is considered simpler to wire up a stud contact layout than a more common two rail version.

All train sets we sell are supplied with a suitable electricity transformer which converts UK mains current (240 volts) into the safe low voltage current - outside the UK you may need to purchase your own separate transformer and controller - you will need to check with a local model electrical manufacturer.

  Brand

The large manufacturers all produce train sets - some will contain rolling stock, track and controllers from just their range while others may combine their own rolling stock with another companies track.

However once purchased you are not limited to a particular brand and can select items from any range produced in your scale (bearing in mind the note in Electrics about the differences between two rail and stud contact systems).

Most sets are designed around a theme - usually this is a particular country and representative of a certain era. Some can be even more specific and feature a high profile train or area of the country.

However it's easy to add items from different periods of time and countries if you choose to as your layout grows.

Sets are designed for two groups of people - children as a toy (at least that's how they may start!), and adult modellers returning to their hobby after a break (work, families, the opposite sex all can distract someone from our great hobby).

Particularly for children it's important to have built in play value both to stimulate the initial interest in the toy and also provide a framework for developments. Our best tip is to buy a couple of catalogues at the time of your initial purchase - these are designed not just to showcase this years models but also to help support the early development of your train set. The Hornby catalogue is particularly good with a range of background info on wiring your layout and building a baseboard.

Secondly the set itself can help by having more 'fun' built into it. Working accessories such as cranes and mail vans, mats to lay the track on which create a picture of a much larger layout, locomotives that have sound and generate steam will all add to someone's pleasure. Items that stand out in this area are the Hornby sets (with their paper Trakmat) and LGB, Minitrix, & Fleischmann with their sound and operating accessories.