Model Train Set

HungryFish

I want to get a gift of a model train set for my partner. Only problem is I know absolutely nothing about model trains. I've done a bit of research and I now know that the trains tracks etc go by guage sizes. What I need to know, is which guage is the best in so far as how dufficult is it to source extra track, locos, carriages etc. any help or advice would be much appreciated.

peter bermingham

This place has it all. You be looking for hornby in the railway section http://www.marksmodels.com/

HungryFish

peter bermingham wrote: »

This place has it all. You be looking for hornby in the railway section http://www.marksmodels.com/

Thanks for that. Looking at that site they have all the Irish rail models. Do you know if they'll work on the Hornby train set?

peter bermingham

I think they will not 100% sure though would be best to give them a ring very helpful in that shop or their be someone on here with better knowledge than me being a long time since i done anything with model railways 00 guage is what your looking for

dzer2

The only word in model trains and tracks is Hornby

Tabnabs

Yes, they will work on Hornby.

And Hornby are made in China to a price sensitive market. So they are perfectly functional but not a patch on come continental manufacturers (same for their track). However, for a starter set in the popular OO gauge then a hornby set will be fine. Marks Models are a good place to buy, nice people who will advise you accordingly.

peter bermingham

Also you would want a base board say a 8x4 sheet of 18mm mdf with 2x1 lats to give the board strength. You can cut the 8x4 to what ever size of space you have. Train sets work best set up and left set up base board should cost around €60 all in if he builds it himself. Have a look on the net for model railway base boards and you will see what i am on about

laros

dzer2 wrote: »

The only word in model trains and tracks is Hornby

Back in the day the Hornby brand were classed as toys when compared to german brands like Fleischmann and Marklin. They were expensive but so worth it. Fabulous looking locos and rolling stock.
http://www.fleischmann.co.uk/

Cookie_Monster

dzer2 wrote: »

The only word in model trains and tracks is Hornby

for the amateur toy train end of the market maybe, but Dapol and Bachmann are far superior in general in the Irish UK market and all the continental stuff is a million times better again. Hornby have the legacy is all.

Irish stuff is effectively the same gauge as UK (OO - 1:76) and is completly cross compatible.

Continental and US are HO - 1:87

Cookie_Monster

peter bermingham wrote: »

This place has it all. You be looking for hornby in the railway section http://www.marksmodels.com/

Also don't buy stuff from these guys unless you want to be seriously ripped off.
ehattons.com is a big Liverpool based shop with a much better range and much cheaper, or if you want to stay Irish: http://www.themodelshop.ie/ in Portlaois or belfastmodelshop.co.uk in Belfast are options

2011abc

Thats a bit unfair /sweeping generalisation ...Have always found them friendly and helpful.

Cookie_Monster

2011abc wrote: »

Thats a bit unfair /sweeping generalisation ...Have always found them friendly and helpful.

Who Hornby or Marks?

They certainly are friendly and helpful but the prices of railway stock is pretty steep compared to what you can get it for elsewhere.

gobnaitolunacy

dzer2 wrote: »

The only word in model trains and tracks is Hornby

Like saying the only word in cars is Ford.