Bewildered Newbie. First Lego train set for kid?

[DanielC]

I'm a Dad who wants to buy 5 yr old son train set for Christmas.

I was thinking of the Lego City 60051 and was going to buy some ME track (not sure what type I need ) to extend it.

Any tips would be welcome cos I don't have a clue what I'm doing and have too much other head-wrecking stuff going on to research it properly. 

TIA

Edited October 26, 2016 by DanielC
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[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

The ME curves with largest radius are a very good option!

[JopieK]

Hi Daniel, welcome to Eurobricks. My nephews like the freight trains best. Built the red one with them not too long ago. I would advice you to get the LiPo, while it is quite expensive it is very, very durable (believe me, I had some of my former high school students torture it) and will last quite some hours on a full load (I use them on exhibitions too). About the ME model track, of course it is nice, but for your son the standard track would be a good start of course :) (note: we in Train tech / Eurobricks are generally already beyond the point that we excuse ourselves for buying LEGO stuff ;))

[dr_spock]

Welcome aboard.  ME tracks will give you wider radius curves.  Do note they can come apart with rough play by a 5 years-old.  You could glue the rails to the ties if necessary.  For extra straight tracks and switches, LEGO still do sell them separately at LEGO stores and online.

60051 is a good starter set if you guys like passenger trains.  You can load it up with minifigures.

 

[xboxtravis7992]

Yes since ME Model track is assembled via individual rails and ties, it is a lot less durable than factory standard Lego track. 

The only Lego City "all in one" kit train I own is 60052, the Blue Freight train (the rest of my trains are Creator Expert models). 60052 has some playability features such as a nice cargo crane set up. Lego freight trains are good if your kid wants to load and unload stuff from the train. The Lego passenger train kits are usually more simple than the Freight ones, but offer the play option of having "passengers" ride the train.

[DanielC]

Thank you Volts, Jopie and Spock. (The internet can be a great place )

Ok..

So I just googled "Lipo lego" and having tried to read this http://www.eurobricks.com I suddenly realise just how much out of my depth I am.

Glueing rails to "ties" (whatever they are ) .

Steep learning curve I guess...

But I really appreciate your time.

 

..and you Travis!  

[MaineBrickFan]

I also would vote for 60052. It's got a lot of play features, more rolling stock variety, and has what you need to get started right in the box. I also agree that ME Models track is probably overkill at this point - start with some Lego standard track and see if the passion takes hold. It's a great hobby - good luck!

 

 

[jtlan]

I will also vouch for a cargo train, such as 60052 or 60098.

• 60052 has nice trackside structures and comes with two switches.
• 60098 is looked upon with some disdain by Adult Fans Of Lego, but the variety of train cars may have a lot of play value for a child.

I'm also surprised that no one has suggested 10254 Winter Holiday Train (it's even thematically appropriate!). Note: 10254 isn't powered, which will be fine if your son is interested in just pushing the train along. To motorize it you will need a motor, battery box, receiver, and transmitter.

Finally: I wouldn't worry too much about the rechargeable battery. If your son likes the set, and you find yourself going through AAA batteries that fast, consider yourself lucky to have such a problem! (Then come here again and we can help you).

[dr_spock]

18 hours ago, DanielC said:

...

So I just googled "Lipo lego" and having tried to read this http://www.eurobricks.com I suddenly realise just how much out of my depth I am.

Glueing rails to "ties" (whatever they are ) .

...

That's probably more powering complexity than you need right now.  Keep it simple to start. 12 NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries and a charger can cost less than the LEGO Rechargeable Battery box and its AC charger.  You can run the train with 6 of AAA batteries while the other 6 batteries are being recharged in the charger.  AAA batteries can be reused in other electronic devices if the train passion doesn't take.  I did that way back with my kids' battery powered toys.  Toys are no more but I'm still using some of those NiMH rechargeable batteries in other devices.

"Ties" are 2x8 plates that those individual ME rails connect to.  HoMa has some nice details on his website http://www.holgermatthes.de/bricks/en/me-plastic-rails.php

 

[the_ref]

I got 60051 for my 5 year old son last Christmas, and he loved it. Great build that he managed virtually himself, and loved playing with it.  I thought the freight trains were a bit more fiddly to build, and a fair bit more expensive.

So I got the 60051, and would recommended it - especially buying some extra track with it, as the circle with it is fairly limited.

[jedijon]

60052, it's currently dirt cheap online (say jet dot com), just fine alone out of the box.

if you like loosing your room to track...then 1 pack of straights/flex, and one of switches will make a nice loop and/or yard.

 

After that...you'll know what to do :)

 

FWIW, my five yr old likes the crane and the cow. Fair disclosure I have a lot of other train stuff--his absolute favorite is the spring-activated bucket from the new 60098 Heavy Haul train which we got parted out due to low appeal of that set overall (to me), and both kids were amazingly fond of the station...which is now adorned with a few educational Velociraptor statues on the roofline.

Edited October 28, 2016 by jedijon

[ecmo47]

If you are in the USA, buy this set NOW!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-City-Trains-Cargo-Train/36246176

As others have said, it's got lots of fun things to do and you will NOT find it cheaper anyplace. 

Don't bother with ME track at this point. It is fragile, expensive and hard to find. 

Lego sells 2 "track packs" seen here:

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=lego train tracks&cat_id=4171&typeahead=lego train track

Don't bother with collecting a lot of the flexible track. It's not a useful as you think.

If you really want to go crazy on extra track, head over to Bricklink.com.

Curves: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53400&ColorID=85

Straights: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53401&ColorID=85

Switch left: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53407&ColorID=85

Switch Right: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53404&ColorID=85

Or you might get lucky on eBay with a lot like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEGO-LOT-OF-144-TRAIN-TRACK-PIECES-/381831125687?hash=item58e6e89ab7:g:uYoAAOSw8gVX-or2

Have fun!

 

Edited October 31, 2016 by ecmo47

[MaineBrickFan]

12 hours ago, ecmo47 said:

If you are in the USA, buy this set NOW!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LEGO-City-Trains-Cargo-Train/36246176

As others have said, it's got lots of fun things to do and you will NOT find it cheaper anyplace. 

Thanks for that tip -- great deal!

[Poisso3]

On 10/26/2016 at 7:57 PM, DanielC said:

I'm a Dad who wants to buy 5 yr old son train set for Christmas.

I was thinking of the Lego City 60051 and was going to buy some ME track (not sure what type I need ) to extend it.

Any tips would be welcome cos I don't have a clue what I'm doing and have too much other head-wrecking stuff going on to research it properly. 

TIA

Daniel, I just bought my 5yo son the 60051 High-speed train as our first train set. This is one of his Christmas presents so I don't have any suggestions for it, but I am happy to see another AFOL dad doing the same thing for his 5yo son.