Cheap loco..

[lionwing]

I'm keen to keep my two young sons interested as my layout develops but less keen to give them free reign with expensive loco's for fear of causing damage etc..

So with this in mind are there any recommendations for "cheap" loco's that would allow them to run trains and generally do with as they please.

[saddler]

i'm in a similar predicament with my boys and was going to look for a couple of cheap locos at fairs or local model shops, i have even considered buying a cheap/used set to set up a small oval on some sturdy card for them, hope this gives you some ideas matey, theres always ebay.............

[Lawrence]

You can generally pick up some cheap American locos on ebay, assuming that's not too sacrilegious for you 

[dodger]

Personally I would go for a Poole style 0-6-0 as they are sturdy, reliable and  devoid of any delicate fittings. They are easily repairable should anything go wrong.

Dodger

[RussellH]

Hi Guys

Happy to recommend Minitrix 27 and Warship. Less than £20 usually.

Regards
Russ

[Karhedron]

Any of the old Graham Farish Poole locos should be good. Make sure you get a decent runner and it should survive most things.

[OwL]

Go for a Graham Farish Poole or early GF China Class 47. Very robust and come in many different liveries which spans over 50 years for era choice.

Should get one cheapish on eBay, or look on the classifieds here.....

[Gnep]

Another vote for Minitrix 27 - bulletproof and easy to strip right down and rebuild if needed. The only problem is that they look a bit overscale with other engines next to them, but not a problem for my 4 year old!

The other invaluable addition for little hands is a rerailer of some sort.

[EtchedPixels]

Its also a good use for the old Lima Mark 1 coaches you can sometimes find for a couple of pounds in the junk boxes under trade stalls - they aren't much use for anything else.

Alan

[d-a-n]

Pick up an 370-025A train set if you don't have a spare controller and a bit of track; the train is the one already discussed with some less detailed wagons.  The reason I say buy the set is it gives 'ownership' of the whole thing to the lads, they'll know all in the box is to do with their play, they'll be more likely to stick with it and ALSO care for it if they know it's theirs - I work in primary education and this tactic works a beaut with younger lads!

[EtchedPixels]

know it's theirs - I work in primary education and this tactic works a beaut with younger lads!

Another thing that works well dependng upon age is picking up a couple of Peco wagon kits. They can (mostly) be assembled under supervision and there is something magical about the "I made it" aspect.

[d-a-n]

Another thing that works well dependng upon age is picking up a couple of Peco wagon kits. They can (mostly) be assembled under supervision and there is something magical about the "I made it" aspect.

Brilliant idea. They can then paint it however they like too!

[scotsoft]

At the age they are at if you did do a couple of Peco kits they could add their names to the finished piece of rolling stock and that makes it all the more precious to them.

There are Graffiti makers online you can use free where they can design their own "tags" to go onto the kits or just as graffiti on some paper/ card buildings.
http://www.graffiticreator.net/

My 10y/o Godson did an Ancient Egypt project at school last year and when I did a few cartouches with his name in heiroglyphics, this really fired up his imagination.  He ended up getting first place with his project in his class.

cheers John.

[GWR-Kris]

Could always but the complete Thomas set from Tomix seen them on ebay for little over £200 from time to time, thats 4 locos aswell as coaches and trucks.

Oh wait its me that wants to buy that for me lol.

[lionwing]

Thank you for all the replies.

I certainly like the idea of a wagon kit and I'm sure both boys will do as well!

I'ill keep an eye on eBay for a inexpensive loco (Minitrix 27, Poole etc) and I'm sure something will come up at the right price on eBay.