Lionel offers train lines appropriate for all ages. From the youngest conductors to the most seasoned collectors, there is a Lionel train just right for you.

Consider your (or your family’s) interests. Do they like Harry Potter or The Polar Express? Will you display this set all year or just during the holidays? Spend some time browsing the Trains.com Store and studying the choices. 

It might seem a bit overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered with resources. Here’s a great article by Contributing Editor Bob Keller about starter sets. Bob also has a great article explaining what to do after you’ve purchased a set and opened the box.

On the real railroads as well as toy trains, gauge refers to the distance between the outside rails of the track. Lionel O gauge track systems—which include O, O-27, and FasTrack®—all measure 1 ¼” between the outer rails. Any O gauge car or locomotive can ride on Lionel O gauge track, as long as the curve track used on your layout can accommodate your particular cars (see minimum curve question below).

Most Lionel O-Gauge trains generally measure about 1:48 scale.

This relationship is approximate for the Lionel Traditional line of cars and locomotives, which typically can run on layouts with tight curves (like O-27 or O-31). Lionel Standard O freight cars and engines, which are made to be as exact as possible to 1:48 scale, often require a wider minimum curve, such as O-36 or more.

This measurement is useful in purchasing track, locomotives, and rolling stock that are compatible with one another. 

For example, assemble O-72 curved track into a circle and you will have a 72" diameter layout. Assemble O-36 curved track into a circle, and you will have a layout 36" in diameter. A locomotive with a minimum curve requirement of O-36 will run on a layout with O-72 curves, but a locomotive with a minimum curve requirement of O-72 will not run on a layout with O-36 curves.

Lionel locomotives and rolling stock are thoroughly tested to determine their minimum curve requirement. In some cases, a Lionel car or locomotive may be able to easily negotiate most, but not all, possible track configurations for that minimum curve. For these products, a recommended minimum curve is also given. This larger measurement allows for all combinations of Lionel track and switches.

A ready to play set means that everything you need to get started is in the box! Generally, the set will include a locomotive, various cars, track, and a remote control. Any locomotive with Bluetooth will also have the option to use the LionChief app to run a train via a smart device.

Choose how you want to run your trains! All sets include a remote control. Any locomotive with Bluetooth will also have the option to use the LionChief app to run a train via a smart device.

LionChief is a type of O gauge model train designed to be operated with a remote control or the LionChief app (free). Many LionChief engines feature sound effects like a whistle, bell, and more. These engines can run on either Lionel FasTrack or other manufacturers’ track.

FasTrack is Lionel’s most popular track system, featuring three rails and an integrated roadbed system. The sections easily snap together and can be used on their own in a temporary setting, or as part of a permanent layout on a tabletop.

A “Battery O” set is a lower-priced starter set that runs completely on batteries, using a remote control. The track in these sets is made from plastic and is not FasTrack. Most “Battery O” components can be used on FasTrack. See a product review we did of a “Battery O”  set.

For the most part, as long as it’s O gauge, yes, you can add any piece of rolling stock to any set. However, in our testing, we found that “Battery O” components did not stay coupled to their O gauge counterparts. You likely will want to keep “Battery O” items and conventional O gauge items for use separately.