Best Electric Model Train Sets: 7 Coolest for Kids & Adults

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: October 22, 2023

Electric train sets are usually model trains. They include a range of trains, tracks and accessories, and are available in different scales and gauges. Each brand offers its unique set of trains, from the American Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer and Polar Express, to the British Hornby Flying Scotsman.

The advantages of electric trains are numerous. They are more detailed and realistic than their wooden counterparts, with accurate proportions and fine detail. They are also easier to control, with the ability to change speed and direction.

Not every electric train set is the same, so in this article I will help you choose with extensive comparisons. Choose below which information you are specifically looking for.

The Brio My First Battery Operated Train Set 33710 is the cheapest option at €48,78 ($57.70). The price-quality score is 7,6, which indicates that you get a nice deal for your money. The set has 25 pieces and Brio has won several awards, including the Independent Toy Awards and the Golden Rocking Chair.

The Lionel Hogwarts Express is slightly more expensive, priced at €58,99 ($84.13). The price-quality score is 8,2, so it is certainly worth the price for the 36 parts that are included. The Hot Bee Toy Steam Train costs €69,99 ($35.62) with the same price-quality score as the Lionel Hogwarts Express. However, it has fewer parts (14), but a cool steam function.

The LEGO DUPLO Cargo train 10875 is slightly more expensive at €90,09 ($129.99), but has a higher value for money score of 9. You get 105 parts and LEGO has won several awards such as the Toy of the Year Awards and the British Association of Toy Retailers Toy of the Century.

The LEGO City Express Passenger Train 60337 is slightly more expensive (€103,69 / $160.99) with a slightly lower price-quality score of 8,8. It has 764 parts, which makes it the most extensive set that you can assemble yourself.

The Rollplay Electric Train Children's Vehicle costs €152,15 ($123.99) and has a lower price-quality score of 7,2. It only has 24 parts and the material used is not the best, but it is very big to ride.

The most expensive option is the Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 Train Set with a price of €161,46 ($141.96). It still has a high price-quality score of 8,9 and 25 components. Hornby has won the 'Manufacturer of the Year' award at Model Rail Magazine's Model of the Year Awards.

The Brio My First Battery Operated Train Set 33710 is designed for the little ones, from 1 year old. With its simple design and no small parts, it is the perfect introduction to train sets for toddlers aged 2 to 3 years.

For children aged 2 years and over, there are three options: LEGO DUPLO Cargo train 10875, Rollplay Electric Train Children's Vehicle en Hot Bee Toy Steam Train. These sets are also simple and made of non-toxic materials, but offer more interactivity than the Brio set. The LEGO DUPLO set and the Rollplay train are best for children aged 2 to 3 years, while the Hot Bee train is suitable for children up to 6 years.

The. is for children from 4 years old Lionel Hogwarts Express a great choice. Inspired by the Harry Potter series, this set offers more complexity and is ideal for children aged 4 to 8.

The LEGO City Express Passenger Train 60337 is suitable for children from 7 years. With its more detailed design and larger number of pieces, this set is a challenge for children aged 7 to 10.

There is the Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 Train Set. Suitable for ages 12 and up, this set offers the most complexity and is a great choice for teens and adults.

The LEGO DUPLO Cargo train 10875 en LEGO City Express Passenger Train 60337 provide the longest playing time, more than 30 minutes. Both sets encourage cooperative play, which contributes to longer play time. The DUPLO set scores high on ease of use and interactivity, which extends playing time. The City Express set, with its high score for open-endedness and imagination, offers countless play possibilities.

The Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 Train Set also offers extended play time. With its high scores for ease of use, open-endedness and imagination, this set offers versatile play possibilities. The app interactivity contributes to the longer playing time.

The Rollplay Electric Train Children's Vehicle en Lionel Hogwarts Express have a playing time of 10 to 30 minutes. The Hogwarts Express, with its high scores for imagination and interactivity, offers an engaging playing experience. The Rollplay Electric Train, while scoring lower on versatility and combining, still provides satisfying playtime thanks to its interactivity.

The Hot Bee Toy Steam Train en Brio My First Battery Operated Train Set 33710 have the shortest playing time, less than 10 minutes. Although the Hot Bee Train scores lower on social interaction and matching, it still offers an enjoyable playing experience thanks to its imagination and interactivity. The Brio set, although it has the highest score for ease of use, has a shorter play time due to its lesser versatility.

The LEGO City Express Passenger Train 60337 and the LEGO DUPLO Cargo train 10875 score high on sustainability with an 8.5. LEGO's sustainability ambitions are impressive, with plans to make all their packaging more sustainable by 2025 and make their products from sustainable materials by 2030. They have already taken steps with bio-PE, a plastic derived from Brazilian sugar cane.

The Brio My First Battery Operated Train Set 33710, Lionel Hogwarts Express and the Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 Train Set follow with a sustainability score of 8. Although they have no specific sustainability initiatives, Brio has been making all their wooden toys from FSC® certified wood since 2014. Lionel and Hornby make quality products from sturdy materials that can last for generations.

The Hot Bee Toy Steam Train and the Rollplay Electric Train Children's Vehicle close the row with a sustainability score of 6.5. They do not have specific sustainability initiatives, but their timeless appeal contributes to their sustainability as they are less likely to be replaced.

Below you will find extensive reviews of our top 7 best electric trains sorted by toy score. When assessing battery-powered trains, we look at several factors. Price is important, but so is the quality and durability of the train and rails. We also check compatibility with other sets and accessories, and the variety of trains and tracks the set offers.

You can combine model trains with the same track gauges. However, this depends on the specific make and model of the trains. Some brands and models are compatible with each other, while others may have compatibility issues. It's always best to check this before mixing trains from different sets.

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1. Lionel Hogwarts Express

Overall best electric train set for kids

Lionel Hogwarts Express

8.3

Toy score

Play value

4.5

Price/quality

4.1

Replayability

4.2

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Best for

• Perfect for Harry Potter fans
• Drives itself with remote control

Less good

• Very small job

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• From: 4 years
• Best: 4 – 8 years
• Up to: 9 years

It may look like just any toy train, but for any Harry Potter fan who grew up with a love of trains and sorcery, it's the pinnacle of sorcery!

This remote-controlled edition of the Hogwarts Express includes working headlights to add some realism. Amazingly authentic with sounds that make it sound more realistic.

Along with locomotive noise rolling down the track or around its circular infield, this makes for a seriously thunderous ride, ideal for your schoolchild!

2. Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 Train Set

Best professional miniature train set

Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 Train Set

8.8

Toy score

Play value

4.7

Price/quality

4.5

Replayability

4.4

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Best for

Less good

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• From: 12 years
• Best: 14 – 60 years
• Up to: 99 years

The Hornby R1271M iTraveller 6000 is an electric miniature train set that is controlled with an app. It is the latest technology in the model train industry. It is a 1:76 scale with 00 Gauge in a 0-4-4 wheel configuration.

Using the app is very easy and appeals to the imagination. This interactivity greatly enhances the play value. It is only a small set but can easily be combined with the same gauge if you want to expand. You are then ready for app-controlled driving with the HM 6000 controller system.

The quality of the materials is good, although Hornby used to be of indestructible quality. That is no longer the case, but it will certainly last a long time. Especially for older teens or adults who can play with it with the love it deserves.

3. LEGO City Express Passenger Train 60337

Best electric LEGO train set

LEGO City Express Passenger Train 60337

8.8

Toy score

Play value

4.7

Price. quality

4.4

Replayability

4.5

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Best for

• Controller and app controllable
• A lot of building pieces

Less good

• Quite pricey

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• From: 7 years
• Best: 7 – 10 years
• Up to: 12 years

The City Express 60337 is a large passenger train, made entirely of LEGO blocks. The set also includes 24 track pieces, enough for a circle, and 6 minifigures. This gives it a high degree of open-endedness and there are plenty of social interaction pieces, all great for the play value.

It is easy to combine with other sets and very versatile. The controller or app you can download to control it also gives it a lot of interactivity, making for great replayability.

LEGO blocks are extremely sturdy and will last for generations. They are not yet very sustainable since they are made of plastic, but they are working towards bio-plastic.

For now it is just a very complete set that will provide many hours of play.

4. LEGO DUPLO Freight Train 10875

Best DUPLO train set

LEGO DUPLO Freight train 10875

9.0

Toy score

Play value

4.8

Price/quality

4.5

Replayability

4.6

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Best for

• Interactive app and action blocks
• Lots of figures and accessories

Less good

• Not very inclusive

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• From: 2 years
• Best: 2 – 4 years
• Up to: 5 years

You won't find much better play set than this. It has everything for a high play value, with an interactive app and even action blocks, each with its own function, it is extremely versatile and the set really appeals to the imagination.

The driving system is very intuitive and exactly how little ones will play with it, with a start function by pushing it and a stop function by holding it, something I try to teach my son with other RC toys.

There are enough figures and accessories to keep you playing for a long time.

5. Brio My First Battery Operated Train Set 33710

Best battery powered train with wooden train track

Brio My First Battery Operated Train Set 33710

8.2

Toy score

Play value

4.4

Price/quality

3.8

Replayability

4.2

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Best for

• Easy to set up and is sturdy
• Suitable from 18 months

Less good

• No figures or backgrounds included

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• From: 1 years
• Best: 2 – 3 years
• Up to: 3 years

This First Battery Operated Train Set is for the smallest children from 18 months. It has 25 parts including a motorized train with wagon, 9 wooden train track pieces, a tunnel and elevations.

The ease of use is great and that is necessary to make it suitable for toddlers. The train can be turned on and off with one button and the elevations are very sturdy and click into place on the train track. Because there is not much else included, it is slightly less open-ended than other sets, but it still appeals to the imagination.

The replayability is also very high because it is easy to combine. The track pieces fit on other Brio trains or those of other brands. The materials used are somewhat inferior. Sturdy and safe, but it contains a lot of plastic.

6. Hot Bee Toy Steam Train

Best electric train with realistic smoke

Hot Bee Toy Steam Train

8.0

Toy score

Play value

4.3

Price/quality

4.1

Replayability

3.9

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Best for

• Easy in use
• Real steam from the locomotive

Less good

• Not very good quality

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• From: 3 years
• Best: 3 – 6 years
• Up to: 6 years

A simple set but therefore very easy to use. The design appeals to the imagination, but it is a shame that there is not much included. As a result, the opportunity for social interaction is low and the play value is slightly less than it could be.

The train is fine for the money, but there are electric train sets available where the materials used are of higher quality. It is not intended for heavy-handed play and it is therefore best not to give it to young children.

The set is also often used as Christmas decorations, and it is certainly perfect for that. The real steam from the chimney is a nice addition that adds extra atmosphere.

7. Rollplay Electric Train Children's Vehicle

Best electric ride on train

Rollplay Electric Train Children's Vehicle

7.5

Toy score

Play value

4.1

Price/quality

3.6

Replayability

3.6

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Best for

• Interactive buttons and real steam
• Large, made with sturdy and safe material

Less good

• Difficult to combine with other toys

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• From: 2 years
• Best: 2 – 3 years
• Up to: 4 years

The Rollplay is one electric train with rechargeable battery to ride on. It is big enough for a child up to 5 years old to sit on, although it will be fun up to about 4 years old. With the buttons with light and sound and the actual steam that can come out, it is a very interactive and fun set . The play value is therefore good.

The replayability is somewhat less. Due to its size, it is not easy to combine with other toys and also not easy to carry. This makes it less versatile. With the wagon with a large box, there is still room to include other toys, but many children will get tired of it.

However, there will also be just as many train fans who can't get enough of it. Here it depends a bit on the child and their interests.

How do you choose the best electric train sets?

Electric train tracks are the most fun if you have something to build. A large set of rails, or the ability to easily combine them, is therefore an important part.

When ranking the toys on this list, we use our “Toy score”. It's based on the following components, each with its own weight.

1. Play value (30%)
2. Price/ quality (30%)
3. Replayability (20%)
4. Safety (10%)
5. Sustainability (5%)
6. Materials (5%)

The playing value, together with the price-quality ratio, is the most important thing. After all, the train track should be fun to play with and if it is too expensive, no one can afford it.

The play value assesses the product on the features that make it fun to play with. These are ease of use, degree of open-endedness, imagination, social interaction, interactivity, versatility and aesthetics. When a toy is easy to use and understand, is attractive to the child and there are many opportunities to make up your own play with it with open end and imagination, it will be played longer with a higher quality of play.

The value for money is a score based on the ratio of the quality of the toy to the price of the item. This ratio determines how much value you get for your money, in play value and in the intrinsic quality of the item such as the materials used.

Replayability rates the product on features that ensure it will be used again and again. These are ability to combine, portability, longevity, durability and versatility.

Can I combine the same model train gauges?

Whether you can combine train sets of the same gauges depends on several factors. It is possible to mix model trains of the same scale, as long as the track gauge is the same. Specific pieces of the set, such as the rails and accessories, must be compatible.

It is easier to combine trains of the same scale because they are proportional. When mixing O scale trains it is important to note that not all manufacturers use the same scale ratios. This can lead to compatibility issues.

What are the best electric train set brands?

The best brands for electric train sets are as follows.

• Lionel: American brand, offers variety in sets such as Pennsylvania Flyer and Polar Express.
• Hornby: British brand, known for sets such as Flying Scotsman and Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express.
• Bachmann: Offers G gauge sets, including the King of the Railway.
• Piko: German brand, known for its Illinois Central set.
• Kato: Japanese brand, offers a wide range of electric train sets.

Is a model train set different from a wooden train track?

Yes, a model train set is different from a wooden train set. Model train sets are often more detailed and realistic than wooden sets. They are usually made of plastic or metal and are available in different scales and gauges. These sets are often more expensive, but offer a wider range of unique benefits. They are usually enjoyed by enthusiasts who value the accuracy and realism of the trains and tracks.

Wooden train sets, on the other hand, are simpler and have less detail. They are usually made of wood and are usually of only one scale and gauge so that all brands fit together. These sets tend to be cheaper and are often enjoyed by children for their simplicity and durability.

Although they are less realistic, it is possible choose wooden toy train tracks still offering a range of unique benefits with a wide range of play options.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.