Miniaturized electric train sets are a staple for every locomotive enthusiast, both young and old. The model train sets are popular among children and help develop their motor, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills while also providing them with endless fun and satisfaction. Building an electric train set is time-consuming, but it’s all worth it as it makes the experience realistic. There are several varieties of electric train sets available online, and it’s necessary to choose the right one that fits your budget, electric supply, and room size. The list and the buying guide below highlight all the information you need to buy the best electric train sets for your children.
19 Electric Train Sets For Kids
1. Best Easy-To-Assemble:Hot Bee Train Set
Hot Bee’s electric toy train features a cargo vehicle, coal wagon, locomotive steam engine, and a passenger car. The hooked train set runs on a ten-piece track, which you can arrange in a circular or oval shape. Additionally, the train set includes some cool features such as chugging sounds, a fully functional headlight, and a smokestack that releases odorless steam. This battery-powered model train runs on a 3.7V lithium battery that lasts for more than three hours after recharging. You can buy this electric train set for kids aged three to eight. Pros
Easy to assemble and disassemble Sturdy train set made of ABS material Releases harmless smoke Does not fall off the track Rechargeable batteries
Cons
No mute feature
2. Best Eco-Friendly:Temi Train Set
Temi offers a battery-operated toy train set ideal for children aged three and up. This model train set comes with a steam locomotive, two passenger cars, and 12 track pieces. You can set up a 69.3×41.7-inch oval layout or use fewer track pieces to form a layout of your choice. For a realistic experience, you can activate the LED headlight, whistle sound, and liquid smoke features. Complete your mini electric train set with the European architecture and figurines and enjoy the journey. If you need further convincing, check this YouTuber’s review out. Pros
Features a long train track Easy to set up and dismantle Made of eco-friendly materials Uses four rechargeable AA batteries Suitable for Christmas decorations
Cons
Train may derail frequently
3. Best Lightweight:iHaHa Electric Train Set
The electric model train set from iHaha includes four straight tracks and six curved tracks to let you form any layout of your choice. The set also comes with a freight car, locomotive engine, and two passenger cars. This battery-operated train set is ready to run after you insert two AA batteries at the back of its locomotive engine. You can arrange the electric train set around your Christmas tree and switch on the chuffing sounds for an authentic train journey. Pros
Easy to assemble Includes headlight for a realistic experience Lightweight and space-saving design Easy to store Chuffing sounds are not too loud Made of safe materials
Cons
Tracks may not be sturdy
4. Best Stable:Lionel The Polar Express LionChief
The Polar Express from Lionel is a 2-8-4 set that includes a locomotive and tender, an observation car, four movie characters, two passenger cars, and several track pieces. This model electric train set uses Bluetooth, cellphone, and remote for smooth operation. You can use the remote to activate the bell and whistle sounds and the official announcements from the movie. Besides, the chuffing and rail sounds, puffing smoke, operational headlights, and silhouettes in the windows make the set more true-to-life. Check out the review of this product on YouTube to know why it is one of the best out there. Pros
Sturdy engine made of heavy metal Cars include internal lights Easy to set up Compatible with Bluetooth Does not fall off the track
Cons
Switch to turn off smoke and chuff sounds may not work well
5. Best Realistic:Bachmann Trains Jingle Bell Express Ready To Run Electric Train
Pros
Real-life experience with headlights, chugging sounds, and smoke Easy to install Does not decouple or derail Comes with clear instructions Cute Christmas-themed designs on the cars Engine made of diecast metal
Cons
Plastic tender and coaches may not be durable
6. Best Christmas-Themed:Unomor Train Set
The Christmas electric train set, made of durable, eco-friendly, and non-toxic ABS plastic, is an ideal gift for children aged three years and up. This electric train set for toddlers comes with a classic steam locomotive, an elf handcar, a cargo car, and a passenger coach. The engine and cars, connected with a hook coupler, are placed on the circular or oval track laid out using the 12 track pieces. The headlight and engine sounds make the set more vivid. Pros
Suitable for play or as a Christmas decor Easy switch to forward and backward directions Operates with 2AA batteries Includes a moving elf car Easy to assemble
Cons
Noisy operation
7. Best Bluetooth-Enabled:Lionel Union Pacific Flyer electric Train Set
The Union Pacific Flyer is a Bluetooth-enabled train set that you can smoothly operate using your phone. This 0-8-0 train set includes a boxcar, caboose, coal car, locomotive, and a tank car. After connecting the cars and engine, you can place the train on the tracks and start it by plugging the terminal wire into the electric socket. This O-gauge train set is ideal for children and hobbyists and also makes a perfect Christmas decoration. Pros
Announcements, headlights, and smoke for a realistic experience Simple remote control system Forward and reverse directions Good sound effects Engine made of solid metal
Cons
May not be easy to assemble
8. Best Engaging:KNULIEEL Train Set
Let your children experience a fun and safe train journey with the Knulieel electric train set made of durable and eco-friendly materials. This electric toy train set comes with a cargo, steam engine, passenger coach, and an oil car. Use the 16 track pieces to create your preferred modular train track layout, and place the hooked train on it. The electric train set is powered by 6 AA batteries and can be operated at two speeds using a remote control. Activate the LED lights, steam, and train sounds and watch your kid experience a true-to-life train journey. Pros
Interchangeable tracks easily snap together Environmentally-friendly steam Includes traffic signs, trees, and dinosaurs Large train set with lots of pieces
Cons
Train may derail often
9. Best Multi-Colored:Fugz Electric Train
Fugz single-piece electric toy train, equipped with LED flashing lights, produces a multi-color 3D effect to make the experience a lot more fun for children. It also includes a sound system, which plays bell, chuffing, and whistle sounds for a realistic experience. Unlike the standard electric train sets, this one can run on any flat surface. Further, it automatically changes direction when it bumps into something. Insert 3AA batteries at the back, switch on, and watch the train come to life. Pros
Made of safe materials Does not require much assembly Attracts children easily Space-saving design Spins 360 degrees
Cons
Plastic body may not be durable
10. Best Large-Sized:Fanl Train Set With Dinosaurs
Made of eco-friendly ABS materials, the Fanl train set is safe and suitable for children. Children can hook the locomotive, passenger car, oil can, and cargo and create any layout by snapping the curved and straight tracks together. Further, the remote provides extra features such as forward and reverse directions, sound on/off, and stop function. Pros
Includes dinosaurs, traffic signs, and trees Produces sound, light, and smoke effects Easy to assemble with adult supervision Large train set with lots of pieces
Cons
Remote may not be durable
11. Baby Home Train Set
Baby Home’s train set, designed for children aged three years and above, uses eco-friendly and non-toxic materials. The model train set includes several track pieces to create a large oval track layout with an inner loop. Besides, you’ll also find a locomotive steam engine, passenger coach, cargo vehicle, coal car, traffic signs, and European architecture and figurines included in the set. The 4 AA battery-powered train set provides an authentic experience with rail sounds, working headlights, and liquid smoke. Pros
Made with durable and high-quality alloy Stays on track Easy to assemble Multiple track layouts
Cons
Plastic parts may not be durable
12. Catta Electric Train Set
The electric train set from Catta is ideal for children’s pastimes or even as a Christmas decoration. This black-colored train set comes with ten-track pieces, which can be snapped together to form a railroad layout of your choice, a locomotive engine, coal carriage, passenger car, and freight. It runs on four AA batteries, and the model offers functional headlights and produces puffing steam and rail sounds to make the train set more realistic. Pros
Easy to set up Suitable for beginners Runs smoothly on the track Made with good-quality materials
Cons
Wheels and couplers may be flimsy
13. iPlay, iLearn Train Set
iPlay, iLearn’s train block set for toddlers includes a locomotive, two cars, railroad pieces, and building blocks that help boost their shape coordination and creativity skills. The locomotive engine comes with a music and light feature to stimulate your baby’s senses and physical movements. Children can also make different combinations and shapes using the building blocks. Pros
Improves cognitive skills Easy to put together Engaging and fun for toddlers Cute colors and sounds
Cons
Pieces may be small for toddlers
14. Rofay Electric Train Set
The cute train set from Rofay is safe for babies and toddlers as it is made of non-toxic plastic material and features rounded edges. The train set includes an engine and three carriages, which can be assembled in any way the child fancies. Further, the train engine has a slot at its back to insert AA batteries, and once the train starts chugging, the chimney on the engine radiates colorful lights and plays cheerful music. Pros
Hassle-free assembly Educational and brain developing activity Moves on floors and carpets Carriages can spin Visually appealing design
Cons
No volume control
15. Joyin Holiday Train Set
Joyin’s classic Christmas electric train set features a cargo car, locomotive engine, oil car, passenger car, and conveyance. The instructions provided allow you to snap the track pieces together to form a railroad layout. Insert the AA batteries into the locomotive engine, link the carriages, and place them on the tracks. You can use the remote to start, stop, and control the speeds of the train. Pros
Made of non-toxic materials Easy to assemble Easy-to-operate remote Realistic engine and whistle sounds Red headlight
Cons
Does not include batteries
16. FiGoal Electric Train Set
The electric train set from FiGoal is suitable for Christmas decorations and children’s playtime. This high-quality train set includes an engine, a passenger car, a cargo, a tank, and 15 track pieces that can be assembled to form a railroad layout of your choice. Once you power the train with AA batteries, it starts moving and produces chugging sounds and steam. Pros
Made with non-toxic materials Visually appealing Attracts and engages children
Cons
Wheels may not connect well to the tracks
17. Ouriky Train Set
The Ouriky train set features a retro-looking locomotive engine, a cargo vehicle, a coal car, and miniature accessories such as trees, signages, and a flagpost. The set also comes with several track pieces to form an oval layout with an inner loop. The trains and cars are linked using hook couplers, and the engine, powered by four AA batteries, moves smoothly on the tracks. Pros
Durable and safe materials Has headlight and smokestack for real-life experience Easy to put together
Cons
May derail sometimes
18. DSHMIXIA Train Set
The wooden train set from Dshmixia features a battery-operated locomotive engine and two carriages. Inside the train and the carriages, you’ll find three moveable figurines. The magnetic couplings at the back of each car connect the train pieces together, and the magnetic three-car train can be placed on any wooden track. Pros
Child-safe and eco-friendly Compact and easy to carry Realistic sounds Glass roof can be closed and opened
Cons
Track not included
19. Mini Tudou Train Set
Take your children on a historic train journey with Mini Tudou’s retro-looking electric train set. It includes an engine and three carriages connected through hook couplers. Use the 14 track pieces to create a layout and place the train on it. The train is powered by batteries, which are rechargeable using the USB cable included in the package. The flashing headlights, odorless smoke, and sounds provide a visual treat and immersive train experience to your child. Pros
Easy to assemble Made of BPA-free, non-toxic plastic Suitable for multiple occasions Easy-to-operate remote
Cons
Noisy operation
How To Choose The Right Electric Train Set?
Here are some features you should look for when buying an electric train set. Electric train sets are a great way to engage, educate, and entertain children and develop their cognitive skills. They are not only meant for children but also continue to be a passion project for several locomotive enthusiasts, no matter their age. So, if you know a train lover, make sure you give them the best electric train set.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is a game and toy enthusiast and has come up with a list of some of the best electric train sets that will fascinate children and adults alike. Priti has a keen interest in researching, analyzing, and suggesting the right products to her readers. Through this article, Priti guides you on buying the finest electric train set that suits your budget, size of the room, and electric supply. She also highlights the pros and cons of each train set to help buyers make the right choice.