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I've been considering doing a 40K train project for a while and I started looking around for kits to use as the basis and holy christ, what is up with the prices? Even when I can find plain old plastic model kits(ie, I just want a model, not some all-metal electrified super-accurate miniature locomotive) in O scale they cost a fortune, and the selection appears to be tiny. You can get "good enough" in terms of detailing tank and plane model kits in 40k-compatible scales for pennies compared to GW, but the train kit prices make even *Forgeworld* look reasonable. I tried browsing "toy" trains but they're all tiny or Thomas the Tank Engine

Am I missing some obvious trick to finding reasonably priced train kits, or is it really just the case that a middling-detailed train kit costs 4+ times the price of a similarly sized tank kit?

I can't comment on O-gauge, but I've been looking at doing an N-gauge model railway (because, you know, geek) and yes, the prices really are that high. A single N-gauge coach, which is about the size of your forefinger, is about £25! Ok it's pre painted and has bearings etc., but not cheap for something pretty small.

I know we all moan about the cost of our army men, but when you look at some other hobbies we don't have it that bad.

 Jadenim wrote:
I can't comment on O-gauge, but I've been looking at doing an N-gauge model railway (because, you know, geek) and yes, the prices really are that high. A single N-gauge coach, which is about the size of your forefinger, is about £25! Ok it's pre painted and has bearings etc., but not cheap for something pretty small.

I know we all moan about the cost of our army men, but when you look at some other hobbies we don't have it that bad.

Oh aye, but I can at least understand the prices for stuff designed to go on actual working train sets: there's no earthly reason a 1:48/43 plastic train scale model should cost four or more times the price of a 1:48/43 scale tank or plane kit, they're the same size, made of the same material, require the same amount of effort to assemble, come on a similar number of sprues etc.

Your best bet will be toy trains, as you mentioned already... Hard to find the right scale and with at least some detail.

Also what kind of style train do you want? Harry Potter choo choo or 21. century?

Something like this could be a base maybe..

https://www.amazon.de/Dickie-Toys-203748002-City-Train/dp/B01CKALQEQ/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1501835357&sr=8-9&keywords=spielzeugeisenbahn

https://www.amazon.de/Dickie-Toys-203749005-City-Liner/dp/B01MRXROY1/ref=pd_sim_21_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QVSNKFRFEMW4M8B0N6TP

scale is 1:43, not that bad

Sorry for german amazon links

My boys are into trains and from what I've seen most O gauge kits are usually brass, hence the eye watering prices. If you could somehow use OO gauge then you could at least look at the Dapol range. I picked up a plastic breakdown crane from them for under a tenner as they are repackaged old Matchbox kits from the 70's

http://www.waylandgames.co.uk/custom-meeple-scenery/45160-malifaux-transdimensional-express

Sadly OO scale is far, far too small for 40K.

The issue with toy train is they tend to be "modern" if they're not cartoonish, and the best basis for a 40K train I feel would be one of the huge art deco monsters.

Might just have to pass then :/

The cheapest way to do it would be to find some MDF kits...but they will end up looking like MDF kits. There are several grav-trains etc. that I've seen for 28mm scale, but I'm not sure price-wise where they fall.

honestly other than hunting all over for toys that will work (which can take quite a while), patiently finding something on sale from a train hobby store, or picking up clearance at a local Hobby Lobby/craft type store - if you don't want to use an MDF one, maybe think about making a train?

Either take a stock toy, and fix it up, or start completely from scratch and use plasticard and wheels etc - since you don't really want a working one, no reason to buy the hobby train version.

Anyway just a thought!

Maybe try searching for military train kits? Like models of WWI railway guns. They would at least give you a trailer to start with, maybe you could it up with plasticard? You might even get lucky and find one with an actual train to pull it. After a quick search they seem expensive in 1/35 scale but if you dig a bit you might something cheaper.

I have the TTCombat maglev train kit... nice because you can use it in many sections. It's 4" long so splits a board in half.

Buy from here: https://ttcombat.com/products/mag-lift-train

Pic of it painted on my table here: https://instagram.com/p/BSuDyAUBXVY/
Close up here: https://instagram.com/p/BRZXRF3BM4O/

4mm/OO stuff could be a decent basis for a 'narrow gauge' concept, indeed its used as O16.5 for narrow gauge in 7mm, then cheaper plastic kits on top but you can get the working gibbons (if that matters) cheaply second hand then plasticard whatever you want on top.

otherwise as many have said look at kids toys, the all in one 'christmas train sets' are worth a look, yes its cheap plastic tat not machined metal wheel sets and pin point bearings but if you're going to cut it up anyway who cares?

What are you looking to do with it?

If you are after a "big" stuff keep in mind that a bogie coach in O gauge is likely 18" - 24" long and a locomotive the same, for terrain just the track is likely enough, with maybe a wagon kit or two.

if you want it to work seriously consider narrow gauge, e.g.

http://www.peco-uk.com/prodtype.asp?strParents=3309,3316&CAT_ID=3318&numRecordPosition=1

but don't worry much about a locomotive, just stick windows in the front of a coach and mahoosive exhausts etc on the sides and instant 'power car'.

Also keep in mind if you want the 'mainline' gauge stuff a layout in 7mm is huge (as in a circle is like 6' across and thats tight), narrow gauge stuff you could just about get a full loop on a 6'x4' table

Beasts of war had some trains on there a while back that look d good and we're supposed to be cheap.

I'll try to find the bits


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Here's what I found, BOW went the toy route

First one

From Poundland apparently it's stocked during Christmas, they got theirs for £14.

Hobby lab episode (guessing this is paywalled )
http://www.beastsofwar.com/bolt-action/hobby-lab-making-train-track/

Train is ok size but a little on the small size.

Second one

Cat train set

https://www.tesco.com/direct/cat-construction-express-train-set/101-9224.prd?source=others
Currently £40 in Tesco but they got some on half price

Pretty big but the carriages can take/transport a leman Russ tank

Other non toy bits I found

MDF train from fantasy arc


http://www.fantasyarc.com/shop-mms

MDF Ltrain


http://www.multiversegamingterrain.com/l-train-car-p-146.html

Finaly if you can find it and have the funds

Resin union heavy rail from Wild West exodus

Actually, Thomas engines would be perfect for Chaos.

Yeah super helpful, I know.
You're welcome.

Is scratchbuilding an option you would be willing to undertake? Rather than buying kits outright, you could invest in some tools that would allow you to work with cheaper materials and create as much terrain as you would like. Silhouette cutters, for instance, are great for creating intricate outlines to lay over an otherwise flat wall.

 Master of the Forge wrote:
Actually, Thomas engines would be perfect for Chaos.

Yeah super helpful, I know.
You're welcome.