The PopCulteer
November 29, 2019

This week we’re turning over The PopCulteer to The 2019 PopCult Gift Guide, which was supposed to wrap up today, but instead will now run until December 13.

Below you find some gift suggestions for toy trains and slot cars. These are all priced over $ 100, but I’m suggesting them as gifts for kids, because the joy of bonding with a parent or older sibling while setting up a cool toy that requires adult supervision is not to be underestimated.

Here’s some great ideas for old-school toys that might just get the adults playing with the kids without the need of a gaming system.

Auto World 13′ Stock Car Showdown X-Traction Slot Race Set HO Scale HO Scale

Stock Car Racing…A sport built on speed, time and records.

Drivers and records come and go but two iconic racers have risen above the rest. They are Richard Petty and Bobby Isaac.

Both Richard and Bobby drove into stock car history in two of auto racing’s most memorable vehicles, both Chrysler products…Petty’s 1971 Petty-blue, Plymouth Road Runner and Isaac’s bright-red, 1971 Dodge Charger. Now you can enjoy the history and excitement of racing these two legends, straight to the winners circle!

FEATURES:
Track and Slot Cars are 100% Compatible with all Auto World and AFX Race Sets

Included in the Set:

2 – 6″ STRAIGHT TRACK
1 – 15″ STRAIGHT TRACK
1 – 15″ TERMINAL TRACK
8 – 18″ RADIUS BANKED CURVE TRACK
1 – 9″ LAP COUNTER TRACK
13 – BANKED TRACK SUPPORTS
8 – CORNER BANNERS
16 – CORNER BANNER CLIPS
1 – STARTING LINE BANNER
1 – CARDBOARD GRANDSTAND
1 – TRACK CLEANING PAD
1 – POWER PACK
2 – X-TRACTION® ELECTRIC RACERS
2 – SPEED CONTROLLERS

You can find this cool slot car set for $139 at Autoworld, or check local hobby shops.

Kato #106-0017 Amtrak P42 Superliner Phase IVb Starter set

N Scale model train sets are ideal for folks with cramped quarters and limited space. Smaller than HO Scale, these sets are compact, and can put away for storage more easily after playtime, while still lending themselves well to high-detailed model railroading.

This set, which can be for under two hundred bucks at ModelTrainStuff, features Amtrak cars.

Start your N Scale railroading experience with this sleek passenger set that includes an Amtrak P42 Locomotive #161, three Phase IVb Superliners (Sleeper #32054, Coach #34039 and Lounge #33003), a complete oval of Unitrack (12-3/8″ radius), grade crossing/rerailing track, special packaging with storage drawer for locomotives and accessories, and a Kato Power Pack.

– Phase V P42 Locomotive
– Locomotive Equipped with DCC Compatible Smooth Speed Flywheel Mechanism (DCC Decoder sold separately)
– 3 Phase IVb Superliner Cars
– Equipped with Knuckle Couplers
– Complete Oval of Track (12-3/8″ Radius)
– Grade Crossing/Rerailing Track
– Storage Drawer for Locomotives and Accessories
– Kato Power Pack

This is a great way to relive the joy of riding the rails with Amtrak without having to deal with the delays and downgraded food that they’ve become known for since the guy who ran Delta took over.

Bachmann Rocket Freight HO Scale Ready-to-Run Electric Train Set

HO Scale is the standard for fans of high-rail, ultra-detailed model railroading. For this scale, we’re going to recommend a good starter set, the Bachmann Rocket Freight HO Scale Ready-to-Run Electric Train Set, which can be found at a great price at Menard’s.

Hurtling down the track is the powerful Rocket Freight! Passing in a flash, you have to be fast to enjoy a glimpse of this commanding freight train as it makes its deliveries. Powered by a mighty GP40 BNSF Diesel Locomotive with operating headlight, the 68-piece Rocket Freight Train Set has everything you need to start your own railroad. This Menards Exclusive Train Set includes signs, telephone poles, and miniature people to let you quickly create an out-of-this -world model railroad display. Your complete Ready-to-Run Electric Train Set comes with GP40 BNSF Diesel Locomotive with operating headlight, Canadian Pacific Plug-Door Box Car, Texaco Single-Dome Tank Car, Union Pacific® Gondola Car, BNSF Off-Set Caboose, 47″ x 38″ oval of snap-fit E-Z Track®, 24 railroad and street signs, 12 telephone poles, 12 assorted figures, power pack, speed controller, and illustrated instruction manual.

68-Piece Rocket Freight Train Set has everything you need to start your own railroad
Powered by a GP40 BNSF Diesel Locomotive with operating headlight
Includes; Canadian Pacific Plug-Door Box Car, Texaco Single-Dome Tank Car, Union Pacific® Gondola Car, BNSF Off-Set Caboose
47″ x 38″ Oval of Bachmann Snap-fit E-Z Track®
24 railroad and street signs, 12 telephone poles, 12 assorted figures, power pack, speed controller
HO Scale: 1:87

The Lionel #1923020 NYC Flyer 0-8-0 LionChief Set w/ Bluetooth

O Scale is the grand-daddy of toy train systems, and we’d be derelect in our duties if we didn’t recommend a Lionel set. The Lionel #1923020 NYC Flyer 0-8-0 LionChief Set w/ Bluetooth can be found for under $300 at Trainworld.

New for 2018, but no stranger to the Lionel Ready-to-Run line-up, the New York Central Flyer is back and better than ever. Leading this great looking set is powerful 0-8-0, with upgraded drive rod assembly and Bluetooth® compatibility, followed by some colorful freight cars. This NYC set is a great addition to any existing layout or the perfect way to begin your journey in model railroading.

New York Central Railroad and other are trademarks owned by Consolidated Rail Corporation and are used here with permission.
0-8-0 Steam Locomotive and tender
NYC boxcar
NYC gondola with canisters
NYC caboose
Eight pieces of O36 curved FasTrack®
Two FasTrack® 10″ straight track sections
One LionChief® FasTrack® Terminal section
One Plug-Expand-Play® Power Lock-on section
Wall pack power supply
LionChief® remote for locomotive

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Electric locomotive controlled by included LionChief® remote, LionChief® Universal Remote (sold separately) or Bluetooth® LionChief® app
Upgraded drive rod assembly
On/Off switch for sound
RailSounds® RC™ sound system with steam chuffing and background sounds, whistle, bell, and user-activated announcements
Operating headlight
Powerful maintenance-free motor
Operating couplers
Puffing smoke

FREIGHT CAR FEATURES:
Die-cast metal sprung trucks
Operating couplers
Opening doors on boxcar
Four removable canisters in gondola

LIONCHIEF® REMOTE FEATURES:
Forward and reverse speed control knob
Three buttons to activate whistle, bell, and special announcements
Requires three AAA alkaline

I’ve tried to give you a sampling of different electric toy sets, from a variety of online retailers. You can find these at your local hobby shop, and maybe even find a set that’s more suited to give as a gift to the kid on your list. Remember that toy trains and slot cars qualify as STEM toys, and can spur a boy or girl onto a lifelong love of engineering and mechanics.

Keep in mind that, if your budget doesn’t allow for something as elaborate as these sets, you can find lower-priced and even battery-powered alternatives all over the place, even at Dollar General and Family Dollar stores.

That’s it for this week’s PopCulteer. Look for our regular features and check back for two more weeks of The 2019 PopCult Gift Guide.