Best Model Train Brands for Beginners & Hobbyists

By: Michael Snedden   On: 28 August 2026 

Some of the best-known model train brands for beginners and hobbyists include Bachmann, Hornby and Tomix.

The best choice depends on the scale you want to build, the type of railway you are interested in, available space, track compatibility and whether you want a complete starter set or individual locomotives and rolling stock.

Campbelltown Hobbies currently stocks model train products from brands including Bachmann, Hornby and Tomix, with locomotives, starter sets, track and accessories available across different scales.

What Makes a Model Train Brand Worth Buying?

A good model train brand is about more than the locomotive itself.

The most useful brands support an entire railway system.

That can include:

• Locomotives
• Passenger coaches
• Freight wagons
• Track
• Points and turnouts
• Controllers
• Buildings
• Scenery
• Replacement parts
• Accessories

This matters because a model railway often grows over many years.

A starter set may become a permanent layout with several locomotives, extra sidings, stations and scenery.

Choosing a well-supported system makes expansion much easier.

Bachmann Model Trains

Bachmann is one of the major brands currently represented in the Campbelltown Hobbies Model Trains range.

Current products include locomotives, complete train sets, rolling stock and accessories. Examples in the current range include Bachmann Thomas the Tank Engine products, Rail Chief sets and numerous HO and N scale locomotives.

Bachmann can suit:

• Beginners
• Family layouts
• Traditional model railway hobbyists
• HO scale users
• N scale users
• Thomas & Friends collectors

One advantage is the breadth of the range.

You can begin with a complete set and later add locomotives, wagons and accessories rather than replacing the entire system.

Hornby Model Trains

Hornby is one of the best-known names in British model railways.

Campbelltown Hobbies describes Hornby as being known for its train sets and accessories and currently carries Hornby products including complete train sets.

Hornby is particularly attractive if you are interested in:

• British railways
• OO scale
• Steam locomotives
• British diesel and electric trains
• Traditional train sets

For someone who grew up around British railway modelling, Hornby is often one of the first brands they recognise.

Tomix Model Trains

Tomix is particularly well known for Japanese N-scale model railways.

Campbelltown Hobbies currently carries Tomix starter sets, locomotives, track, points and accessories, including N-scale railway sets and individual track components.

Tomix makes sense if you want:

• N scale
• Japanese trains
• Compact layouts
• Modern passenger trains
• A large track and accessory system

N scale is particularly useful when available space is limited because the trains and track take up less room than larger scales.

Are Model Trains the Same as RC Trains?

Not usually.

The term RC train is sometimes searched online, but most hobby model trains are not radio controlled in the same way as an RC car.

Traditional model trains receive power through the rails.

The speed and direction are controlled through the railway’s electrical control system.

More advanced layouts may use Digital Command Control (DCC), which allows independent control of locomotives and additional functions.

So if you are searching for “RC trains”, what you are usually looking for is a model train set or powered model railway.

What Is the Best Model Train Brand for a Beginner?

For a beginner, the best brand is usually one that offers a complete starter set and plenty of compatible expansion products.

Starter sets commonly include:

• Locomotive
• Rolling stock
• Track
• Controller
• Power equipment

Current Campbelltown Hobbies examples include Bachmann complete sets and Tomix N-scale starter sets.

Starting with a set removes much of the uncertainty about compatibility.

Once you understand the system, you can add more track, locomotives and scenery.

Which Model Train Scale Is Best?

There is no single best scale.

The most important consideration is space.

HO and OO Scale

HO and OO are among the most popular model railway scales.

They provide enough size for good detail while remaining practical for many home layouts.

HO is particularly common in North American and European modelling, while OO is strongly associated with British model railways such as Hornby.

N Scale

N scale is much smaller.

This allows:

• Longer trains
• Larger layouts
• More scenery
• Wider curves

within the same physical space.

Tomix is strongly associated with N-scale Japanese railways, and Campbelltown Hobbies currently stocks a substantial range of Tomix N-scale track and train products.

If you have limited room, N scale can be a very practical choice.

What Is the Best Gauge for a Model Train?

Scale and gauge are related but not identical.

Scale describes how large the model is compared with the real train.

Gauge describes the distance between the rails.

The safest approach for a beginner is to choose a recognised system and stay within compatible track and rolling-stock standards.

If you already own track, always confirm compatibility before buying a new locomotive or train set.

How to Compare Model Train Brands

Before choosing a brand, consider:

What Railway Interests You?

Someone interested in British steam trains may naturally prefer Hornby.

Someone interested in Japanese trains may find Tomix more attractive.

Someone looking for a broad selection of North American or family-friendly train products may prefer Bachmann.

What Scale Do You Want?

This decision should come before buying a large number of products.

Changing scale later usually means changing:

• Track
• Locomotives
• Rolling stock
• Buildings
• Scenery proportions

How Much Space Do You Have?

A smaller scale allows more railway in the same room.

A larger scale can provide easier handling and more visible detail.

Is Track Easy to Expand?

Check whether additional:

• Straight track
• Curves
• Points
• Crossings
• Controllers

are readily available.

Are Locomotives and Rolling Stock Available?

A good model railway system should give you room to grow.

Which Brand Offers the Best Value?

Value is not simply the lowest purchase price.

A cheaper train set can become poor value if you cannot easily buy:

• Compatible track
• Replacement components
• Additional rolling stock
• Accessories

Established brands such as Bachmann, Hornby and Tomix have the advantage of broad product ecosystems.

For a new modeller, buying into a system that can be expanded is often better value than choosing a one-off set with limited support.

Are Model Trains Still Popular?

Yes.

Model railways continue to appeal because the hobby combines several interests:

• Trains
• Engineering
• Electronics
• Scenery building
• History
• Collecting
• Scale modelling

Some hobbyists enjoy operating trains.

Others enjoy constructing realistic landscapes, stations and towns.

For many people, the building process is just as important as running the trains.

Campbelltown Hobbies has more than 20 years of experience across model and hobby products and stocks trains alongside scenery and modelling accessories.

What Model Train Accessories Do You Need?

A basic train set may provide everything needed to start running.

As a layout grows, you may add:

• Additional track
• Points
• Controllers
• Buildings
• Platforms
• Signals
• Trees
• Ground cover
• Lighting
• Bridges

Campbelltown Hobbies also carries Scenery and other modelling products that can be used to develop a railway beyond the original starter set.

How Much Does a Model Train Set Cost?

Prices vary considerably depending on brand, scale and what is included.

Current examples from Campbelltown Hobbies include a Tomix N-scale starter set around $261, a Bachmann Thomas set around $339 and a Bachmann Rail Chief set around $466. Prices and availability change, so current product listings should always be checked before purchase.

This price spread reflects differences in:

• Scale
• Locomotive
• Rolling stock
• Track included
• Electronics
• Brand

Summary

There is no single model train brand that is best for everyone.

Bachmann is a strong all-round option with complete sets, locomotives and accessories across several styles.

Hornby is particularly suited to British railway enthusiasts and OO-scale modelling.

Tomix is a strong choice for Japanese N-scale layouts and compact model railways.

Before choosing, decide:

• What type of railway interests you
• Which scale suits your space
• Whether you want a starter set
• How easily the system can be expanded

Browse the Model Trains range at Campbelltown Hobbies to compare current train sets, locomotives, track and accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an RC train?

Most hobby model trains are not radio controlled like RC cars. They are normally powered through the rails and controlled by an electrical controller or digital command system.

What is the best model train brand?

There is no single best brand. Bachmann, Hornby and Tomix each suit different railway interests, scales and budgets.

What is the best scale for model trains?

HO and OO provide a good balance of detail and size, while N scale is particularly useful where layout space is limited.

Which model train gauge is best?

The best gauge depends on the scale and system you choose. Beginners should select a recognised system and buy compatible track and rolling stock.

Are model trains still popular?

Yes. Model railways remain popular with people interested in trains, scale modelling, scenery, electronics and collecting.

Is Hornby good for beginners?

Yes, particularly for people interested in British railways. Hornby offers complete sets and a large range of compatible products.

Is Bachmann good for beginners?

Yes. Bachmann offers complete train sets as well as a broad selection of locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.

Is N scale good for beginners?

Yes. N scale is particularly useful for people who want a larger railway layout in a smaller physical space.