BachmannTrains - Santa Fe Flyer Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale 19.50 x 3.00 x 13.25 Inches

I purchased the Santa Fe Flyer set about a month ago to test my interest in the hobby of model trains. Up front, I’ll say I’ve had no issues with wheels coming off and while it took a bit to initially set the engine and get it to run (it needs to be on the rails correctly), it’s been great since that point.HO Scale: It’s a nice mix of not being so big that it takes up your entire room without being small enough to lose the details. The approximate size of the engine (in inches) is 7 long by about 2 high and maybe 1 wide. Other cars are of similar dimensions or a little shorter in length or height.Rolling Stock: The set came just as described with the engine and three cars as well as track pieces sufficient to build a circle. While setting the engine on the rails was initially challenging (the diesel engine design makes it tough to see the wheels and if they are on the rails), the re-railer does help some (I believe there is also an inexpensive item that sets cars on the rails pretty easily: EZ Railer I think). The other cars are not difficult since the wheels are relatively exposed (again, the rerailer helps set the wheels onto the track properly). The couplings work easily and hold well. While the engine has a weighty, solid feel, the other cars are very light-weight plastic so treat them appropriately. Some find that a problem, but the weighting is necessary if you want the engine to be able to pull them around the track with any speed or if you plan to add more cars later. The details on the cars are very nice giving some feel of realism. Once seated on the track, the transformer makes running the train an easy process as the train glides smoothly along the rails.Tracking: The EZ track does connect and disassemble pretty easily as long as you line it up well. The initial circle quickly becomes tiresome, so if you like model trains or gain interest with them, I’d suggest getting extra curved and straight track to make more interesting designs. Also, having some straight track makes it easier to set the cars on the rails. Keep in mind that the HO scale train track is set up to make a three-foot circle so you need some space if you want a figure eight or an oval or what have you (probably at least 6 by 4 foot area depending on your available space). On the upside, the track can go directly on carpet or flooring so as long as you don’t have youngsters or pets that will trouble it, the train doesn’t have to be on a table.Derailing: Some have suggested that this train easily derails. While I can’t speak for their specific situations, I would suggest that they check their tracks. I have personally had this engine running forward and reverse at top speed with no cars attached and with all cars attached along as steep a curve as Bachmann appears to provide (the 3 foot circle curve) and have only had any derailments when the track was not connected properly. If you find the wheels easily unseating: slow the train down, see if it derails in the same spot(s), turn OFF the power to the train, and run your finger along the rails. If it’s not smooth (either gaps or a raised spot) you need to separate and recombine those track pieces. Once it’s all smooth, you shouldn’t have any more problems.Bottom Line: For the price, this has been a great starter train set. I enjoy the details and the size of this scale model. There is plenty of room to expand the set in rolling stock, track, and other features. If you are an enthusiast and have an interest in model trains for you or your children, this is a nice item to buy.

I am very pleased with this train set. It is well built and works flawlessly. It was very easy to setup and it runs quite smoothly. The engine feels very solid and I am confident that it will last for some time. A very good starter kit. The track included is simply a small circle, so I highly recommend buying Bachmann's starter track kit. Overall this is a great kit and my kids love it as much as I do.Edit: After 2 years of ownership!I still LOVE this little train set. I truly do not understand the other negative reviews. I have NEVER had the wheels fall off when I wasn't doing something stupid (like accidentally knocking the car off the table), and then when I actually do have to put the wheels back on, it takes less than a second (literally). The track is super easy to assemble and the connection stays strong. I think the quality of this set is great, especially for the price. The engine may be a little loud for some people's taste, but for a starter kit, what do you expect? It's NOT going to sound the same as the engines that cost a few hundred dollars. I still recommend getting the extra Bachmann track set. It's not too expensive and it allows you to really enjoy this train instead of just driving in a small circle. It also solves the problem that people are having with getting the train on the tracks. The extra track set includes 2 "re-railer" pieces that are designed to get the wheels aligned up and on the tracks. All you have to do is set the train down on the track, regardless of where the wheels line up, and run it back and forth with your hand a few times over the "re-railer" piece and, voila! The wheels are perfectly aligned and it is ready to roll! Takes 5 seconds to accomplish. So, after 2 years of ownership, would I still recommend this set? Absolutely. I'm loving it, my kids are loving it, everyone that gets a chance to play with it loves it. As we speak, the freight car is loaded with my kids' lego figures driving them through the Christmas village! Good times.

This is the second one we have bought for grandchildren It’s a starter set - plastic cars - but works well If an adult supervises and teaches a child how to use the “transformer” to adjust the trains speed, children under 8 can operate it just fine Our 3 year old granddaughter proudly shared with her doctor at her checkup that she got a ChooChoo train for her birthday - only toy mentioned Of course Dad sets it up and takes it apart

Muy bueno bonito es más de lo que vale. Muy recomendable vendedor y producto

Good Quality, only issues are the hitch system is to brittle and break off easily. One car hitch broke in 3 days.

Excellent Train set..Me and my son have been playing with this set past 3 yrs....each time the excitement is new....we plan the layout ...stations ...bridges ...its just amazing...

very good price, nice item

hooking the other wagons to the sante fe flyer not easy. item is a bit flimsy. got it at a decent price compaired to other sellers