Hornby R1234 Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train Set

Product Information

When it is put together correctly, beautifully. We found a few problems with the power not transferring properly but eventually figured out that it was down to us not fully understanding how the points worked rather than any issue with the set itself. Once we had that figured out and knew to avoid stopping in the small dead zone around a point, we had no further problems. There is also an active community on Hornby’s forums so if you do run into any problems, there’s bound to be someone there who can advise. Are you ready to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year? The best way to get there is with the Hornby Hogwarts Express Train Set! In brilliant Hogwarts red and containing a DCC Ready 5972 locomotive with working headlight, plus two coaches, this set makes a perfect gift or addition for any Harry Potter fan! If you want to go completely the other end of the price spectrum. There are battery operated sound modules (non Hornby) with motion detectors that provide only a generic (non loco specific) set of steam sounds. These would be fitted in addition to the basic non sound DCC decoder. Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs Fictitious Livery - Prototype eras are merely an indication of when this item may have run, if it really existed!

For Potterhead households with older kids, the Hogwarts Express electric train set will make for an amazing gift and will bring joy for years if not decades to come. However, I would hold off on purchasing it for families with young children as little fingers getting too close may well lead to disaster. As is probably already obvious, this is a kit very much aimed toward adults and collectors, not kids. If you’re looking for a train set for your Harry Potter obsessed eight-year-old, this may not be the set for you, as it will require maintenance to keep it running well and a gentle touch to operate—it simply will not handle rough play. For youngsters wanting to play at Hogwarts Express, I’d be more inclined to direct you toward a wooden set from Brio or Bigjigs as these will handle far more enthusiastic play and with some creativity, can still be a lot of fun even for older kids. Brio’s 33592 Mighty Red Locomotive will make an excellent Hogwarts Express substitute and could probably be altered in that direction even more with careful use of a Sharpie. Running the Hogwarts Express Electric Train Set, Image: Sophie Brown Our family has had a huge amount of fun with the Hogwarts Express electric train set. My nine-year-old son spent hours sending it around the legs of our dinner table, his Potter-loving friend’s jaw dropped open when she saw it while visiting for an afternoon, and my father-in-law instantly became a kid again when he came over—we ended up leaving him and my son alone as they played happily together, coupling and uncoupling the carriages. I’m already trying to figure out if I can have the set running around our tree come Christmas morning and, on opening the box, instantly had delusions of grandeur involving a full attic conversion into the model railway room my dad always dreamed of.