Starter Sets

Welcome to Our Giant Selection of HO Gauge Train Sets

If you are getting started in the great hobby of railway modelling, there is no better way than with a starter set or train set and we are the go to shop as our selection is as big as any in the world.

HO Gauge is 1:87 scale and is the most popular gauge to model in nearly every country in the world apart from the United Kingdom (where it is OO Gauge) and Japan (where it is N Gauge)  with nearly all of the major worldwide manufacturers supporting it.  There is a comprehensive range of locomotives, coaches, wagons, track and accessories to extend with, so the possibilities are almost limitless.  You can run OO Gauge locomotives and rolling stock on HO Gauge track but because of the difference in scale, HO Gauge locomotives and rolling stock will look small in comparison to their OO Gauge counterparts.

One of the most famous worldwide HO brands is the historic German manufacturer, Marklin and there is an extra consideration to make if you choose to start with Marklin.  Marklin locomotives work using AC power which is collected via a series of studs between the rails of the track.  This means that you are effectively locked into a more closed system but many locomotives are supplied by other manufacturers in this AC format so there are other options.  

Every other supplier uses conventional DC power and given the huge reach of HO Gauge, there are starter sets depicting the trains in almost every European country as well as a number of American options too.  Such suppliers include Roco, PIKO, Trix and KATO and we offer train sets containing iconic and workaday Steam Locomotives as well as Diesels and Electrics as well as the very latest Multiple Units that you see on the real railway today.

Train sets are an ideal gift and a popular birthday present and of course, who wouldn’t want to receive a train set for Christmas and we even have specially themed seasonal sets to run around a Christmas tree too.

When buying a train set as a gift, you might want to consider a track or building extension set as a supplementary gift as this will add operational interest right from the start, as a thoughtful and useful addition.

We are one of the largest suppliers of HO Gauge Train Sets in the world and our experienced expert team (who are all modellers themselves) are on hand to guide you with any advice or suggestions you might need.  Enhance your modelling by buying Marklin, Roco, PIKO, KATO and Trix directly from Gaugemaster – the model shop for BIG imaginations.