The starter set can be a good "around the tree" thing for a child and his or her family. I have found them to be good, reliable, and fun- for what they are. They are not a "hobby", just an introduction. But they ARE a start, and for around $ 260 a good value. After all, they are running on a flat surface for a few minutes each day, for maybe three weeks a year.
Beware though- the "play value" of these sets INCLUDES the smoke, bells, whistles, and crew talk of these engines. In every case, the parents (my kids and in-laws) have turned these features off, for their (adults) own peace and quiet. Surprise!! The kids play with them for just a few minutes, and (IMO) since the thing just goes around an around, it has none of the features that attract a child. And (I think) that is one reason that Lionel and others use steam engines in a lot of or most starter sets.
When the child begins to like it, it's time to take him or her train-watching. Educate the child on the history, maybe (later) buy him or her a diesel. There are retailers that break up Starter Sets, selling off the engines separately at low prices. But- to buy a "GP"-style diesel similar to that used by today's railroads will cost 2/3 or so of a full starter set, and an LC+ will cost more than a diesel Starter Set. You might just buy another (diesel) Starter Set - then you have twice as many engines, track and cars, plus a backup power supply.
Face it- trains are not a big thing in most peoples' lives, and chances are the child does not pay enough attention to the trains at the crossing to even see that steam engines no longer exist.
Joshua Cowen was a genius- he understood play value. It made his company successful- first his air whistle and smoke. Later- missile launchers, helicopter cars, rotating beacons and giraffes sticking their heads our of boxcars. REAL trains in the 1950's did not have But Lionel trains did. And only because of "play value". And, don't turn off the smoke, sound and "bells and whistles".
