The smell of burnt plastic still clings to the memory. It was my grandfather’s layout, a sprawling HO scale empire…and the source of my first model railroading disaster. A short circuit, a melting locomotive, and a young boy’s crushed dreams. But here we are, decades later, staring down at the Bachmann E-Z App Smart Phone Controlled Ready To Run Train Set, a supposed antidote to that old pain.

This isn’t your grandpa’s train set. No more fiddling with physical controllers. Instead, your phone is the throttle. I’ll admit, I was skeptical. App-controlled trains? Sounds gimmicky. However, the allure of digital control, the promise of ease, piqued my interest. My initial setup impressions were mostly positive. The Bluetooth connection was surprisingly solid, unlike some of the early attempts at wireless control I’d seen. The included Scout Special livery is charming, a nod to a wholesome hobby.

Let’s be clear, though. This is not for the seasoned hobbyist seeking absolute realism. This is a gateway, an invitation. The included track, the basic oval, gets you rolling fast. The locomotive, a generic steam engine, performs well enough for beginners, offering decent speed control. (Just don’t expect it to pull a massive consist right out of the box.) Now, here’s where the rubber meets the rail, or rather, the digital signal. The app itself is intuitive enough, allowing for speed adjustments, light control, and even basic sound effects. It’s certainly more user-friendly than wrestling with a traditional power pack and its clunky dial. The real triumph is the responsiveness. The train reacts instantly to your commands.

The most impressive aspect of this set? The control. A tap on the screen and you can manage multiple trains. That’s a game-changer! Imagine the potential: coordinating a freight run with a passenger train, all at your fingertips. I can already see the appeal. It’s an accessible introduction to the hobby.

One small niggle: the included train cars are a bit lightweight, prone to derailing on less-than-perfect trackwork. (This is common at this price point.) But, easy fix! Weighing the cars with small amounts of lead shot, strategically placed, solves the issue.

And the competition? Well, Lionel’s “LionChief” sets offer similar features, but often at a higher price and with less app functionality. Bachmann has cornered the market on affordability and accessibility.

Who is this for? The parent looking to spark their child’s interest in trains. The beginner who wants an easy entry point. The person who, like me, once dreamed of a train empire and now has the tools to start building it, digitally connected and all. My advice? Don’t hesitate.