What to buy when starting model railway?

There are a couple of ways to get started:

You can buy a complete starter set which includes track, train and controller such as the sets you can get from Hornby or Bachmann (a train set in a box), which will give you all you need to get up and running. Most sets are a basic oval with a siding. This can be extended with more track to give you exactly what you want.

Buying a complete starter set will usually save you money as the controller on its own is usually worth a good chunk of the total price. So even if you do not end up using all the track or some wagons, they are probably the best way to get started if you have nothing at the moment.

Alternatively, you can get track starter packs. With these you will need to get a controller and a train separately. By going this way you can choose the locomotive and controller that you want. You can also buy loose track rather than a track starter pack if you want full flexibility.

If you are planning on having your layout set up all the time you will also need a baseboard.