3 year old has asked for a train from Father Christmas. Which one?

[NeitherNowtNorSummat01]

3 year old DS is a little bit train obsessed.
We have the wooden track (brio/ bigjigs type) and he loves that- we definitely don't need any more
We also have the happyland train (which he also likes but is growing out of that a bit- so it's going to be passed on to his brother)
In conversation today, he announces that he would be asking Father Christmas for a train.
He is a young 3, so I think Hornby is too advanced - can anyone recommend a decent train set that won't break the bank.
Is Thomas track master any good? Thank you

[missyB1]

Track master is perfect for that age, my ds loved it. He’s far too young for hornby, it’s very fiddly stuff!

[NeitherNowtNorSummat01]

Thank you. Do you think it matters that he isn't interested in thomas

[NellyTimes]

My son got into trackmaster at that age and 5 years later he still plays with it now. He's not particularly interested in watching Thomas either, just loves the toy trains.

[jillycar]

We had the Lego duplo train and bought extra second hand track to make it travel further. It has been one of our most played with toys.

[BestZebbie]

Has he had a ride on a real steam train yet?

[biffyboom]

Definitely thomas trackmaster.

[NeitherNowtNorSummat01]

Thanks everyone. Track master it is.
Yes, he has had a ride on a real steam train in Devon. He's been on Thomas himself at Didcot and he's going on a special steam train at Christmas to meet FAther Christmas!

[washingmachinefastwash]

I have just given 3 full sets of trackmaster to the charity shop.

Never, ever again.

What about the battery operated brio? My son loves them.

[NeitherNowtNorSummat01]

@washingmachine can I ask why you didn't get on with the trackmaster?

[LilQueenie]

I would say having had all the thomas versions they all have their good points. If you don't mind spending it then the new thomas set that is out would cover all thomas tracks and trains.It links them all. Thomas and friends super station. www.google.co.uk/search?q=thomas&rlz=1C1AVNE_enGB685GB686&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiqjpXTvZTXAhXM1hoKHRA_D4IQ_AUIDSgE&biw=1366&bih=662#spd=10378663235666394396

[washingmachinefastwash]

It’s a pain in the arse to build and because each track is large, you can’t leave them up so have to be dismantled to be stored (unless you live in a mansion)

My son lost interest after a short amount of time because the train does everything that he would normally do manually because it’s motorised. He got bored watching the the train take itself around the track.

It’s hardly been played with so all 3 sets have been sent to the charity shop.

Apart from brio, the only other train set that he loved to play with was take and play. the dinosaur set was a huge hit with him although it is a few years old so I’m not sure if that range is still available.

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I just keep adding to the Brio-style sets for my train obsessed 3 year old. There are lots of fancy sets you can get including remote control trains. You can never have too much Brio!

[ManicGirl]

I'd second those saying to stick with Brio. My train obsessed son is still too young for Hornby. Last birthday we got him a station that he can record his own announcements and a signal. They cost quite a lot but still much better than investing in a whole new set.
He absolutely loves them, although he spends a lot of time just saying words like poo and bum into the recordable bit!

[CleverQuacks]

The Thomas take and play sets are excellent, they are portable and all the bits stay together so there is very little putting together, all the different sets join together to. My son loves them from the age of 3 and he is 6 now.

[DontbeaDickaboutit]

How about a train table? 3 years on, DS (6) still uses his for Lego!

[minisoksmakehardwork]

Ds1(7) is Thomas obsessed. We have wooden, track master and take and play (now adventures I think). We also have mini trains. We have also had some chuggington in the past.

TBH I think the wooden stuff is best value. We have a mix of tesco own, big jigs and a Thomas set. The toysrus train table track is also compatible with all the wooden track we have. Some wooden tracks don’t appear to mix well with others and I think brio might be one of those. But we don’t have brio so i can’t check.

The track master set is lovely for older ones before they graduate to hornby, and Ds1 is happy playing with it. But unless you have more than one set or go for a basic loop it is very hard to deviate from the planned track designs they suggest. Some trains are motorised and others are not, but ds1’s wooden trains also run happily on track master so he tends to let the motorised one shunt the others round.

So for a 3 year old I’d suggest a wooden train set, possibly with a table if you are looking for the big gift. It helps keep track out from under feet! Although Ds1 uses his table now to make a steep down track or build bridges across from the table to other furniture! And you can add to it quite easily and cheaply.

[BLUESEAPARADISE]

I also agree at the track master is a pain to build and it takes up a lot of room! We got a few sets and DC got bored of it within a few days.. and he loves trains!

I wish we continued to Add to his Wooden train track as years later he still plays with it

[Equimum]

We decided to just stick with wooden when DS1 kept asking for rains. We have all manner of bridges, tunnels, sheds, monorail, subway, farm bit, goods bits, steam trains, diesels etc, and he still loves it at almost five. We just alternate what is out at any one time, and occasionally build enormous lay-outs round the downstairs.

In fact, this set-up is so loved by both DSs, that we are moving onto wooden roadways for DS2 this Christmas!

[katienana]

When my ds was 3 he asked for a fire engine he could sit in. I got him a fire engine play tent which he completely loved! Is your ds after something more like that? I would try to narrow it down as to what he really wants.

[Buglife]

My train obsessed DS is 3 and has a lot of wooden tracks and accessories, there's no way I'm embarking on another system! We have decided to get some raised sections of track, bridges and stuff to elevate it to make it more interesting. Also some more obscure Thomas engines that have cranes etc on them to add to his play. I also think he loves pushing them about himself so right now a motorised one moving by itself would if anything upset him!

[2ducks2ducklings]

We bought our son a wooden train table from toys r us when he was about three. He loved it and we only just got rid of it when we moved this year (he's now 9) as he used the table for Lego (and as the console for his homemade tardis). It was about £100 and worth every penny.
I agree with about trackmaster stuff. It didn't get played with half as much as the wooden trains. The take and play sets were better received though.

[NeitherNowtNorSummat01]

Wow, thanks everyone. So much useful advise. I think I have now looked at every train on the market!!!! He plays with the wooden one he has the most, so I guess we'll just add to that. A train table is a good idea- we can keep it in his bedroom then! Thanks for the abuse about the Thomas trackmaster. It's so expensive if it doesn't get played with much

[Fueledwithfairydustandgin]

Last Christmas DS (who isn't into trains whatsoever) asked for a train from santa. He only asked for that so I wanted to get it but we already have brio that he isn't bothered with so didn't want to go mad. We bought a train for the bottom of the Christmas tree and had it set up running round the tree covered in glitter when he came down. It was only £20 but was quite exciting on Christmas morning.

[NapQueen]

Does he have space under his bed? If so could you hot glue whatever track you buy onto a sheet of MDF and just slide it away each evening?

[CarrotVan]

TK Maxx have a couple of Brio bits at the moment - a trackside crane and a crane boat.