Talk to me about wooden train sets

[melliebobs]

Hiya

I'm looking to get a wooden train set for DDs 2nd birthday. Went to look at brio and as lovely as it is if were looking to expand the collection as the years go on it's a bit £££

So. What with brio, bigjigs and IKEA etc are any of them compatible or fit in with each other? Don't what to get one set n be stuck just paying out for that one

Thanks in advance

[poisonedbypen]

We have a mixture of brio (presents from family), tesco, ELC, ikea. They all fit together.

[Indith]

They all fit. tesco do a range too.

You can often find brio in tkmaxx.

Some have plastic ends so you can take them out to alter of it is a male or female end as it were. pain in the neck really but kind of useful to have a few bits for when you've made a huge track and then can't link it together because you have 2 ends the same!

[addictedtosugar]

Most wooden track fits together.
IKEA is supposed to be good. Were on mothercare (seriously reduced) here. 4yr old and 2 yr old had it out most of the day. Thomas on the TV.....

[pancakesfortea]

I bought a load on eBay. It's really durable so second hand is fine. A mixture of all the brands. They go together fine.

[HappyAsEyeAm]

Brio, tesco, ikea, john crane, big jigs and wooden thomas and friends are all compatible. We have a mixture of it, and DS1 has played with it virtually every day for over four years.

The Thomas wooden track is very good, as it is rail one side nd road the other side.

We have a mixture of brio and thomas brands for the bridges, stations and whatnot, and its all great. We have had amazing use out of it all. The Brio stations are fantastic as you can record announcements on them. The Thomas tunnels, clock tower, windmill, search light, level crossing etc are brilliant. We have added to the collection over the last four years and now its pretty extensive!

I think its a really good toy for lots of different learning and play.

[notjustamummythankyou]

Yes to all above.

Also take a look at the carousel brand. It's sold in tescos, and also on Amazon / eBay.

I like to go cheap for track and upgrade a bit for stations and engine sheds - I track down bigjig bargains on eBay.

Actually we may have too much now. gazes at complicated rail system currently on living room floor

[notjustamummythankyou]

Sorry didn't mean that to be in bold!

[notjustamummythankyou]

Sorry didn't mean that to be in bold!

[notjustamummythankyou]

Sigh.

[melliebobs]

Ah thanks for your help ladies.....luckily grandma wanted to get her one so pointed towards brio to start then as and when I can bulk out with the cheaper stuff :)

[Timpani]

I couldn't get ikea to fit to brio!!

[melliebobs]

Oh no really?

[WowserBowser]

That's what we did mellie

Started off with Brio and then have bought a big track with bits from ASDA which was £10.

The Brio stuff is definitely the nicest but obviously it is more fun for them with more track/bridges etc!