Advice on wooden train set

[TheWorstWitch]

Thinking of buying this wooden train set for DD.

Before splashing out, I just wondered if anyone else has one and whether they think it's worth it?
Also, it says compatible with leading brands, so I'm assuming that includes Brio and Thomas Tank engine thingys should DD discover Thomas in the future?

Oh, and also, does anyone know of where I can see the train set in the flesh, as it were? I'm in London.

TIA

[paranoidmother]

We have some of the similar sets and it's brilliant. DS loves it (he's 3) and our dd (who's nearly 5) they tend to knock over the bridges lots and spend lots of time re-building them.

tesco do trains and some good solid bridges (non balancing ones)Also Argos do some that are compatible also.

[Clary]

worstwitch that's a great set and it's all good with Brio.

Brio is v nice but a lot more expensive. The wooden railway was always my fave toy adn more to the point v popular with DC.

We still have a big box and now and then it is still played with (DC are 10, 8, 6)

[TheWorstWitch]

Oh, that's great!
I'll dig out my credit card

[TheMysticMasseuse]

it looks good but my is it expensive, especially if you want to add bits and bobs to it! i'd go for the basic Ikea version which is under a tenner and works just as well, and add little people and accessories separately building up over time...

[3rdnparty]

hi train sets are fab - my ds loves his and so do friends of all ages... have a look on ebay if you don't mind second hand theres often stuff on there.... where to put it can be a pain - GLTC do an underbed table and ELC/Pintoy and others do tables as well -ours got played with a lot more once I didn't have to keep clearing space for it..(found table on ebay for 20) hth

[Clary]

oooh I wouldn't buy Ikea (unless it's chanegd a lot) it's a really bargain basement version IME and the bits break off.

Tesco or Sainbo's fine tho. Agree that is a costly set - could start with something simpler and add bits?

[TheWorstWitch]

Have done a search on mumsnet archive and some do say that the IKEA set isn;t compatible with others, so not one I would buy.

I know the set I've chosen is a lot of money, but it will be DD's big christmas present and she really doesn;t have many toys. Also, I don;t shop at Tesco or Sainsburys.

Anyone any idea where I can see before I buy?

[Avendesora]

We have had, and still have a lot of use out of it. John Lewis and ELC usually have some on show. We have a mixture of bits from Brio, ebay (so could be any make ) and some very good bits from Tesco. We also have a nice big wooden box to keep it in. I think that the one you have linked too at first glance looks expensive, but actually has quite a lot of smaller bits. I would consider adding to it with track from Tesco. One of the best things about ours is we never have the same track design twice

[bristols]

We bought a 50 piece one from Tesco for £10 and our boys love it! It has a bridge, people, animals etc. It is also compatible with Brio so we can add to it as and when we want to.

Might be worth going for a cheaper one first to make sure DD likes it? Can definitely recommend the Tesco one.

[bristols]

Sorry, just read that you don't shop at Tesco. It's on their website for Tesco Direct if you wanted a look...

[TAFKAtheUrbanDryad]

We have the ikea one, and the Tesco one, and a few bits of Big Jigs too. It all works together fine!

[onadietcokebreak]

Agree that the one from Tescos is fantastic. My DS loves it and its good to hear thats its compatiable with brio.

[onadietcokebreak]

www.elc.co.uk/toy/construction-train-set/

that is £35.....but only 70 pieces. Am sure you could get a 20% off voucher from somewhere.

Personally would go for the tesco one.

[blithedance]

Nearly all the sets are compatible,we have some from that range and it goes with all the other usual ones. IMO that big set is padded out with a lot of odd bits like trees which in our house never get played with (but still get emptied out and need picking up).

DS1 and DS2 (4 and 5) still play with their wooden trainset every day, we have gradually built up enough to fill a big recycling crate. But a lot of kids don't go for it that much so you might not want to commit such a lot of cash upfront.

I'd say start smaller and more manageable and add more track/junctions (Tesco fine) and special bits for birthdays etc.

If you can stick it out till Christmas Aldi or Lidl often have an inexpensive set in their wooden toys special, which is a good German make called Eicchorn.

My kids just want miles of track, loads of junctions, rolling stock (Thomas trains eye wateringly expensive but by far most popular) and bridges/turntables.

[missmapp]

I was in toys r us today and they had a great rack ( similar to the one you found) and a play table to set it out on for £90. I know it sounds a lot but I think thats quite a lot ds1 and 2 love their track and if we didnt have so much already ( v. lucky , hand me down) Id buy this set.

[missmapp]

thats track not rack!

[blithedance]

Do you ever have layouts small enough to fit on a playtable? Ours usually take up half the floor!

[spacedog]

I don't think that's a bad price at all for what you get. It looks fab. I disagree about starting with a small set, kids love to make it really big and interesting.

[onadietcokebreak]

www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Toys/Cars-and-Trains/Toy-Trains-and-Playsets/City-Train-Table-and-Railwa y-Set(0034455)

This is what I think missmapp was referring to....I want it now!

[TheWorstWitch]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll go to John Lewis to see if they have any on display and will probably buy from them.

I'm not too bothered about expense as I know DD will play with it - they have one at her nursery which she loves.

Not convinced I want a "playtable" though as might limit expansion. Will probably just lay out on floorboards or paint a piece of hardboard green

[Avendesora]

We think its best on the floor as you can go anywhere then

John Lewis are good for having a good look, if they dont have any open they will open one for you.

[Clary]

yy agree re trees and people not being so useful.

What you need is a few trains (we actually have some Brio trains whci are really nice but own-brand are fine too) and a lot of track, including bits to make a fig of 8 and maybe a small turntable as well.

Several trains are good if DC have pals round as everyone wants a train. For £65 that original set only has one train as far as I can see! So if you buy it worstwitch, get an extra train or two as well.

Agree re table - we always put ours on the floor. It goes on to the landing as well (we have a lot of track )

[nappyaddict]

Is Brio cheaper?

[TheWorstWitch]

Thanks for the tip on trains, Clary.
I'd imagine that trees and people are really for DH who loves that kind of thing (he has his own smurf village )

Haven't really looked at Brio, nappyaddict. I just googled wooden train set and liked the look of this one ... not even sure what make it is.

[nappyaddict]

Brio is good cos you can get pieces that have nobbly bits and holes at both ends which you sometimes need to complete the track properly.

Asda and Ikea aren't very good. I've not tried Tesco or Sainsbury's.