Can you help me find a very special train set?

[TrainIsLeaving]

I thought I was done Christmas shopping, though I would of liked to get DD and DF something extra each as they were lacking a little wow factor. But I couldn't find anything so decided to leave it.

However, my wonderful father has fallen ill over the last couple of months, and has been told he has 3 years left at most. All the magic has gone this year, though he is taking it well. Just says he's glad he got to meet DD before he went, I'm not being a "my child is all that matters" parent, he truly does utterly adore her.

I've suddenly had an idea, DF's favourite present from his childhood was a train set, he still looks back at it nostalgically. He wouldn't appreciate a adult model train set, it just wouldn't interest him. However, a joint present for DD and DF to play with together, would go down a treat.

Could anyone please help me find a trainset, suitable for a 2 year old, but "nice" enough to give DF that childhood Christmas morning feeling once more? I can find toddler plasticity ones, and grown up fiddly ones, is there an in-between?

Many thanks.

What about a wooden train set? Brio is the "brand" name but lots of retailers do cheaper brio compatible sets. You can get battery powered trains to go with it if you want the watching trains go round experience or plain trains for toddler to push around.

Brio or equivalents - all are compatible and you can get a lot of accessories/bridges for Brio type stuff. Can easily set up a massive complicated set if you get sets, accessories and extra straight bits and curves. IKEA had good points, turntable etc as well.

Brio is more adaptable than Trackmaster in my opinion - most of the sets are Thomas (we now have 3 Thomas engines) but there is also a Flying Scotsman and you can link sets. It's a bit more plasticky than brio, track needs adult help to set up but the trains are a little more "grown up"

How about a lego one? We bought our kids one a few years ago and it comes out every year for Christmas. Your fil can build it and your child will love watching it go round (it's battery powered)

Brio are lovely quality, and you can get sets with train stations that have lifts (wind up), and barriers and things. Easy to add to it as all the main wooden train set brands are compatible. They even do battery operated trains with remote controls so if your dad gets weaker over time he’d still be able to use that with your daughter.

It’s a lovely idea.

❤️❤️❤️

I second Brio or Lego.

If you check eBay you might find a vintage Hornby clockwork set in good nick. No electricity involved so it's safe for little kids, but it runs by itself, and if your dad wanted to help her build a bigger track some day he could use cheap old oo gauge track. And if course oo gauge buildings and scenery could be fun to add to the mix!

That's such a lovely idea. I second a wooden set. That's what my in laws are getting my two year old DD - partly as my FIL dotes on her and they'll both love playing with it. I think they're also long lasting so in many many years it'll be something your DD would be able to keep

Definitely Brio or Brio-compatible. It lasts forever - my DS plays with one that’s over 40 years old at my DM’s house. And if your DD takes a shine to it, you can keep adding to it and building on it.

How about one of the Hornby Christmas express ones? Look a bit tacky but full of magic for a two year old and probably closer to the nostalgic element of a set for an older person.
Alternatively have a look on eBay for vintage hornby. I sold a set recently , probably from the 80s and it was brilliant all set up, my kids adored it.

We recently bought the Lego winter train set. It was fun building it, and we bought the battery pack that made it move under the Christmas tree. Lego might do a duplicate version which will be easier for a two year old.

Duplo version even!

Lidl do a version which is a dupe of the Brio train sets and is compatible with them. They had a range of trains, tracks, etc., in a few weeks ago (I know because my Dad (late 60s) was looking a new train to add to the existing Brio/Lidl range he has for when my toddler visits. Not sure who enjoys it more!).

We got one from Studio, it's £50. Comes on a table too with storage. Might not be what you are looking for though but it's lovely, can also personalise with child's name.

Wooden set. My two have a engraved bit of track with their names on - like this - so you could get their names on it x

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/513157288/personalised-wooden-brio-train-track?gaorder=mosttrelevant&gasearchhtype=all&gaviewwtype=gallery&gasearchhquery=wooden+train+track&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&frs=1

If you can find one of these by Plan it'd probably fit the bill. Ours is lovely has been played and played with.

PLAN CITY - Road & Rail Station Set https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001B9L6AC/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_raG1FbKDJ5HRK

Thank you all
Lovely biro set ordered, plus a personalised DD's name & grandad, track piece, an extra thank you to @puguin86 for that link

Awww this is so lovely.

That's a lovely idea. If you're looking for anything extra, Bigjigs trains are compatible with Brio and they do models of real trains like the Flying Scotsman

www.bigjigstoys.co.uk/shop-by-category/wooden-railway/trains

Thank you for the personalised track recommendation @puguin86 ordered one for dgs's stocking.

Sorry for your sad news @TrainIsLeaving

That is such a lovely idea. They will play with it together in the coming years. And with the personalised track and a special engine, it will make a lovely ornament even when your DD is all grown up. (We have a Hornby engine from DH’s childhood on our mantle).