train tracks

[geranium]

Just want to buy a starter train set for ds. Preferably not Brio, given expense (bar the odd train). Woolworth has a 40 piece set which is a bit more than I had in mind. Argos don't do it. Couldn't find a starter set elsewhere. All I want is a figure of 8 with a bridge preferably a girder bridge or viaduct). Can't find one elsewhere. Any ideas which shops might have these?

Getting worried since time is ticking away so really grateful for some ideas.

Tesco have a good one that is compatible with all the others.

Tescos is good, and Tchibo do one too.

Where please? I've tried Tesco on line and my local one and they don't seem to have anything in stock. Is this your local Tesco? When did it come in?

Thanks

Ikea do them too and Early Learning Centre. They are all compatible with each other so just shop around to see which bits you want.

Thanks. Hadn't heard of Tchibo and hadn't thought of Ikea! Elc looks nice but it is £25 eg cf £15 in Woolworth and feeling rather skint at present. Still wondering why our Tesco doesn't have this. I would guess them to be the cheapest of the lot.

Is yours a big tesco? Ours has some but the Tesco Extra stores have tons. All year round.

Tchibo has some stores of its own and some franchises in Somerfield stores.

Message withdrawn

Crikey, I must gird myself for the Ikea experience, mustn't I? I've just been trying their website and gave up but maybe the shop will be easier. There is a big store nearby but despite repeated attempts I've never managed to get into it (eg last time there was a fire alert just as I was walking into the building and everyone was evacuated). However, I've got caught up in traffic jams so often outside that Ikea building (from departing shoppers) that I figure they owe me a good train track set!

Tchibo looks a good fallback option but now I've started this I would like to see what Ikea and Tesco offer and £6 is definitely lowest price so far!

No, can't figure out Ikea website at all. I go to Ikea UK, then children's Ikea, then toys. Seem to be no way of searching from that point on and trains are not listed on screen so I try "asking Anna". I put in "children's toy trains" and she inteprets this as a request for directions to a store no matter how I phrase it.

Ikea is an awkward fit with the others though so if at any point you might want to expand it you could be better off with a more standard one from Tesco or elc. Looks like a basic Brio one starts at £9.99 here !

I got a good set for £9.97 at ASDA.

Hi
I was in my local LIDL store today and they are doing a wooden one,on sale from 15th December for £9.99. it is 81 pieces which includes a few trains,little cars,people,scenery etc,oh and a battery operated train as well, looks good and a bargain at the price.

ASDA one is very good, my DS has this. Top Tip - once you have put it together, number the pieces so it's easier next time! Thank my Dad for that one.

Thanks for all your help. Really useful to know that IKEA one doesn't always fit with the others since I'm hoping in-laws might give a few pieces. Going to try a reasonably big Tescos tonight (hold back please any of you planning to top up your pieces in North London if there is only one left!!) and if not, looks like ASDA or Tchibo.

Obviously, don't quite know what final setup will look like but numbering system sounds good. While dh and ds could probably put every thing together without it, not sure if I could (yes, I'm not ashamed to admit my 2 and a half year old is a better engineer than I am).

Thanks again. Hope I finally manage to get something this time.

no make the track up differently each time. Its the only way to stop dying from boredom after 6 months of doing it.

I think the Tchibo one is the best value.

but Jane - DS insists on every bit being used, can't have a stray bit of track or else!!

I do too! Its a very sad obsession I have. I could never do it with my nephews brio as it had one of those 4 way bits but now I am a track supremo. Though sometimes its is a bit wedged in and there are a few derailments cos fo the bumps!

Argos have track half price at the mo, £9.99!

Asda one is good - they have a 40 piece set for about £20 I think. We started with that and have added bits from Tesco and ELC, so now it's huge. And FC is bringing yet more of it.
Avoid the IKEA one if you want to add to it as it doesn't fit with anything else properly. Although if you want to keep a minimalist train set this one would be a good bet as you won't physically be able to get extra pieces, so can't end up with a 3ft box full, like we have.

The asda one is £9.99 which is a great bargain.

If your ds is at all into Thomas, there's a basic figure of eight track with a Thomas, Annie and Clarabell for £25 in ELC. That sounds like a lot, but the wooden Thomas engines are a RIP OFF and Thomas, Annie and Clarabel cost almost £25 without track.

The Argos one is 70 peices

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3478567.htmfor £9.99

I think the Argos one is pretty much out of stock though - couldn't find it in any of my local stores nor those near my parents.

Grrrr, can't find it in any of the local Tescos either. May have to be ELC. Don't know why I'm being so stingy since this is the only present we are getting ds (apart from stocking fillers). I think it is just the thought that everyone else appears to have found an 80 piece set with all bridges/tunnels/trains included for £4.50!

Just bidding for one on ebay..please dont out bid me!!!
Tesco is good think letterbox too