Wooden Train Sets

[Emmam]

Can anyone tell me if the Brio train sets are compatible with the Tesco wooden train sets?

We're thinking of getting our son a set from Tesco for Christmas, but my Mum is planning a big shop at Toys R Us and was going to pick up some extra track and things like level crossings.

Do the two go together? Thanks in advance.

Glad to know I'm not the only one getting obsessed with Brio pre-Christmas! Given that ds (now 2) makes a beeline for it whenever we're out somewhere that has one of those permanent tables set up we decided to make our own version. Have now spent what seems like weeks collecting bits & pieces (mostly from toys sales/ classified) and also bought the big Tesco Road & rail set. Dh & I have spent the last 3 nights working out the optimum & most interesting layout using as many as the bits as possible. Have now constructed board on which to stick it and will paint this green today! Now find myself looking at every bit of kitchen rubbish thinking "could I make a tunnel from this?". Have definitely gone bonkers.How much effort, if any, has anyone else expended? Any hot tips - what works/doesn't when you're glueing ut down!

I wondered if anyone had experience of Brio's wooden "meccano"-like Builder kits. Dh had something similar as a child and we have just taken delivery of the gnawed and mildewy remnants, courtesy of m-i-l's house move. Our son has already built a "camera" and a "pair of scissors" with it and likes it very much, but we hardly have any left, and it is no longer made.
Is Builder expensive (answer, probably yes). Is it suitable for under-threes? Much better to ask mumsnet than to rely on lazy labelling by toy manufacturers, as Twink points out.

Thanks, Jessi and Anibani, for the tips on buying Brio second hand. I'm not surprised used Brio gets snapped up to quickly - it's virtually indestructable. I will definitely check out ebay.
However, I would like to take a peek at the brio website, if one exists.

I'm a useless searcher ( too much time on mumsnet, not enought time to search elsewhere) - has anyone found a brio website? is is comprehensive - we're after the accessories like cranes and bridges rather than track - and is delivery reliable?

PS Marina - I, too, would like to know more about the brio builder set, especially if it is compatible with the train system.

Tigermoth, you have spurred me on. The website is Brio and I see that Builder for older children is called Erector. I wonder if that applies in the UK...

Thanks Marina - just what I was looking for. BTW It looks like the UK version is called 'builder'

Marina, someone mentioned www.mailorderexpress.co.uk on another thread recently which I've just checked out and they have the Brio builder stuff. It looks good and may prove to be the supplier of future presents for ds.

Cheap brio compatible accessories here!

We bought a triple engine shed for £15.50 (brio sell them for £70), a suspension bridge for £9.00 and level crossing for £5.25. 106 piece train sets are £46.00. Total Brio copies - probably not as well made, but for a fraction of the Brio price. A stall a Greenwich craft market sells them and you can also contact the manufacturer direct:

Bigjigs, tel 01303 8639000

M&S and IKEA ones are also compatible btw!! With each other and Brio.

Great find, tigermoth! Did a google search & I think www.woodentoysonline.co.uk are the ones you found in Greenwich market. Am definitely going to get the train shed...and maybe the bridge...and the turntable...oh ds will be pleased!

Bigjigs do brilliant jigsaws too.