Thomas the tank engine "learning curve" toys

[Socci]

Dd2 is really into the wooden train sets, etc. Does anyone have these toys and if so what do you think of them? I looked on ELC's website and it looks very expensive - £200 for the table for it all to go on . If the play value is good then I tend to think spending a bit more than usual is ok but that table is something else.

I bought dd the Ultimate Thomas set at christmas as shes a bit Thomas mad!
Its not wooden but plastic however you can buy absolutly tons of new parts to with it including different trains and also cars and buses because it also has a road.
Originally we bought her a small set that came in a tub and cost £10 that actually attaches to the bigger set. This cost £50 but was reduced from £100 so I'm not sure how much it is now.

I know Tescos do a similar set which I have heard connects to the Thomas ones so it could be a cheaper option.

So it's not just my dd?
Do you absolutely have to have a table or is that just clever marketing?

No not just yours

I think it depends on how much space you have. Do you have a spare bedroom, playroom or enough room to keep it out?
The house we're in atm is small so everytime the set comes out it has to go back otherwise we all end up impaling ourselves on track pieces and trains. The new house we're moving into is bigger so I don't care if it stays out or not.

Can you link to the set your looking at?

It's \link{http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-34515\this one}
We don't have a play room so it would probably have to go away when she isn't playing with it.

We'd need about 6 of those tables to fit dd's track on!
I suppose its a good idea but it doesn't look that big asembled does it?

\link{http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001NE926/103-6559893-6931869?v=glance&s=imaginarium&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures\This is the one we have}

That's really nice - I haven't seen that one before.

That's really nice - I haven't seen that one before.

Ah
its reduced to £69.99 in Toys R us now!