Looking for special Brio railway bits for ds's 4th bday

[accessorizewithbabysick]

We really don't have that much, we got a brio starter set, station and several trains when he was 2, a tesco tunnel/more track and that's about it. Have bought some smart track and a smart engine, but I was also thinking of a) bridge b) crossing or c) turntable as well as a lot more track from tesco!
It's impossible to know what's good from the huge list available - any help appreciated! I see it as an investment as ds2 (11 mo) already interested...

avoid brio if you can. It fits with most wooden track and is identical! Tesco do a large selection of bits and if you have a look on amazon there are LOADS of things on there. The only wooden track thats not compatible is the thomas one i think as its smaller. Toys r us do it and elc and erm....woolies!

Do a search on ebay for someone selling some local to you -I bought a huge storage box full of track, bridges, tunnels, stations, turn-tables, trains, carriages, people, trees...etc for less than £20 as I picked up rather than pay postage.

Just make sure before you bid that the seller is OK about collection in person.

I would get cheap track and Thomas buildings. However you must get the Brio Big red Locomotive- has been a huge hit with my ds so much so have got to get the green one for his twin.

Thanks. I'll buy tesco track for sure rather than pay inflated prices for brio, but I do think the bridges etc seem better quality and more interesting than the cheaper versions. I have enough trains, in fact I think we do have the big red one (is that the one that hinges?). Just buying the smart engine as I think the smart track looks excellent.
Good idea about looking locally Betty, I have done that before with a garage.
Any advice on which bridge/crossing/turntable to buy from anyone else?

We've got the Tesco turntable-super quality.

We've got Thomas bridges and crossings again super quality and they do like having things from the show. The boys got given the Thomas wooden windmill, came with barrels of flour that go through a hatch into the train car-lovely. The thomas wooden mountain thing is lovely too with sounds inside and over.

The wooden Thomas track is definately compatible, we've got Thomas, Brio and Tesco and it's all compatible. The plastic carry along Thomas track obviously doesn't fit though.

We've got a cheap suspension bridge and it's fine. I'm going to need a crane to winch it all into the loft when they grow out of it but they do love it!!!!

Brio track and accessories are designed to be specific lengths so everything fits together into an elaborate circuit if you like. The cheaper clone bridges, tunnels, crossings etc tend to be some random length making it hard to build circuits with them that don't have gaps or wonky bits in. I would get lots of Tesco track, Brio bridge & crossing, and also some of the genuine Brio short pieces and gender changers.

• the tesco lifting bridge is a great piece if they still do it - bridge over the top and two tracks underneath. and fab value at under £7 as I recall.
• tesco turntable is fine.
• tk maxx often have some brio stuff in, i got a stop and go train for ds2 for xmas there a few weeks ago at half rrp.

• elc engine shed is also nice - 3 bay shed, was £10 when we got a few years ago.

Oh, thank you all! That's just the kind of info I was after, I shall do some shopping now

TK Maxx had some interesting brio sets last week if that's any help.

The cranes are good - 4yo dd loves hers. But the Woolworths one has a really weak magnet so can't actually pick up the carriages, so go for a Brio one if you can.

It's all fab - I have three DSs and all have loved wooden railway, so nothing you buy will be wasted I'm sure.

The most expensive thing we ever bought was the Brio engine shed but having been played with a lot by all three of them, I don't begrudge the money.

Does anyone know anything about rechargeable Brio trains? Have heard about them but not sure if they are worth getting or if you can get them cheaper elsewhere too?

Ooh, more hints, now I can't decide what to buy! will defo have a look in TK Maxx, thanks chippy but am watching several things on ebay so I don't have to pay post. My enthusiasm for all things train obviously affecting ds1 as he's had his train out since Thursday and keeps telling me all the things that are needed to make it better (crossing, bridge...)

elc and tescos are compatible.