Wooden Train Set! Too much choice!

[PP2291]

Can someone help me choose which train set to get for my DS' second birthday? I'd like to get him something basic (figure of eight or something track) and an electric train that can pull one or two standard wagons/carriage. I have been looking at tesco for the track and ebay for the train. Is the tesco 'carousel' one a good one? Is it compatible with others (envision doing lots of ebaying for other bits in the future)? Found an electric Percy but do those ones have the magnetic bit at the back for pulling along? Thanks in advance any help and advice HUGELY appreciated!

The basic Ikea set is good and has both track and train. They all go with each other so Ikea, Brio, Big Jigs, Tesco etc are all fine, we have a mix and have no problems.

Oh and electric ones for a 2 year old are not good. They leave them on and waste batteries, they try to push them round when switched on and break them and so on. Much better the non electric versions to push round themselves!

John Lewis does a fabulous starter set for about £30 - trucks, bridges, tunnels, the works. Totally compatible with Brio and the other brands.

I agree on non electric. We started with the Tesco one and now have a mish mash olf brands.

Does anyone know about which brands for under which bridges? Whilst playing with a (I think brio or big jigs train) at a friends house we noticed that it didn't fit under the bridge. It was a mish mash of track and trains so not sure which was which. A friends said she thought that certain makes of trains are too large to fit under certain bridges but couldn't remember which!

Brio is amazing and lasts...my son who is almost 2 plays with his dads set which is nearly 30 years old