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  1. #1
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    Default Thomas the train ...where does one start???

    Hi...DS is turning 3 in April and we were thinking about getting him some thomas trains ansd tracks. What would you recommend to start our collection for a 3 year old? Do we need a table right away??? Should we buy all original Thomas stuff...or a cheaper train set and some Thomas trains? It is sooo overwhelming! :)

    Also...where can I get the best prices online????

    Thank you!

    Laura


  2. #2
    jk3 is offline Ruby level (4000+ posts)
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    Default RE: Thomas the train ...where does one start???

    Online check out www.creativetrains.com. Toys R Us has a sale right now. Buy 2 wooden trains and get a third train for free.

    I would recommend looking into some of the Imaginarium sets at Toys R Us/Amazon + supplementing with some Thomas trains. We started with the Costco train table (Kidcraft) and are in the process of supplementing with Thomas trains and products. My DS loves Thomas books and videos and enjoys playing with the characters from the books and movies.

    HTH!

    Jenn
    DS 6/03

    http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

  3. #3
    JBaxter's Avatar
    JBaxter is offline Pink Diamond level (15,000+ posts)
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    Default RE: Thomas the train ...where does one start???

    I am the mom of 3 boys and we are going on 10yrs of Thomas and Brio trains at our house. We started of with the basic Thomas set ( DS #1 recieved it as a gift when his brother was born) We added some single Thomas series engins, split track and houses for holidays and birthdays but I also bought the "non name brand"( aka cheep sets) sets for the extra track. We kept our engines and track in a large covered box and never had a train table. Our dining room floor was a larger area for all the turns curves and bridges their little creative minds could design. Watch stores like walmart after Christmas they do half off to get rid of the merchandise I have purchased several sets that way. DS # 3 is starting to show an interest in the engines at 16 months. I would also watch the outlet stores . I can say they have been well worth the money. We have nearly all the original parts and the wooden track has held up very well. Have fun.
    PS I have as much fun as the boys do helping lay out the track

    Jeana
    Mom of Logan Connor and Nathan

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Default RE: Thomas the train ...where does one start???

    We started with a the Thomas Conductor's Figure-8 Set. It's not too expensive and you always can add more track, trains and accessories. I would wait on the table. We don't have one and it's fine. We use the floor. Since he's 3, you might want to get a Figure-8 set and an expansion pack. Currently we have all Thomas track and trains. I know others use generic track with Thomas trains. Our local independent toy store recommends Brio track.

    Here are some starter recommendations (plus add your DS's favorite trains :)):

    http://www.creativetrains.com/thtaencofi8s.html

    http://www.creativetrains.com/thomtanenwat.html

    http://www.creativetrains.com/thomtanenfig.html

    http://www.creativetrains.com/thomtanenadf.html
    Mommy to Justin (13 years) & Ashlyn (8 years)

  5. #5
    hjdong Guest

    Default RE: Thomas the train ...where does one start???

    I'm going to give the opposite directions (as most), which is if you think you want a train table, buy one with the stuff now and add some Thomas things. DS was given a lot of Thomas stuff last year for his birthday. We really didn't think we wanted a table. Now we find that we do want a table (we just don't have a good space to keep it out) and all the good deals on tables, come with a starter set. I would be upset if I had actually bought this stuff (since it was a gift, I slightly less upset). I think the table is really nice if you don't have a place to keep the stuff out. TRU has one for $80 and one for $100 right now. E-bay tends to have some good prices on trains IF you know how much they actually cost and don't get caught up in bidding for that particular train and spend too much. I've gotten a couple for DS for $3 each (a Thomas zoo train car and a Thomas dinosaur bones car). But, some of them were going for a lot more than you could have bought in the store.

    HTH,

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