Train set - where to start?

[simba]

Hi! DS is almost 20 months and when he sees a train set on a train table, he gets crazy and doesn't pay attention to anything else. So we decided to sacrifice yet some more space and get a train table and a train set but...where do I start?
I do need a table (which ones you like? some with a good price/quality balance?), a board (which one?) and a set (tracks + cars). In so far as the actual wagons, I like the Thomas ones, but where do I start? And mostly, what tracks and how many? are there any basic packages to help people like me?
What do you guys suggest? and where do I buy all this? Are there favorite websites? I read a bit of PP, but I am getting even more confused...Help!
1) which websites?
2) which table?
3) which board?
4) which and how many tracks to start?
5) which cars?

Thanks!!! Really, thanks! :)

[new_mommy25]

I think the best way is to start off small so as not to overwhelm your DS. The Thomas figure 8 set is awesome and provides lots of fun. You might want to pick up a few extra trains in addition. An inexpensive way to do that is to buy the DVD's from Costco (if you're not opposed to your DC watching tv). The DVD's are usually 12.99 and they come with a train. Sometimes they have the 2-pack DVD's for 18.99. Target and Walmart usually has the train/DVD combos as well but they are a few dollars more.

[DebbieJ]

I would also recommend a Figure 8 set. We got the Water Tower set from www.creativetrains.com and had no problems.

You don't need a table, at least not to start. When my ds ripped open that figure 8 set, he and his cousin played for about an hour with it on the carpet.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
2 year check up: 25 lbs with clothes on and 35 inches!
BFARed for 20 months and 6 days
(Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org)

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[The Review Mommy]

He-he-he!:) I've been there, done that.

Thomas, Heros, and Brio brands are the way to go if it's quality you're after.

1) Never pay full price, you can get them cheaper here:

Marshall’s- Has Thomas DVDs with a little train for 12.99, and a Thomas train set with Harold the helicopter for 49.99.
Tuesday Morning-Brio and Heros brands.
Michaels-40% off Thomas with a coupon you get in the newspaper. Depending on the store some only let you get around 20% off though.
The Learning Express-everything is always about 25% off. These prices aren’t on their website so maybe it’s just my store?

The best Website deals are:
http://www.kidsurplus.com/wooden-railway.html
http://www.trainsgalore.com/
http://creativetrains.com/

2) You can get a cheap train table just about anywhere. Target, Wal-Mart etc. (KidKraft brand I think) Thomas, Brio, and the Nilo brands would hold up best and are of better quality. If you’re looking for a piece of furniture instead and don’t want it to 'look' necessarily like a train table you could get one of the tables at PBK's. We are using ours as a coffee table and love it!

PBK
http://ww1.potterybarnkids.com/index.cfm?src=shpak%7Ccpla%7Cda%7Crshop%5Fk%2Fhme&cid=plafrn&area=shp&age=k
Train Tables
http://creativetrains.com/playtables1.html

3) Some tables come with it. We bought ours separately for $20. Thomas I think sells some separately too.

4) The figure eight starter sets with a couple extra cars are great to start out with. You can add more cars and destinations little by little for reward purposes. ;) Getting some 'wacky tracks' is a good idea for versatility.

5) If your getting Thomas, our favorite is Rusty with the construction cars (hurry, they are being discontinued and are a must have!) :) We try to get ones with removable cargo (you can never have enough) and the all time favorite characters--Thomas, Percy, James, Henry, Gordon, Harold, and Bertie etc.

6) I'll add a couple more because I think it's worth noting. Our favorite Thomas Destinations are the Barrel Loader, Roundhouse (reg not deluxe), and the Chocolate factory. These seem to be well loved on this board: Engine Wash, Water Tower, Cranky, and the Quarry Mine.

7) Bridges and Tunnels. Be careful because those tiny bricks are lousy at holding up tracks especially for toddlers. For example the Knapford Covered Bridge-If you get that one in a set just use without the supports. Look at something like the Arched Viaduct, Clock Tower, or Mountain Overpass for a more stable base. We like the Bay Bridge.

Oh and one more thing…NO battery anything! It's such a hassle, and LOUD!

Feel free to mix and match brands if you want to. We have some Heros from Tues Morn and they are 'compatable' with thomas. MIL has the Brio sets and we like those too. ;)

HTH!
Rebekah

[annasmom]

I just wanted to add to Rebekah's very informative post that in some parts of the country Michaels does not carry Thomas :(. However, A.C. Moore carries Thomas also and they accept Michaels' coupons (Michaels also accepts A.C. Moore coupons).

[simba]

WOW! Thanks everybody, you have been all really helpful. Thanks Rebakah for the time you put into answering! I'll start my mission by the end of the week!

[ellies mom]

If you don't need the bins under the table, here is a really sharp looking train table that is really reasonably priced.
http://woodentracks.com/cgi-bin/suid/~dkd/catalog.pl?xcata=trains
https://pluto.he.net/~dkd/images/table-sm.gif

Another brand table that I really like are the Nilo tables. They can be used as regular tables as well. This is the table we will most likely be getting. http://www.nilotoys.com/at.htm
http://www.nilotoys.com/Images/N51_a.jpg

Personally I think the Brio and Thomas train tables are really overpriced for what you get (the table top is usually sold separately). I love the PBK table mentioned by a PP. It seems expensive, but it really can double as a coffee table (so can the first one above). Pottery Barn also makes an activity table that really looks more like a coffee table and comes with baskets instead of wooden bins. It is on sale right now ($299) but normally it is close to $400. So a little spendy. http://tinyurl.com/83pqd
http://a293.g.akamai.net/7/293/5910/0010/image2.styleinamerica.com/pkecimgs/images/products/200602/0008/img87m.jpg

[chlobo]

Rebekah,

How do your kid(s) like the trains? How old were they when you got them? I'm still trying to figure out if DD is the right age but she seems a little slow to warm to trains.

[nupe]

Duplicate

[nupe]

Not sure if you are in the midwest, or near a Meijer. My local Meijer (Indiana) has tons of Brio at 50% off. I got some with an additional 25% off last week (so about 62%)--for future use. I went back this week, and it was only 50% off. Someone near Chicago got Brio at 75% off at Meijer last week and posted on the Bargain board. This would be an inexpensive way to start.

Nupe

[The Review Mommy]

Hello Everyone!

Thanks Eileen, I forgot about that Michaels and A.C More thing. ;)

Have fun shopping Silvana! :P

Wow, Veronica--I have never seen that first table before. :D Thank you for posting the table that was on sale too.

Carren, Oh gosh—I have train ‘crazies’ in my house! ;) My MIL has had a Brio collection for years so that’s how we were introduced to them. It’s been great because I can really let DD play and figure things out before I buy anything. :)

At first she didn’t take any interest in using the trains on the tracks. She just loved to take the ‘choo choos’ out and hold them, put cargo in and out of the cars, and stuff them in a tunnel turned vertical in her lap and let them all fall out. She *LOVED* the little animals too, so don’t over look this little add-on. ;)

I noticed that she played differently at toy stores because of the table. I really think these are great for figuring out how to use the tracks. Before, they were just being played with like blocks—making piles and dumping them out of containers, or sitting on them! :P I think the tables actually encourage toddlers to use them together. It’s so much more fun that way too! ;) As she gets older we will probably start to use the floor more often for laying out the tracks, but right now it’s so nice to have a place to put them and a place to play with them.

I’m assuming you have played with the Brio and or Thomas tables on display at a toy store before. My NIL is a ‘choo choo’ freak but wont play with a public train set if there are already kids playing with it (he’s scared of people he doesn’t know) ;) . If she’s not interested right now it doesn’t mean she always will be, but I wouldn’t push her. Maybe you could start out by getting just an engine or vehicle. Many toddlers *LOVE* anything with wheels! :) We don’t have a lot of videos but DD loves books so we have those.

In our house, like I said, we have a mix of brands, which I think is great. MIL has Brio, we have Thomas and Heros, and NIL has PBK and Geo Tracks. I wouldn't recommend PBK, darling but the engine is battery powered and cannot be used manually (so Sam just watches it go round and round). If I had to do it over I would have--just found a great deal for it at the outlet. They like MILs Brio but can’t afford it so he has some Geo Tacks too. I'm not sure about these...It seems like they are always getting stuck on hills and catching on things...Oh well!

Glad to Help!
Rebekah

[simba]

HI! I am back!
Does anybody have this table, the one one by KidKraft? I love that it is white and it has two trundles (cost is separate though, ouch)
Silvana

http://www.sensationalbeginnings.com/itemdy00.asp?CATEGORY=&ITN=N+1+178D&T1=N+1+178D&QTY=1&PageNo=1&GEN1=&SKW=train+table&product.x=104&product.y=70

[The Review Mommy]

Silvana,

What’s up? :P Have you bought anything yet? Just curious. :)

Rebekah

[simba]

Oh gosh Rebekah, did I buy anything? LOL, Trainsgalore must be happy as I ordered a lot from them. I ended up getting the white KidKraft table with the two trundles, the Down by the Docks set (DS adores cranes, in fact that was his first word), Rusty with Construction Cars (followed your lead), Thomas, the ice delivery train (detachable cargo, as you suggested), some wacky tracks and something else I can't remember! I am very excited though, oh wait, it is for my son, lol! Thanks for all your help!

[new_mommy25]

Wow, you really did just jump in!! We have the same table with trundles in the natural color. We bought it in Christmas 2004 and it's still holding up very well. I think you'll be happy with it. Cranky the Crane is a huge favorite around here so that's another great purchase. The construction cars are fun, too, because of the removable cargo in the dumper and the fun cement mixer. I'm sure your son will love everything.

[simba]

I know I overdid it, as we are just starting, i just couldn't resist....

[The Review Mommy]

So happy for you! Oh, I mean DS...He-he-he :P

I've always wanted the Docks set-enjoy it for us!
Rebekah