Need help on wooden train set

[mnosky1]

Please help me make a final decision on what train set to keep/buy for my almost 3 year old DD!
(sorry this is a little long)

We have a train table (much used for other toy items for several years)

Giving for Christmas: Imaginarium Around Town Railway Pink (definitely keeping this - need to supplement it)
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3839265

She is also getting a 3 piece Thomas Circus Train and a Mr Rogers Trolley that goes on the track.

I bought 3 ikea train sets, but I am second guessing myself now, thinking a better track might be better. I have used ikea track before and the plastic connectors kind of annoy me/look cheap. One is just track, one has a tunnel/bridge/train/track, one has track/bridge/train

So I have also looked at other sets but not sure how much more I need in addition to the above set to fill a train table - are these sets below overkill? Do I need more bridges than the one in imaginarium set above?

Maxim 50 pc train set http://tinyurl.com/2cxeskf

Lakeshore Learning train set http://tinyurl.com/2g7hvku

M and D 130 pc set http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Wooden-Railway/dp/B000FIN2E8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1292131570&sr=8-1-spell

or is this enough (rec on this board before)
M and Doug figure 8 set: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Classic-Wooden-Figure/dp/B000JNE658/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1292131570&sr=8-3-spell

Or just keep the ikea sets or something else all together....???

Please help - I am so indecisive! Thank you!
Michelle

[jgenie]

I'm by no means an expert but I think the set you're keeping has plenty for now. DS1 received a basic figure 8 set and one expander set last Christmas. He was thrilled with it!! We have a huge collection now that we picked up as we found clearance sales. I would let your DD enjoy the set and pieces you have and let her help pick what to add to it. I've heard the ikea set doesn't fit other tracks quite as well and the bridges may be too small for some trains. I think they're great to start with but if you have chosen another starter set I would skip the Ikea stuff. JMO

[mnosky1]

Ok, then im thinking the set i have plus a melissa and doug figure 8 set - any idea how much of a standard train table that will fill? Do i need just track pieces to make it all fit or do they generally fit pretty easily? Thanks!
Michelle

[jgenie]

I'm not familiar with the set you picked out but I wouldn't worry about the table being filled up - it won't look empty with what you have and she'll have plenty of room to add people or animals to her playing.