Hi All,
My almost 2 year old son loves trains. He is especially fond of Thomas and Friends. I was thinking of starting a train collection that he could one day pass on to his children. What is the best train set? We have an inexpensive Thomas plastic train starter, but I was thinking of something wooden and a little better made. What is your experience and what train set is best? Also, any suggestions on where it is least expensive?
Thank you, A.
Hi A.,
We have a bunch of the wooden Thomas trains. And, they are very good quality. We had a lot from my stepson, but when we add on, we go to Micheal's and get one piece at a time, using the 50% off coupon in the Sunday paper.
Good luck! C.
Yeah, my parents are thinking of buying my 20 month old a train set and told me that money is no object, so I thought about the wooden Thomas set. However, upon letting my son try out a few different kinds, he really seems to prefer the GeoTrax toys. GeoTrax seems to have a little more variety in that there are cars and other vehicles which my son also loves. If yours in just into trains, he may well like Thomas better. In looking at everything available, you can easily spend a small fortune on either set, but Thomas is by far more expensive. Either way, try Ebay and craigslist!
We bought an inexpensive wooden set from Sam's or Costco around Christmas time 5 years ago that had a lot of neat pieces and is still in great condition after 3 boys have played with it. They usually have something new each season at both those stores. BUT we also have the Geo Tracks system by Fisher Price and the boys are obsessed with it (so is my husband) it can be continually added to. Even though it is plastic, it is the best, sturdiest toy we have. Even my 19 month old can play without any fear he will break something. We have enough pieces to build a room size track and run 10+ remote control trains. It is a toy that continually changes from day to day and all ages (I have 19 months, 4 yrs, and 6 yrs.) can enjoy together. The individual sets are not too expensive to get started.
My husband told me that the Thomas wooden train sets that we own have been recalled due to the led in the paint. We have two different sets, one from Toys R Us and one from Costco. He told me to start gathering the pieces up to take them back. It is so disappointing, my son has played with them a lot. It is scary to think that your child's health could be affected in the future because of these little pieces of painted wood. Also, he mentioned the Cars from the Disney movie "Cars" were also recalled.
We got our son GeoTrax from Fisher Price. The trains actually move using remote controls, they're plastic (sturdy), & they
are a lot cheaper than Thomas.
Geo Trax trains rock! They are very easy to put together and run for a child. And since they are made of a very hard plastic they are durable and safe! We got ours when my son was 2 1/2 and he LOVES them.
C.
I didn't read your responses so I don't know if anyone has let you know but the Thomas Train items that are wooden and painted were found to have toxic levels of lead in the paint. Toys-R-Us has several items posted that were found to be toxic. (Ironically many of these same items were on sale). All of the toxic toys were painted in China. They are mostly name brand toys so research carefully before you buy =).
