THE BEST TRAIN TOYS
BRIO TRAIN SETS
The wooden train sets - A family favourite probably for most families! These wooden train sets certainly stand the test of time. Brio were the forerunners and still produce excellent quality, fun train track sets for children. There are also now many other manufacturers of these wooden train sets, ranging from the smaller Classic Sets to the large sets incorporated into a Train Play Table. (We have the Kidkraft table which has been a good product - we are 5 years in and it is still going strong now as our base for our Hornby Set!) The good news is that the vast majority of these wooden train sets and accessories (tunnels and the like) are compatible with each other. There are also the classic push-along trains but there are now also now battery operated motorised and even Remote Control Brio Trains which can add a whole heap of fun to your wooden track experience....
Availability:
Classic Wooden Sets: Amazon
Kidkraft Train Play Table: Amazon
Remote Control Brio Train: Amazon
The wooden train sets - A family favourite probably for most families! These wooden train sets certainly stand the test of time. Brio were the forerunners and still produce excellent quality, fun train track sets for children. There are also now many other manufacturers of these wooden train sets, ranging from the smaller Classic Sets to the large sets incorporated into a Train Play Table. (We have the Kidkraft table which has been a good product - we are 5 years in and it is still going strong now as our base for our Hornby Set!) The good news is that the vast majority of these wooden train sets and accessories (tunnels and the like) are compatible with each other. There are also the classic push-along trains but there are now also now battery operated motorised and even Remote Control Brio Trains which can add a whole heap of fun to your wooden track experience....
Availability:
Classic Wooden Sets: Amazon
Kidkraft Train Play Table: Amazon
Remote Control Brio Train: Amazon
DUPLO TRAIN SETS
All children love LEGO. DUPLO is the bigger version of LEGO, more suitable for the smaller fingers of pre-schoolers. There is a complete DUPLO Steam Train Set available (59 Pieces) which is perfect for smaller children. This set includes a lights and sound, push and go steam train engine and carriage, 16 pieces of track which will build an oval shape, 5 coloured action bricks which you can place on the track which will make the train sound the horn, turn on the lights, refuel,change direction or stop. Accessories include a train driver, child figure, squirrel, train station, coal tipper and a tree. There is also an optional app which you can use to remote control the train. This train set is compatible with other DUPLO Track and Trains.
Availability:
Duplo Steam Train Set: Amazon , LEGO Store UK and LEGO Store USA
All children love LEGO. DUPLO is the bigger version of LEGO, more suitable for the smaller fingers of pre-schoolers. There is a complete DUPLO Steam Train Set available (59 Pieces) which is perfect for smaller children. This set includes a lights and sound, push and go steam train engine and carriage, 16 pieces of track which will build an oval shape, 5 coloured action bricks which you can place on the track which will make the train sound the horn, turn on the lights, refuel,change direction or stop. Accessories include a train driver, child figure, squirrel, train station, coal tipper and a tree. There is also an optional app which you can use to remote control the train. This train set is compatible with other DUPLO Track and Trains.
Availability:
Duplo Steam Train Set: Amazon , LEGO Store UK and LEGO Store USA
LEGO CITY TRAIN SETS
We love the motorised LEGO train sets. We have had so much fun with them over the years. However, do be aware that you have to build the LEGO train - it does not come pre-assembled! There are several different types of train available, all require assembly. The train sets come with some track, which will enable you to do a basic layout. Extra straight, curved, flexible track and cross tracks are available which mean you can create all sorts of great track layouts! You can also purchase separate power functions (the bits needed to motorise a train) if you wish to get your other non-motorised trains running (this is easier for some trains than for others), but for example you can get the Holiday Christmas Train running around your track with a remote control! You can find the components you need to motorise the trains here (scroll down to the Power Functions bit) at the LEGO Store UK and the LEGO Store USA. You will find instructions on how to add the power functions at the back of the train building instructions.
Availability:
LEGO City Train Sets: Amazon, LEGO Store UK , LEGO Store USA
Cross Tracks: Amazon
LEGO Trains Power Functions: LEGO Store UK , LEGO Store USA
We love the motorised LEGO train sets. We have had so much fun with them over the years. However, do be aware that you have to build the LEGO train - it does not come pre-assembled! There are several different types of train available, all require assembly. The train sets come with some track, which will enable you to do a basic layout. Extra straight, curved, flexible track and cross tracks are available which mean you can create all sorts of great track layouts! You can also purchase separate power functions (the bits needed to motorise a train) if you wish to get your other non-motorised trains running (this is easier for some trains than for others), but for example you can get the Holiday Christmas Train running around your track with a remote control! You can find the components you need to motorise the trains here (scroll down to the Power Functions bit) at the LEGO Store UK and the LEGO Store USA. You will find instructions on how to add the power functions at the back of the train building instructions.
Availability:
LEGO City Train Sets: Amazon, LEGO Store UK , LEGO Store USA
Cross Tracks: Amazon
LEGO Trains Power Functions: LEGO Store UK , LEGO Store USA
HORNBY TRAIN SETS
The Hornby train sets keep going and going - we have trains on our Hornby train track, which we played with in our youth (and that was quite a long time ago!) A Hornby train set is something that can be passed down through generations and is something that can provide a lot of fun for the whole family. There are complete starter sets available, two of the most popular being The Mallard and The Flying Scotsman. There is no limit to the accessories and additional track that can be added - the only thing you need is floor or table space!
Availability:
Hornby Mallard Set: Amazon
Hornby Flying Scotsman Set: Amazon
Hornby Christmas Train Set: Amazon
The Hornby train sets keep going and going - we have trains on our Hornby train track, which we played with in our youth (and that was quite a long time ago!) A Hornby train set is something that can be passed down through generations and is something that can provide a lot of fun for the whole family. There are complete starter sets available, two of the most popular being The Mallard and The Flying Scotsman. There is no limit to the accessories and additional track that can be added - the only thing you need is floor or table space!
Availability:
Hornby Mallard Set: Amazon
Hornby Flying Scotsman Set: Amazon
Hornby Christmas Train Set: Amazon
THOMAS & FRIENDS TAKE N PLAY
Thomas the Tank Engine - Responsible for gazillions of children being train fans. Thomas & Friends is such a massive brand now, there are so many different Thomas things out there...The Thomas Take N Play Sets are complete track layouts and the sets normally come with a train. They are fairly quick and easy to assemble. The Take N Play tracks are slightly narrower than the wooden tracks, so the trains for the take n play sets will not fit on the wooden tracks. The trains that fit on the Take N Play sets are the the metal die cast Take N Play Trains with a magnet at the front and back to attach to other trains. There is no battery or motor so these trains free-wheel. We found these trains the perfect handbag addition to keep the children amused / distracted when necessary.
Availability:
Take N Play Sets: Amazon
Take N Play Trains: Amazon
Thomas the Tank Engine - Responsible for gazillions of children being train fans. Thomas & Friends is such a massive brand now, there are so many different Thomas things out there...The Thomas Take N Play Sets are complete track layouts and the sets normally come with a train. They are fairly quick and easy to assemble. The Take N Play tracks are slightly narrower than the wooden tracks, so the trains for the take n play sets will not fit on the wooden tracks. The trains that fit on the Take N Play sets are the the metal die cast Take N Play Trains with a magnet at the front and back to attach to other trains. There is no battery or motor so these trains free-wheel. We found these trains the perfect handbag addition to keep the children amused / distracted when necessary.
Availability:
Take N Play Sets: Amazon
Take N Play Trains: Amazon
MINI THOMAS TRAINS
The Mini Thomas trains - another very good handbag addition for keeping the children entertained. These are available in sets or as individual trains in a 'Blind Bag' - a bit like a lucky dip - you don't know which train you are getting. There is a code on each bag which relates to the individual train inside - the last 3 digits are the train number. There are lists online as to what number is which train (We cannot guarantee the accuracy of these lists!) - or you will at least be able to see from the code that you are not buying the same train twice over...There is no specific train track available for the mini Thomas trains, which has always been a mystery to me as this seems to be all the children want to do with them. We found that the vintage Matchbox Lesney train tracks (we found some on eBay) and the Powertrains Train Tracks are compatible with the Mini Thomas trains.
Availability:
Mini Thomas Trains: Amazon
Powertrains Train Track: Amazon
The Mini Thomas trains - another very good handbag addition for keeping the children entertained. These are available in sets or as individual trains in a 'Blind Bag' - a bit like a lucky dip - you don't know which train you are getting. There is a code on each bag which relates to the individual train inside - the last 3 digits are the train number. There are lists online as to what number is which train (We cannot guarantee the accuracy of these lists!) - or you will at least be able to see from the code that you are not buying the same train twice over...There is no specific train track available for the mini Thomas trains, which has always been a mystery to me as this seems to be all the children want to do with them. We found that the vintage Matchbox Lesney train tracks (we found some on eBay) and the Powertrains Train Tracks are compatible with the Mini Thomas trains.
Availability:
Mini Thomas Trains: Amazon
Powertrains Train Track: Amazon
THOMAS & FRIENDS TRACKMASTER
The Trackmaster trains are built to fit on the Trackmaster train tracks. The wheels are like cogs which grip onto the grooves on the tracks - this will help them go uphill and downhill. The Trackmaster trains are battery powered trains with a motor - they will not free wheel. There are a variety of Trackmaster Sets available and you can also get additional track, with the Builder Buckets being good fun... (they come with instructions for track layout). We have also recently discovered that the Trackmaster trains are compatible with the Plarail tracks and vice versa. You can also get a Trackmaster / Plarail Adapter that means you can link your Plarail tracks to your (Grey*) Trackmaster tracks...(*The grey tracks are from 2014 onwards, previous tracks are brown)
Availability:
Thomas & Friends Trackmaster: Amazon
Trackmaster Builder Buckets: Amazon
Plarail: Amazon
Trackmaster / Plarail Adapter: Amazon
The Trackmaster trains are built to fit on the Trackmaster train tracks. The wheels are like cogs which grip onto the grooves on the tracks - this will help them go uphill and downhill. The Trackmaster trains are battery powered trains with a motor - they will not free wheel. There are a variety of Trackmaster Sets available and you can also get additional track, with the Builder Buckets being good fun... (they come with instructions for track layout). We have also recently discovered that the Trackmaster trains are compatible with the Plarail tracks and vice versa. You can also get a Trackmaster / Plarail Adapter that means you can link your Plarail tracks to your (Grey*) Trackmaster tracks...(*The grey tracks are from 2014 onwards, previous tracks are brown)
Availability:
Thomas & Friends Trackmaster: Amazon
Trackmaster Builder Buckets: Amazon
Plarail: Amazon
Trackmaster / Plarail Adapter: Amazon
PLARAIL
The Plarail train tracks and trains are great. You can even build multi-story train tracks. Made of durable blue plastic, the tracks connect easily and you can get all sorts of accessories such as tunnels and cross tracks. There are a good selection of battery-operated motorised trains, including the Shikansen train. The trains and track are also compatible with the Thomas & Friends Trackmaster trains and tracks. (See above) You can also get a Plarail / Trackmaster Adapter to connect the two tracks together...
Availability:
Plarail Sets: Amazon
Shikansen Train: Amazon
The Plarail train tracks and trains are great. You can even build multi-story train tracks. Made of durable blue plastic, the tracks connect easily and you can get all sorts of accessories such as tunnels and cross tracks. There are a good selection of battery-operated motorised trains, including the Shikansen train. The trains and track are also compatible with the Thomas & Friends Trackmaster trains and tracks. (See above) You can also get a Plarail / Trackmaster Adapter to connect the two tracks together...
Availability:
Plarail Sets: Amazon
Shikansen Train: Amazon
SIKU TRAINS
The Siku trains have been a popular train toy in our family. Siku is a German company and there are a selection of trams and trains to go at which you can connect to one another. The trains are die-cast metal trains with free-wheeling wheels and coupling at the front and rear. There is no train track that accompanies these trains, however, we discovered that the 'Train Track In A Tin' track fits the Siku trains. Track comes with this train in the tin but you can also purchase extra track. It is not the most robust of tracks, but it does the job if you want to enhance your Siku trains experience. We even managed to get ours running on the track with the motorised engine and some blue tack! (Siku also do a great range of tractors and other vehicles...)
Siku Trains: Amazon
Train Track In A Tin: Amazon
Siku Tractors: Amazon
The Siku trains have been a popular train toy in our family. Siku is a German company and there are a selection of trams and trains to go at which you can connect to one another. The trains are die-cast metal trains with free-wheeling wheels and coupling at the front and rear. There is no train track that accompanies these trains, however, we discovered that the 'Train Track In A Tin' track fits the Siku trains. Track comes with this train in the tin but you can also purchase extra track. It is not the most robust of tracks, but it does the job if you want to enhance your Siku trains experience. We even managed to get ours running on the track with the motorised engine and some blue tack! (Siku also do a great range of tractors and other vehicles...)
Siku Trains: Amazon
Train Track In A Tin: Amazon
Siku Tractors: Amazon
THE TRAIN BOOK
This is one of our all-time favourite books. With lots of pictures and details about iconic trains, this book is definitely a must-have for any train-mad child or adult! The book features more than 400 of the world's best trains. It covers the evolution of trains, different types of trains and what they were used for and even some technical details as to how train engines and tracks work. With lots of great pictures, illustrations and information, this is a great reference / coffee table book that will be treasured by many.
Availability: Amazon
This is one of our all-time favourite books. With lots of pictures and details about iconic trains, this book is definitely a must-have for any train-mad child or adult! The book features more than 400 of the world's best trains. It covers the evolution of trains, different types of trains and what they were used for and even some technical details as to how train engines and tracks work. With lots of great pictures, illustrations and information, this is a great reference / coffee table book that will be treasured by many.
Availability: Amazon
THE LITTLE RED TRAIN
We love, love, love the Little Red Train Books...A series of stories about Duffy the Train Driver and the Little Red Train - A Steam Engine. The stories capture the imagination and the illustrations are fabulous - there is so much detail in the pictures that you see something new every time you look. Our personal favourites are the 'Green Light For The Little Red Train' where the train accidentally takes a tour of Europe and The Great Big Train where the Little Red Train proves it's worth and helps everyone out on a big adventure. I would definitely recommend all of these books, they are all wonderful and the stories won't age.
Availability: Amazon
PETER'S RAILWAY
We love these books as well. Peter's Railway is a story of a young boy and his Grandpa and their steam train and adventures that they have along the way. The adventures are good fun and the books are interesting and informative about the actual workings of a steam train - perfect for any train fans inquisitive about how a train works. We have had the pleasure of meeting the author of these books (Mr Christopher Vine) on one of our visits to Pickering Station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. (The books are available in the railway shops and also the National Railway Museum in York). On the Peter's Railway Website, you can request personal dedications in your books...
Availability:
Peter's Railway Book : Amazon / Peter's Railway Website
We love these books as well. Peter's Railway is a story of a young boy and his Grandpa and their steam train and adventures that they have along the way. The adventures are good fun and the books are interesting and informative about the actual workings of a steam train - perfect for any train fans inquisitive about how a train works. We have had the pleasure of meeting the author of these books (Mr Christopher Vine) on one of our visits to Pickering Station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. (The books are available in the railway shops and also the National Railway Museum in York). On the Peter's Railway Website, you can request personal dedications in your books...
Availability:
Peter's Railway Book : Amazon / Peter's Railway Website
MALLARD KEYRING
A great stocking filler or nik nak for train enthusiasts. A Mallard keyring, made from pewter.
Availability: Amazon, National Railway Museum
A great stocking filler or nik nak for train enthusiasts. A Mallard keyring, made from pewter.
Availability: Amazon, National Railway Museum
THE FLYING SCOTSMAN KEYRING
Another great stocking filler...the Flying Scotsman. Made from pewter.
Availability: Amazon, National Railway Museum
Another great stocking filler...the Flying Scotsman. Made from pewter.
Availability: Amazon, National Railway Museum