Thomas the Train set - how to get started?

novias

My DS turns 2 this month and we want to get him a train table + set. I'm a little confused by all the options for tracks, sets, etc. Can anyone recommend a good starter set? Also, can/should you buy both Thomas and Brio and mix + match, or should we just stick to one brand? So many choices, and they're so expensive, I want to be sure I know what I'm doing!

Thanks! 

Temp108743750006959

buy a second hand table whose tired husband glued the track down. And take their old trains too! or at least, that's what we did. we buy trains 'whatever, whenever' and DS makes it all work!

AZ_Erica

They have some starter sets at Target and Toys R Us.  It was $40 and had 3 trains and enough track for a 2 year old.  We have bought DS a few more pieces to go with it, but right now he really likes the basic tracks and they are easy for him to put together.  Michaels is a good place for trains, you can use their 40% off coupons on them.  They sometimes have the big sets, but I think they were more expensive there.

TTCnumber2

buy your tracks at Ikea- they are all compatable and SO much cheaper!

lsufan

We never got a table, just because we don't have the room for it, but you can find them in great condition on Craigslist. ?SIL bought a Melissa & Doug one from Amazon I believe. ?It came with a bunch of tracks and other accessories, and it was so much cheaper than the Thomas brand. ?We've been collecting various Thomas & friends trains since Toys R Us just randomly mailed us one when Evan was about 18 months old. ?Lately, though, he's been preferring the "trains without faces." ?As for tracks, our starter set was Thomas brand, but the rest is Imaginarium. ?Cheaper and fits with the Thomas stuff.