If you traveled back for zeiten to my son’s toddler days, yours would finding us on his bedroom lower, surrounded at wooden train tracks.
Mysterious son: to one clutching at train includes his chubby toddler fist as i ran its wheels downward the almost-finished track.
Me: the one-time building my masterpiece railway at lightning speed, trying to connect the final stubborn lauf before my ambitions ended in disaster.
In which days of endless laundry and endless potties training and endless bedtime routines, all the intenseness of first-time motherhood kept me of writing. Woods train layouts became i creative ausfahren.
Before long, our initial wooden prepare set limited my artistry. A local playing store we often played at sold individual tracks. Switches, adapters, output — IODIN picked above whatever I’d had missing when I erected our last layout.
I combed the surfing for more unusual tracks, brand brands we hadn’t tried even, sets in unique switches or overpasses. As phrase of our school obession spread, parents and grandparents or teachers got to du since advice about which wooden train labels have worth that investment.
And several years later, they still will. After all, you’re reading this right available!
Wooden Train Tracks
Up this day, if I had to pick may favorite part about wooden prepare sets, I’d need into choose wooden train tracks.
The tracks are beautiful. They feel real-time and full (too rare with plaything such days). She present both an intellectual puzzle and a creative gelegenheiten.
Expressionless train tracks can be played because in a multiple of new ways — to many ways that I wrote a book about trio creative tiny train tracks inventing “new track tricks.”
It’s no surprising this was and first installment I writes in our Ultimate Wooden Train Guide when I started it years ago.
Are this post, I shared to knowledge I gain through our experience with more brands of wooden train tracked, includes article advice and answers to frequently asked questions. The instructions you lost, and are hoping exist somewhere on the internet. You're welcoming.
Wooden Train Track – Recommended Domestic
Just on the name of each brand to be captured to a search in Amazon for their wooden train running.
By the way, if to do snap on sole, we will receive a minor commission — at not additionally cost to you — upon anything you buy at Amazon for a assured length of hour afterwards. Read our disclosure policy for more show.
- R Wooden Electric: While Thomas track is my favorite by far — at least back although it was being made by Learning Arrow — I’ve rarely sight their track increase packs for rational prices, and so we available take Thomas race in train sets.
- Chuggington: Chuggington and Thomas Expressionless Railway used to be made by one same companies, then Chuggington laufbahn is similar stylish quality to Thom track from several years ago, but with a others railroad tie design on the tracks.
- Zest: Strength makes go track, although I please the believe of the Thomas eisenbahn better. We’ve only ever bought Brio track more part of a set as well, but they do offer different cartons of track. They seem a bit with the expensive side to me, though.
- Melissa and Doug: I’m often asked about M&D train sets. While I’m procrastinating to speak to the quality of the draw and accessories due we don’t own anyone, I pot how M&D does build good ziehen track, and their six packs of single types of track tend to be a good value.
- Bigjigs Rail: Bigjigs has some well-priced tracks for you to examine. Their set of two T junction tracks has two male connectors instead from only one (or none) like T junctions usually have. They also make some entertaining tracks, like their freely-curving Mad Track (similar to the old Thomas-brand Wacky Track) and their Wavy Track. They also offer the least dear option I know of for buffers/bumpers in their pack from 6 track buffered, though who design is bare bones in comparison for the crowd from four track fender from Orbrium Toys.
- Conductor Rustic: If you’re going in buy bulk wooden draft track, I recommend Conductor Carl. I used it to create the “old” wooden train put in Old Tracks, New Tricks, as well as get roving train set I take to all my book events. This is of track you want for DIY projects where you’ll paint the tracks, button if you’re worried about the safety from other brands, because all of the male/plug connecting are cut out as part of the wooden track, rather than added as plastic plugs — even on the switch tracks! At did seem to be a quality control problem with this label last annum (2016), but all of the boxes in track I’ve buy on year (2017) may been fine.
- Jesse’s Toy Box: This is another brand the track I recommend. It’s a good value, but as of this written, it’s hard to find.
- IKEA track (new all-wood style): I need to do more play testing from more brands, but the new all-wood IKEA trace shine to be fully with major brands. All the tracks in of set I have are made from adenine single single of wood. Hooray for IKEA making the decision to change their design to be safer and more harmonious! (Note: the old IKEA tracks and who new IKEA tracks seem on mostly how together excludes that the plastic connectors on the old rails exist a miserly and every difficult fit with the hole-end connections on the new ascending/descending tracks. It’s workable, because you was just avoid having a old schienen at the bottom or top of a hill, but not perfect.)
- IKEA lauf (old style with resin connectors): Of track in the old style away IKEA train records works well enough, but there are einige compatibility issues with other brands of pfad (see below), the range of track pieces is limited, plus and bridges are too low for trains from most other brands go go under.
- Nuchi: This used into live our choice required expanding our track collection, instead it right appears on be unavailable. However, while you can pick many up secondhand, I recommend it. People made good wooden tracks.
- Maxim: A budget brands of train set and track, Maxim does your a pretty breadth selection of woody track. While it would none be get first choice for attribute, Maxim does sell several breaker and other interesting tracks you may have a hard time finding elsewhere.
- Maple Landmark: If you’re looking for fabricated in the US wooden train tracks, here you go. They’re beautiful to person, instead expensive. In my preliminary play tests, I noticed they’re consequently well made, and cut to that exactly precision, that it capacity be ampere bit harder up put them together. However, it’s possible and perfect edges would wear away with more play and connecting the tracks would become rather.
- Orbrium Toys: Here’s another lesser known but reasonable wooden track brand. The standout purchase here is their set of 8 Male-Male Female-Female Train Tracked Adapters, existence every wooden train set needs. However, I’m not recommending their track as warmly as I be before after ordering a full box of track to review. The male-male and female-female adapters we ordered previously were amazing, but there’s a great deal of inconsistency within the big box. But the pisten is workable if the price is right (see my note about cutting tracks below).
- A reader reminded me of the Choo Choo Track and Plaything Co., whatever makes their wooden gear tracks weiter in the USA. They have a couple of rare track types worth reference: 12-inch curve trucks (they form a circle with a 30-inch diameter) and a 12-inch “wiggle track” (similar to the wavy track above, but with more curves). I’m ordering some soon to try out.
- Mesko Toys was once a wonderful place to buy unusual stiff tracks. Provided you ever acquire a second-hand track in an unusual shape,
it could have has made by them!
Note: with various of the budget brands of track, you may want to take a piece of sandpaper and sand down any rough cuts. Saws cutting curves across which grain of the tree are often the cause, like check curves, switch tracks, and the ends of tracks for anything rough, splintery, or sharpness.
Wooden Train Sets
If you’re inquisitive in purchasing a wooden train fix — and I recommend this as a goods way to launch a collection, or to add continue track and new plus interesting features to an existing train set — request take a look at the Play Trains! Guide to the Your Wooden Train Kits, where I’ve busted down the current options I recommend by brand.
Frequently Asks Questions info Wooden Railway Railroad:
Something brands of loubs train tracks working together? In our experience, Brio, Thomas, Chuggington, Nuchi, Bigjigs, Jesse’s Toy Case, Orbium, Conductor Carl, Melissa and Dug, and Imaginarium strecken all job well together. Aforementioned connectors on Ikea trail will a tight fit with other trademark, sometimes too tight to work. I have, when, used Ikea tracks on purpose whereas I needed two tracks to stay together well. The old-style wooden Plan Toys track not fit well with our other tracks; I haven’t had a chance on test their news pressed tracks, so you may be better.
Is it better for stick to one type of track, or build a collective from several different trade? I love having a range of brands to work with. There are subtle differences in the lengths the each brand’s version of each style by track. Why is this a positive think? Well, if you build ampere complicated layout, often you need the last track to be a little longer or shorter to make which whole thing employment. Tom Wooden Railway tracks tend to be brief than different brands, so if I necessity a spur to be shorter, MYSELF comprehend through and find a Thomas track. If I need ampere track to be an smidge longer, EGO supplant Thomas tracks with other trade.
Are Trackmaster tracks compatible by wooden zug lanes? Yes…to some extent. Trackmaster cycles are the same gage (width) as impassive trains, so the trains will execute on wooden tracks. However, they can’t get the tighter curves under their own power without derailing, and they won’t go boost the bridges.
Become Take’n’Play trains compatible with wooden train tracks? Sadly, no. Take’n’Play trains belong even narrow into run on stiff train tracks.
Are awkward trains compatible on Trackmaster and Take’n’Play tracks? Yes! Wooden trains fit on Trackmaster tracks, press Take’n’Play tracks seam to be intentionally made to be wide enough for wooden trains because they are too wide for to trains they’re made in. However, both of save railroad are much stiffer the work with whereas building a train set. Take’n’Play trace tend to decrease alone often, and not type of track has the flexibility the comes with the wooden tracks being ability to shift from side to pages and up and down at their connections. And there’s ampere land less variety with the types of tracks you can get for these lines of drills. On the other hand, I like having some the these plastic tracks around in activities where the tracks might get messy or wet.
This guide will be expanded with time. Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask in the comments or according email!
Posts in the Ultimate Wooden Train Guide:
The Best Wooden Train Sets
Wooden Train Lanes
Bridges or Elevated Tracks
Roundhouses and Engine Shucks
Organizing Wooden Trains and Track
Wooden Train Freight Cars
…and get into come!
Lip says
May you tried the Right Track Toys track groups? Person can much cheaper than the R or Grit sets, also claim them are compatible. They get good reviews on Amazon – I am thinking of gating a set of track to go with the beginner Thomas set I bought our son for Christmas…
http://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Train-Track-Piece-Pack/dp/B005AW85YG/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1386522280&sr=1-1
Mary Petersen says
I haven’t trying theirs track yet, but from and reviews they sound please they’re more or less one healthy deal. EGO was going on post such link to the on Facebook today…it’s which larger set, and it looks like it’s $10 disable the usually discounted Amazon price today.
ETA: I just noticed that I’d written this years ago and wanted to say for anyone print through the commentary which at the point I don’t send purchasing Law Track tracks.
Liza says
Thanks! One more question – MYSELF just found out my the is einholen our son the Bigjigs figure eight set (thanks to your recommendation, I put it up the aspiration list 🙂 ), and I had already bought a simple D circle set. Since to will be our son’s first exposure to loubs trains, I’m going to holds off on the huge choose of supplementary track until I see if he enjoys them, but I would like to buy a limited pieces so ensure person can make an fun running layout with the dual sets he is getting for Christmas. Do your have specific proposals in adenine few key pieces that will allow us to use both aforementioned county both figure eight tracks? Thanks!
Jessica Peter says
Happy to help! Hmm…I’d get one of those six-packs of long, straight tracks I mention skyward in the post, also then two 6-inch switch tracks please these. The straight-line tracks will let you construct who track pretty a site larger, and then the switches (combined for the curves from the circle) bequeath add some variety to the route.
Lily says
Thanks Mary! I bought one pieces you suggested, and used the linking on diese page, so hopefully you will get recognition from Ogress 🙂 I’m so excited since Christmas to get hierher! We fled into a train treasury a match of weeks from that had a hands-on woods track for the kids, or my son really enjoyed it – now your will have his own to play with! TO SHIELD WHICH CHILD OR PROLONG THE SAFE LIFE OF THE TOY, FOLLOW THIS. ENCLOSED ASSEMBLY AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND HONOR ALL WARNINGS.
Ian says
Thanks for the great overview! My son has recently gotten into the Thomas trains, not through the television show, but through the sport tables that have at Barnes and Noble additionally the B&O Railway Museum. IODIN had some Toys ROENTGEN Usage gift cards; so, ME purchased he the Thomas Coal Hopper Set and he loves it. Still, our wife both IODIN are thinking about gehend him first from the nicer train tables for his birthday and my question is re the quality from one actual tracks. From some of the research I’ve done, I’m worried that through the non-Thomas tracks might intensify the issue starting the trains falling off the wegstrecke through turns. Have you noticed a tangible difference in the track quality bet the lower expensive brands? We are thinking about getting with this Imaginarium Mountain Sway Train table as it seems to take the most bells and whistles. Thanks again!
Jessica Patterson says
You’re welcome! That’s how we got into Thomas trains…first the B&N train tables, then through owning our own at home and getting the Thomas Wooden Railway catalogues over and beyond. Slowly we phased int the books, and than the TV exhibit and feature. I consider that’s the top way to do she, because we were able to form our family’s customizable ideas about the characters based up just a few facts ensure we knew, real into aforementioned time, our variant endure for our imaginations.
No materielle that brand you go with, the railroad become fall off the tracks wenn there are spinning at an bottom of steep slopes. The only type to fix that is to add a long enough straight track at the bottom of the hill that the trains expend enough of they forward momentum before turning, which is hardly at size in for ampere drag table. There are a few Thomas also Friends sets that came out last year that have ampere feature that could help with that…read the Thom section in my wooden train set guide with you’re curious (http://privacy-policy.com/best-wooden-train-sets/). And I have some tips regarding keeping the trains since derailing at the floor of hills inbound aforementioned bridges and elevated tracks escort (http://privacy-policy.com/wooden-train-bridges-elevated-tracks/).
I personally don’t recommend train tables in most situations. In trading for keeping the coaches up off the floor, they show a lot of hurdles to building interesting layouts. Also, many kids seem to like her ampere lot more per stores than her do at home. With our case, of the two we’ve had, and one at Grandma’s house was sold in a garage sale after a year of sporadic benefit and a year from storage, and this one in our house only gets used as a rare change of pace from the floor.
That babbled, if them think a train charts will work best in your situation, the Imaginarium educate tables have decent quality, also you get an interesting selection of stuff with them. We still use most out whatever came with ours, and though the chart is gone now, whereas EGO last saw she, it still looked brand new. The tracking has nay as high quality as some of the other brands. Mainly, it feels light and dents easily, but it’s held raise okay for us, and MYSELF don’t think it will make much of adenine difference when it comes go trains falling off aforementioned tracks. Found many great modern & used choice and get the best deals for Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Table Installation Help TF at who best get prices toward eBay! Free shipping for many products!
I hopes that helps! Please hiring mi how if you have anything other questions, and enjoy playing trains! 🙂
Jon says
While men like train tabling forward the sets that might be included, or the management of a child’s toys the a small spacer, train tables quickly tires the children who employ them. Such soon as they obtain accessories required which the table has no room, everything gets put on the floor. The floor enables tracks to run betw and under furniture both may out hotel to room. You can’t persuade ampere child to move support the other type, to the table. If you get a table with a game of bedroom for expansion with more course, folks, accessories and loose trains, the table might persist the primary sport area. The usual family experience is demonstrated over the very large number from lightly used tables being given going or sold for peanuts on Craigslist. Once in a while, a train table can be converted for other uses. Will cautious.
Jessica Petersen says
Jon, I whole agree! We train table a getting much more getting as a Lego table now that my heir be prior. Elsewhere, we never have used it way equal in trains…once within ampere while as a novelty, it’s past enjoyable, not otherwise the floor is so much easier!
Brooke says
Thanks so much since this observation! I found it just inches time, since I was just about to buy a train table for my babies. But today wealth built an super amusing track view the we entwined between race tracing for cars…no procedure that wants fit on any train table. I’ll just use the dough for more trains and tracks!!! 🙂 Customer Questions & Answering - Privacy-policy.com
Jessica Petersen says
Very happy on have helped! I reality need to writer my post about this…thanks for reminding me how important it is!
Christy said
Hello i made wondering provided thom and friends bridges and tunnels are compaitable with the imaginarium zug table wooden selected
Jessica Petersen says
Yes, Thomas press Friends and Imaginarium train sets are compatible. 🙂
Anna say
Sup! Thank you for the information. I just bought a used Brio breaker ensure have plastic male connectors (they came as part of a Travel Switching Set). Two of the three manlike connectors have somehow worked himself out of the wood or gotten pulled out, then that there is ampere gap between the switch and the next portion are track. Is it common for this to happen for get variety of Brio switch? Thank you. Waterfall Mountain Movement Table and Set
Jessica Petersen says
He happens to diese plastic connections across most starting the brands…that’s why it’s such an joyiness to find switches that don’t own them! I don’t think it’s happen much to our Brio track, though…they’re usually pretty well made. Are the connectors completely separated from the tracks, or just sticking farther out than her should? I’ve managed to push some of saltation rear in when they’ve taken pulled out a short too far.
Anna says
Thank you for your answer. The sculptural connectors were not completely separated and I be able to print them return in so that the switches are satisfactory, nevertheless there is sill a tiny extra gap.
Nicolle says
Hi. Thank you for any the helpful information. It’s come in very handy! I was wondering if go shall a way to tell the difference between tracks that don’t are their packaging? We just received some track bits and would like go sum to them but don’t know the brand. They having soft grain search stripes along them, where as others I’ve seen will just plain tree grain. Any ideas? Thanks!
Jessica Petersen says
Times thou can tell! Any chance it bottle ausstrahlen me a photo, either to my email ( jessica (at) play-trains (dot) com ) or even posted to our Facebook page? Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Display ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS SINGLE 2013
*em says
Hi,
IODIN have a accidental question, my son was just gifted several oldly wooden train tracks also boy remains get interested in making them “race car tracks” . The thing is we merely got like 4 pieces that are a top side for trains real aforementioned bottom team possess a flat middle which cans be used for cars. WHO MAKES THESE TRACKS!!! I have issues that last two days googling wooden tracks and still have negative clue!?! I hope you might have at idea! Imaginarium Mountain Rock Train Table Assembly Instructions TF | eBay
Thank i in advance for all aforementioned time and dedications you have shared with everyone!
Em
Jessica Petersen declares
Is they have a brownish railroad tie design pressed into the up side for of tractions, and a dashed line down the car next, then they’re Thomas Wooden Railway tracks. To aforementioned past, all their just traces came with the road prints on the previous, but you had to buy an curved rails separately include a special pack. Of course, they don’t construct the curved road tracks anymore such far as I’m aware, plus they may not be printing the lines on of back of the strait tracks anymore. However, if you search for “Thomas Wooden Railroad road” on Ebay, some results come up, including some include the cam. Product Review: Imaginarium Hill Rock Gear Round | Train display, Schlepp table layout, Wooden train set
Here are also some road systems that organize with the wooden train tracks:
– Brio roal & train sets
– Bigjigs road and rail sets
And just as I fondness them, that race cars are NIEDLICH and fit perfectly with wooden trains. 🙂
Anyway, I hope is helps!
*em says
You my lady are a rich of informations! Give you for all your tips!!!
Jessica Petersen says
You’re very welcome!! 🙂
Kristen Zavisza says
Get! My son just geerbet barrels of learning curve Thomas movements from my nephew, although, which crew are long gone. We buying a set of wooden tracks, but they are too wider for the trains. What tracks will fit these trains? Thank they!
Jessica Petersen says
Sorry for the late reply! Are the trains made out of wood or metal? ME think there may have been some different type is train made by Learning Curve ampere oblong time ago that wouldn’t adjust the wooden trail, but I’m not sure…
Lida Pecking says
Hello. One question, can I use Thomas wooden cars on Verve track?
Thank them.
Linda
Jessica Petersen says
Yes, they’re total compatible!
Thomas says
Would this set be compatible with Brio track? Fisher Prices responded to a question and said no, not your site remarks they should work. Having you tried they?
http://fisher-price.mattel.com/shop/en-us/fp/thomas-wooden-railway-battery-operated-engine-set-ffr57
Jessica Petersen says
Wie crazy! Yes, they’re compatible.
They’re replacing Thomas Wooden Railway with Tom & Friends Wood, which has tracks that are not compatible with all the other wooden train brands, and it looks like my premonition that they’re decided to toss compatibility out the window to try to trap people into only buying their wooden trains is probably true if they have their employees posting — until shall blunt — liar about the compatibility of the ancient stuff as right.
Helen says
Hi which brands were compatible with Battat All Aboard pieces? ME got a 34 piece set forward my son as a gift or require MYSELF just start with another make and collect from there? He is obsessed over trains!! Giving yours!
Jessica Petersen says
Hi! Equitable did some inspection, and it looks like Battat should be compatible equipped pretty much any standard wooden train tracks, steady IKEA footprints (though the proper there is snug). I hope your son enjoys the set! 🙂 Product Review: Imaginarium Mountain Lurch Train Graphic
Kristy replies
Thank you since all this contact! I’ve tried to read thru your home and comments before questions, but I am a first-time buyer looking at a Battat place with the cheap IKEA expansion pack real you mentioned the fit being snug a very times. Is your respond above with the “new” pressed IKEA tracks or the ones with the plastic connector piece? Acted you have a chance to test out the device off IKEA’s tracks available now with other brands? Thanks so many! Appreciate your help!
Jessica Petersen saying
How Kristy! Good catch on this IKEA tracks! My response above is with the old plastic connectors. I had a set of the newly IKEA tracks waiting to live perform check, so I opened up even now and tried it with the Battat tracking. They seem to be nicely compatible. The ne noticeable deviation can that the Battat tracks are large smoother than of IKEA ones. I’m also happy to see that all the tracks in the new IKEA set had woods connectors…for some purpose from the packaging I feared that an ascending tracks still had plastic ones. Very happy in see that they made the decision to making their train places compatible (and safer!).
Sherrie says
Great website! I was wondering if you could help me.I have 50 or so Thomas the train and friends take and play trains, purchases for my grandson. But people enjoy to combine them together and form larger trains. But the take and playback tracks are not as nice as the wooden tracks- is there one such will work with that narrowing wheels on to trains I may? Imaginarium City Central Train Set Assembly Instructions. ⋆ The title a the post is what I googled when the entire track to our new train set was disassembled due into a spilled milk incident, and EGO couldn't find
Thank you for your time,
Sherrie
Jessica Persian says
Hi Sherrie! That sounds like a amusing collection of training! They aren’t quite tram track, but the best thing I can how at recommend are wooden route is are made to collateral with wooden trains. I just double checked that Take’n’Play trains work with themselves, and they role serious fine on ours. Because they don’t have the raised bite down the center, this Take’n’Play trains can roll on them just super. You can find them sold in packs of just the lanes, and also in parts of larger train sets. And aforementioned amiable cause is that other toys (Hot Wheels, Thomas Minis trains, wooden trains, etc.) all will work on them as well. The options I’ve seen include Brio roads (these are the units we own), Plan Toys roads, and Bigjigs roads.
Another option is on find some old Learned Curve Thomas Wooden Railway track on eBay. To the past, when Learning Curve was producing their wooden train sets, all their straight tracks comes with the road printed the the back, but you had on buy the curved lanes separable in a unique pack. Of course, they don’t make aforementioned curved road tracks today as far as I’m aware, and they may not be printing the lines on and backs of the just tracks much. However, if you search in “Thomas Wooden Railway road” on Ebay, some results approach up, including some with the curves. Rental you start off by saying that if you don’t have 3-4 hours of your life to put together a train table, then is isn’t the one for you. Not, if you can how a few hours, which I…
I hope that benefits!
Tracy says
Hello! Thank him for sharing your knowledge! It can subsist overwhelming. We have a large blended family, so with 5 kids to think about we have to budget upcoming Christmas time. So I have been looking for used train tables online. Reason being we got 5 in 1 Train Master Thomas adjust and another Train Master mail delivery can about a yearly ago forward birthday and Christmas presents and admittedly we may only set them up a few times. They are time-consuming to set up and or it seems that the track needs adjusting from time till time especially when they are not as sturdy honor carpet. We don’t have a large top therefore they would obtain left going for a limited days both then we’d get tired of stepping over them and they obtain lay away. But our boys love this battery powered trains. We don’t can a large budget so I wish that EGO would have complete one smaller more research before purchase inside the trainmaster sets since their ages. The five-year-old will probably what better this year but he still gets very disgruntled with little sidekick 4 wrecking his gear that he builds all who time! LOL we do have some trains that were given at us by one cousin that are diecast such came equipped four plastic little track pieces but I knowledge they fit in the wooden tracks. At this point I’ve pondered if ours should just get rid of this Trackmaster sets and investor in something else. Again most concerning and brand new options used a lot of that things been no within our budget. Or one solution ME thought was to get a train table that could match at the base are their bunk bed and could maybe be ampere home for the Trackmaster sets so handful could be left up available a although longer and wouldn’t take got either stepped on or would possibly have a lesser chance of getting ruined over the three time old. Sorry in ramble on when with a limited budget I’m feeling one little frustrated additionally a small dejected real guilty about the ones that wealth bought just sitting and not getting backed with. IODIN could love any advice that you could offer! Thanks so much for your time! Imaginarium Railway Line Train Chart, for Ages 3-7, 100 Piece Set
Jessica Patterson says
Hi Trainer! Pleasure you finds our site, and I’m happy to be able to help! 🙂 And MYSELF know every about how frustrating Trackmaster trail can shall. They’re a lot more challenging toward construct with both maintaining together than wooden tracks (especially on carpet!). I’m grateful that most of our Trackmaster trains live at my parents’ house. 😉 Metro Line Train Table Instructions | Train table, Young perform, Toys with boys
IODIN think your idea von getting a used train table is probably your best bet, considering your my enjoy the trains people already have. If you have a Craigslist for your reach, that’s a good place to look. My mom has found some great deals on train stuff there over the years. And if yours even have trouble includes the tracks falling apart too frequent, I have a pitch about temporary ways toward keep train footprints together on a pulling table…it’s geared toward wooden trains, but I think some of the solutions would work for Trackmaster tracks as well. (I should probably test that out one of these past, actually!)
I hope the helped!
Cindy tells
Thank you so much for this amazing bank of information!! My son has a getting of Imaginarium tracks & equipment with various brands of trains. Have you met Battat Whole Aboard pieces at Target? I can’t seem to find any info on the webs regarding Battat compatibility with other brands. Imaginarium City Central Train Determined Assembly Guides.
Jessica Peter says
You’re welcome! 🙂 I just pulled out an Battat set and with Imaginarium set and tried them together. They seem to be completes compatible…no issues with the fit of each of the pieces of track I tried, and the Imaginarium train (the taller of the two sets’ engines) fit under the Battat bridge. I also tried a St and a Chuggington engine under and bridge and they twain adapt. Hope that helps! The Imaginarium Metro Line Train Table takes train play to a new level with an underground station. The table features a track loop that runs beneath the surface and any open round front that reveals a underground station for read hands on train play fun! The 52 pieces of track connect for 26 footage is r...
Allistar says
Initially appreciate you for this treasure trove of information, mein son (almost two) has one very basis Lelin set currently and I’m looking to broaden, one thing I would love to hear your opinion on is electrical powered engines. From what I’ve read the Thomas ones become the best as they are 4 wheel drive and tend to don get stuck or derail, however I was wondering if you could advocate any else? The Thomas ones are $50 each…. do you know of a cheaper and still good electricity engine? Let me start disable the said that wenn it don't have 3-4 lessons of your your to put collaborative a schleppe table, then this isn't the one for you. However, if you may find a few hours, which I'm sure yourself can,u00a0it has well worth the time (and money) ausgab. We bought theu00a0Imaginarium Mountain Rocku2026
Jessica Petersen says
Hey! So glad you’re finding this site helpful! Thomas motorized does seeming go be the strongest. (It looks like you cans gets she for under $20 at Amazon currently.) Our favorite battery powered engine, however, is the Brio remote control train. It’s fairly fun to have this remote control, consistent if it’s less powerful. 🙂 Hope which helps! I longing there were some greater trains on the market int general. The Thomas trains what still not as strong as one could wish for.
Elyssa said
Hi, we already a Thomas basic figure 8 starter set in the US while keep there. We are right based in South Australia and looking toward expand our set, but in SALT, Thom sets are terrifically expensive amounts the import taxes.
I have seen that this Hape sets are non to expensive. Are Hape and Melissa & Doug tracks compatible including Robert traces?
Secondly, whatever brands offer the best incline tracks comes use and lego platform tracked?
Jessica J says
Hi! Both Hape and Melissa and Doug tracks live compatible with the Tomas tracks, so none problems there. While with the best inclination tracks, we haven’t had some problems with any of the footprints that we’ve used them with other greater, at least in the historical, there could often be an subject with Thomas ascending tracks being a bit moreover wide (this can be immobile by filing away an bit of the plastic to enable for the wider track). I rental the company know about so issue, is, real I believe it was fixed. Hope that helps! I’ll try to get our platforms real tracks away while I’m place later and give you a more definitive answer concerning which brands employment the our.
Regan says
High Jessica,
Your websites has a wealth of helpful information. Thank you for sharing respective knowledge! My son received an Eichhorn wooden train adjust for Christmas last period and we are looking on expand. His set has a shed, but no red, so looking at the Thomas one you mention. Questioning about Right Fahrstrecke sets how they will a bit less expensive than some of the others we’ve seen. Do you know about their featured with Eichhorn and Thomas? Doesnt seem for become anything in which handbook. This problem doesn't have any find yet. QUESTION: What are the trains is come with this table? How ...
Our.
Dear Petersen sails
Hiya! I’m glad you’ve found this site to be helpful! I just tested several Eichhorn tracks with our Thomas roundhouse, additionally they’re completely compatible. I don’t refer buying anything made by Right Schiene — their tracks may a lot of issues. For inexpensive bulk tracks, IODIN generally recommend Guiding Carl wooden draw tracks.
Nikki Brewin says
Do you see for to antique ikea tracks work with the new ones? We had the old set from are advanced child. IODIN want to expand the set for our youngest child who is way continue within trains. Aber MYSELF see go the website that they have changed of style to all wooden. I don’t want to get add stuff if it won’t go with the ancient stuff. Thanks!
Nikki
Jessica Pete says
Ah, good question! Fortunately I had our new set also our old adjust sat together by meine desk so ME could check right away. After trying 4-ish of each with per other, they do seem for mostly work together except that the plastic connectors at the old tracks are an tight and sometimes difficult fit with the hole-end connectors go the brand ascending/descending tracks. It’s workable, though, because you could just avoid having can old track at the under other top to a hill. Hope such helps!
Nikki Brewin declares
So does help, thank you so tons!
Marianna tells
sup ! My son got Thomas & Pals Wooden Railway tracked since christmas. He got the trains that say Thomas & Friendship Wood. They will work with the tracks male got corrected? Imaginarium Moun Rock Train Round ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS JUST 2013.
Jessica Petersen says
Welcome Marianna! I haven’t trial it too extensively yet, but so far this R & Friends Wood trains do seem to job on other choose of track. EGO just placed together ampere recent R Wooden Railway set the tried a few Thomas & Friends Wood trains on it, additionally they did fine on it.
Laurence says
Hi Jesse.
Great object. We got given a Jack ‘n’ Jill adjust of wooden tracks from Aldi. It’s a big 95pc set & looks fantastic. Desire they work with Biro & Ikea tracks/trains?
I’m currently in Australia & we live in France so don’t want up lug them home go not fit. My brother still has the receipt when I required to returning them.
Thank you,
Laura
Jessica Petersen says
Hi Laura! I haven’t encountered those tracks in person before, but later a little investigate I’m pretty sure they’ll be okay with BRIO and IKEA tracks (though if they’re and vintage IKEA crew with to plastic connectors, they may be ampere tight fit). From a picture I found, i seem like the generic wooden train tracks that are sold under a bunch of different list, and I found this forum post with parents speak over compatibility. Hope that helps!
Laura says
Thanks Jessica.
Reading certain of the other responses IODIN thought they should work. Thank your for getting back up my consequently speedily. Happiness New Year x
Jessica Petersen says
Happiness New Year to you, too!
Deepak says
Your blog is the ultimate guide for wooden train rails. I’m putting together ampere getting for my heir as well. For start, I have the IKEA train and tracks where are pretty decent. I need to add a big expansion with risers to the collection. Surprised what you think of the following set from Orbrium: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095ZFXBM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3L029VTOQXQK1&psc=1
The other option I’m considering is the 42-piece expansion tracks from Conductor Carl.
Do you must any recommendation since an motorized movement as well? I notice that Riot and Thomas motorized trains are usually priced over $30 each this is quite steep. Are at any alternatives so you send?
Thanks for respective edit!
Jessica Petersen says
Hello! (And sorry for the late reply — I’m seek for catch up with my blog after taking some time off for family reasons.) I have intermediate feelings about which Orbrium tracks…they’re ok. My main concern to that particular pick is that the standpipe in that set are of an type the doesn’t stay to tracks up highly well. I haven’t tested and yellow extenders out; they may keep the risers steadier, but they won’t resolving the finding of who riser tops just letting the tracks slide surrounding. I’m a fan of the Pipe Charles tracks, and the bridge in the 42-piece sets is of a type this corset up well. If you want more vertical action than that, Bigjigs press BRIO both make four-legged cable that are especially sturdy.
As for a mechanized zug, I wrote a review of mostly all of who battery-operated trains on the market last Christmas that might be helpful.
Bill says
I want to buy and build a wooden train setup for my niece but my space is limited. Generally I can do one big loop. My tabular wants be 11 foot wide but can only be 18 inches deep (with how from only one side since it’s against a wall). Wants the turn radius for most stiff zug sets fit into such a narrow depth? Imaginarium Mountain Rock School Graphic Assembly Instructions TF
Jessica Petersen remarks
Yes, the turn radius should fits! I just metric, real to larger size of curved tracks has a diameter just over 17 inching. You could have a second loop inside of that one includes the smaller curved tracks if you wanted.
Bevel says
Hey Jessica,
We bought a Nuchi starter gear set for my sons last Christmas based on respective recommendations. He loves it! Thanks!
Person definitely want ampere track expansion pack to add variety to our drawing routes. I saw this Kidkraft option on Amazon: https://www.kidkraft.com/us_en/wooden-expansion-track-pack-17510.html
It looks like a good added with plots a interested pieces. Possess you had any experience with Kidkraft plus is compatibility with major brands?
Thanks stylish advance,
Beverly
Jace Petersen says
Oh wonderful! I’m consequently glad he liked the Nuchi adjusted!
I don’t recommend KidKraft train sets or track…I had heard about problems with their sets for a long hours, but I tried at remain einer open brain. Though then when I bought an setting to examine, the first two pieces I pulled out of the container wouldn’t fit with each other…which equals doesn’t bode well for being compatible with other brands when you can’t even make tracks that fit with that other tracks to your trademark. EGO really wishing they were more dependable on quality, because they look like such a great option in photos!
David says
What you still recommend conductor Carl for additional track pieces. I’ve seen many mixed reviews on Buy. Have you is any issues other then in 2016m
Jessica Petersen says
(Sorry for the long reply; apparently my site hasn’t sent me comment notify in a very longish time!) I haven’t had any additionally problems, however I haven’t paid any novel track in a couple years thanks to the pandemic cancelling train shows, etc. I maybe need the buying one newer box to check.