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Last post 02-15-2008 9:27 AM by Jumijo. 3 replies.

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02-14-2008 9:33 PM

al-in-chgo

Joined on 10-23-2006

Chicago, Ill.

Posts 2,679

Those sweet little wooden snap together starter-set non-electric trains for little kids....

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Over the past 10-15 years it seems to me that the small type of snap-together wooden train has come back into vogue for the wee ones. I mean the first workable-by-finger train set for kids of about 4 - 6 yrs old. (Alas, I got my own li'l snap-together starter in 1960, the year they went to plastic.) Can anyone recommend a good set of that type at a non-extortionate price? Price is somewhat of an object, space in recipients' bedrooms isn't; nonetheless I'd like a good deal, and prefer the basic oval if that is still the norm as a starter. Just an engine, 2 - 3 cars. and [if it's still done] caboose is fine; or a vaguely "old-timey" passenger set if that is the norm. I notice for example that IKEA has a classic-looking wooden set of the kind I'm interested in, but alas the price for it is quite Scandinavian except for the 2 - 3 days a year it's on sale, when I'm least prepared to fight the crowds.) Here are several questions if I may (and if this is not the correct post, pls steer me accordingly):
-- These simple little wooden snap-together sets, are they more or less the same gauge and scale among themselves (I'm interested in compatibility in case the set grows)?
-- Is there a reasonable price between IKEA's sale-price-only of less than $15 and what I've seen at the indy toy shop of the kind found in the Rouse-type of civic mall-on-the-water (or Vegas obligatory walk-thru mall), in my experience $65+??
--Do you know of any online sellers who offer such sets and/or could you steer me toward a shopping bot or good search engine term for same? - and in the alternative - Can you recommend any brand names? (BTW I am not however interested in Thomas(TM); and I'm not even sure what kind of train a Brio brand is.....should I?)
--Perhaps I should have asked first: Is there a recognizable term-of-art in your field so's I don't have to keep saying "plain, wooden, snap-together, small, starter, non-electrified" all the time?
--I know the set will not be installed on carpeted floor. Is something like the auxiliary item below of use; [but regardless] isn't that price a little high?

                                            >>>>>>>
   [sorry, no pic] -- Sure Track / Stabilizes wooden train tracks.
DESCRIPTION:
Clip that stabilizes and secures wooden train tracks.
Compatible with Brio (R) and Thomas TM model train sets.
14 clips per box
Suitable for ages 3 and older [price $12.95 plus S&H]
                                                <<<<<<<

People who monitor the "big trains" sites will know that I am typically this long-winded. Sorry. Pls feel free to PM me if U prefer.
Thanks for hearing me out and sign me,
Frugal but generous w/nieces and nephews,

"al-in-chgo"
a/k/a al smalling
"Thank God for the model trains. Without them we wouldn't have the big trains."  - - Jennifer Coolidge as dimwitted publicity agent in 1984 film THIS IS SPINAL TAP.

02-15-2008 5:32 AM

In reply to

chuck

Joined on 07-12-2006

Plymouth, MI

Posts 1,590

Re: Those sweet little wooden snap together starter-set non-electric trains for little kids....

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Brio, Thomas, Maxim, Whittle. All compatible wooden trains sets. I don't see any real deals on these. Whittle is made in the US (if that matters). Did you try eBay?

02-15-2008 6:46 AM

In reply to

lionroar88

Joined on 11-30-2006

Baltimore

Posts 3,451

Re: Those sweet little wooden snap together starter-set non-electric trains for little kids....

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Al,
I've seen these sets at Toys-R-Us in both Brio (Thomas) and an off-brand. I haven't priced them since I don't have anyone to buy the for. Sad [:(] Our oldest niece has out-grown these sets and now wants to play with my Lionel setup when she comes by, and our other niece is more into FP Little People than trains (although she WILL sit and watch the Lionel stuff for hours when she is over), and my friends back in Pittsburgh simply do not have the room for any more kid stuff since they have 3 (and already have most, if not all of the Thomas stuff).

I did some research for a co-worker about 1.5 years ago for a table set for her son. She ended up with the off-brand table from Toys-R-Us and buying a boat load and a half of add-on stuff for her son (and the table set came with quite a bit of accessories too).

http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2290623&view=all

This is a link to all the wooden train stuff sold by T-R-U. I don't see the wooden tables I referred to above, but IMHO these prices aren't outlandish.

Edit: Do a search on T-R-U and you get a whole different section Banged Head [banghead]

http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2946028&view=all

02-15-2008 9:27 AM

In reply to

Jumijo

Joined on 01-10-2005

New England

Posts 6,039

Re: Those sweet little wooden snap together starter-set non-electric trains for little kids....

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The Learning Express has wooden sets made in the USA. Right here in Massachusetts as a matter of fact. That becomes even more of a benefit when you consider the lead paint scare on toys made in China. The USA made sets won't have lead paint.

Jim