Great First Trackmaster Set.
938702
My train-crazed grandson loves it. The track sets up really quickly and holds tight to take some bumping around. ThomasThe Train is NOT included but is available here and is battery operated. He has a huge train table at home and this set is perfect for the stay at Grandma's house train track. All pieces have square connectors and packs away easily in it's own box.
2041308
We bought this set to give my 2 years old more options for expanding his track without overwhelming him with the expansion kits.  We love that it's a simple track and relatively few pieces to get lost around the house.  While my son absolutely loves this set, there are a few changes I would like to see.  First, the logs don't stay on top of the train car and neither does the piece that holds the logs.  We finally hid them because my son was losing them all over the house.  Secondly, I would like to see the straight pieces reversible.
3887380
My 2 1/2 year old son is a Thomas fan and I was looking for a track set he could drive his Thomas trains on, looking at the one's we had they were the take n' play version so I looked for tracks. In my search most of the sets were pieces you attach to other sets and didn't really do much, for the price I just wasn't impressed. Then I came across this one and decided to try it. As we haven't seen the movie yet for this track set that didn't matter. The dinosaur is neat, makes sounds when you lift the lever and my son loves it. The bones are easy for him to load, but you can only load one into Thomas's cart at a time, and easy to put back on the dinosaur wall. Fun and interactive and more track for your buck this was a winner for us.
1629048
I bought this for my father in-law who was wanting to start building and collecting train sets as a hobby.  Its a great set to start with.  It comes with a book with great ideas and suggestions on how to start your hobby and what you could build to in the future.  Its easy to understand and build as well.  Within an hour he had it out of the box, built and start using it.  I suggest if you get this set to also get the Life-Like Trains Power-Loc Track Expander Set - Double Oval as well.  It helps to expand the set and increase the fun and collection and overall experience.
3033336
Great starter set.  However, for a 2 year old I would recommend buying a second train without batteries - it will help them to play with the set better.  Overall a great buy.
90129
This is a great train set. The track design works well and was not hard to snap together. Even at the fastest speed the train stays on the track. Sound effects are cool and I love the remote. I already ordered more track to make a figure eight. The grandkids will have a blast playing with.
3606733
We purchased the Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump train set as a Christmas gift for our 2.5 year old son. We've had a few of the "Take and Play" sets in the past, but this was our first experience with the TrackMaster set.

My first impression upon building this set was - WOW! I know that Thomas sets are expensive (although we got a REALLY good deal on this one) but I was really impressed with the level of detail and quality in the construction. The pieces snapped together quite firmly (and securely) and I commented to my wife that "I've never seen such a thick, quality sticker on a toy!" It's little details like that which help to justify the prices they charge for these sets.

The instructions were laid out well and each piece is labeled clearly so you know exactly which pieces to put where. Only once or twice did I get confused (and to my surprise I discovered two "notes" or "hints" in the instructions which addressed both of these questions!). I will say that I did have a bit of trouble getting the tower pieces to snap into each of the arms tightly, but they sit well enough for Thomas to climb to the helipad and ride to the top and we haven't had many issues with our son pulling it apart.

The jump portion is a lot of fun, although when you have multiple trains circling around the track it can be a bit of a juggling game trying to make sure the platform is reset each time for the train to rise to the top. And occasionally the train would either land sideways and not make the jump or go through with so much speed he goes off the track on the other side. But still tons of fun!

Best part is - we were able to combine with two other Thomas sets without really taking up much more room (although as many have stated - this takes up A LOT of space!) and it's enjoyable for the whole family to watch him move on his own around the track and through the various "scenes".

We haven't yet disassembled to see how well this can be stored, but for now it's enough out of the way that I hope to have it up (and being used) for quite some time. Would definitely recommend!
1982277
Very basic track set. But after reading reviews, I knew exactly what I was purchasing. The car is very much a push car, but is same in concept as Thomas tracks. I had also purchased this on sale as well as another track set. I would not use this as a standalone set because there is not much to it. But it does connect easily to the other track set I bought, and my son (2) thoroughly enjoyed playing with it. And while I'd say it would definitely suit a 2/3 years old more, but almost 4 year daughter also spends a lot of time playing with this with her brother.
2316193
This is my second Lionel O-Gauge train set and many of my comments from the previous set apply here.  There are some differences between the set though so I'll also outline those. (Other set is the Thomas the Train Christmas set)

Like the Thomas set, this is a neat but basic train set.  Here are the pros and cons as I see them.

Pros:
* Design.  Though I can't comment on how faithful the design is to the original train, this set is handsome and nicely detailed.
* Lights.  Unlike the Thomas set, the engine of this set is lit up.  There is a front facing light, a rear facing light and the cab is lit up as well.  Very neat.
* Sound. The sounds are different but like the Thomas set you get 2 train sounds and one phrase that can be activated with the remote.  There is also a train chugging sound that can be turned off with a switch on the engine.
* Standard Lionel O gauge means it's compatible with a large library of extras including track add-on sets and pieces.
* Wireless remote with analog speed control.  The speed control dial is very fluid and smooth. (Edit: I've now had the opportunity to play with the previous Lionel Chief remote control and the differences are this: Old remote is smaller in hand the and the speed control is "click-y" where the new Chief plus remote is a very smooth rotary dial, no clicks.)
* Easy set up.  The track pieces snap together well and running the train is as simple as plugging the track into the power adapter and loading the remote with 3 AAA batteries.

Cons:
* Very simple track layout.  It's a circle.  Other Lionel sets have oval track layouts which would have been nice but would have also raised the price.
* Add-on tracks pieces are expensive.  The first thing I did after ordering the set was to check out track pieces to expand on this set. I was surprised at how much some of the individual pieces cost.  You can save a good chunk by planning ahead and buying add-on sets though.  these are designed to take the track you bought and convert them into more elaborate track layouts like a figure 8 or having an interior loop.  If you're looking to expand your set I would suggest investigating these set as well as planning ahead as to what you'd like the final layout to be.
* Non-working couplers.  The couplers on this set are fixed where previous beginner sets seem to have had plastic working couplers.  That is you could use accessory track pieces to hitch and unhitch the train cars.

Debatable:
* 4 car pieces. Engine, 2 cargo cars and a the caboose.  the entire train feels a tad long for the amount of track in the box but obviously you don't need to run all at the same time and when or if you get more track you'll have already have the extra cars.
* This is a O gauge model train set and layouts can get big fast.  Big as in full 8 by 4 sheets of plywood big, or bigger.

Summary:
This is a great starter set and is cheaper than other starter set that have larger tracks.  This set is fun with some nice detailing, though if you want to get beyond the simple circular layout, track piece costs can start to add up fast.

A note on customer service:
My train came DOA in the box (just like the Thomas set which was crazy).  I have worked with Lionel customer service to get this right and surprisingly they've been really helpful.  The issues were bad power port track pieces an getting this fixed through customer service was a breeze.
3681168
My 4 year old son likes this set.  We have a lot of track master trains and he is happy that Thomas and Percy that come with this set are different from other Thomas and Percy that we have.  I don't like the bridge because part of it comes off easily when my son plays with it and it is hard for him to put it back in so he is asking me all the time to fix it.  Also if an engine on the left is faster then the the engine on the right, the bridge opens up for all the engines to pass and it looks good, but when an engine on the right is faster then the engine on the left, the bridge doesn't open until the slower engine passes, so the faster engine will fall of the track because the bridge will prevent it from going further and then the slow engine will catch up and the bridge will open for that engine.  My son doesn't mind it and usually we keep the bridge open all the time so all engines can pass, doesn't mater on what side they are, so looks like we don't need the bridge.  I like everything else about the set and my son enjoys playing with it.
3774963
My 4 year old is just starting to get into hot wheels tracks. This track is a great early track - simple layout and easy for him to play with.
3668401
20-month grand-daughter has enjoyed this wooden train set since her cousin gifted her with engines Emily (really knows her stuff) & James from the Thomas set.  At less than half the Thomas price, Bigjigs is a perfect starter set -- very durable, holds interest, has all the pieces she needs to maintain interest -- her increase in small motor skills and patience through play has been noted; she can play creatively by herself or with others, including the guys.  I numbered the 16-piece figure-eight track underside for easy set up, the magnetic train pieces mix and match with other pricier sets. Pieces get thrown a bit, but no paint has chipped.  Only suggestions for improvement:  would be nice if set came with a storage bag or box and the 5-piece family was a little more realistic -- but set (as is) has more than met expectations -- for $22 would buy again.  I store it in a latching clear bin and she loves to pack, unpack, set-up and dismantle the pieces -- the set has also traveled well -- really the only toy we needed for a recent trip (when others engage to play with her, it becomes like a new toy).
3050468
This deluxe track pack has been enjoyed alot by my 3 1/2 year old grandson! He is able to put the track together on his own for the most part. We have created many different layouts together which has been alot of fun! The track seems to be quite durable.
3859963
REally clever, and really made my 3 year old son and my husband happy, when I surprised them with this affordable set.  The only issue we're having is that several of our Trackmaster engines can't seem to get up one of the hills (it's really wonky and steep, which is awesome until Henry adn Diesel can't get up it and cause a pile up).  We also like that the flags move when your engines come through, there is a cute buffer for the branch piece, if you weren't intending on extending your track in that direction, it comes with an adapter piece to connect it to the older beige track, and the two hills can be used together or in different sections of your overall track setup.  We call it the "wacky track" when Thomas heads over one of these cool hills.  It gives a neat effect b/c the hills tilt the engine sideways.  Again though, only four stars because only a few of our TM1 and TM2 models can make it over.
3361712
We bought this for our 2-year old daughter who gravitates to every train table she finds in every toy store we visit.  The tracks are excellent. The trains are nice. The features are pretty basic. The two cranes included are both a bit cheapy and not easy to use. The suggested set-up plans don't actually work, so you might take them with a grain of salt.

This is a great vale as a starter set.  I recommend buying this as your starter set, if only for the track alone!  Your child will love it right out of the box and you can add on as you wish with more interesting Thomas items.
333078
My son fell in love with all things Thomas ( as most 3 year olds do ) two years ago. This track and set was a simple choice. We purchased two just to have extra track length. We glued it down to our old 'coffee table' with a green towel (for grass) underneath and my son has hours of playtime at his very inexepensive train table. All the extra pieces it comes with can be annoying ( I've secretly thrown some out ) but nice extras. All of his Thomas trains fit the track, even the battery powered Thomas and Lady. I'd highly recommend these sets! Great value for the price. None of our track pieces have ever broken, chipped or splintered as other posters have commented.
2980022
This isn't the only Thomas Wooden Railway set our 3  yr. old grandson plays with, but its a favorite. He really enjoys having two different track options.  With a down-turn of a lever, train cars can roll high atop tracks and hillside; by turning the same lever upwards, trains roll downhill through a hidden tunnel. This is a great set that requires little adult interventionour three year old can easily assemble/disassemble all by himself and operating the lever/knob is an easy concept. The simple choice of driving trains over or under keeps him occupied a long time.

As with other Thomas Railway sets, Im impressed with craftsmanship. Wooden and plastic pieces are sturdy and colorful, and they can be connected with other Thomas track pieces and accessories. We also have a KidKraft train table, and this set works well with those pieces too. Used alone, this is a great introduction to the world of toy trains, but it also makes a nice add-on with any other wooden set.

Set up, it measures about 39   long and about 11 wide. Ive included pictures showing what happens when the knob is turned down (trains travel above and down) and when the knob is turned up (goes through hidden tunnel). The last couple photos show the nice picture detail on some of the pieces.