What is the appeal of Thomas Train sets over cheaper options (like Ikea's $10 figure-8 set)? Are they better quality, or is it the TV show link?
1074355
Most of it is the license. Kids identify with Thomas the character. The quality is pretty high with the Thomas set as they are high quality wood. They seem to last a long time compared to other toys. If you don't expect much use and the name doesn't matter, then a $10 cheap set might be the way to go.
1074356
10 bucks is great. Thomas has the best tracks sporting double sides and train tie stamps. It has the best variety destinations. For value though Melissa and Doug with the table. I wrote a review its buried somewhere in there.
1482313
I never had the Vtech but my sons small metal magnet Thomas trains fit the track. There's so much stuff that comes with it that my boys just play with the wooden trains & cars anyway. It's not your Pottery Barn quality but seems to work fine.
1078161
I would like to know the true answer to this question as well. Only thing I can think of is that kids love them SO much, they decided to make them super expensive for what you're getting so as to make a huge profit margin. I mean, seriously? $1.20 PER TILE?? Seems ridiculous to me. The cheapest per unit alternative I've found is the 100 pc set by Playmags. Even that seems incredibly steep for me at $90... That's most of my budget for Xmas. It's a shame they make them so spendy.... So many more kids could be enjoying them. Any comment on this topic, Magna-Tiles reps?
2055056
Wait for Amazon to drop their price on the set. (they will) Be patient though, it just came out today. :)
1427649
What type of train set? Like another lego train set or another type of train set.
1428858
i'm sorry, i don't have an answer for this. i bought this item as a gift for my great-nephews at Christmas, and i watched them play with them on the tracks they already had, which i believe were compatible with Thomas. so i felt safe buying the engines/train cars set. they worked perfectly. if Melissa and Doug track say they'll work with Thomas engines, then they "should" be ok, i would think. but i can't say for certain, sorry!!! but i will say that this particular train set is really nice, the pieces are fair sized and easy to play with, and the kids absolutely loved them!! good luck to you in whatever decision you make!! i'm sorry, i don't have an answer for this. i bought this item as a gift for my great-nephews at Christmas, and i watched them play with them on the tracks they already had, which i believe were compatible with Thomas. so i felt safe buying the engines/train cars set. they worked perfectly. if Melissa and Doug track say they'll work with Thomas engines, then they "should" be ok, i would think. but i can't say for certain, sorry!!! but i will say that this particular train set is really nice, the pieces are fair sized and easy to play with, and the kids absolutely loved them!! good... » Read More i'm sorry, i don't have an answer for this. i bought this item as a gift for my great-nephews at Christmas, and i watched them play with them on the tracks they already had, which i believe were compatible with Thomas. so i felt safe buying the engines/train cars set. they worked perfectly. if Melissa and Doug track say they'll work with Thomas engines, then they "should" be ok, i would think. but i can't say for certain, sorry!!! but i will say that this particular train set is really nice, the pieces are fair sized and easy to play with, and the kids absolutely loved them!! good luck to you in whatever decision you make!! « Show Less
1660799
I'd check ebay for extra tracks. There's one auction up there currently for about $18...another is asking $25, which is probably a huge ripoff, but keep checking, from time to time. Also, PM the person setting up the auction, they might be willing to put it up at a different price if it doesn't sell the first time. Amazon also sells straight LEGO train tracks, so that might be your best bet. $20 and done.
1589407
Not sure about Ikea but I can tell you it fit on three different train tracks here. One wooden set from CVS bought at Christmas, one plastic set that cam with a Thomas Train and one other wooden set. I think they are pretty standard. I thought this one was great for the money.
1408920
My three-year-old grandson loves Thomas so that is the main reason I chose that rollercoaster. The two seem fairly similar with price being the main difference.
157131
I can't say for sure because i'm not really into the figures. I can say that it is not the same quality as the higher priced items but my son still enjoyed them.
746786
We bought this for our 3 year old grandson who is really into Thomas Trains It was the PERFECT gift! Not really sure if I would buy this for use with legos (although at some point my grandson may use it for this). They have specifically made Lego tables that I would think might be better.
1019735
Thomas Wooden Railway trains are slightly larger than the diecast ones from Take n Play sets. The tracks are different widths, therefore they are not compatible. We don't have any diecast trains from wooden railway series, they are all made of wood.
1391712
Take n Play sets do NOT have motorized engines. The motorized sets are Trackmaster sets. Didn't know this originally so we started with a mixed bag. They also don't fit the same on the tracks. The Take n Play are a bit narrower tracks. Both types so of fit on the tracks, but not exactly as designed. But the kids are now nearly 3 and they both play with the non-motorized ones more. I guess at this point they like being involved with the train, not just watching it. They started playing with them last May when I purchased their first set. Adam lives for 'Thomas', Abi likes Thomas and play with it a lot, but splits her time with Barbie. Check out the traveling Thomas the Engine that goes to various cities. A great day of events!
2124517
They are in fact the same set, at least from KingToys. I just received mine today and I'm sending it back. I found out that it's a Toys R Us exclusive, so the one you'll get from here will say Toys R Us on the box. Since it's exclusive, it's sold by third parties, who mark up the price. Get it from Toys R Us. I can't find a Hasbro set anywhere online, so I'm pretty sure they're just the same set, made exclusively for TRU by Hasbro. So disappointed.
367113
I would definitly order from amazon because this set is higher offline. Plus you have to buy stuff seperately. Its cheaper here and u can add pieces that you not be able to buy in the store.
962369
It's a really small set. It will work, but, my son was really disappointed. Wish we would of taken all the money we spent on all the different train sets and bought the Thomas set that sells for $400.
1019731
The wooden trains longer and wider than the diecast ones. My son is two yrs old and has both types on trains. My son loved this bday thomas one. Great gift.