Best Toy Trains
From character trains for toddlers to serious layouts for older children, from plastic to wood to metal, the range of toy trains out there is vast.
You’d expect Thomas the Tank Engine to make a few appearances here, but the good news is that there are plenty of other options as well – toy trains remain one of the most diverse and vibrant sectors of the industry.
Here, in alphabetical order, is our pick of the bunch.
Chuggington Die-Cast Trains
RC2 Learning Curve
We had to wait a long time for them, but when these trains rolled in to the 2010 Toy Fair they were an instant hit. Great attention to detail and bright colours help this range stand out.
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City of London Train Set
John Crane
The newest addition to John Crane’s Branching Out line is this beautiful train set that lets youngsters take a tour of the capital without leaving their playroom. Sights to see include Harrods, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace.
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Early Engineers
Learning Curve
Letting toddlers of 18 months and up climb onboard the Thomas Wooden Railway experience, these sets feature chunky character trains and easy-to-assemble layouts.
Read our full review here…
Farm Starter Set
BRIO
An excellent choice for a first wooden railway, this set comes with a classic figure-of-eight layout, a colourful train and some great farm-themed accessories.
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Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Train Set
BRIO
Making a refreshing change from the more familiar character options, this Disney-themed set from BRIO offers some really colourful character pieces and a range of layouts.
Read our full review here…
RailRoad
Hornby
Specially designed for younger enthusiasts, the Hornby RailRoad line is intended to be more durable and includes some stunning engines, suitable for children whose interest in train sets is becoming a little more serious.
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Talking Thomas Die-Casts
Mattel
For the first time, a Thomas the Tank Engine die-cast can answer back. With speech and engine noises, little Thomas fans will be enthralled.
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Thomas’ Sodor Adventure Set
Tomy
Kicking off Tomy’s Track Master system in fine style, this layout has a battery-operated Thomas chugging around a layout that boasts some really eye-catching attention to detail.
Read our full review here…
