https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:38:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2235080 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:34:20 +0000 cat620 2235080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: @looch: I read an article on the pros and cons of train tables that convinced me not to get one. Some of the cons were that they can limit creativity (since you have a limited space to build your tracks on) and it can be harder for the child to maneuver around the table to get to the various parts of the track. Plus, they take up a ton of space! Using the floor is an easy and cheap option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2235070 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:30:15 +0000 cat620 2235070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Now that my son has had longer to play with his Thomas sets, I have to agree with everyone who said the wooden sets are better. The tracks are higher quality, and I like that the set can be arranged in multiple ways. Plus, it's so easy to line the tracks up that my toddler can do it, whereas with the trackmaster tracks, I had to snap them together. I also discovered that there are some train engines that are motorized and compatible with the wooden sets. We bought a Percy that is surprisingly strong and can pull several cargo units behind him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226775 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 21:00:26 +0000 charlotte 2226775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use some of the plastic motorized ones on our wooden tracks / table...they just won't fit in the tunnels! Brio also makes a battery operated one that can fit! Best of both worlds... </p> <p>That said we currently have tunnels set up so I hid the motorized ones. Tantrum central for my 2 year old when they can't go through! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226741 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 19:33:44 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2226741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love the wooden tracks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226404 Sat, 04 Jul 2015 05:43:42 +0000 looch 2226404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has one set of the plastic Trackmasters with a few of the battery operated engines. He also has a ton of the wooden tracks with the wooden engines, as well as the expansion buildings. In my mind, they're the same in terms of entertainment, but I think parents tend to like the wooden sets because of longevity and "cool factor." We just got rid of our train table this weekend because my son prefers to build on the floor and the train table is too small for all the buildings.</p> <p>The do sell battery operated wooden locomotives, but they are extremely expensive compared to the non motorized ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226284 Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:30:12 +0000 T-Mom 2226284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3 yr old has a good collection of both and the trackmaster plastic track gets way more play. He will lie on the floor and watch them go around and around for a long time. The track is also more portable to take to grandmas, etc. He does play with his wooden trains on different surfaces, but the train table does not get a lot of use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226276 Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:22:15 +0000 mrsjyw 2226276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2.5 yo son loves his wooden train table. It's an imaginarium one we got for a great deal at tru and fits Thomas trains. Anyway he had a smaller electronic set that he didn't like at all that we ended up returning it. We have an electric one for Christmas decor that he lurked but he much prefers doing the pushing and playing on his wooden track! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226273 Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:15:40 +0000 SeptMomma12 2226273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2.5 year old definitely prefers his train table with the wooden tracks/trains to the plastic ones he has. I think they're better quality too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thomas-the-train-wooden-vs-plastic-train-set#post-2226271 Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:13:23 +0000 cat620 2226271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Which do you/your lo prefer and why? We have one of each now, and I think my son likes the battery operated train the best, because he doesn't have to push it around the track. This one is the train that came with the plastic track. However, I heard people like the wooden trains/tracks better, because they last longer. </p>