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Thanks to Doug Atkinson for permission to share his excellent article on my web site. All prices mentioned are US$. Please direct any comments, questions or spare toys to myself or Doug.
.../Paul Maclauchlan
I never got much into trains when I was a kid, but now that I have three children of my own, I've found I can re-live my youth through them! One of the neatest toys I've begun purchasing has been wooden rail train sets. There are quite a few different types of sets out there, so I just wanted to share what information I've gathered. Any information on products I missed would be greatly appreciated!
Let me begin by explaining how my family started in wooden trains. We had visited some friends of ours, and their son had a BRIO train set. Our oldest son really seemed to take to it, so I knew it was something I'd like to get for him. When I checked the prices, though, I was amazed how much they cost. For a while I considered the BRIO starter set for $40, but I kept looking. Looking through the Sportsman's Guide catalog, I noticed some import train sets that offered a lot more track for about the same money. I ended up eventually getting two of these "Dixieland" sets (though different models) so my sons had lots of track.
The trains in these sets were nothing to speak of, and in fact were pretty cheap. They did come with some wooden animals and buildings, though, and the track is pretty decent. The track uses plastic connectors instead of the wooden ends, but this has actually been somewhat of an advantage by allowing me to make double ended male or female pieces as needed. The savings in track allowed me to spend some more on additional trains. In the middle of this, my sons and I had discovered Thomas the Tank Engine trains, and we decided to start collecting these.
I have learned some lessons. The Dixieland Chinese import track I purchased was not fully compatible with the Thomas and BRIO tracks, for example. The inner "hump" of these import tracks is a bit wider than the Thomas track, and the overall width is a little more narrow. This causes some trains to not sit so well in the track, and can lead to derailing, especially if using a battery powered locomotive. I am trying to little by little replace the Dixieland track with better track from BRIO, Learning Curve, Playskool, and Sesame Street. Also, the fit and finish of the track was not as nice as the BRIO/Thomas lines. Even the Learning Curve Thomas track and BRIO tracks are not exactly the same size, but for the most part they will fit together nicely. Note that the Chinese import track I mention below appears to be different than the track I purchased. The connectors are not plastic but are wooden and shaped into the track, for example.
Currently, we have collected wooden trains and sets from quite a few different manufacturers. Most of the trains are Learning Curve Thomas Trains with a few BRIO's thrown in (and one Lionel engine). As I mentioned we have a lot of Chinese import track. We found a decent Playskool Wilderness set on sale at half price at Toys R Us (more details below). We recently picked up a Tootsietoy Sesame Street train set (on closeout), and even got a BRIO set. I did purchase a couple of Learning Curve track pieces (a crossing and some switch curves). We are using all this track to also help equip my other nephews with train resources! Even with all of these, I have since discovered through the Internet that there are other trains and train sets available.
I have discovered more than eight different suppliers of wooden train sets. Some people have objections to purchasing products made in China because of the religious persecution against the citizens in that country. Although many of the train sets available are made in China, there are a few alternatives that are not.
Most of the wooden train sets are expensive. I say this from the perspective of the initial sticker shock when I first saw the prices, and from similar expressions I have seen/heard from other parents when first finding out how much they cost. Having said this, the value you get for your dollar is well spent. The quality and lasting playability of wooden trains is excellent, and several companies offer lifetime warranties. Also, most of the better train sets cost about the same, and there seem to be some efforts recently to produce even more inexpensive starter sets. The Playskool and Sesame Street sets can sometimes be found in discount toy stores for less, but then the trains are not as nice either.
BRIO seems to be the "original" manufacturer of wooden train sets (though T.C. Timber claims the same). BRIO started in 1884 by the "BRothers Ivarsson of Osby", Sweden, and their train sets are the ones other manufacturers compare themselves to. BRIO trains are manufactured in Sweden and are very good quality (a note on the BRIO home page states the BRIO Wooden Railway System started in 1954). They have recently began to expand their line to include "famous" characters, such as Richard Scarry and the Wee Sing train from the popular kid's song video series. The BRIO train line is very extensive, including several complete sets, playboards, trains, cars and trucks, track, action buildings, bridges, and more. BRIO trains are available in many specialty toy shops, hobby shops, and train shops, as well as through the Internet (see links below). BRIO trains are warranted for life.
The BRIO figure 8 starter set runs about $40, but BRIO has recently introduced a couple of simpler but interesting starter sets for even less. The latest version of the figure 8 set now has an engine that can seat a play figure, and the overpass features a small mountain. It is my guess that the competition from the Thomas Train playsets has moved BRIO to put a lot more character into their trains which previously have been rather boring (to my eyes, anyway).
In Europe, BRIO also manufactures a Thomas Train line. The quote from the Sweden BRIO home page states, "Thomas the Tank Engine - a celebrity among playful trains - now manufactured as a wooden train in Sweden by BRIO Toy. Only available in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Japan." In the US and Canada, Thomas Trains are sold by Learning Curve (covered next). If you prefer the BRIO line but want the character of Thomas, you may be able to try mail-order overseas (I have posted one U.K. link in the links sections), but I'm not sure if their licensing allows them to sell to the United States. Note that BRIO track is smooth, while Learning Curve's is grooved (to create a clickety clack effect). The photos I have seen of the BRIO Thomas trains look very similar to the Learning Curve trains.
BRIO can be contacted at:
| Sweden | US |
|---|---|
BRIO AB/BRIO Toy BRIOgatan 1 S-283 83 OSBY, Sweden Phone: +46(0)479190 00 Fax: +46(0)479-141 73 Internet: http://www.brio.se |
BRIO Corporation N120 W18485 Freistadt Rd P.O.Box 1013 Germantown, WI 53022-8213 USA Phone: (414) 250 3240 Fax: (414) 250 3255 E-mail info@briotoy.com Internet: http://www.briotoy.com |
If you have children, chances are good that you have seen the Thomas
The Tank Engine television show either on PBS or on video. Learning Curve's
line of wooden trains re-creates the characters of this series in a wooden
train set that is compatible with the BRIO trains. Each
train has a personality and a face to go along with it. The personalization of
the trains with names like Henry, Percy, Annie & Clarabel, and of course,
Thomas, seems to enhance game play as children begin to relate to the
characters. When I first began buying trains for my two sons (my daughter is
still a little young for trains yet), the Thomas trains won out in my mind over
the BRIO trains simply because they had more character to them. As mentioned
above, BRIO seems to be addressing this with later releases, and I look forward
to the new variety!
Learning Curve is a relative newcomer to the field compared to T.C. Timber and BRIO as Learning Curve started in 1993, but already they have grabbed a significant market share in the United States. The wooden Thomas Trains by Learning Curve are manufactured in China, which is their one downside in my eyes. The quality, however, is very good and Learning Curve provides a lifetime warranty. My sons have yet to break any of their BRIO, Lionel, or Learning Curve trains.
Thomas Trains cost about the same as BRIO trains. They also offer a starter figure 8 set for $40. Thomas track is known as "clickety clack" track because it has ridges built in to give the trains a clicking noise as they move along the track. As with BRIO, the Learning Curve catalog is quite extensive with full sets, track sets, track, trains, cars and trucks, action buildings, and more.
Learning Curve can be contacted at the following:
Learning Curve International, L.L.C. 314 West Superior Street, 6th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60610-3537 USA Telephone:312.654.5960 Facsimilie:312.654.8227 Internet: http://www.learningcurve.com or http://www.learningtoys.com
(note, the web site is somewhat on the boring side and doesn't give a whole lot of information about Thomas or about new releases)
Learning Curve and Lionel trains have joined forces and offer a BRIO/Thomas compatible line of trains that feature the Lionel logo. Currently, a series of three battery powered locomotives are featured. The locomotives are available singly or in a package with a storybook and audio tape (the storybooks and tapes are also available separately). The trains are very well made and feature a metal shell over a plastic base and run on one "AA" battery. They can be set to go forward or reverse, and the "off" setting allows the train to run in free wheeling mode, which is especially great for the little ones. The engines run about $20, or $25 with story book and tape. There are three available: The President Express, The Torpedo Run, and the Daylight Limited. Also, information on A to Z Toy's Internet page shows that the Learning Curve/Lionel line will be expanded by cars with lights and sounds, new track that looks like real track on a bed (and integrates with Clickety Clack track), and a drawbridge and railroad crossing, both with lights!
The Lionel Great Railway Adventures are made by Learning Curve; contact information is above.
T.C. Timber is part of a five company family; the parent company is Habermaass GmbH of Germany. In 1980, Habermaass GmbH acquired the Skaneateles Handicrafters company, which was founded in 1936 in upstate New York and has now become T.C. Timber. T.C. Timber is a manufacturing and distributing part of the five company family for the American markets. I have not yet seen the T.C. Timber line of trains, but I obtained a nice catalog from their home page and their products are available from several sources on the Internet as well as some of the specialty toy stores. T.C. Timber claims to be the original maker of wood trains on wood track (since 1936). They claim the magnets used are strongest available, and that "since we set the standard", other manufacturer's trains and tracks are compatible with the T.C. Timber line. The products are made of maple wood and painted with non-toxic paints.
The trains look similar to the older BRIO line, that is, plain trains painted in bright primary colors. The track is marked to look more like real train track, but is smooth like BRIO track. T.C. Timber sets cost about the same as the BRIO and Thomas lines. A starter oval set costs $40-$50, while the Spiral and Town & Country sets run $105 and $110 each. The 50-6029 Spiral Train Set includes a rising 540 degree (one and one-half revolutions) turn! The 50-6022 Town and Country set includes 48 pieces and features a figure 8 loop with an additional elevated curve, cargo train, and two mechanical switch tracks. T.C. Timber also offers separate track packs, trains, action buildings and bridges (including a demolition bridge!), though not as quite an extensive line as BRIO or Learning Curve.
One final note about the T.C. Timber trains is that the Suretrack product mentioned below does not work on it (according to information on the Suretrack website).
The address is: , , , . ; ; ; ;
T.C. Timber Harbermaass Corp. PO Box 42 4407 Jordan Rd. Skaneatles, NY 13152 USA Phone 800-468-6873; 315-685-6660 FAX 315-685-3792 E-mail info@tctimber.com Internet: http://www.tctimber.com
The Whittle Shortline Railroad company is located in Missouri and their massive manufacturing plant is operated out of a garage! These BRIO compatible trains thus US made and are modeled after real US trains. The prices are comparable to the BRIO and Thomas lines, and a few complete sets are available, though the train set line is certainly more limited.
I was real excited to learn of an American made product offering "realistic" trains at prices comparable to the BRIO and Learning Curve products. Whittle Shortline RR makes steam engines, tenders, diesel engines, box cars, hoppers, tank cars, and cabooses, all in a variety of paint patterns such as Southern Pacific, New York Central, Kansas City Southern, and so forth. Whittle Shortline RR products can be found at a few retailers, but primary sales are currently through direct sales and the Internet. A note on the Whittle Shortline web page states that they would like to buy back any trains purchased from them if the user decides they no longer want them.
Whittle Shortline Railroad can be contacted at: , , .
Whittle Shortline Railroad 1017 Romine Ave Kirkwood, MO 63122 USA Internet: http://www.woodentrain.com
Heros is a German Company which manufactures wooden toys with distribution in the United States handled by DARDA Inc., of Baltimore, Maryland. Heros trains look very much like the old BRIO line and T.C. Timber sets, featuring plain wooden trains using bright primary colors. A small pamphlet I obtained with a set of wooden blocks shows only two train sets, but Abacus Toys of New Zealand lists other train pieces that are available on their website. The Deluxe Train Set, for example, features an engine with four cars, one automobile, three trees, eight buildings, a signal, and track featuring an elevated trestle and a loading dock.
I have not located any Heros trains locally (NJ) though the local Zainy-Brainy toy store does carry some Heros block sets. The only place I have found them on the Internet has been the Abacus Toys from New Zealand. A pamphlet from one of the block sets names DARDA Inc. as the U.S. distributor, and states to contact them for store locations.
Contact information for Heros is as follows:
| USA | Germany |
|---|---|
DARDA Inc. Attn: HEROS Sales Manager 1600 Union Avenue Baltimore, MD 21211-1998 Tel: (410) 889-1023; 1-800-638-1470 Fax: (410) 889-0503 |
Hermann Rossberg KG Holzspielwarenfabrik, Lohberger StraBe 2-7 D-93462 LAM, Germany Telefon 0 99 43/7 87 Telefax 0 99 43/33 48 |
Abacus Toys in New Zealand is listed below. I couldn't locate a Heros home page, but I don't speak German so wasn't able to perform a proper search.
The Sesame Street railroads present a less expensive alternative to the sets mentioned above. Sesame Street Railway sets start around $20 (discount) and can be found in larger toystores like Toys-R-Us and some hobby shops. The track is compatible with the BRIO and Thomas sets and is well made, but not as good as the BRIO/Learning Curve lines. The trains feature Sesame Street characters which are decals pasted on the wooden trains. Additional track packs, trains, and non-action buildings are also available. Sesame Street Railway is made in China.
Contact information:
Strombecker Corporation, Tootsietoy 600 N. Pulaski Road Chicago, IL 60624-1083 USA Customer Service 1-800-944-TOYS Internet: http://www.strombeckercanada.com/tootsietoy.html (but not yet any online information on the train sets posted)
I didn't locate any Internet sites that feature the Sesame Street Railway, but that certainly doesn't mean there aren't any. The Dr. Toy website recommended this railway as a top 100 toy of 1995.
Playskool's Woodland Junction is another inexpensive railway that can be found in toystores. They are made in China. The quality is on par with the Sesame Street sets (that is, decent track and so-so trains) and various size sets are available starting around $20-25. I have not seen Playskool trains or track available separately. The track is compatible with BRIO and Thomas Trains. One of the sets I purchased came with a red battery powered engine that features an electronic whistle.
Contact Information: I don't have any contact information for Playskool trains. I didn't find any Internet sites featuring their trains, and the Hasbro home page (I believe Hasbro is a parent company of Playskool) contains no information on Playskool train sets. I have seen the sets available in Toys-R-Us stores.
So many toys available here in the U.S. seem to come from China, and trains are no exception. There are several "generic" wooden train sets available, often at bargain prices but also with "bargain" product. For example, the quality of the track and trains in the DixieLand sets I purchased were not as high as the BRIO/Thomas lines, but they were helpful for starting out with lots of track. I don't know that I would recommend these specific sets (and I haven't seen them available lately, anyway), since I find myself wanting to replace the Dixieland track with track of better quality. The plastic connectors have come in handy to match those female to female ends that crop up occasionally, but it would seem the SureTrack product (below) could be used in these situations as well.
If you are going to purchase a "generic" brand wooden train set, just beware what you are getting. Some "50 piece" sets offer lots of wooden animals and trees, and not as much track as you might expect.
There is one 100 piece import track currently available that looks pretty decent from the photos I've seen, but I can't vouch for it personally. The track looks to be all wood (not with the plastic connectors my Dixieland sets used) and a nice variety of pieces are included. The trains look inferior to the trains above, but I would be purchasing a set like this mostly for the track. Check out the Spruce Caboose, Sportsman's Guide, and Creative Playthings websites listed below for more information.
This is not a line of wooden trains, but is a great tool that helps keep track pieces together in your BRIO or Thomas layout. My young sons (3 and 5) often knock over their bridge connections while playing. Suretrack is a simple clip that fits underneath BRIO and Thomas track to hold joints together. This is especially useful on bridges and elevated tracks. DazyUSA states the clips work with BRIO, Learning Curve, Playskool, and Sesame Street railways. They are not, unfortunately, compatible with T.C. Timber track. A box of 24? costs $12.50, and I am planning on adding a box or two to our collection! The website link is provided below.
If you are primarily a Thomas Train fan, you may be confused by the many different types of Thomas Train sets available. Beyond the Learning Curve (and BRIO) wooden sets, there are Ertl die-cast trains, Tomica battery powered sets, Hornby HO sets, and others. I plan to write a companion article to this one explaining the different Thomas Train sets available.
There is a ton of information available on the Internet, though most sites are places to purchase wooden train sets. A quick search on "brio" at www.altavista.digital.com brought up over 5,000 hits! So, the following is only a small representation on where to get more information. Also, note that listing of a site below is not a recommendation; I have not personally done business with any of the companies.
Learning Curve International (Thomas the Tank Engine)
Lionel model trains (for reference, see Learning Curve for Lionel Railway Adventures)
DazyUSA Home Page (Suretrack)
SomeDayIsle Toys, Vermont, USA, features many toys including BRIO, Thomas, and Lionel Railway Adventures. They don't seem to have complete stock, but offer discount prices. Small graphics for each item are presented.
The Totally Thomas Toy Depot, San Diego, CA, offers more than just Thomas, but an extensive Thomas line is featured. Offered are Learning Curve Thomas, ERTL die-cast 1/64 scale Thomas and playtrack, TOMY/TOMICA City Thomas battery powered trains, TOMY My First Thomas, Lionel Railway Adventures and Lionel 0 Scale Thomas sets, Hornby Clockwork and Electric Thomas, and not to be left out, BRIO trains. Photos are provided for most products.
Thomas' Toybox, GreenVille, PA, A bare-bones site (graphically) but carries almost everything Thomas such as ERTL, Learning Curve, TOMY, etc.
Bungalow Toys/Toyweb.com, Highland Ranch, CO, offers both BRIO and Learning Curve wooden trains with graphics
Western Depot, Yuba City, CA, carries trains, Learning Curve Thomas, and ERTL die cast Thomas. No graphics.
H&R Trains, Pinellas Park, FL, features model trains, Learning Curve Thomas Trains, and BRIO. No graphics.
Elements of Nature, Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA, carries BRIO, Learning Curve Thomas, and Lionel Great Adventures. Photos of each product.
La Toys, Cedarhurst, NY, offers BRIO and Learning Curve Thomas trains at discount prices. Provides photos of products.
Trains Are Good, San Diego, CA, offers lots of Thomas the Tank Engine Products as well as BRIO wooden trains. Features Thomas videos, Learning Curve, ERTL die-cast, BRIO line, and general railroad maps and gifts. Provides photos/drawings of some products.
Walden Hobbies, New York, offers several brands of Thomas the Tank Engine products as well as T.C. Timber products. Tomica World battery powered Thomas train sets, ERTL die-cast Thomas, Gold Rail Series, Watches, Hornby HO plastic electric trains, Lionel Great Adventures (full series including sets!), Whittle Shortline RR, Woodtown (?), and T.C. Timber; also features PecoWare Thomas dinnerware, Thomas videos, and various Thomas themed gifts. Small photos are available for most products.
Dawson And Son, London, England, offers quality wooden toys including BRIO sets including a BRIO Thomas the Tank Engine set.
J.T. Puffin's, Madison, WI, offers the full line of BRIO at discount prices, Lionel Great Adventures trains, and Learning Curve Thomas at discount. Photos are provided.
A to Z Toys, Wheaton, IL, offers BRIO, Learning Curve Thomas, and Lionel Great Adventures at discount. Photos are provided, including shots of the new Lionel track and action cars.
Character Warehouse, Dorset, England, is a U.K site offering the BRIO line of Thomas the Tank Engine, ERTL die-cast trains, Hornby clockwork & electric HO sets, and Tomy products. With photos.
Walden Hobbies. See entry above
Electric Exchange Co. (Catalog 16), Baltimore, MD, offers the line of T.C. Timber wooden train sets, trains, and accessories. Photos.
GumpyLump, New York, wooden toys features the T.C. Timber train line and provides photos.
The Laughing Giraffe, Brooklyn, NY, offers T.C. Timber line. No Photos.
The Toy Corner, Newtown/Southbury CT, offers a couple of T.C. Timber sets with photos.
Catfish Hollow Toys, Clearfield, PA, offers the Whittle Shortline RR sets and trains under the "Tin, Wood, and Other Toys" selection. No photos are provided.
Walden Hobbies. See entry above
Spruce Caboose. Offers 100 piece train set for $49.95. Also has track and Suretrack clips
Sportsman's Guide. Camping/Hunting equipment dealer has occasional gift buys, especially near Christmas. Searching on "train" shows a wooden train set for $40
Constructive Playthings. Features a couple of BRIO battery trains, a 100 piece import wooden train set $69.95, a couple of track expansion packs, and also a wooden name-letters train
Abacus Toys New Zealand site: Heros brand train sets & wooden toys
The Handmade, Homemade Toy Shop. Name Letter trains and animals and track; BRIO compatible!
Last updated: September 2 1999