With technology and electric devices so integrated in our lives, there are some things that we may have forgotten, especially when it comes to toys. Gone are the days when imagination and creativity is the forefront of what playing time is about. However, there are just some things that will remain classic and still remain to be a popular choice for both young and adults like with the classic wooden toy train.
There are just certain toys that remind us so much of our childhood, from our favorite ball to our cannot-live-without ragged doll. No matter what it was, when we see these toys it brings us back to our youth instantly. One of these toys that bring us back to our childhood days is a wooden toy train. Although it is not as common as the next big thing, trains seem to still seem to stay strong probably because kids, and adults alike, do love to play with trains and it is a good educational piece.
| First Choice |  |
100-Piece Orbrium Toys Triple-Loop Wooden Train Set Fits Thomas Brio Chuggington | $ | 4.6/5 |  |
| Second Choice |  |
Orbrium Toys 52 Pcs Deluxe Wooden Train Set | $ | 4.5/5 | |
| Third Choice |  |
KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set | $ | 4.4/5 | |
These days it is not uncommon to find adults to have a collection of wooden toy trains as it has become more valuable over the years especially those that are made by well-known toy train makers. Whether you are planning to start your own collection or plan to buy the first train set for a kid, there are some things you should definitely factor in. This quick wooden toy train buying guide aims to help you make the process of choosing one to be a little bit easier.
Toy Trains vs. Model Trains
There are numerous wooden trains available in the market today. However, not all can be considered as toys. When looking at buying wooden toy trains, it is important to determine if the set you are interested in is a toy train or a model train. What is the difference between the two anyways?
Wooden toy trains are usually made to be, well, toys. It can as simple as a pull toy that does not even run on a wooden track. Two main features that you can distinguish a toy train is that it often comes in cheap and are built for durability so it can withstand the abuse it often goes through from rambunctious kids. Model trains, on the other hand, are a little bit more expensive because it is often pattered or modeled after real trains. Essentially, these are scaled models of real trains. Some consider model trains to be toy trains and vice versa.
The Brand May Matter
When you look at a wooden toy train buying guide, it will always have a section on the popular wooden toy train brands. This is because there are just brands that have the reputation for producing high end, high quality wooden trains. It is a good idea to check the popular brands of wooden toy trains that are always mentioned. Do your research and compare these brands. Nowadays, there are some wooden toy trains that may not be as popular as some brands but still produce good quality wooden toy trains.
Top Wooden Toy Train Products
Orbrium Toys 100-Piece Train Set
Wooden toy trains are as classical as they come when it comes to toys. It remained popular even after several years probably because it is such a hit for both kids and adults. Whatever the reason, wooden toy trains will stay for a few more years especially since some adults start collecting them as a reminder of their childhood days.
In most cases, more people are now becoming more interested in model toy trains which feature not just the train and the tracks but other things that you see on a train station like the buildings and towers, such as Orbrium’s 100-piece wooden train set.
The 100-piece Orbrium Wooden Train Set includes two three-way track pieces and trains that come complete with an engine and coaches. Aside from the train set, it also has other city vehicles like a police cruiser, buses and ambulance.
Features
- Brand: Orbrium Toys
- 100-piece wooden train set
- Made from Beech wood
- Inclusions: two 3-way track pieces, train set, bridge, buildings, city vehicles, caboose, railroad crossing, tree, bushes, figurines, and road signs
Pros
The variety of pieces the Orbrium’s 100-piece wooden train set have makes it a great starter set. There are all sorts of other vehicles, a bridge, different structures even figurines and bushes. This gives the kid the opportunity to be a little bit more creative and use their imagination on creating different variations. Some who have reviewed it also liked the fact that it is all painted and no stickers for kids to peel off.
The fact that it is made purely of wood is another plus. You do not have to worry about your kid swallowing small plastic pieces that some toy trains are often made with.
Cons
A few who have reviewed the Orbrium’s 100-piece wooden train set found that there is not enough straight pieces of the tracks to allow for a complete track. They also found that the buildings, other vehicles and the likes make up more of the set rather than the actual train and track. This resulted to them having to buy a supplemental add-on set to increase the track.
Some also found that, unlike other wooden toy trains, the tracks from other brands do not match. You then have to get supplemental add-ons to expand the track rather than just using the one you already have.
Verdict
Overall, the Orbrium’s 100-piece wooden train set is a good “advance” wooden toy train set for toddlers. With the amount of pieces it has, kids will sure to spend hours playing with this toy.
Kids Destiny 100-Piece Triple Loop Wooden Train Set
When buying the first wooden train set for you kid, there are some things that you may want to consider. The age of the child will definitely be a factor. It is not only the little hands that will maneuver the train toys but the ability of the child to play with intricate pieces. If a kid is into trains, then there are definitely numerous train sets available in the market today that can add on to your kid’s collection like the Kids Destiny 100-Piece Triple Loop Wooden Train Set.
Kids Destiny 100-Piece Triple Loop Wooden Train Set features 100 wooden pieces with a triple-loop layout. It is compatible with other train sets like Thomas Wooden and Brio Railway System. It is made from Beech wood.
Features
- Brand: Kids Destiny
- Made from Beech wood
- 100 pieces including train, tracks, city vehicles, a bridge, buildings, trees and road signs
Pros
A few who have reviewed the Kids Destiny 100-Piece Triple Loop Wooden Train Set liked the fact that it is made from real wood which makes it more durable than its plastic counterparts. You can immediately smell the wood once you open the box. The pieces are painted as opposed to using stickers which makes it a little bit safer for kids and add on to its durability.
They found it easy to assemble and with the pieces being small enough they can easily carry and store them. The addition of so many other pieces aside from the main train cars and tracks is definitely a plus. It engages kids to be a bit more imaginative in their play.
Cons
Some who have bought and used the Kids Destiny 100-Piece Triple Loop Wooden Train Set found that the blocks that holds the bridge is not as sturdy as they would like it to be. The blocks move quite easily which causes the bridge to fall often. They also found that some of the parts came apart immediately. They had to do a bit of fixing and gluing to make sure that they stick when being played with.
Verdict
The Kids Destiny 100-Piece Triple Loop Wooden Train Set is a good option if you are looking for a train set that has several other pieces but is small enough for small kids to manipulate. The different pieces make for great play time with your kids and give them the opportunity to use their imagination.
Orbrium Toys 52-Piece Wooden Train Set
Gone are the days when wooden train sets just consist of the train and the tracks. Nowadays, you can find train sets made of wood that can be built into a small train station or city. These kinds of wooden train sets give children the opportunity to be more creative and to use their imagination when it comes to play.
One particular set is Orbrium Toys’ 52-piece wooden train set that features three main destinations – railroad crossing, train station and long 8’ bridge. The set includes wooden tracks, passenger coach, engine, buildings, figurines, road signs, trees and other vehicles.
Features
- Brand: Orbrium Toys
- 52 pieces
- Inclusion: wooden tracks, engine, passenger coach, hopper car, automobile, buildings, figurines, road signs, trees, and bushes
- Fits with other train sets like Thomas, Brio, Chuggington, etc.
Pros
A few who have reviewed and used the Orbrium Toys’ 52-piece wooden train set found that the tracks are double sided so you can flip the tracks and use it to go on both directions. This gives you more track options expanding the play ability of this wooden train set. They also found the pieces to be durable and sturdy enough that it can withstand the abuse toys often get from kids’ play.
They found the pieces to be durable and sturdy enough to withstand constant abuse from toddlers. It is also easy to assemble by both kids and adults. Ages 6 years old and above can assemble the set without much difficulty and effort. The track is easy to put together as well.
Cons
Some who have reviewed the Orbrium Toys’ 52-piece wooden train set found that other trains tend to be derailed on the track. There will be times that it will not but there are some instances when it would. This resulted them to tweak the track and put wedges under some spots to prevent the train from derailing.
They also found that the track pieces are not equal. Some are a little looser than others while others are more rounded off than others. They also found that the track of the Orbrium Toys’ 52-piece wooden train set does not fit quite well with other train sets as they expected it to be. The connections between the track pieces are too tight making it more difficult to connect or disconnect. You will need to put a little bit more effort to put them together or break them apart.
Verdict
The Orbrium Toys’ 52-piece wooden train set is nice little train set that is durable and made well. It fits with pretty much most of the high-end or well-known train sets so it will be a great addition to your current set. The pieces are all made from wood and are painted instead of using stickers. There are some issues with the stability of some of the track pieces but by rearranging them this could solve the issue. Overall, the Orbrium Toys’ 52-piece wooden train set is a great starter train set.
KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set
It is true that train sets evoke a certain nostalgic feeling whenever you see one or play with one. This is probably because there is always that one particular train set in your childhood that you had. It is a tradition that you want to pass on to your kids. However, finding vintage trains in good condition is becoming more difficult and expensive, to say the least. This why most people would settle for one that is much like the one they had during their childhood.
One classic example is buying a train set that has the classic figure-8 track. This classic track is probably one of the most familiar one as toy trains are often made with this configuration. Nowadays, you can definitely get train sets that have more intricate tracks but if you want to stick to the classic then you do have options, such as the KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set.
The KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set has 32 pieces with a long, winding figure-8 track. It consists of a gas station, firehouse station, a fire truck, bulldozer and figurines. There are other accessories on top of the train and track.
Features
- Brand: KidKraft
- 32 pieces; 3-piece train
- Inclusions:townspeople, a fire truck, a bulldozer and other fun accessories, Firehouse and gas station
Pros
A few have reviewed the KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set found it to be durable and sturdy to withstand abuse. They liked the fact that it is easy to assemble that even a 5-year kid can do it without much supervision. The track is easy to put together and break apart.
They found that the KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set does fit well with other train sets. It fits quite well and the other train cart runs well on the track too. You can also put the track together in different configurations aside from the standard figure eight.
Cons
Some who have reviewed the KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set found that some pieces tend to come apart especially when the train is being pulled over the bridge. They also found that the magnets that connect the train carts are not as strong as they wanted it to be. This resulted to the train carts to come apart when in use or would be derailed.
The fact that the train carts are a bit lightweight is another issue that some who have reviewed it found. It is a lightweight compared to other train sets available in the market today. The set has a tendency to derail more often. Although some found the KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set main train and track to be durable enough, they found the other accessories to be too flimsy and not as sturdy as they hoped.
Verdict
The KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set is a great starter kit for toddlers. It is easy enough to assemble for kids and adults alike. The train set is sturdy enough for it to be used for a certain period of time. It fits quite well with other toy train sets. Versatility is a plus that allows you to expand your train wooden set. There are some issues in terms of the durability of some of the accessories. Overall, the KidKraft Figure 8 Train Set is a good option if you are looking for a train set. A kind of which your kids will love.
Whatever the reason why you want to buy a wooden toy train set, having one will definitely provide hours of fun and play for kids. It will also help in developing their imagination and creativity while having fun.
Ending our guide with a nice and entertaining video, here is a short clip to show you how large a wooden train set could be if added with some more tracks with the help from its compatibility.
The train set and the track layout is limited to your imagination and the number of pieces of your wooden tracks and wooden train toy cars. Thanks to the compatibility feature, you are most likely to create tons of train track designs.
