southsider2k5 Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 I am thinking about getting one of the wooden trainsets for a Christmas present, and I have no idea which one I should be getting. Is there any difference between say brio and Thomas? Are there any sets that are much better/worse than the others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Look into the one at Target. You can get it and the table set for less than the Thomas version and it's just as nice. Plus it is the same size as the Thomas one and you can buy the Thomas pieces later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 12:08 PM) Look into the one at Target. You can get it and the table set for less than the Thomas version and it's just as nice. Plus it is the same size as the Thomas one and you can buy the Thomas pieces later. The Kid is exactly right. If you can get away with generic, you'll save a bundle. We were able to do that with the train table and track and tunnels and such, and then we forked over some $$ for a couple of the Thomas engines and cars so that the kids thought it was a real Thomas set. Brio makes the Thomas wooden stuff, so size-wise it's all compatible. The Brio track is usually the smooth track and not the "clak-trak," but it all fits together fine. And SS, yoou could have really saved a bundle if you posted this a week ago. We literally just this weekend sold all of our kids' old train stuff to friends for a song and a six-pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 These guys are right on the money. The kids do not know hte difference as long as you have the Thomas trains that they can relate to. The Thomas sets are much more cooler though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 You should invest in a Lionel train that could be handed down for generations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 01:06 PM) You should invest in a Lionel train that could be handed down for generations. I was a Tyco devotee myself growing up. The 'O-gague' stuff was just too damn expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 12:06 PM) You should invest in a Lionel train that could be handed down for generations. Waaay to expensive, IMO. Do they hold their value? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 01:16 PM) Waaay to expensive, IMO. Do they hold their value? Actually, they do – much better than the Tyco 'HO' gague which was what I could afford as a kid. They're bettter quality than the HO stuff, but not the quality (or the price) of the bigger G-Scale German stuff. That's the indoor/outdoor "garden train" scale like the set up in EPCOT at Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 12:25 PM) Actually, they do – much better than the Tyco 'HO' gague which was what I could afford as a kid. They're bettter quality than the HO stuff, but not the quality (or the price) of the bigger G-Scale German stuff. That's the indoor/outdoor "garden train" scale like the set up in EPCOT at Germany. My dad and uncles collected them. Found a bunch when we cleaned out my gram's basement after she passed in April. I'll let him know they might be worth something. Now they are in a box in his basement waiting for the spring garage sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 12:16 PM) Waaay to expensive, IMO. Do they hold their value? Yes, mine has actually increased in value over the years. I have an old antique model, with all of the original boxes and figurines. It still runs well and continues to impress me with build quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 I'm an HO guy myself. My Dad still collects and builds them. You want to see something cool? When my dad was a kid, he and his dad built a train, O scale. The thing is, they machined the whole damn thing themselves. NONE of it was a kit of any sort. I should take a picture of it. Maybe I'll do that when I get home. Thing weighs a ton. It took them 10 years to build, so near as I can guess they finished it around 1955. He gave it to me last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Mine is somewhat older though http://www.oldlioneltrains.com/1666.htm this is kinda like the model I have, circa 1940's-1950's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 That's almost the same engine my dad built. They have a real one at the Union Train Museum. I'll post the pics when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartattack19 Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 There are some HO Scale Thomas sets out there, decent quality from what i have heard. I am an HO guy myself, people who have called me a nerd my whole life are finally starting to understand it a little! You can get the basic Thomas electric set with track, two coaches, and a poer pack for around 50 dollars at some online retailers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 12:54 PM) That's almost the same engine my dad built. They have a real one at the Union Train Museum. I'll post the pics when I get home. As a kid I really didnt appreciate the workmanship than went into these little trains, but as I have gotten olden, its hard not to appreciate how much work it takes to build one of those little things. The sucker must weight 25 lbs. I also have several other cars including the dairy car that drops off little milk jugs on command. Pretty sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Funny, isn't it? You could almost get an electric set for less than the wood ones. QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 7, 2006 -> 12:57 PM) As a kid I really didnt appreciate the workmanship than went into these little trains, but as I have gotten olden, its hard not to appreciate how much work it takes to build one of those little things. The sucker must weight 25 lbs. I also have several other cars including the dairy car that drops off little milk jugs on command. Pretty sweet. I'm starting to slowly gain my love again. The one my dad built is a prized posession for me though. Just the fact that there was no kit, and even all the little rivets were done by hand, blows my mind. I couldn't imagine doing this nowdays, much less when I was a kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Nerds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 My picture skills ain't the best...but here is the train...all hand machined: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Talking about Trains reminded me of this; Rev. Lovejoy has a couple of movers helping him move his train track. As they reach the middle of the road, Homer's car slams through the board on which the tracks are mounted, destroying it. Lovejoy implores heavenward, "Why do you hate my trains?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyw Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 Wood trains - keep your eyes out for a deal around the holidays... I got ours, including the table plus about 100 pieces of train, track and other crazy crap, at Aldi (yes, Aldi) about 3 years ago for $70. Brio is a little nicer than Thomas, but it all comes down to what your kids want. Generic is fine. Most hobby stores sell individual track pieces pretty cheap, and you can get a lot of this stuff on eBay. Check craigslist as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted November 9, 2006 Share Posted November 9, 2006 I love train sets. I have a Lionel set myself handed down to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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