Train Sets

Not sure which train set fits?

Train sets tend to stick around for years, so it pays to get the first one right. Three quick decisions usually sort it: your child's age, wooden or electric, and whether a specific character range matters to them.

For toddlers around 18 months to 3 years, chunky push-along trains and a simple figure-eight track are usually enough to get them started. Preschoolers from 3 to 5 usually want to build bigger layouts with bridges, tunnels and stations. From school age up, kids often lean towards battery-operated or electric trains with lights, sounds and more detailed scenery.

For a first railway, push-along sets are hard to beat. Children can control the trains themselves, and extra track is easy to add later. Some battery-operated engines will run on the same layout using a simple on/off button. Older children may prefer an electric set that feels closer to a model railway.

Most standard wooden tracks work across brands, so a Thomas Wooden Railway engine can usually run on BRIO track. Thomas & Friends Easy Connect is the exception because it uses a separate track system. Check the exact range before mixing pieces.

If you've already got a wooden layout at home, expanding with extra track is usually cheaper than buying a second starter kit.

Where to start

If this is your child's first train, pick a wooden starter set with a loop of track, one or two trains and a couple of accessories like a bridge or station. They've got everything they need to play on day one, and anything you buy later will click straight in.

Shop train sets by type

• Wooden train sets. Classic push-along trains on wooden track. Great first sets for toddlers and preschoolers, and easy to expand over time.
• Electric train sets. Powered trains that run on their own with lights, sound effects and motorised action. Best for kids 4 and up who want more realistic play.
• Battery-operated trains. Wooden-style trains with a small motor and on/off button. They run on standard wooden track and sit nicely between push-along and full electric.
• Character train sets. Thomas & Friends, Peppa Pig BRIO and other licensed ranges. A good pick when your child already loves the show and wants to play out their own stories.
• Expansion packs and accessories. Extra straight and curved track, bridges, stations, tunnels and signals. Use these to grow an existing layout without starting over.

If your child likes trains, they'll usually go for other rolling stock too. Worth a look through the wider vehicle sets range alongside the trains.

Quick buying tips

• Match the set to your child's age. Wooden sets suit 18 months and up, but check the box for small-parts warnings on any set aimed at under-3s.
• Wooden sets grow with expansion packs. A modest starter set plus a couple of beginner or intermediate expansions builds a serious layout without a full re-buy.
• Check the track system. Many wooden sets work together, but Thomas Easy Connect and electric ranges may use their own tracks.

Buying guide

How to pick a train set that lasts

Start with the age rating on the box. Some beginner sets are suitable from 18 months, while many others are made for ages 3 and up. For toddlers, choose something designed specifically for their age, without small couplings or loose accessories. Dexterity matters within that age range too. Some children enjoy building larger layouts, while others are happier with chunky trains and a simple loop.

Think about where and how the set will be used. Push-along trains are quiet and easy to play with on the floor. Some battery-operated wooden trains add movement while using the same track. Motorised and electric sets move on their own and feel more like a model railway. They often need more room and may use a separate track system.

A general starter set usually gives you more flexibility. If your child already has a favourite character or theme, that may be the set they reach for more often. Check the available track and accessories before buying, especially with electric ranges, which tend to be more brand-specific. For children who enjoy building a larger transport world, construction vehicles can fit naturally alongside the railway.

Train set questions, answered

What age is a train set suitable for?

Some toddler train sets start from 18 months, while many wooden and motorised sets suit ages 3 and up. Age ratings vary, so always check the packaging for the exact recommendation and any small-parts warning.

Wooden vs electric train sets, which is better?

Wooden train sets are quiet, easy to handle and great for open-ended play. Electric sets add moving trains, lights and sounds for children who enjoy more realistic play. The best choice depends on your child’s age and interests.

Are BRIO and Thomas & Friends wooden tracks compatible?

Thomas Wooden Railway pieces may fit standard wooden tracks such as BRIO, but check the exact range before buying. The Thomas & Friends Easy Connect sets currently sold at Toys“R”Us use a separate track system and do not connect to BRIO.

Battery-operated vs push-along trains?

Push-along trains are simple for younger children to move by hand. Battery-operated trains drive themselves and add movement, lights or sounds. Wooden battery trains may run on the same track as push-along models, but compatibility depends on the range.

Can you expand a starter train set?

Yes. Toys“R”Us stocks extra BRIO tracks, bridges, tunnels, stations and expansion packs. Thomas Easy Connect and electric sets can also grow, but usually within their own track system. You can add toy cars for a larger transport layout.

Are train sets safe for toddlers?

Yes, if the set is designed for their age. Check the packaging for age guidance and warnings, especially around small parts, magnets and batteries. Battery compartments on toys for children up to 36 months must be secured against easy access under Australian safety requirements.