Thomas the Tank Engine. We’ve all heard of the little blue engine that has drawn so much attention across the globe. Thomas and Friends continues to earn devoted fans with each generation, and as toys and model trains evolve over time, the plethora of choices can become overwhelming. For busy parents, finding the time to research toys can be nearly impossible.
Lucky you! We’ve done the work, so you don’t have to. Buying a toy for your child should be exciting and fun, not stressful and time-consuming. So no matter what age your kid is, you’ll be able to find the perfect toy for them after reading this article!
To save you time, we’ve broken this down by age groups.
Let’s start with our youngest crowd!
Age 2 & up
Thomas is for all ages, so don’t worry—your toddler won’t be left out of the fun. Grab them a basic wooden train set! These sturdy sets are safe, and you won’t have to worry about the dangers that come with more complicated plastic sets. With simple magnetic couplers, models are easily hooked together without the added struggle of intricate coupling. Items included in these sets usually capture the broad outline of the show, and this age group will love the familiarity of the characters and themes. Though they are not as realistic, the durability of these models is unmatched. Sturdy, wooden construction allows for long-term play without the fear of damage. Easily cleanable, if well taken care of, these models can last for years!
We recommend these wooden models for ages 2 to 4. Now, of course, you don’t need to limit this age to 4, because we believe that as your child grows, their toys should grow too! These wooden models are perfect for this age group, as they develop fine motor skills and their imagination. The push locomotives and different track setups encourage children to come up with their own story and add their own element of fun to playtime.
Fisher Price HBJ86 Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Percy the Locomotive
Real Life review
To provide the most honest review of this push locomotive and track, these toys were gifted to our friend here at Trainz. She is four years old and really enjoyed playing with the Percy train and track set. Although she no longer had her old train table, she still had a great time. She loved how flexible the track was, allowing her creativity to shine. Using her imagination, she made the track spread across the rug and incorporated her dog's bed as hills.
Pros:
- The flexibility of the track layout was a big hit. Being able to change it up kept her engaged.
- The magnetic connection on the train is a nice feature. While having another engine to test the strength would have been nice, it was appreciated that it's designed to connect easily.
Cons:
- Without a train table or solid surface, some pieces of track were hard to keep stable.
- Play was limited unless improvised.
Overall, these items are best suited for children aged 2 to 3. Our 4-year-old friend here would be close to outgrowing these toys and may need a few more engines and sets of track to keep her attention and creativity growing.
Age 4 & up
This next set is a jump from your basic wooden train. This Lionel 712118 Thomas & Friends Battery-Operated O Gauge Ready-to-Play Set introduces sound and animation into playtime. As your child grows, they may be ready for the more challenging and intriguing sets we offer. We recommend this set for ages 4 and up. This battery-operated set includes everything you need to create your own layout at home. If your kid has shown interest in model trains, this set is perfect for them! It is the stepping stone for model railroading. The simplicity of this set allows for fun and easy playtime but also opens the door for further interest in the hobby. Adult supervision is recommended for the lower age group in this range. This set is made of durable plastic with no small parts, ensuring it can withstand less than delicate play.
Real Life Review
This set was gifted to a thrilled 5-year-old. The unboxing experience was exciting and attention-catching as he discovered the multiple face options for Thomas.
Pros:
- The track was simple to assemble, and he was happy to help snap the pieces together with minimal guidance, making him feel part of the process.
- The remote control is simple yet fun to use, featuring adjustable speeds and sound effects.
- The steam function in the engine was a big hit!
- Watching Thomas puff along the track with realistic steam added a lot of excitement to playtime.
Cons:
- It can be tricky to get the train properly aligned on the track, especially for younger children.
- It was sometimes hard to maintain consistent play without adult supervision and frequent adjustments.
- The switches must be set precisely, and even the slightest misalignment would cause the cars to fall off.
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The train cars tend to derail after just a few laps, which interrupts the flow of play.
Overall, this set is age-appropriate and engaging, but the technical issues made it difficult to enjoy for extended periods. The interactive features were well-received, but the track and derailment issues detracted from the overall fun. This set still comes highly recommended, but not without the expectation of requiring patience and extra hands-on help from an adult.
Ages 8 & up
Our next set is the Lionel Thomas & Friends Christmas O Gauge Steam Set with Bluetooth. A good step from the plastic O Gauge set from Lionel, this is perfect for children showing an interest in model trains and who are old enough to take care of their toys. Along with parental supervision, this set will be the perfect addition to playtime! Complete with Thomas the Tank Engine, rolling stock, track, and power supply, this set has everything your child needs to have fun! This Christmas set is perfect for setting up underneath the tree. Get the whole family in on the fun and celebrate with this fantastic set from Lionel. Take advantage of the advanced technology and use Lionel's free app to control the train and sounds with a smartphone! With its Bluetooth control, this set can also run on any 3-Rail O gauge layout. Additionally, if your layout is set up for digital control, you can run your train at the same time as your kid, how fun!
Lionel 6-85324 Thomas & Friends Christmas O Gauge Steam Set with Bluetooth
Real Life Review
This blue train was loved by our friend here at Trainz. There was a lot of fun had setting the train up and laughing at the different Thomas faces included. She looks forward to building the set underneath their Christmas tree later on this year!
Pros:
- The color of the locomotive is a loved blue color.
- The ability to control the locomotive's speed and the ability to connect to Bluetooth were enjoyed.
- The interchangeable faces were the cause of fun times and giggling.
Cons:
- It could be difficult to get the train aligned on the track correctly and connect it all together.
- The volume of the train was a bit too loud at times. She didn't like it when the train went fast because you couldn't hear the audio feature as well.
Overall, this set is considered suitable for her age, and playtime induced lots of giggling and fun.
A second option for around this age group would be the Bachmann 90087 Thomas G Gauge Steam Starter Train Set. This includes everything you need to create your layout, but it is almost double the size! The Wagon car, filled with presents and a holiday-themed Coach Car, along with Thomas in his Santa hat, brings a festive feel to your home. With an easy-to-assemble steel alloy track, this set is durable and can run around your tree for years to come. Adding to the possibilities that come from this set, it can run on any G scale layout, especially cool for all the grandparents with outdoor railways!
Bachmann 90087 Thomas' Christmas Delivery G Gauge Steam Starter Train Set
Ages 8 & up
This Bachmann 00642 Thomas HO Gauge Electric Starter Train Set brings Thomas the Tank Engine, with his coaches Annie and Clarabel, into your home. This HO scale set includes trains, track, and a controller. It is compatible with other Bachmann HO Scale Sets, and track expansion packs are available to create more involved layouts than the usual simple oval. Bachmann offers the largest array of other Thomas and Friends locomotives and cars, adding endless hours of play. Check them all out here.
HO scale is large enough to be run on the floor (although we recommend not running on carpet to keep fibers out of the electric motor and small gears) without being so big that it becomes an obstacle in the home. This set is perfect for children 9 and above, as they begin to enjoy model railroading as individuals.
Bachmann 00642 Thomas with Annie & Clarabel HO Gauge Electric Start Train Set
Real Life Review
This Bachmann set was gifted to the brother of an employee here at Trainz. It was a joy to see the love of trains shared between them. There were many things loved, from the ease of setup to the quality of the set.
Pros:
- Everything you need is included, no batteries or connections required, just plug and play!
- This was his first time setting up a train set, but he had it out of the box and running in 20 minutes!
- The locomotives looked great, and the moving eyes were a creative touch that was loved.
Cons:
- It could be difficult to place the HO scale locomotives on the track, but luckily, a rail guide is included!
Overall, this set was enjoyed by our Trainz employee and his 8-year-old brother! It comes highly recommended to others as a great gift for someone looking to share the love of trains. It is age-appropriate for children aged 8 and up, allowing for further exploration of the hobby.
For teens or used with Parental Supervision
Our last set is for teenagers who are well on their way to becoming model railroaders! Or for children interested in model trains, along with parental supervision. This Bachmann 24028 N Thomas Steam Starter Set is small in stature, only half the size of HO scale, and is great for those who want to build a large layout in a small amount of space. This set includes Thomas the Tank Engine, Annie & Clarabel coaches, track, power pack, and the speed controller. Both coaches include knuckle couplers, which allow you to add on new freight and passenger cars. Like the HO set, this is expandable and is perfect for the beginning of one's collection.
Bachmann 24028 N Thomas Tank w/Annie & Clarabel N Steam Starter Train Set
Real Life Review
This N Scale set was gifted to a 14-year-old, who is on the younger side of the recommended age group.
Pros:
- He loved that the train went really fast and that he was able to control the speed of the train with the included controller.
- The colors and overall look of the engine were enjoyed.
Cons:
- It was a little challenging to connect the boxcars to the engine.
Overall, the set is highly recommended to others and was enjoyed by the target age group.
Trainz.com!
With the numerous options available, selecting the ideal set for your child can become overwhelming. Hopefully, this article was helpful in guiding your search for the right Thomas the Tank Engine Set for your child. Think of something else you need? Trainz.com has an extensive list of inventory and is ready to help you make your kids' dreams come true!