The Thomas set comes with 16 pieces of track, while most of the other train and accessory packs only come with a few pieces.You have to either start with this set, or buy the more expensive all inclusive set, which is at least double this one in price, but if you were to get this one and all the add on sets, the large set would save you some cash, and net you a lot of track.
I bought this set and then found come Duplo City train track packs, which came with 6 more pieces of straight track.I believe all of the track in this set is curved, so getting the straight add-on packs gives you a lot of track layout options (the circle this set makes is pretty small).My son enjoys building and rebuilding the station pieces, but his favorite is laying out the track.I think the price I paid for this set and two track packs was perfect, and it's just enough pieces to keep track of them.He only likes to play with Thomas (even though this set does come with two trains), so I don't really need the extra trains and buildings, as it's just more clutter around the house!
Overall, anyone with children who love trains should enjoy this set.Also, it teaches them about building, as even the trains need to put togther.We have the wooden Thomas table and train set, but he still likes this one and spends a lot of time playing with it, so I wouldn't hesitate buying this if you think the wooden set is enough.Kids can never have too many train sets!!!
Summary:
Top quality product from Lego as you have come to expect, allowing for hours and hours of fun (for the kids and parents) but be prepared to buy the other sets and extra tracks.
My Story:
My son was 18 months when I was looking for some sort of train set. I came across this really by chance at a store as I did not realise Lego made a Duplo series train set. Was initially looking at the wooden Thomas the tank engine sets, but those were incredibly expensive. In anycase, I bought this set first as a "tester" to see if my son would like it and also to test the durability of the toy. Passed with flying colours on both accounts.
The box itself is reasonably sized, but mostly filled with air. The Duplo parts are quite chunky. It comes with 1 very thin instruction manual. My initial impression of the tracks were that they were flimsy and didn't connect or stay connected together very well, but I quickly learned that they were pretty robust and the connection mechanisms were perfect for those with developing motor skills. They join together with a jigsaw type link. Thomas comes in 4 parts, the base with the wheels, his face, body and top cover of the body. Again very easy to assemble, great for the learning ones. There are quite few other bits like the train station, signal lights and loading tank.
The assembled set is a reasonable size (23" x 35" or 60 x 90cm) and fitted nicely on my son's play table.But as soon as I expanded the set with the other series and tracks, it has to be spread all over the floor. As a note, 6 curved tracks make a semi circle with a diameter of 23" or 60cm. The tracks work much better on a hard surface. If you put the tracks on carpet they do have a tendency of coming disconnected. The trains stay on the tracks very well (provided the tracks are on a hard surface) and don't often derail. Remember this set is a manual push train set. You can get the motorised 4.5V motorised train set which is also compatible, so that may be a great expansion option for when the kids are older.
Although it says its for 2-5 year, from a parts point of view it is safe as there are really no small parts to really choke on. When I first got it my son just loves to play with Thomas, taking the tracks and the various buildings apart, but after about a week or so he realised that the tracks needs to stay together and he leaves it alone now. After about 2 weeks or so he started putting the tracks together, shortly there after he started to put the Duplo brick pieces together. It will be a while before he actually assembles the tracks and bricks as it is suppose to but regardless, since we got the set, pretty much all his other toys are now collecting dust. I hope to get several years of play with this toy given the expandability and flexibility. Probably store it for a little while and bring it back out, especially during those cold winter months.
Recommendations:
If you are planning to get the extras, I recommend buying some sort of storage containers as they do take up some room. On the note of extras, if you are like me you will be wondering about what expansion options you can get. I have spent many hours researching this so here it a quick low down to save you some time. Firstly there are several of Thomas's friends available. These include Harold the Helicopter (3300), Cargo-Loading Cranky (3301), Percy at the Water Tower (5556), James at Knapford Station (5552) and Toby at Wellsworth (5555, although this doesn't seem to be available anymore in the US). 3 additional friends have just been released. This includes Gordon Express (3354), Spencer and Sir Topham Hatt (3353) and Salty the Dockyard Diesel (3352).
Secondly in terms of track expansion options there are several of these and certainly worth while additions to the already cool set. These are currently available: curved track (6 pack) (2735), straight track (6 pack) (2734), a bridge (3774), a level crossing (3773), and switching tracks (3775).
Thirdly, if you have been looking at the other Lego Duplo train sets (non-Thomas related) you would have noticed that the "Train Starter Set (3771)" has a Cross track (2737). You will then wonder, how can I buy the cross track? Well you can't, not new anymore anyway. This is where the research led me to a couple of things. 1, that there is an unofficial Lego Marketplace where you can find these and other discontinued Lego Duplo train parts. And 2, there use to be the Lego Duplo Intelli-Train series. This was an "intelligent" motorised series of train sets released in 2002 which has since been discontinued. Very cool indeed (as they get older). Just do a search on this to find out more. In any case over the years the Duplo Train series have had a number of supplemental items which we can no longer get, like the Intelli-Train Tunnel (3334) or the Stop/Start Rail (5027) to name a couple.
Finally, just a quick comment with regards to train track layouts. As the number of tracks expand the kids will have a great time working those imagination to come up with innovative and creative track layouts. For the parents, if you are thinking that you can just find example layouts on the internet, don't hold your breath. This will be tough. You will have to use your imagination along with your kids.
Buy LEGO Duplo Thomas & Friends - Thomas Load and Carry Train Set Now
One day I realized that my baby is now a toddler and his toys are all...well baby toys!I browsed the toy aisles for the perfect, age apporpriate replacements hating to spend more money on more plastic, yet desperate for anything that will engage him for at least 15 minutes and keep him STILL so I can put clothes away, vacuum, sometimes just SIT and play. This does it!
Reliable duplo/lego quality.Non frustrating because the pieces actually stay together.Easy assembly.Of course my little guy is 22 months so I still have to do the majority of the assembly.I did get this for him at age 19 months and by now he has caught on as to how to put the track together.He tries to put the cars together but still needs my help to lock the pieces in place.
I am constantly amazed at how much toddlers pick up by watching grownups, so keep putting this back together while your little one is present.Luca does love to disassemble the track and it is a challange keeping it together however, over the last month, persistence has paid off and he has figured out how to re-assenmble his little messes.The assembly is easy enough for him to get it on his own!
These chunky toys accomomodate busy little toddler handsperfectly.
This particular set comes with everything necessary for your toddler to "get to work".This set has just enough to busy your toddler without being overwhelming!This set has satisfied my little guy (although I did buy him the Toby (he is just so cute) set too.
My older boys take Tae Kwan Do every night and this set is a staple in the karate bag.It definately keeps the younger .0brothers and sisters busy and off the MATS.
Other add-ons are available but right now, this set, and the Toby have been just enough!
The price sems high for the seemingly few pieces.I am the first to admit it is difficult to commit to a 25$ purchase, but as with Lego/Duplo products, the quality and play/learning value add greatly to the plastic parts making it an excellent purchase!
GREAT GRANDPARENT GIFT! Even a perfect toy to keep at Grandparents house!
Read Best Reviews of LEGO Duplo Thomas & Friends - Thomas Load and Carry Train Set Here
I purchased this Thomas Lego set for my four year old grandson, who is a Thomas the Train fanatic. He loves it and carries it with him everywhere he goes. It is easy for him to put together and discovering new ways to organize it is challanging for his mind. It's also small enough for him to carry in his back pack and set-up in a corner wherever he goes. Thanks
Want LEGO Duplo Thomas & Friends - Thomas Load and Carry Train Set Discount?
This is a Lego-quality, Duplo-sized Thomas set. My only complaint is that the Thomas series has so many different "scales," none of which are compatible with each other. Thomas will work fine on his Duplo train tracknothing else.Other Thomas toys do not fit on the Duploe track (unless they are Duplo also.)
I was looking for a soft, machine washable doll to give to a 4 year old girl who is living in an orphanage. This doll looks like a toddler, is very soft and has durable leg, arm and neck connections. The bright colors are beautiful and the corduroy texture of the shirt and soft knit of the leggings add great detail. This was perfect and well-received by the care-givers. I highly recommend her as a choice.
