Thomas
The Tank EngineThomas
The Tank Engine
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Thanks to Doug Atkinson for permission to share his excellent article on my web site. All prices mentioned are US$. Please direct any comments, questions or spare toys to myself or Doug.
Doug has also written a more general article on Toy Wooden Railroads.
.../Paul Maclauchlan
As a Thomas Train fan, you may have looked around for theme toys and train sets featuring Thomas the Tank Engine. If you have, you may also have become as confused as I did over all the variety of train sets that are available. There are HO and O scale model trains, wooden train sets, and plastic track sets of various shapes and sizes. How do you decide which to collect for your favorite child (or self!)? The following is the result of some research on the subject I have done, which I hope you find helpful.
The first trains sets I became aware of featuring Thomas the Tank Engine were the wooden sets distributed by Learning Curve in the United States. These trains are "Brio compatible", meaning they will operate on similar wooden track made by Brio. There are also several other makers of similar wooden train sets, and I have written about these in another article.
Of all of the Thomas sets I have seen available, I like these wooden "Brio-compatible" sets the most right now. My sons are young (ages 3 and 5) and like to push trains on the ground, thus, remotely controlled model trains are less useful (or fun) for them right now. Also, the wooden track is very versatile. It acts as a puzzle and requires them to think how to create closed patterns of track. The variety of buildings and bridges (many that move, provide loading docks, and so forth) create more opportunities for creativity and "action" play. The trains have a lot of personality, and the compatibility with the many other brands of wooden track means there is almost no end to the extras that can be added. Battery powered trains can be used as well, and though they have a tendency to derail once in a while, they offer a little bit of "remote control" action as well.
It should be noted that while Learning Curve holds the license for Thomas the Tank Engine wooden trains here in the U.S., BRIO licenses Thomas the Tank Engine wooden trains in some parts of Europe. So if you are interested in getting BRIO made Thomas trains, you may be able to find a shop overseas.
Another popular line of Thomas Trains I have seen available in many places is the metal die-cast Thomas Train line by Ertl. Ertl makes several different Thomas Train sets, which adds a bit to the confusion. The trains I am referring to are noted on at least one web site as "Regular Edition Series" trains. I have seen them in stores with both an ERTL blister pack label as well as a Shining Time Station blister pack label. As stated, these trains are die-cast metal with plastic wheels (though I think a few of the cars have plastic bodies). They are not as wide as the wooden trains (and won't operate on the wooden track), and generally cost a bit less. My youngest son has several of these, and seems to like them.
The Regular Edition series runs on track that is similar to Hot Wheels(R) and Matchbox(R) roadways. That is, there is no raised center to the track, it is flat with raised edges. There are several train sets, add on buildings, and so forth available, as well as characters, cars, Harold the Helicopter, and other items. The Ertl Regular Edition series seems well designed for free form play, and is very similar to the HotWheel/Matchbox type systems.
Ertl also makes a "Gold Rail" series. The web page that featured these stated they are Japanese. These trains are die-cast or plastic with magnetic couplers. I have never seen these and don't know what size they are. The playsets appear to have small "gold" track built in, thus, I suppose, the Gold Rail title. Prices range from $2.50 for a plastic train to $7 for a die cast to $25 for a Sodor Bay playset. See: http://marketplaza.com/evers/evers.shtml for samples.
Ertl also makes a few miniature Thomas sets that fold up into easy to carry playsets. These look pretty neat and my boys love the sets they got. The trains operate on a single wheel that rests inside the raised edges of the plastic track, and come with one coal car. The James set features little logs and boulders that can be set to fall on the track, where Terrance the Tractor must come along and push them off. The Thomas set features Harold the Helicopter in his own hangar. There is also a larger set available which of course is not quite so portable. These sets are not for the very young since they might swallow the small parts. These miniature sets are not compatible with any other products, but they offer enough play on their own (at least until the tiny pieces are lost).
Tomy makes a line of battery powered trains known as the Tomica World Series. The trains are larger plastic train sets, and include a line of Thomas the Tank Engine trains. The trains fit other Tomica World train sets. These sets are available in a wide variety of sizes, from beginner oval tracks to large "metro" layouts. There is a wide variety of tracks, cars, and buildings available. While as a kid I always had an attraction to battery powered trains, I really think the manually powered trains are more fun.
Tomy also makes a series called "My First Thomas", which are larger manually powered plastic trains. They are much larger than the wooden sets, and the trains are larger (and more durable) than the Tomica World trains. They are designed for toddlers who may have temptations to place small pieces in their mouths if they should break free. While the size of the trains make them great for pushing around on the floor, Tomy also offers large plastic track to enhance game play. My younger boy has a few of these and really enjoys them. They also have rubberized wheels so they have less tendency to scratch furniture.
For the "professional" toy lover, there are also a couple of model trains available featuring Thomas the Tank Engine.
Lionel makes an "O" Gauge Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, and Harold cars, among a few others.
The English company Hornby makes some "OO" (almost HO) Gauge Thomas trains, including what are known as "Clockwork" sets. You can get electric trains or clockwork (wind up) trains on either standard HO type track or plastic track (for the Clockwork trains only). The plastic track is cheaper, but must be replaced if you want to move up to electric. Standard track can be used to run your other HO electric trains, and even the clockwork trains can be run on it. If I ever get any room in my garage, I am considering getting a Hornby HO electric set with a clockwork Percy as a starter into the world of HO. See http://www.britanniamodels.com/index1.html for examples.
This is most, but probably not all of the Thomas the Tank Engine train sets. There are single trains available (such as pullback, pull-along, remote control Thomas trains), and of course a ton of related toys, dishes, t-shirts, and last but not least, the excellent Thomas Train videos that have not been covered here.
Home Page for Learning Curve in the USA
Thomas The Tank Engine Official Home Page. Offers news, information on characters, TV listings, online games, and a link to eToys (CA, USA, http://www.etoys.com) which sells Tomica World, Hornby, Learning Curve, Ertl Die-Cast, and other Thomas items.
WA, USA. iTrains.com, Train videos and audios of all types.
http://www.leconsulting.com/arthurhu/toys/kidpic.htm Good non-commercial information site.
Drew's *Unofficial* Thomas The Tank Engine (but good!) non-commercial page.
Web page for Tomy Corporation, address:
18818 Teller, #210 Irvine CA USA 92612-1680
Britannia Models, offers electric Thomas trains.
Iowa, USA. Evers Toy Store offers Ertl Gold Rail, Ertl regular die-cast and Learning Curve Thomas trains. Site features graphics and discount prices.
Vermont, USA. SomeDayIsle Toys features many toys including BRIO, Thomas, and Lionel Railway Adventures. They don't seem to have complete stock, but offer discount prices. Small graphics for each item are presented.
San Diego, CA. The Totally Thomas Toy Depot offers more than just Thomas, but an extensive Thomas line is featured. Offered are Learning Curve Thomas, ERTL die-cast 1/64 scale Thomas and playtrack, TOMY/TOMICA City Thomas battery powered trains, TOMY My First Thomas, Lionel Railway Adventures and Lionel 0 Scale Thomas sets, Hornby Clockwork and Electric Thomas, and not to be left out, BRIO trains. Photos are provided for most products.
GreenVille, PA. Thomas' Toybox, a bare-bones site (graphically) but carries almost everything Thomas such as ERTL, Learning Curve, TOMY, etc.
Highland Ranch, CO. Bungalow Toys/Toyweb.com offers both BRIO and Learning Curve wooden trains with graphics.
Yuba City, CA. Western Depot carries trains, Learning Curve Thomas, and ERTL die cast Thomas. No graphics.
Pinellas Park, FL. H&R Trains features model trains, Learning Curve Thomas Trains, and BRIO. No graphics.
Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA. Elements of Nature carries BRIO, Learning Curve Thomas, and Lionel Great Adventures. Photos of each product.
Cedarhurst, NY. La Toys offers BRIO and Learning Curve Thomas trains at discount prices. Provides photos of products.
San Diego, CA. Trains Are Good offers lots of Thomas the Tank Engine Products as well as BRIO wooden trains. Features Thomas videos, Learning Curve, ERTL die-cast, BRIO line, and general railroad maps and gifts. Provides photos/drawings of some products.
New York. Walden Hobbies offers several brands of Thomas the Tank Engine products as well as T.C. Timber products. Tomica World battery powered Thomas train sets, ERTL die-cast Thomas, Gold Rail Series, Watches, Hornby HO plastic electric trains, Lionel Great Adventures (full series including sets!), Whittle Shortline RR, Woodtown (?), and T.C. Timber; also features PecoWare Thomas dinnerware, Thomas videos, and various Thomas themed gifts. Small photos are available for most products.
London, England. Dawson And Son offers quality wooden toys including BRIO sets including a BRIO Thomas the Tank Engine set.
Madison, WI. J.T. Puffin's offers the full line of BRIO at discount prices, Lionel Great Adventures trains, and Learning Curve Thomas at discount. Photos are provided.
Wheaton, IL. A2Z Toys offers BRIO, Learning Curve Thomas, and Lionel Great Adventures at discount. Photos are provided, including shots of the new Lionel track and action cars.
Dorset, England. Character Warehouse is a U.K site offering the BRIO line of Thomas the Tank Engine, ERTL die-cast trains, Hornby clockwork & electric HO sets, and Tomy products. With photos.
Last updated: September 28 1999