Best place to buy Thomas Train toys?

[mommy22boys]

My son just recently fell in love with Thomas the tank engine & all he wants for his birthday next month is train sets (like a complete set with a bridge.) So far the only Thomas stuff I've purchased is DVDs (from amazon. com) I googled "Thomas train sets" and saw that there are a ton of toy sites online that sell Thomas stuff. Anyone know the best place to look for a good deal? Mainly I'm looking to order online... I live in a small town & the only store I really have is Wal-Mart. Thanks for any advice!

[Skyecaitlin88]

CRAIGSLIST!!!
I cant say enough about that!
We got our 2 year old 179 trains + track + a cranky the crane for 250.00!!!

[sbp]

If you have a Michaels near you at all, go there!! Use one of their 50% off coupons and the prices are pretty decent.

:)

[anaj06]

Thomas the train is compatible with the train sets sold at Target and the ones at Toys R Us. We learned this too late....well almost too late. We bought one of the $150 Thomas the Train sets that included a little bit of nothing track and one train for our DS for Christmas last year, then we find out that everything is compatible. Now, we buy our track and expansion things in the off brand and it all works together great.

If it were me and I could start over and do it reasonably....I would buy the generic set that includes the table at Target or Toys R Us (with a Q of course)...I think it is around a $100 and then I would buy the Thomas Engine and maybe a few more "actual Thomas Engines...James, Gordon, Percy, Etc." Thomas can pull the generic engines just as good as he can pull Annie and Claribel...as a matter of fact it is rare the my DS doesn't have a train line pulled by a "real" engine with the generic engines/cars somewhere in tow.

We tend to buy him another engine at any holiday. James was in his Easter basket...we added Cranky for his birthday, etc.

HTH. I wish I knew less about Thomas...believe me, but DS has been fixated on the show and his own "Sodor" in our living room for too long now:)

[anaj06]

Imaginarium Classic Train Table with Roundhouse Wooden Train Set - Toys R Us - Toys "R" Us

This is the brand at Target that we buy to go with our Thomas stuff. We didn't buy their table, but when we buy extra track sets, this is the brand we buy. I can't find the Target one on their website (we always buy in person).

The Thomas engines will cost you $15-$25 each depending on which ones you buy. Thomas and Percy are the cheapest with Gordon and James and the ones with the seperate tenders being more expensive. You might could find a group of engines on Ebay....just make sure they are not the Thomas to Go engines that go on the plastic track.

[mommy22boys]

Thank you so much for the advice!

I had no idea about the generic train sets being compatable!

And I do have a Michael's, Toys R Us, and Target about an hour away, in the city. I usually make my way out there about once a month so I will definetly check those places before his Bday.

Sky, thats AWESOME that you got that much stuff for $250! WOW! lol. I used to love craigslist when I lived in the city. There's not a craigslist for anywhere near me now though :(

[foodie]

mommy22boys and others--

We have 6 year old quads and 3 year twins (3 boys and 3 girls) and have bought Thomas trains (and other toys) at AllAboardToys.com.

You can also Google for the train store in Strasburg, PA area.

Websites are below--

www.allaboardtoys.com (All Aboard Toy's' site/info. Great prices and service!)

www.strasburgrailroad.com (Strasburg Railroad's site/info. Located in Lancaster, PA area.)

www.choochoobarn.com (Choo Choo Barn's site/info. Located in Lancaster, PA and great stuff!)

Good luck--

Foodie

[jolenegreen]

I totally agree with allaboardtoys.com...THEY HAVE EVERYTHING U COULD EVER IMAGINE!

[hcherrone]

I too have a son that loves Thomas, I have had great luck at Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Try there.

[Bingoblue]

I've always bought mine at Walmart...every now and then you'd find some of them at a clearance price. Target would have some on clearance sometimes, too. Lately though, it looks like Walmart got rid of most of their selection!?