Train Set Buying Guide: How to Choose a Wooden Train Set

A Short History of Toy Trains

Toy trains followed the real railways. By the mid-1800s, makers were selling wooden pull-along trains and tin floor trains. German company Märklin, founded in 1859, introduced standardised gauges at the 1891 Leipzig toy fair, which made it possible to buy track and carriages separately and expand a set over time (Jaques of London, Railway Pages). Lionel followed in the United States in 1900, and its first product, the Electric Express, appeared in 1901.

Wooden railways have a different line. Brio began in 1884 as a basket business started by Ivar Bengtsson in Boalt, Sweden. It moved to Osby around 1902 and took the name BRIO, short for Bröderna Ivarsson, Osby, in 1908. Its wooden toy trains have been on sale since 1958 (Wikipedia).

Other makers later built track that joins to Brio's. Bigjigs Toys started in 1985 in a garden shed in Kent, England (Bigjigs). Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys, made by Learning Curve, reached shops in the early 1990s. That shared connector is why many wooden brands fit together today.

What Do Children Get From Playing With Train Sets?

Researchers haven't studied train sets on their own. The evidence covers building blocks and construction toys, along with pretend play, and train sets involve all three: children connect pieces, plan a route and make up stories about where the train is going.

The findings are mostly associations, and some come from small or industry-funded studies.

Spatial skills and early maths. A study of 110 preschoolers filmed during free play with wooden blocks found that the way children built was related to their scores on a spatial test (St. John Fisher University). The University of Surrey's BLOCS project is looking at why block construction and maths skills tend to go together (University of Surrey). A review of the area points out that children with stronger spatial skills may simply choose blocks more often, so cause and effect aren't settled (Parenting Science).

Language. A 2007 pilot study of 175 toddlers found that children given blocks were rated higher on language by their parents after six months. A toy block maker funded it, and it relied on parent reports (HealthDay). The Hanen Centre, a speech and language organisation, notes that toys which invite back-and-forth talk give children more language to hear and use (Hanen).

Open-ended play. A study of 203 kindergarten children compared "open" toys such as blocks with "closed" toys such as a pre-assembled dollhouse. The children who preferred open toys tended to score higher on originality in drawing tasks (Parenting Science).

Fine motor skills. Connecting track, lifting carriages onto rails and pushing a train along a curve use small hand movements. Children's health sources commonly list blocks, trains and puzzles among toys that support hand skills (Harvard Health).

Two points keep this in proportion. Benefits depend on how a child plays and who plays with them, and no single toy is required. A train set also isn't better than other open-ended toys such as blocks or a play kitchen. It is one option among several.

What Types of Train Sets Are There?

Train sets differ most in how the engine moves. The choice affects age suitability, price, upkeep and which track the engine can use.

Push-along (manual) trains

The child pushes the train by hand. Carriages join with magnets, and there are no batteries to replace. These are the standard choice for toddlers and preschoolers, and they keep working with no upkeep. Examples in the ALL 4 KIDS range include the Brio Ghost Train, the Brio Three-Wagon Cargo Train and the Brio Rescue Firefighting Train.

Battery-powered trains

A motor in the engine drives it forward and, on most models, in reverse. Many have headlights, and some add sound. They suit children who want the train to run by itself while they build, and they require batteries and a compartment that stays closed. Brio's Big Green Action Locomotive, Mighty Red Action Locomotive and Two-Way Battery Powered Engine are examples. The Brio Steaming Train and Dinosaur Battery Train add effects and themes.

Rechargeable trains

These swap disposable batteries for a built-in battery charged by USB. The Brio Rechargeable Engine and the Brio Travel Rechargeable Train work this way. They avoid buying batteries, but an adult has to handle charging, and the charge runs out during play.

Remote-control trains

The child controls speed and direction with a handset. The Brio RC Travel Train is one example in the range. Remote control suits older children and takes more coordination than a push-along train.

Sound and light features

Some engines and accessories add sound or lights, such as the Brio High Speed Train with Sound or the light-up construction crane. These are optional extras and don't change which track the set uses.

Systems that don't fit wooden track

Not every toy train joins to wooden track. Plastic battery systems such as Thomas TrackMaster, Lego and Duplo trains, and hobby model railways in HO, N or O gauge each use their own track. If a child already owns one of these, it won't connect to wooden rails.

Brio Ghost Train 3 piecesPush-along · AUD $33.75Brio Two-Way Battery Powered EngineBattery · AUD $43.95Brio Travel Rechargeable Train 4 piecesRechargeable · AUD $69.95Brio RC Travel Train 4 piecesRemote control · AUD $72.95

Prices as at 16 October 2026. Check the product page for current price and stock.

What Should You Look For in a Train Set?

Six checks cover most of the decision. Work through them in order, and stop at the first one a set fails.

1. Age label. Follow the age on the box. It reflects small-parts and safety testing, not just difficulty.
2. Small parts and magnets. Check that pieces are large enough for the child's age and that magnets are fixed inside the wood.
3. Finish. A smooth, evenly coated surface with no strong chemical smell is a good sign. Flaking paint or splinters are reasons to return a set.
4. Build quality. Pieces should join firmly without force. A loose connector pulls a layout apart, and an over-tight one frustrates small hands.
5. Expandability. Check that the track joins to extra packs. A small set that accepts additions lasts longer than a large set that doesn't.
6. Space. Measure the floor or table first. A closed loop needs more room than most people expect.

What Age Is Right for a Train Set?

Age labels vary by product, so use the figures below as a guide and always check the box. Many starter ranges are labelled for 18 months or two years and up. Larger sets and powered engines usually start at three.

Can You Mix Train Brands? Track Compatibility Explained

Most mainstream wooden track uses the same connector style, so pieces from different brands usually join. That compatibility is mostly a manufacturer claim, and fit can vary in small ways.

What manufacturers say. Bigjigs states that most other major wooden railway brands work with its track. Its product pages don't name specific brands (Bigjigs Rail). Brio sets are described as compatible with other Brio railway products, but retailer and manufacturer pages give no clear list of third-party brands (retailer listing). Le Toy Van lists its wooden vehicles as compatible with standard train tracks.

Where mixing can cause problems.

• Couplings: the magnets on train ends can differ in strength or position, so carriages from different brands may not link or may repel each other.
• Powered engines: some battery and rechargeable engines are designed around one brand's track, so check before mixing.
• Bridges and ramps: heights differ, so a train from one brand may not clear another brand's bridge.
• Tolerances: cheaper or unbranded track can fit more tightly or loosely than branded track.

What doesn't join. Plastic systems, Lego and Duplo, and hobby model railways use different track.

A practical approach. Buy a small pack of new track and join it to what you own before committing to a large set. If a connection is loose or tight, stay with one brand for the main layout.

These are manufacturers' own statements. ALL 4 KIDS has not published its own compatibility tests.

What Are the Track Pieces, and How Many Does a Set Need?

A wooden train track set is built from a few shapes. Knowing their names makes product descriptions easier to read.

Track piece glossary

• Straights: come in short, medium and long lengths.
• Curves: small and large. Two curves form a half circle.
• Switches (points): let a train choose between two routes.
• Crossings: one track crosses another on the same level.
• Bridges and ramps: lift a route over another, or let a train climb.
• Turntable: turns a train to face a new direction.
• Connectors: each piece has a male end and a female end, so pieces can only join one way unless a piece is flipped.

How many pieces for a first set. About 20 to 30 pieces make a closed loop. At 50 pieces or more, a layout can include junctions, bridges and several routes. Piece counts in the ALL 4 KIDS range illustrate the steps:

• Brio Farm Railway Set: 20 pieces
• Brio Starter Travel Train Set: 22 pieces
• Brio Steaming Train Set: 24 pieces
• Brio My First Railway Set: 25 pieces
• Brio Central Station Set: 37 pieces
• Brio Travel Switching Set: 42 pieces
• Brio Deluxe Railway Set: 87 pieces
• Brio Railway World Deluxe Set: 106 pieces

Brands count pieces differently, and some include trees, buildings or vehicles in the total. Check the box contents for the number of track pieces.

Four simple layouts

1. Oval: two curved halves joined by straights. The simplest closed loop.
2. Figure of eight: a loop that crosses itself, using a crossing piece or a bridge.
3. Loop with a bridge: an oval with a ramp up to a bridge and back down.
4. Loop with a junction: a switch adds a second route, so the train can take a siding or a shortcut.

Brio, Bigjigs and Other Brands: How Do They Compare?

Most train sets sold in Australian toy shops come from a handful of makers. The summary below uses the ALL 4 KIDS range as of 16 October 2026. It describes what each brand offers, not which is better, because the right choice depends on age, budget and what a child already owns.

Brio

Brio's range runs from small starter sets to large layouts. Starter sets include the My First Railway Train Set (25 pieces) and the Starter Travel Train Set (22 pieces). Larger sets include the Central Station Set (37 pieces), the Deluxe Railway Set (87 pieces) and the Railway World Deluxe Set (106 pieces).

Brio also has the widest choice of powered engines in the range: battery locomotives, rechargeable engines with a USB cable, and a remote-control travel train. Prices run from about $15 for a pack of mini straight track to about $546 for the largest set.

Bigjigs Rail

Bigjigs built its range around themes, such as farm, fire station, fairy, safari and construction. Its sets often combine rail with road pieces. The range includes small sets such as the My First Train Set and the Figure of Eight Train Set, and larger ones such as the Town and Country Train Set. Bigjigs also sells train sets with a table. The company states that its track is made from FSC-certified wood and that products are tested to the European EN71 toy standard (Bigjigs Rail).

Le Toy Van

Le Toy Van makes a Figure of 8 Train Set with 40 pieces, along with wooden vehicle sets that it lists as compatible with wooden train tracks. Its London car, emergency vehicle and sports car sets suit children who like mixing road and rail.

Table sets

The range also includes 90-piece and 101-piece train sets with a table from Onshine, whose listings describe wooden pieces with natural paint.

Side-by-side summary

Browse the Brio range

Browse the Bigjigs range

Brio My First Railway Train Set 25 pieceStarter set · AUD $84.95Bigjigs Rail Figure of Eight Train SetStarter set · AUD $74.95Brio Central Station Set 37 piecesMid-size set · AUD $209.95Bigjigs Rail Town and Country Train SetMid-size set · AUD $169.95

Prices as at 16 October 2026. Check the product page for current price and stock.

What Are Train Sets Made Of?

Most wooden train track and trains are made from hardwood, with paint or varnish on top. The wood affects weight and how well the toy resists dents. The finish affects safety and how the toy ages.

Wood types you'll see

Paint and finish. Look for water-based, non-toxic paint or a child-safe varnish. A strong chemical smell, flaking paint or rough patches are signs to check the product or return it. Finishes vary by line, even within one brand. Some Brio retailer listings mention water-based paint and others mention varnish, so check the product page.

Other parts. Trains often have plastic wheels, metal axles and magnets. Battery engines add a plastic housing and a battery compartment, which should be closed with a screw.

What certifications mean. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification says the timber came from responsibly managed forests. It isn't a toy safety rating. Words such as "eco" or "natural" are marketing terms unless a certificate backs them.

Wooden or plastic? Neither is better in every way.

Are Train Sets Safe? What to Check in Australia

Toys for children up to and including 36 months must meet a mandatory standard in Australia, the Consumer Goods (Toys for Children up to and including 36 Months of Age) Safety Standard 2023. It replaced earlier rules, and suppliers had until 4 March 2025 to move to it (TÜV SÜD).

What the standard covers. It aims to reduce choking and suffocation risks from small parts. A toy can comply through several routes, including AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2023, the European standard EN 71-1, ISO 8124-1:2022, or the US standard ASTM F963-17, each combined with AS/NZS 62115:2018. It also requires that young children can't open a toy's battery compartment without a tool.

Button batteries. A separate Button Batteries Safety Standard (2020) also applies to toys that contain these batteries, including rules for how compartments are fastened.

Magnets. Toys with magnets fall under their own mandatory standard. A train set uses small magnets in train ends and some accessories, so check that they are sealed inside the wood or plastic.

The age label. A toy labelled for older children can still fall under the under-36-months rules if children that young commonly use it (National Retail Association). Even so, follow the age on the box, and don't give small-part sets to a child who still mouths objects.

Where you buy matters. The Royal Children's Hospital says toys from cheap variety stores, markets and online sellers are less likely to meet safety standards than toys from large toy shops and department stores (RCH).

A short safety check at home

• Confirm the age label and look for the supplier's name and contact details.
• Press on the magnets and wheels to see that nothing is loose.
• Check the battery compartment: it should need a screwdriver to open.
• Charge rechargeable engines with an adult present, using the supplied cable.
• Remove batteries from engines that are stored for long periods.
• Inspect old track for splinters, cracks or worn paint.

Do You Need a Train Table? Train Sets With Table and Storage

A train table keeps a layout off the floor and holds the pieces in one place. Small sets work fine on a rug, but a table becomes useful once a layout grows past what a rug can hold.

Floor play and table play

Kinds of train tables

• Set and table bundles: a track set sold with a matching table.
• Table only: for track a child already owns.
• Tables with storage: drawers, bins or a shelf for pieces.
• Grooved and flat tops: grooves hold track in place, while flat tops allow any layout.

What to check

• Height: the child should reach the centre of the table while sitting or standing, depending on age.
• Edges: a raised lip stops pieces and trains rolling off.
• Storage size: big enough for the pieces the table is meant to hold.
• Stability: the table shouldn't rock when a child leans on it.
• Assembly: check how many parts and tools the build needs.
• Track system: confirm the table suits the brand of track you plan to use.

Bundle or separate. A bundle costs less than buying parts separately in some cases and guarantees the table fits the set. Buying separately lets a family reuse track they already own. In the ALL 4 KIDS range, Bigjigs Rail sells City, Services and Magical Train Set and Table bundles with a raised table, and Onshine sells 90-piece and 101-piece sets with a table.

Space and storage at home. Measure the room before choosing. Plan where the set will be kept between sessions: a table with drawers, a lidded bin or a shallow under-bed box all work.

What Else Do You Need? Accessories and Expansion Packs

Most children add to a set over time. A three-stage plan keeps spending in step with interest.

Stage 1: starter set. A closed loop with one train and a few features.

Stage 2: growth. Extra track and a feature or two. Brio's Beginner Expansion Pack (11 pieces), Intermediate Expansion Pack (16 pieces) and 50 Piece Track Pack are examples. Bigjigs sells curves and straights packs, and bridge and low-level or high-level expansion packs.

Stage 3: large layout. Stations, cranes, a roundhouse, signals, buildings and vehicles. Wooden vehicle sets, such as those from Le Toy Van and Tender Leaf Toys, add road traffic to a rail layout. Check each listing for track compatibility.

Buying track first and accessories second tends to work better than the reverse, because track limits what a layout can do.

How Much Should You Spend?

Prices below come from the ALL 4 KIDS range on 16 October 2026 and will change. Treat them as indicative.

A few points help with the decision. A small set plus extra track often costs less than one large set. Powered engines are the biggest single extra, so a push-along engine is a reasonable start, with a battery or rechargeable engine added later. And a table is optional until the layout outgrows the floor.

What Are Common Mistakes When Buying a Train Set?

1. Buying a set too large for the age. A 100-piece set can overwhelm a two-year-old. A smaller set with room to expand usually works better.
2. Forgetting that the loop must close. Check the set makes a complete circuit out of the box.
3. Assuming every brand fits. Test a join before ordering a large mixed set.
4. Mixing powered engines with unsuitable track. Check the engine's track requirements.
5. Ignoring piece-count differences. Count track pieces, not total items.
6. Skipping the age label. It reflects safety testing for small parts.
7. Not planning space or storage. A layout that can't stay up needs a rebuild each time.
8. Buying everything at once. Children's interests move on, and a staged purchase spreads cost.

How Do You Care for and Store a Train Set?

Wooden sets need little care. Wipe pieces with a slightly damp cloth and dry them straight away. Don't soak wooden pieces, because water can lift paint and swell the wood. Keep track and trains together in a lidded bin, a toy storage unit or on a table with storage so pieces don't go missing.

Take batteries out of engines that won't be used for a while, since leaking batteries can damage the contacts. Charge rechargeable engines under supervision and don't leave them charging overnight. Check track now and then for splinters or loose magnets, and retire worn pieces. Wooden sets are often handed down, so labelling the box with what it contains helps the next child.

Which Train Set Should You Buy? Quick Picks

Use this table to match a situation to a type of set. The examples come from the ALL 4 KIDS range on 16 October 2026 and are examples, not a ranking.

Bigjigs Rail My First Train SetFirst set · AUD $34.95Brio Farm Railway Set 20 piecesStarter loop · AUD $91.95Brio Intermediate Expansion Pack 16 piecesExpansion · AUD $56.95Brio Deluxe Railway Set 87 piecesLarge layout · AUD $391.95

Prices as at 16 October 2026. Check the product page for current price and stock.