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There are a few classic holiday gifts that seem to show up year after year — the red Radio Flyer bike peaking out from behind attempts at wrapping, the lit-up dollhouse, the luxury car with the bow on top . . . (Who does that last one happen to?) But best of all is the classic train set running around the tree. Whether merely for decoration or to appease your budding conductor, come on a ride around the track with Babble and ring in the holiday season with our five favorite engines. —Kate Bayless
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IKEA Lillabo - $14.99
In California, I know our recent elections had a significant impact in determining who you can and can not marry, but my question is, is it legal to wed a store? If so, IKEA might want to prepare itself for a proposal. Sure, most their stuff requires crazy, back-breaking assembly, and they aren't selling heirloom pieces that you'll be passing down to the grandkids, but for cheap, modern and simple, IKEA is the love of my life. The IKEA Lillabo Train Set is no exception. This isn't a BRIO and it doesn't have all the fancy additions of other sets, but for a simple starter train set, the Lillabo fits the bill. For $15 you get 1 engine, 2 bridge pieces, 3 train cars and 14 pieces of track. And if you live close by, you can also expand your kit with the in-store-only 12-piece bridge and tunnel pack or 10 additional pieces of track ($9.99 and $6.99, respectively). Ages 3+.
Get it from Ikea.
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Plan Toys - Road & Rail Railway - $210
We wished we could hate this — $210 for a train set?! But we soon discovered that this is no mere train set. First, it's by Plan Toys, which means that the entire set is eco-friendly, constructed out of recycled rubberwood, water-based dye and soy inks. Second, the Road & Rail Railway is much larger than other sets, with more than 60 pieces of track, cars, people and signs to construct your railway dreams. In addition, this set comes nicely packaged in a wooden box that, with a few steps of assembly, transforms into a sweet railway station for playtime. Beyond just being a train set, this collection also includes roads and cars, which means you're not just limited to choo-choo play. If your little conductor is also a fan of miniature cars, he or she can integrate them easily with this all-inclusive road and rail set. Plan Toys' PlanCity collection also includes lots of other sets, like Adventure (with mountains and loops), City Transportation (with bridges and signs), and many à la carte offerings. Ages 3+.
Get the Road & Railway Set from Plan Toys.
Get the Adventure Set from Plan Toys.
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BRIO City Rescue Set - $59.99
It's impossible to have a train set review without including an addition by BRIO, a mainstay of wooden toys since the early twenteth century. One of BRIO's newest additions — the 34-piece City Rescue Set — includes track, firefighters, a Dalmation, bridge, fire station and buildings with attachable flames. Press a button on the Lights & Sound Car and Ladder Wagon and experience a wailing siren and flashing light as the engine rushes to the nearby emergency (batteries included). If a holiday-themed set is more your type, check out BRIO's Polar Express and North Pole Set ($41). One of the many assets of this brand is that BRIO offers lots of great variety for expanding the train enthusiast's collection or building a set piecemeal. You can find BRIO at many retailers, but visit the BRIO site for special online deals. Age 3+.
Get the City Rescue Set from Brio.
Get the Polar Express and North Pole Set exclusively from Kindertrains.
Get additional train accessories from Brio.
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Thomas The Tank Engine - Pirates Cove Train Set - $119
If your kid is on a first name basis with Gordon, Percy and Sir Topham Hatt, then you might want to consider one of the official Thomas the Tank Engine Train Sets. We checked out the Pirates Cove Train Set by KinderTrains.com. This 41-piece set includes the standard track and engines (Thomas and Salty included), but also includes a pirate ship, skull mountain and treasure tunnel — the latter two contain some hidden features for added fun. If pirates don't suit your tastes, check out Down by the Docks ($120), Aquarium ($225), or Sodor Quarry Mine Tunnel ($30), or piece together your own set with their impressive menu. Age 3+.
Get the Pirates Cove Train Set from Kindertrains.
Get the Down by the Docks set from Kindertrains.
Get additional pieces from Kindertrains.
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Bachmann Thomas Fun with Freight Set - $120
If your tot has outgrown a wooden train set, take it to the next level with an electric set by Bachmann. A major player in the world of model train collectors, Bachmann offers a number of trains sets appropriate for over-eight crowd, including a number of Thomas-inspired sets. This new Fun with Freight Set includes a Thomas with moving eyes, 5 train cars and 38"x56" of E-Z Track which, as the name suggests, proves simple for young hands to connect. Hook up the included power pack and speed controller and watch Thomas fly around the track at your control. Bachmann carries many other themed sets if you're trying to avoid visiting the Island of Sodor. Even if your little one isn't old enough to play with one of these on their own, or your kids seems well beyond trains, seeing one of Bachmann's extensive train selections (holiday-themed, Union Pacific, city-specific, etc.) encircling a be-lighted tree would bring out the kid in just about anyone.
Get it from Elite Gifts Direct.
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