This is such a fantastic durable fun toy set.

I bought the large set for my grand daughter for Xmas. Even though it's meant to be for 3 plus (she is 18 months) she just loves it and up to a point, knows what to do.

This is the large set they do (as far as I know) and comes with it's own table and has loads of track, bridges, viaducts, a crane and sidings.

The table is self assembly but you get everything you need to build it (screw driver, screws, Allen Key etc.). Build time is around half an hour, so that's not a problem either.

The bridge makes different sounds as the train passes through which adds enormously to the interest. As for the train itself (there are in fact two of them), the locomotive takes batteries, has lights and makes choo-choo train sounds. The set includes loads of carriages, and a few little people that fit snuggly into some of the carriages.

The track is well made out of a light coloured hard wood, and fits together a bit like a jig saw puzzle.

I also bought her the remote control train which comes as a separate item, and this adds to the interest of the overall layout. Hers is the white version (I believe they do a red version of the same train).

In some ways, she is a little young for it because occasionally she decides to lift the track, so she hasn't quite got the hang of this part yet but she does love putting the trains and carriages onto the track, and starting the engines off. She spends ages playing with it and often by herself, it so it's good for those times when she needs occupying but Mum and Dad (not to mention us grandparents) don't have the time.

This toy is also very engaging for adults and anyone else who likes big layout sets with moving parts, so it makes it easy to play together.

I got quite a good deal on the internet (paid about £200 for the lot) but it's well worth it, and so far it's given her (and everone else) a lot of fun.

The other thing to note is that this is a quality built item, mainly of wood, but the plastic parts (trains, carriages, people) are really well made, and look like they will last forever.

Train sets are always great fun for boys and this one is good for girls also.