I am yet to meet a young boy who doesn't like trains and a train set at some point does become a much desired purchase.

After a complete waste of money on a Ikea wooden train track that wouldn't fit my son's current wooden train set I set off to toys r us with a piece of track in my hand searching for some extra track for a train set my son had received for his birthday.

I looked at various tracks and found my best option price wise was a figure of eight wooden train set which cost £19.99. I wanted both some straight and curved track which would have cost me £9.99 for each pack. I did look at Biro but did not believe that it was worth the extra money for my son simply to play with although they did have some great add on items. The fact this does not need batteries is an added bonus.

The box has a carry handle which does make it ideal for moving around. Setting it up was simple enough it does come with instructions but it is simply a matter of looking at the picture on the box and slotting the track together. One end has a bulb end and the other has a hole. The curved pieces of track are double sided but the straight pieces are one sided. The only trick have encountered is to make sure you build the track in one direction otherwise you can find the track doesn't connect.I have put the straight pieces under the bridge and found I am building in the wrong direction. My son is able to assemble the track with instruction from me.

The set also includes a train with four carriages, four trees and three buildings: a waiting room, clock tower and another house.


Our experience

We have enjoyed putting this track together and we have ended up using this as our main train set as it is so simple to connect. The bridge I find is much more stable than the other train set we own. Due to it been a full block it doesn't fall apart. At times my son will take other parts out of the other set and add them on to make a bigger track. He is able to assemble to the buildings himself and add the triangle roof. The trees are a little bit harder to balance on the carpet but he does succeed in this.

The train comes in four sections which are connected by magnets and he has figured out that if they are not connecting he needs to turn the carriages round.

He does use his imagination and create all kinds of scenarios. He does like to add the level crossing and the wooden people so they can cross the track. It is also played with by my next door neighbours youngest girl so certainly is not gender specific.

My son does play with this train set most days and I would consider it to be one of his most played with toys. It shows no sign of damage or use despite it been thrown back into the box after use with absolutely no care.

It does have a warning that as the trains are connected by magnets and these Magnets sticking together or becoming attached to a metallic object inside the human body can cause serious or fatal injury. Seek immediate medical help if magnets are swallowed or inhaled. These magnets do not look like they become detached easily but it is something to be aware of.

It recommends that this toy is for children over three years of age and I think this is appropriate due to the fact prior to this age if a train set wasn't secured down all my son would do is dismantle them then play with the trains separately.

Overall this is a great basic wooden train set which does have durability. I would say it is a starter set that if your child loves you will probably want to add more too. It doesn't take up the whole floor and doesn't take so long to assemble that it seems pointless.

This is one purchase that I have gained value for money and would strongly recommend for anyone who has a child who loves trains.