Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Thomas vs Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Train Cars

Buy the Thomas engine if your child wants one named character to push around and connect to a wooden track set. Buy the Melissa & Doug 8-piece set if you want a complete starter train with several cars and a storage tray for a younger child. The Thomas engine is a single solid wood piece with strong magnets and a 2+ age rating; the Melissa & Doug set gives you eight cars, a steam engine, caboose and freight, but is rated 3+. Owners of both praise the wood build and magnet strength; the Thomas engine is the better collectible, the 8-piece set the better first train.

• Choose the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Thomas the Tank Engine if your child already has wooden track and wants the named No. 1 engine to lead the train.
• Choose the Magnetic Wooden Train Cars if you want a full eight-car train with a storage tray in one purchase for a child aged 3 and up.