Best Toy Train Sets of 2025

Jimmy Roof Avatar
Jimmy Roof
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025

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Toy train sets are a classic and beloved toy that have been enjoyed by generations of children. These miniature locomotives, tracks, and accessories provide hours of imaginative play for kids of all ages. From simple wooden sets for toddlers to complex electric sets for older children, there is a train set for every skill level and interest. Many sets also feature popular characters such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Disney's Mickey Mouse, adding an extra level of excitement for young fans. Whether used as a fun toy or a decorative display, toy train sets are a timeless and charming addition to any child's playroom.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Amazon Basics 65-piece Wooden Train Set Cover #TOP 1
Amazon Basics 65-piece Wooden Train Set
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Tiny Land Wooden Train Set Cover #TOP 2
Tiny Land Wooden Train Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Melissa & Doug Wooden Train Cars Cover #TOP 3
Melissa & Doug Wooden Train Cars
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Toy Train Sets

#TOP 1

Amazon Basics 65-piece Wooden Train Set

Amazon Basics
HAP-843163
Amazon Basics 65-piece Wooden Train Set Cover
Amazon Basics 65-piece Wooden Train Railway Construction Set with Track - Compatible and Train Railroad, Wooden Toys for Kids, Gift for Age 3Y+

The Amazon Basics Train Set is a fantastic choice for budding builders aged 3 and up. This 65-piece construction kit encourages creativity and problem-solving while enhancing STEM skills. With a variety of tracks, including straight, reversible curves, and merging switches, you can easily design intricate layouts. Made from durable beech wood, the tracks are sturdy, ensuring they won't fall apart during play. Plus, this set is compatible with other popular wooden railroad brands, allowing you to expand your child's train world even further.

What We Like
High quality and sturdy
Nostalgic appeal
Great for expanding sets
Compatible with other brands
Many building options
What We Don't Like
Loose fitment on some pieces
Wood splitting after short use
#TOP 2

Tiny Land Wooden Train Set

WT0007
Assorted
Tiny Land Wooden Train Set Cover
Tiny Land Train Set 110pcs Wooden Train Set, Toy Train for Boys & Girls with Wooden Train Track, Wooden Toys for 3-7 Years Old Toddlers & Kids, Railway Set Christmas Toys for Kids

The Tiny Land Train Set is a perfect toy for children aged 3 to 8, with 110 pieces of wooden train tracks, building blocks, and puzzles. Kids can enjoy various play options, such as creating their own town with matching character accessories, playing puzzles and fishing with magnetic fish toys. The set is compatible with all other major brands of trains and is certified as non-toxic, BPA-safe, lead-safe, and phthalates-safe, ensuring safety and quality for your child.

What We Like
High-quality wooden pieces
Easy to assemble tracks
Compatible with other brands
Encourages imaginative play
Durable and long-lasting
What We Don't Like
Some pieces may be thrown
#TOP 3

Melissa & Doug Wooden Train Cars

5186
Multi-color
13.45 x 8.4 x 1.35
Melissa & Doug Wooden Train Cars Cover
Melissa & Doug Wooden Magnetic Train Cars - 8 Piece Educational and Skill-Building Wooden Toy for Boys and Girls

Melissa Train Cars are a set of eight wooden train cars that connect with magnetic couplers for endless play possibilities. These brightly painted and well-crafted train cars, including a steam engine and passenger car, offer high-quality playtime. They are designed to be compatible with Melissa & Doug activity rugs and tracks or can be played with on their own. The set is easy to store in the included wooden tray. Perfect for kids aged 3 and up, this toy inspires screen-free, hands-on play for hours.

What We Like
High-quality craftsmanship
Bright and engaging colors
Magnetic connections
Versatile size for small hands
Educational value in play
What We Don't Like
Magnets could be stronger
Tracks not included
#TOP 4

KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set

17850
Natural
Train Set
KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set Cover
KidKraft 17850 Waterfall Mountain Wooden Train Set & Table with 120 Pieces, 3 Storage Bins

The KidKraft Train Set offers endless fun for young train enthusiasts. Made from high-quality wood, the table features vibrant graphics that spark imagination. With 120 pieces, you can create a different mountain village layout every time, allowing for creative play. The magnetic train cars connect easily, making it simple for you to build and expand your train system. Plus, the set includes a working crane that lets you lift and position blocks, enhancing fine motor skills. This train set is perfect for playdates, as it accommodates multiple children at once.

What We Like
Colorful and engaging design
Sturdy construction
Easy assembly
Includes storage bins
Hours of entertainment
What We Don't Like
Limited train pieces included
Tracks may not align perfectly
#TOP 5

Lionel Polar Express Train Set

711803
Multicolor
Lionel Polar Express Train Set Cover
Lionel The Polar Express Ready-to-Play Set, Battery-Powered Berkshire-Style Model Train Set with Remote

The Lionel Polar Express is a delightful ready-to-play train set that brings the magic of Christmas to life. You can easily set up a fun track in various shapes, perfect for entertaining kids and enhancing holiday decorations. The battery-powered locomotive features authentic sounds and a working headlight, adding excitement to playtime. With a user-friendly remote control, operating the train is simple and enjoyable for everyone. This set is great for family bonding and creating unforgettable holiday memories.

What We Like
Easy to assemble
Great sound effects
Good for kids and adults
Stays on track well
Impressive quality for price
What We Don't Like
Battery life could be better
Tracks may require careful setup
#TOP 6

Melissa & Doug Wooden Railroad Set

30140
Multicolor
1 EA
Melissa & Doug Wooden Railroad Set Cover
Melissa & Doug 17-Piece Wooden Take-Along Tabletop Railroad, 3 Trains, Truck, Play Pieces, Bridge - FSC Certified

The Melissa & Doug Train Set offers a delightful 17-piece wooden railroad play experience for young kids. With a sturdy storage case that unfolds into a play surface complete with built-in tracks, you’ll find setup is quick and easy. This set comes with four wooden vehicles, including three train cars and a park ranger vehicle, encouraging imaginative play. Additionally, the included bridge and mountain tunnel with a gondola provide exciting scenarios for your little ones. There’s ample space to keep all the pieces organized in the case, making clean-up a breeze and perfect for on-the-go fun.

What We Like
Sturdy construction
Compact and portable
Fun and versatile design
Easy clean-up storage
Quality paint finish
What We Don't Like
Occasional derailments on turns
Limited internal compartments
#TOP 7

Amazon Basics Remote Control Train Set

Amazon Basics
9011-01-AM
Multicolor
Amazon Basics Remote Control Train Set Cover
Amazon Basics Remote Control Steam Engine Hobby Train Set with Tender and Gondola and Caboose Smoking, working light and realistic sounds Age 3 or up Perfect for Kids, Multicolor

The Amazon Basics Train Set offers an exciting remote-controlled experience for kids aged three and up. With its advanced 2.4GHz controller, you can easily adjust the train's speed and activate realistic sounds, enhancing playtime. The oval track system includes a variety of curved and straight pieces, providing a spacious layout for imaginative play. The beautifully decorated engine, along with a tender, gondola, and caboose, creates a complete train experience. Plus, the working headlight and water vapor smoke effect add an extra layer of realism that will captivate young train enthusiasts.

What We Like
Great price for quality
Easy assembly and disassembly
Fun for young children
Realistic sounds and smoke
What We Don't Like
Smoke feature ineffective
Requires non-rechargeable batteries
#TOP 8

Thomas & Friends Talking Bulstrode Set

HWY23
Multicolor
Thomas & Friends Talking Bulstrode Set Cover
​Thomas & Friends Toy Train Set Talking Bulstrode & Which-Way Bridge Track Playset with Sounds & Percy Engine for Kids Ages 3+ Years

The Thomas Talking Train Set offers an exciting interactive experience for young children. With over 90 sounds, phrases, and music activated by pressing a button on the Which-Way bridge, your child will enjoy endless auditory fun. The set allows for kid-controlled actions like lifting and lowering the bridge, making it easy for little hands to send the motorized Percy engine speeding around the track. Kids can also engage in loading and unloading cargo, promoting imaginative play. Compatible with other Thomas & Friends tracks, this set encourages creativity and fine motor skills for kids aged 3 and up.

What We Like
Easy to assemble
Durable construction
Engaging for preschoolers
Interactive features
Expandable with other sets
What We Don't Like
Some alignment issues
Train mechanism is loud
#TOP 9

Hot Bee Train Set for Kids

train-240109
One Size
Hot Bee Train Set for Kids Cover
Hot Bee Train Set - Christmas Tree Train Toys for Boys with Smokes, Lights and Sound, Toy Train Set for Under Christmas Tree, Toddler Model Trains for 3 4 5 6 7 8+ Years Old Kids Christmas Toys Gifts

The Hot Bee Train Set is a classic model train track play set that comes with a locomotive steam engine, a passenger coach, a coal car, a cargo vehicle, 8 curved tracks and 2 straight tracks. It features realistic sound, odorless smoke, and a cool headlight to make the game process more exciting and funny. The train sets for kids are easy to set up and play, with kid-friendly design and high-quality, safe and durable materials. It is a meaningful gift for every little kid, perfect for Christmas, birthdays or holidays.

What We Like
Fun Christmas decoration
Easy to assemble
Steam function adds charm
Durable and stable tracks
Good value for money
What We Don't Like
Sound can become repetitive
Battery consumption can be high
#TOP 10

Wdmiya 66-Piece Police Train Set

001a
Blue
Wdmiya 66-Piece Police Train Set Cover
Train Sets for Toddlers, 66 Pcs Trains Toy with Battery Operated & Tracks (Magnetic Connection), Compatible with Thomas, Brio, Christmas Toy Gifts for 3 4 5 6 7 8 Years Old (Police)

The Wdmiya Train Set is a delightful collection for young children, featuring 66 pieces including trains, police cars, and a bridge. This set allows you to easily connect the magnetic pieces, making it fun for kids to build their own tracks. Crafted from durable ABS plastic, it ensures safety and longevity, perfect for energetic play. Designed for children aged 3 and up, the train moves with the push of a button, producing realistic sounds that captivate little ones. Additionally, it encourages imaginative play and helps develop important skills like coordination and problem-solving.

What We Like
Easy assembly for kids
Compact size, space-saving
Good variety of train cars
Train runs smoothly
Fun sound effects
What We Don't Like
Many small pieces
Track assembly can be tricky
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The most popular toy train gauge in the U.S. and Canada is HO scale. It has a ratio of 1:87.1 and offers a wide variety of models for rolling stock, locomotives, and buildings. HO scale is favored by many modelers due to its popularity and availability of options.

2. Which is better O scale or HO scale?

HO scale is often considered better for beginners due to its smaller size and relatively easy entry point. O scale, on the other hand, is larger and allows for more detail and realism in layouts. The choice between O scale and HO scale depends on personal preferences and the level of detail and complexity one wants to achieve in their train sets.

3. Which is bigger O scale or G scale?

G scale refers to any model railroad ratio that is larger than O scale. It can have ratios such as 1:32, 1:29, 1:24, 1:22.5, 1:19, and 1:12. G scale is larger than O scale and offers a great option for those looking to create larger and more impressive train layouts.

Editor's Notes

During our toy train set research, we found 27 toy train set products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 169,354 customer reviews through our big data system to write the toy train sets list. We found that most customers choose toy train sets with an average price of $44.30.

The toy train sets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of toy train sets, including Tiny Land, Melissa & Doug, KidKraft, Lionel, THOMAS & FRIENDS. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Jimmy Roof Avatar

Jimmy Roof is a toy designer who lives in Chicago with his family. He works in a big toy firm, so he is surrounded by toys every day. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in children's toys, baby products and preschool education. Jimmy Roof often publishes articles related to toys on key websites.

Toy Train Sets Comparison Table

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#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
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#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Amazon Basics Tiny Land Melissa & Doug KidKraft Lionel Melissa & Doug Amazon Basics THOMAS & FRIENDS Hot Bee Wdmiya
Item Weight 5.07 pounds 7.78 pounds - 3.52 ounces - 0.317 ounces 3.6 pounds - 2.31 pounds 1.76 pounds
Manufacturer recommended age 3 years and up 36 months - 8 years - 36 months - 3 years - 36 months - 6 years 36 months - 14 years - 1 month - 12 years 36 months - 14 years
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.4
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 9.0
ftb score rating icon 9.0
ftb score rating icon 8.8
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