Daisy the Diesel Engine

Daisy is retired, so you won't be able to find her in regular stores, but check Ebay for her - plenty of people are selling her on there. It's unfortunate really, I think she is one of the better-looking engines and Thomas definitely needs more female friends.

We have had nothing but good experiences with the quality of the Thomas the tank engine and friends products. The trains we have bought off ebay have even been played with for 6 or 7 years and although the paint is chipped and dented, the magnets are fine and the personalities are still recognizeable, so my child doesn't care. We plan on someday rewards putting the train tables and all the trains away for our son's first child's first birthday.

Because the Thomas trains are the best train sets for kids (IMO), they're expensive. I have considered the less expensive Thomas compatible sets before, like Brio tables or the Brio roundhouse, but I have never bought. I have found that although the similar sets will work with Thomas products, and probably offer the same enjoyment, they are not without their problems.

The plastic Thomas sets, called Thomas motorized road and rail, seemed to me to be room for the youngest kids who like Thomas. These trains are the biggest and lightest out of wood and metal and plastic -- the track fits together easily, and the setups are simple. Turn on is easy, just a flip of the switch. My boy, at 2 and one half, has put away his plastic set for good in favor of the wood and metal trains.

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