Thomas & Friends - What train system should I buy?

Wooden Railway
By Learning Curve

Also includes interactive Talking Railway series

Early Engineers Range for 18 months old +

• Track: Wooden.
• Range: Biggest range of products including vehicles. sets, bridges, destinations.
• Compatibility: BRIO & other popular wooden track.
• Suitability: 18 months+ for Early Engineers Range and 3yrs & above for both Wooden and Talking.
• Price Guide: $16.95 for Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Battery-powered: Some battery-powered vehicles.
• Space: Most sets will fit on a train table.

Take Along
By Learning Curve

Discontinued in Australia in 2009.

(See Take N Play for alternative)

Also includes Lights & Sounds series 

• Vehicles are diecast metal 
• Track: Plastic (Grey).
• Range: Good range of products including vehicles, sets, bridges, destinations.
• Compatibility: Not compatible with other Thomas & Friends train systems - except the new Take N play range from Mattel.
• Suitability: 3 years & above.
• Price Guide: $12.95 for Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Battery-powered: No battery-powered vehicles. Some make noises
• Space: Compact.  Some sets pack up with carry case & handle.

Take N Play
By Fisher Price/Mattel

Released in Australia in 2010.

(Very similar to the discontinued Take Along range)

Also includes Lights & Sounds series 

TrackMaster
By HIT Entertainment 

• Track: Plastic (Beige).
• Range: Growing range of vehicles, tracks, bridges, tunnels & sets as range replaces TOMY.
• Compatibility:  Vehicles compatible with Tomy Motor Road & Rail (track requires adaptors which are provided with some TrackMaster sets).
• Suitability: 3 years & above.
• Price Guide: $26.95 for Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Battery-powered: Predominantly battery-powered, some with remote control.
• Space: Can require larger areas.

Motor Road & Rail
By TOMY

Also known as Tomica World

• Track: Plastic (Blue).
• Range: Discontinued in Australia from early 2009 so all products will become hard to get.
• Compatibility: Vehicles compatible with TrackMaster (track requires adaptors which are provided with some TrackMaster sets).
• Suitability: 3 years & above.
• Battery-powered: Predominantly battery-powered.
• Space: Can require larger areas.

Hornby

• Track: Model Railway track (16.5mm gauge).
• Range: Limited range of engines. Good range of carriages / rolling stock. 
• Compatibility:  00 Scale (Scale 1:76.2) engines & vehicles. Compatible with Bachmann HO Scale.
• Suitability: 3 years & above.
• Price Guide: $54.95 for Thomas the Tank Engine.
• Battery-powered: No. Electrical model railway.
• Space: May require larger areas.

Bachmann

• Track: Model Railway track (16.5mm gauge).
• Range: Limited range of engines. Good range of carriages / rolling stock. 
• Compatibility:  HO Scale (Scale 1:87) engines & vehicles. Compatible with Hornby OO Scale.
• Suitability: 3 years & above
• Price Guide: $54.95 for Thomas the Tank Engine with "Rolling Eyes"
• Battery-powered: No. Electrical model railway
• Space: May require larger areas.

LEGO

• Track: Plastic (Grey with distinct track & sleepers)
• Range: Limited
• Compatibility:  Not compatible with other Thomas & Friends train systems
• Suitability: 18 months & above
• Price Guide: $98.95 for Thomas the Tank Engine starter set.  Thomas is not sold separately.
• Battery-powered: No battery-powered vehicles.
• Space: Compact.