A video review

the brand sounds more like a frat boy's nickname than it does a toymaker.

Pretty cool set with the lift. Make sure you get some additional track to go with it. The trains will derail more often than not coming down the ramp and going right into the sharp turn.

Then downside of Chuggington is that you start singing any three syllable word/phrase to the theme song.

Chugg - ington. Chugga chugga chugga! Chugga chugga chugga! Chugga chugga chugga chugga Chugginton.

(As I sit here watching TV) Vi - zio. Vizi vizi vizi. Vizi vizi vizi. Vizi vizi vizi vizi Vizio.

My daughter won't even watch Thomas, but absolutely loves Chuggington...Disney definitely knows something about the inner workings of children's minds. Pieces appear to connect with all the other (including generic) railway systems.

Learning Curve Page

Who determines that a three-year-old magically won't eat the pieces?

Two trains enter, one train leaves!

mc97 wrote:My daughter won't even watch Thomas, but absolutely loves Chuggington...

The difference is the energy level, I think. Thomas is a slow, thoughtful, repetitive show. Chuggington is a roller coaster. Our son won't sit still for Chuggington, makes him antsy.

This is just what I have been looking for! I ordered a set similar to this last year and it has been wonderful! Nothing beats a wooden toy train set! For those wanting to compare, there is another set offered by wal-mart with a table you might consider. I bought this for my grandkids and it is nice, too! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wooden-Train-Activity-Table-with-45-Piece-Train-Set-Storage-Bin/17114384?findingMethod=rr

This is about half the price of anywhere else. Bought in a heartbeat for my kid.

Chuggington website:

http://www.chuggington.com/#/homepage

Froogle starting at $98 vs. $59.99 here

They gave their product to a bunch of internet kids' products sites as noted by some of the reviews below:

Review:
http://www.ourkidsmom.com/2011/12/hgg-win-chuggington-calleys-rescue-set-wooden-train-set-review-giveaway-ends-1223-rafflecopter/

another review:
http://kidzborn2impress.blogspot.com/2011/12/born-2-impress-holiday-gift-guide.html

and another:
http://www.motherofpearlitis.net/2011/12/25-days-of-christmas-giveaways-chuggington-wooden-railway/

and another:
http://www.shining2save.com/2011/12/chuggington-calleys-rescue-set-wooden.html

and here:
http://www.realmomreviews.net/2011/12/2011-holiday-gift-guide-chuggington-wooden-set-1220/

That's funny, I just bought the Mellisa and Doug train table and the 130 piece track. Hmmm.... Maybe i should buy this for her Birthday in March. :D

I'm assuming this set works on the Thomas tracks? Looking forward to a showdown with Thomas and Chuggington on the new Thomas set I bought on kids.woot. the other day.

Nu, what about Ikea compatibility??

Like most wooden railway sets, it should be compatible with pretty much any other wooden railway tracks. we picked up a bunch of generic brand tracks to go along with these.

Chuggington is no Thomas

Is it compatible with Melissa and Doug sets?

will this be shipped in time for xmas?

shelly0729 wrote:will this be shipped in time for xmas?

i just realized it will!
i just bought the trainee roundhouse on groupon yesterday, wondering if i should get this one instead

Next to the picture it states arrives by Christmas. You should be good.

Rozie13 wrote:Nu, what about Ikea compatibility??

I would bet it will NOT be compatible with Ikea tracks, as Ikea tracks are not compatible with Imaginarium, Melissa and Doug or others. We have mostly Imaginarium, some Melissa and Doug, and some Brio, Maxim and Thomas, as well as a random no-brand spiral track that is compatible with the rest. We ended up giving away our Ikea track pieces because they won't connect with the others. But Ikea trains will work just fine. Melissa and Doug are a bit snug, but work alright.

We like Chuggington better than the Thomas trains. The quality is great and it does interchange with Thomas and Brio and Melissa and Doug and even IKEA. This is a great price and a heck of a steal!

That's a steal. I think I'll sell the Calley and Wilson that I already bought back on Ebay for $25.

This is so weird, but it turns out Chuggington is actually based on a series of stories written by an Anglican nun who ran an orphanage after the first world war. Yeah, I guess she made up the stories to entertain the kids and then some friends convinced her to publish them.

It's an inspiring tale, really.

The tracks are compatiable. If you have any questions ever about compatability - trainsgalore.com has videos of all train interactions. Excellent site - note it for future transactions.

The Chuggington tracks are slightly higher, as well as the magnets on the trains, so - if you build a steep uphill curve, there may be a disconnect, but probably not.

I haven't had a problem connecting the IKEA track, that is an inexpensive route to extra track.

mc97 wrote:Two trains enter, one train leaves!

Okay, so after reading that essay, I have to say I'm willing to give Chuggington a chance, despite it's ridiculous name and that it seems so much a rip-off of Thomas.

I have been absolutely underwhelmed by Thomas for the last few years, for many of the reasons cited in the essay. The thing that bothers me most is that there are never any real consequences. As noted, no matter how badly the engines hose things up, they can always just fix it. If they're late, there is magically still time to put things right. If they've destroyed their freight, another can be had. If they've disobeyed orders, they simply apologize.

I don't want my kids to learn to act like that. I struggle getting them to understand the importance of taking care of things and following rules. I don't need Thomas showing them that selfish recklessness is no big deal, and maybe even kind of fun.

Alright, Chuggington, I'm willing to take a look.

on clearance at my local target for $35! but if you cant get it there, this is absolutely the best price around

Groupon is showing a similar Chuggington set on it's Washington DC Grouponicus page - for $69 (shipping included) but without the "delivery by Christmas" guarantee.

So, Woot FTW (as usual).

Perhaps the "other" wooden set referred to is BRIO (jeez,man). Perhaps parents want an alternative to the fascism offered by Thomas, so somebody was kind enough to create this knockoff series. (mod note: Trolling part removed) Go Chuggers!

MHmm.. Wonder if these go with the train track stuff I Got in my last Burgandy Olfactory Center.

mc97 wrote:Two trains enter, one train leaves!

Amazingly detailed write-up. The thing that caught me is how well the author captured the post-modernism of Chugginton in its relativistic approach to the "moral of the story". A stark contrast to Thomas which takes place before that worldview really sprouted.

Tank Engine Sold Separately??

frechles71 wrote:Tank Engine Sold Separately??

Typical woot wit. Read the rest of the write-up and you'll understand.

I JUST received an email from Learning Curve saying that this set is on sale at TRU for an amazing $105.99! What a joke!

Goes to show what awesome deals Woot offers!

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11909235

anyone need a pack of straight pieces to complete this woot?
I have some from my Bag of Coal the other month

Anybody seen a shipping email yet? Getting nervous about this getting here in time for Christmas...

No. I'm wondering that myself. I'm wondering how we can find out?

Yeah, still waiting here as well.