Wooden Train Tables

Train Table Resource and Buyers Guide

Over the last 5 years I have been very involved in the design of Wooden Train Tables and have made hundreds for people all over the United States.

During this time, I listened to customers, examined the competition and continually tweeked my own design to build a better Play Table.

I have resumed my Engineering Career and build tables on a very limited basis, but I would still like to offer the information I have gathered over the years and make this website a Resource and Buyer's Guide for Train Tables.

I am also happy to offer Train Table Plans along with Instructions for your use.  I just ask that you not use them for commercial purposes.

What pays for this site? The sponsors listed to the left. Please do not hesitate to check out their sites.

What makes a Good Train Table for your Child:

The train table or activity table is a very important piece of furniture that should be able to last 5+ years of pushing, pulling, and climbing. When deliberating over a table I suggest you keep in mind:

• Child Safety
• Child Comfort.
• Durability.
• Appearance.

The two things that have the most effect on these issues are Table Material and Table Design.

Table Material.

Almost all Train Tables are made of either Solid Wood or Melamine.

• Solid Wood train tables typically come in softwoods (pine and spruce) and hardwoods (Oak, Ash, etc). The best solid wood tables are sturdy, durable, attractive, and naturally safe for your family. They can also be more expensive. The finest solid wood tables are made by Nilo Toys. Others can be found by searching Google for "Solid Wood Train Tables". The Thomas Train Table by Learning Curve is mostly made of solid wood, but the end caps are made of melamine. The Thomas Activity Train Table is very well made with exciting graphics that every Thomas fan will love.
  
  

• Melamine train tables come from a large number of suppliers that import them from China. Melamine is considered a manufactured wood product. The manufacturing process uses binding agents to glue the chips or fibers together and to adhere a laminate to the particle board. Quality of the table is very important with the melamine table. If the laminate pulls away from the particle board at a table edge due to the continual contact, the chemicals in these binding agents will release into the air and onto skin. This exposure may not be appropriate for every family. This makes it very important find the table makers that use the thickest laminate that is thermally bonded to the core.
  
  

Last Updated 11/15/07 - More to Come...