Happy 65th birthday, Thomas!

It's a number most children who play with Thomas can't imagine -- but Thomas the Tank Engine is 65 years old now.

Thomas began as a story told by Rev. Wilbert Awdry to his son Christopher (now 70 years old) when he was sick. Then Rev. Awdry eventually wrote down the stories, and they were first published in 1945, becoming a big hit in England.

The first Thomas and Friends TV show appeared in 1984, and even more children fell in love with the characters of the Island of Sodor.

Follow the link for more fascinating history about Thomas!

Mixed tracks

Send your track layout picture to kidswithtoytrains@gmail.com.

Real Housewives of the Island of Sodor?!

2

OK, your kids won't get this -- in fact, this would likely confuse them -- but this silly post about some of the lesser-known characters on the Island of Sodor is hysterical! Click on the link for a good train parent wink-wink, nudge-nudge laugh.

Where to buy discount toy trains

No doubt you can spend a small fortune on train sets, whether a nice model train set or a plastic toy set. There are tracks, engines, cars and various accessories you need (need!) to get your dream railroad right.

Many parents turn to eBay, Craigslist, consignment shops or other places to get deals on toy trains. Just recently, I came across GeoTraxPrice.com.

Know of other places?

Chuggington toys available at Toys R Us Oct. 10

Traintastic news! Chuggington fans can easily buy trains, tracks and accessories at Toys R Us starting Oct. 10. You can also preorder Chuggington toys right now through the Toys R Us site and get free shipping.

Each Chuggington die-cast train looks to be priced from $6-9, and most track and play sets are $16-25, so this looks like an affordable way to give your child a train set for the holidays.

Build a train on Farmville

Ah, Farmville. That popular time-suck game on Facebook. If you are on Facebook, you probably have at least a handful of friends who play Farmville.

Turns out that you can now set up your own (virtual) train set on Farmville. Looks like the train station and engine will cost you some Farm Cash, but you can buy train cars and track with coins that you earn by playing the game.

I admit I play Farmville a little and my kids like watching what I'm doing, so I'm sure they'd love seeing a train on the farm! I don't know if I want to spend money to buy a virtual train engine, so I don't know if the train actually moves -- but that would be pretty cool.

Awesome GeoTrax layout

If you want to get ideas for a GeoTrax layout or just want to look at something amazing, check out this mom's GeoTrax layout for her son. I think it's great!

(Picture from the Fisher-Price Web site, not the mom's layout which is even cooler!)

Toy train recall

The Step2 Sand and Water Transportation Station play table set has been recalled because the train wheels can come off and become a choking hazard for young children.

If you have this toy, stop playing with it and contact Step2 at 800-347-8372 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Mixed train track layout

Send your track layout picture to kidswithtoytrains@gmail.com.

Switch tracks layout

Send your track layout picture to kidswithtoytrains@gmail.com.

Kids love real train rides, too

If you live in a metropolitan area, check out the transportation authority's site to see if it has a program for children. My local area's tri-county rail offers kids a free birthday package just for the asking. It comes with a coloring book and a round-trip ticket to ride the train. What kid wouldn't love that?

Yesterday was my son's birthday. I'm not sure when we're going for our train ride -- but he's going to love it!

Thomas & Friends Misty Island Rescue DVD out today

Thomas fans have been waiting for this day! Now they can have their own copy of Thomas' latest adventure.

Thomas & Friends producers HIT Entertainment describes Misty Island Rescue:

"Thomas and his engine friends embark on a thrilling new journey that takes them from the Island of Sodor to the mysterious Misty Island in the all-new, CG animated adventure Thomas & Friends™ Misty Island Rescue - The Movie available on DVD, Blu-ray Disc+DVD combo pack, Digital Download and On Demand.... This movie marks the first time Thomas is available on Blu-ray and will be part of a Combo Pack (which is also packaged with a standard DVD) for a great value of only $24.98. The engines are hard at work to build a new Search and Rescue Center. When Thomas helps a friend in need, he is rewarded with an exciting trip to the mainland. Along the way, he gets lost at sea and finds himself on the mysterious Misty Island, where he meets new friends Bash, Dash and Ferdinand. Together they discover the secrets of Misty Island and help Thomas find his way home. Will Sir Topham Hatt's search party ever find Thomas? Find out in this action-packed movie adventure the whole family will enjoy!"

The Blu-Ray/DVD bonus features include a game and karaoke music videos.

The DVD will retail for $19.98/Blu-ray with DVD Combo-pack $24.98.

Did anyone see this movie in the theaters? I looked for it several times, but maybe it just never came to my area.

Train track layout with bridges

Send your track layout picture to kidswithtoytrains@gmail.com.

Chuggington airing on Playhouse Disney

Playhouse Disney’s fall schedule starts on Tuesday, September 7! Chuggington will now air Monday through Friday at 6 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. EST and weekends at 6 a.m. EST. -- from the Chuggington Facebook page

Hotels with model trains

Even if you're going on a trip, you or your kids still might not ever want to take a vacation from playing with trains! The Washington Hotel in Japan has a room with a model train set installed, and guests can bring their own trains or rent them from the hotel. Fun!

It's not the same as having your own room with a train set, but the Walt Disney World Yacht Club resort has a detailed model train display in the lobby during the holidays.

Any other hotels that are perfect for train enthusiasts?

Simple wooden track layout

Send your track layout picture to kidswithtoytrains@gmail.com.

Thomas Tilt and Go app

Many train-obsessed kids always take a train or five wherever they go even if there's no track. (This is how some parents end up with trains in their vehicles and purses as well as spread all over the house.) Not to prevent favorite toys from coming along, but if your kids like Thomas & Friends, then you might try the Thomas Tilt and Go app. Most parents with an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad recognize it's a great toy for kids, so why not hand over the tech with a great train app on it? This is perfect for car rides or waiting in line or at a restaurant to give antsy children something to do.

Kids with trains

Got a kid who loves trains? Submit your photo to kidslovetoytrains@gmail.com