A system of small trains that run on a wooden track is called wooden toy trains. Toy trains and their wooden tracks are over a hundred years old.

In 1884 the wooden 8-shaped train sets (from BRIO) were introduced. Brio is the world's largest manufacturer of wooden toys with more than 3.5 million trains, cars and trucks rolling off the assembly line.

BRIO Corporation is named after the Ivarson brothers of Osby. The three young brothers started making high-quality wooden toys in Osby, Sweden, but initially started making woven baskets. BRIO makes good toys that are safe and durable and encourage open play. There are many other companies around the world that now manufacture good quality wooden trains and tracks.

Due to the number of toy train companies that manufacture wooden trains and tracks, a standard that they have agreed to adhere to is known as the Vario-System. By adhering to this system, wooden train tracks made by one company will easily connect to a piece of track made by another company. Most people refer to the Vario system as Brio compatible, in honor of the Biro company. who, as you can see with their production, are the most famous wooden train factory in the world.

The most famous wooden train in the world is Thomas. Thomas the Tank Engine was a character in a children's book series called The Railway Series that first appeared in the UK in 1945. In 1984, Thomas made his acting debut on a television show called Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends in the UK. It was narrated by Ringo Starr of The Beattles. The popularity of Thomas the Tank was great enough that manufacturers began selling patterned outfits that included most of the other characters seen on the Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends series.

Today's wooden toy trains have hardly changed in years, but probably the most important change has been their safety. Instead of the hook (sharp) to attach the train and wagons, there are now magnets.

There are many styles and designs of wooden toy trains today, some with rails and some without. There are types that you can sit on and types that you can push across the floor. There are rockers and types of pedals. But whichever type is chosen, they will last for generations if cared for carefully.

Wooden toys for children have great appeal for both young and old. From trains to spinning tops, there is always a design to suit the tastes of each individual.