We have thomas tracks that are all markered up. I was pissed at first, but have up trying to get the marker off quickly.
I will say that I was pissed because good condition thomas stuff has a really high resale value and that stuff is super expensive. They won't sell well all marked up, and we have hundreds of dollars of that stuff.
The trains will run just as well on marked up tracks as clean ones. I also think while a 3 year old conceptually knows not to draw on things they are still 3. I would be more upset if my 6 year old did it.
One time, the kids were being a little too quiet, so I went to go check on them. I walked into Sofia's room and she had drawn alllll over the walls. All 4 walls were covered with these little faces and scribbles, and she was like "look mom. Look at all my friends!" I mean, I couldn't even get mad at that.
You are going to throw out something because it has marker on it. Does the marker make it not playable? They are kids, they are going to "ruin" lots more things and if it is still usable, use it still!
ETA: I understand being mad he did it and being annoyed it won't come off, but don't throw it away just because it is no longer perfect.
Rubbing alcohol or vodka. The dye is soluble in alcohol.
BUT you should do a spot test first to make sure it doesn't remove the paint or varnish. (Not a parent so don't know what Thomas tracks are made out of)
I will say that I was pissed because good condition thomas stuff has a really high resale value and that stuff is super expensive. They won't sell well all marked up, and we have hundreds of dollars of that stuff.
Fuckin kids, man.
I can understand this, but I have two boys that play hard with their stuff. I don't expect to sell anything when they are done. I can't expect that. I want them to enjoy their things and if that means carrying Thomas and Henry around and dropping them so often all the the paint chips away, then so be it. It would be nice to recoup some childhood costs, but in my house, it will never be on toys.
The tracks wouldn't bother me but the buildings would merit a lecture. For those w/o boys, the trains can be $20 a pop and "locations" are American Girl doll level of ridiculously priced. Yes, they are toys but I think kids can learn about treating things they value well.
OP, about a year ago DS cut the magnet and string off Cranky, basically ruining the toy aspect, and we used it as a lesson. There was no good way to fix it and we didn't replace it. He still uses it as an example of why we only cut on paper. Be irritated for a night, let him play with them messed up and move on.