This is my almost 1-1/2 year old's first train. He was playing with a Thomas at his cousin's house so I thought I'd get him one.I was unsure about whether to get a motorized or non-motorized set but I decided to go with motorized to see if he would enjoy watching the train go on its own.When he first got it, he was a bit startled when the train moved by itself around the track. That didn't last long and he started to play with Thomas for hours per day on and off the track.At first (16 mo) he preferred for the train to be turned off but now (17mo) he prefers it on and likes to watch it go.He has also learned how to turn Thomas on and off which he couldn't do for a while. I am impressed that the toy can be played with in the off position because I expected the wheels to lock but they don't and are fully functional.When the train is on, he often holds on to the wheels and listens to them click.This is obviously not good for the toy but miraculously, it just keeps going.Only time will tell how long Thomas will survive the wrath my little guy.The station that comes with this set is cute but he pretty much ignores it.I think it's just because he's too young right now.
Putting the track together was extremely easy and there were some stickers that needed to be put on the station but all of that took very little time.The only problem I had was installing the battery (not included) and the instructions didn't explain it too well.After a few minutes of trial and error, I finally figured it out.If you need help with that read on.
How to take the train apart to install the battery (1 AA):
1. Get a small Phillips screw driver (about 2-3mm wide)
2. Unscrew the screw at the bottom of the train (there are several screws on the bottom but only the one in the center can be unscrewed).After unscrewing, pull on the center wheels and a small piece will come out with screw inside of it (don't bother trying to shake the screw out).
3. Pull the entire casing of the train off.To take apart, hold on to the red base with one hand and with the other hand press both sides of the blue casing in the center (near the #1s on the train),pull apart and it should come off easily.
UPDATE (March 2012): My son will be turning 3 in a few months.There have been many, many, many more Thomas trains, tracks, destinations (structures like train stations or buildings).We have the wooden sets and the plastic sets.The wooden, plastic and metal trains.We have duplo.There's probably more, but you get the picture.After over a year of the Thomas experience, I've learned a lot.My recommendation at this point would be NOT to buy Trackmaster until the child is close to 3.Why? The child tends to leave the train on and laying around somewhere so the parent constantly has to find where the noise is coming from and turn it off.CONSTANTLY.You will also be changing batteries all of the time (rechargeables definitely recommended).Since we purchased this set, we only bought a Percy and some cars.The Thomas is now broken. Some of the cars are broken too.The plastic does not stand up to the abuse.
At the time, I didn't think that pushing a train around would be a fun thing which is why I gravitated to the battery powered train.How wrong I was.He loves pushing the trains around which is another reason the Thomas train broke.He would turn it on and then push it around.
We will be returning to Trackmaster soon for more trains & track.We still have the track & station from this set & they've both held up well.
I am only giving this four stars because the set does not include Thomas' coaches Annie and Clarabel.These are hard to find.Before Trackmaster started making this, it was made by "Tomy".You might find Annie and Clarabel on eBay if you search for Tomy.
This is a very basic loop of track and one engine.You will want to expand it by buying additional track, coaches and engines.
We have some of the wooden trains and some of the battery operated plastic trains, and our children tend to play more with the battery operated plastic trains.They like building tracks and then watching the engines and cars go around by themselves.They especially like having switches to switch the trains onto other tracks.
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My mom got this toy for my son who is 6.was going to return it because I thought it was too young for him.He LOVES it.She bought him extra tracks to go with it and he is having a blast trying to figure out different track patterns.It is one of his favorite gifts, i would not have expected that. I gave it a high rating on the educational value as well only because my kid is trying to figure out new patterns, not because of anything else.Read Best Reviews of Thomas the Train: TrackMaster Thomas Rides the Rails Starter Set Here
My 2 and half year old loves Thomas The Tank Engine and he has been obsessed with the Japanese Tomy brand Thomas trains shown on Youtube.Fortunately, Fisher Price, now produces the same Trackmaster line here for the US.The things are really well made. Completely impressed.Of course, you can't just buy one, eventually you will need to add the track expansion pack and some cars to the set.
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I bought this because I thought the tracks would connect with other tracks we already have, but they do not.It's just poor labeling, but I was very disappointed.You can't make a 3 year old understand about returning or exchanging once the present is open, so we're stuck with two different kinds of track, and it's frustrating.They should make everything work together so you can connect all the tracks and all the trains can ride on them.Bummer.
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