Reviews (4)

The kidzzz loved it!
We found this brand new wagon beside our garbage dump...
It was just there with the cardboard shipping paper still in it! Well, to say the least...my husband took it and my 10 year old and 29 month old just had a ball!
they have gone to the patio and just played with it or walked around the complex with it. The 10 year old likes to be in it with her sister...
So, embarrassing, it wasn't! She had more fun than all of us!

I just rated this 5 stars...what a blessing it was to find this!

Rusts
This isn't even the one we had. The one we had was larger and much more expensive. It was left outside, 1 time, and the next thing we knew it was rusting and peeling and garbage!

A classic toy
This is the consummate throw back toy in a day when everyone plays with computer generated toys. This wagon, like many others, will get your kid outside, where kids should be, playing and enteracting with others. We got one for our daughter, who loves to use it to pull her babies around the yard with, and to help me when I'm doing yard work. It is also a great way to take little kids for a walk, which leads to the park.

What's So Special???
BUYER BEWARE...All things considered, I got what I paid for, and although I can't knock the price-value vs. play-value of this toy wagon, for the life of me, I can not figure out what makes it a "Special Edition" vs. the regular (and cheaper) Radio Flyer wagon available on the Amazon/ToysRUs website. The wagon I received was Radio Flyer Special Edition, Model #99. It included PLASTIC wheels, NOT STEEL wheels like the buying information describes...A minor detail to some, but a big misrepresentation of quality/content as far as I'm concerned. Also, it is NOTHING like the Special Edition wagon listed on the Radio Flyer homepage, which I used as a guide since there was no photo of the wagon available from Amazon/ToysRUs. It is also worth noting that Radio Flyer does not list a model #99 on their website, so this may be a custom-manufactured model specifically for ToysRUs. Unfortunately, this was not exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to shop elsewhere for the real deal!! (This wagon will make a great gift to "Toys-for-Tots" this holiday season.) ... Read more

Editorial Review

Frighteningly high above a deep ravine, Thomas the Tank Engine peers over the edge, wondering how he will get to the station on time. He's saved only by the immediate construction of a bridge that gets him clickity-clacking across in no time. The Reverend W. Awdry created the Island of Sodor as a place for childhood imagination to run free with his Thomas the Tank Engine series of books. The Sodor Bay Bridge expands opportunities for dreaming and connects to any of the tracks from the Thomas Wooden Railway System. Two train trestle bridges connect to span 25 inches. Manufactured by high-quality toy maker Learning Curve, the bridge is sturdily made of wood with blue plastic supports to endure years of adventurous play. --Lynne Sampson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Bay bridge is a must
Starting around age 2 the "World of Thomas" and his train friends became the biggest part of my son's days of play. If you are as deep into Thomas as my family is then the Sodor Bay Bridge is a must have. Hours and hours are spend pushing the toy trains over and under the bridge. Your first three starter purchases should be the trains, the tracks and then this bridge. Good Luck it is an expensive "world" your getting into!!!

I LOVED it ... and so did my nephew
I ordered the bridge and then read the review that said the bridge didn't come with the ascending tracks. My trip to a local independent toy store confirmed the review. After purchasing additional tracks ... and driving 4 hours so that the tracks would make it in time for his 3rd birthday, he opened the box and I shocked to see the tracks he needed to connect the bridge to the rest of his set. I guess the manufacturer has addressed this issue....

I played with it (the bridge, figure 8 set with battery powered engine, and additional tracks) for a good hour before realizing I was enjoying it more than him! The tracks are extremely durable. My nephew and his brother and sister all loved it.

Love this, but . . .
I bought this accessory for my 2-year-old son Sam, and he loves everything about it except the fact that there is not quite enough top clearance for trains to pass underneath -- You have to set the spans on blocks for that. I also agree that the set should include the ascending track, or at least a notice that it's sold separately.

This bridge is great fun!
This is definitely my 2-year-old son's favourite part of his entire Thomas setup. He will happily spend 20 minutes just pushing his trains back and forth across the Sodor Bridge span. The only letdown with this item was that it did not include the ascending track and risers that are needed to connect it to the rest of the playset - I needed to order those pieces separately, but didn't know that until I opened the Sodor Bridge package. But my son didn't seem to mind - he doesn't really care if the bridge goes anywhere or not! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

to fit the Big Red Stake Wagon...
For the Big Red Stake Wagon [has wood rails (that say "big red ATW) around one end of the wagon] you must install the seat so the child's back is facing the handle or you need to take the rails off. The seat strap does fit around the wagon but you must adjust the straps at all three ends. They must be all the way at the end of the strap including the end that has the CAUTION label (i removed the label to secure the buckle to the strap). This is the only way the safety strap will fit completely around the wagon.

It fits!
I just received my wagon seat today and was scepticle on whether it would fit my wagon or not after reading the other reviews. Well it fit. I have the Big Red Stake (ATW) which is 50% deeper than the standard wagon and it also has the wooden rails. The seat needs to be installed on the opposite end of the rails and the (3) buckles of the strap need be closest the ends. I also needed to remove the CAUTION label to use that part of the strap - but it does fit!

Which models does it fit
does this work with all models of the wagon . . . eg the All Terrain Steel and Wooden Wagon?

Wagon seat is great!!!
My son loved the wagon seat! We took it to the zoo and all the other parents asked where we got it. We didn't have any problems latching the seat onto the wagon. It fit fine and we didn't have to adjust the strap at all. The seat is very safe and allows my son to comfortable ride and recline in his wagon. This seat is definitely worth the price. If you're buying a wagon, you need this seat.

SAFETY FACTOR FOR WAGON SEAT
THE WAGON SEAT IS DURABLE AND COMFORTABLE. HOWEVER, THE BELT PROVIDED TO SECURE THE SEAT TO THE WAGON IS TOO SHORT AND CANNOT BE LATCHED UNDER THE WAGON TO APPROPRIATELY SECURE THE SEAT FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. CONSEQUENTLY, I AM SEEKING AN EXTENSION FOR THE BELT. I SHOULD NOT NEED TO SEEK A MEANS TO REMEDY A FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURER'S PRODUCT AT MY EXPENSE. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Edward is a cheerful blue worker train. Hauling coal, helping the big guys, hanging out in the train yard--this friendly fellow's goal in life is to be a really useful engine. This 3-inch sturdy wood engine and the accompanying 2-inch cargo car will surely get the job done every time. Based on the popular Thomas the Tank Engine series by Reverend W. Awdry and the PBS television show Shining Time Station, the wooden railway system is compatible with other magnetic train sets. You can reenact all the exciting stories in the series or make up new ones. Thomas fans won't want to miss out on any of these fun, well-built railway characters. --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Kind old Edward still works perfectly
I know Edward is old and my train sure is but he can still pull trains likje the big engines. His magnet is in perfect working order and he can pull a couple coaches without trouble at all. A cool thing about Edward and all the other tender engines is that little kids love to take the tender on and off. I thinks it's so funny when they do that. Edward really works well and he's capable of hours of enjoyment at a time.

This one's for the kids- all the kids!
This is a great toy that all the kids I know just love to play with! It's always enjoyable to play with trains, especially ones with familiar faces. Also, this toy is very durable.

A Fun, Durable Toy
Edward the Blue Engine is a well-built toy that can stand up to demanding play. My son recently received Edward as a bonus item included with a Thomas video and he loves it. The attention to detail is excellent, and the strong wooden construction will assure many hours of enjoyable play. Edward's bright smile will also make playtime a happy time.

Good toy
My two year loves this as he does all of the Thomas characters.

Lots of fun...
My two sons age 4 and 2 love all of the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends trains. Edward has such a lovely personality in the stories that he was a must for our collection. He is a kind engine and the boys use him in their pretend play to help the engines get along. The trains have helped my boys learn their colors and numbers as well as alot about trains. Another wonderful thing about the learning curve trains is that if you break one, or it just gets really chipped up they will repair or replace it, and they are so nice to deal with.

stephanie, homeschooling mom to 3. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From the popular Thomas the Tank Engine book series and television's Shining Time Station, based on the Railway Seriesby Rev. W. Awdry, comes Henry, the proud green engine. Made of hardwood, withshiny green paint, a three-dimensional face, and a magnetically coupled coal car,Henry is ready for hard work. Being one of the largest steam engines at ShiningTime Station, eight-wheeled Henry, also known as No. 3, can easily pull severalfreight cars along with his 2-inch coalcar. Wheel axles measure 1 inch across and fit standard Brio wooden traintracks, and similar 1- to 1.5-inch grooved train tracks. Train buffs young andold will enjoy recreating authentic railway scenes as they collect thesewonderfully crafted, classic train cars, bridges, ramps, tunnels, stations, andmore from the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Wooden Railway System. --Kathryn Gustafson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

1,2,3
I noticed the numbers on all the engines so I bought this one so I could make it so my son could count the engines from 1-10. This is number 3. Only the coal cars are marked. This is a large engine. It's size makes it difficult to push around and it derails easily. My son is 16 moths old and has trouble with this engine I recommend it if for the 2+ crowd. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A great addition to your Thomas collection.
I umm and aahh about spending this sort of money on a train table and playboard for my children but after doing my homework I decided this is the one I would buy.

Other train tables I have seen in stores are often wonky and seem quite unstable - and this is after they've been played on in the stores. So after seeing poorer quality tables for similar prices I decided to save up for the Thomas branded one and this single sided playboard.

Yes, it's expensive, but as with any "brand", it's the name you are paying for. If you want a Thomas collection of trains and accessories you are going to have to pay. I'm just starting our collection and am buying the "Thomas" trains and buildings, but found a compatible generic track for less than half the price. I was lucky enough to get this playboard at almost half price at a after Christmas sale. It's worth waiting for sales and price comparing.

It's beautifully painted and when used with the table frame is extremely strong (although I wouldn't recommend standing on it).

It's up to you to spend to decide if you want to spend this sort of money but I see this as something I won't ever have to replace and it's something my son can keep for his children. Toys like this will last!

Great fun!
We just received this playboard a couple of days ago. My son loves it! He is almost 2 and really enjoys playing with all of his Thomas trains. This playboard makes playing more interesting. It arrived in fine condition...we didn't have the problem the other reviewer had. My son has a train table (not the Thomas one) and it fits perfectly. The playboard is a great addition to our Thomas the Tank Engine collection.

Makes playing with our trains much more fun!!
We have a collection of Thomas and Brio trains and track, and use this playboard on a table that we built. While it is impossible to actually construct track that stays on "dry land" (some of the playboard scenery is rivers etc) this background scenery does add to our enjoyment of the playing with trains. The whole family (ages 1 to 30-something) enjoys constructing new layouts.

This board can easily be damaged in transit. Our second attempt was successful. I advise you to order this well before you need it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great pad for the right wagons
This little bed pad is perfect for the Radio Flyer models: #89, #90, #95, #98, #99, #18, #22, #24, #28, #31, #32, #1800. Make sure to purchase the special pad if you own the Model #29 All-Terrain Cargo Wagon. The radio flyer website explains the difference. My 2-year old is able to take longer rides in our wagon (#32) with the pad - he's not nearly so antsy to kneel or stand as he was on the metal alone.

Pad is to short for wagon
I purchased the all-terrain cargo wagon from toysrus and they referred me to you for ordering the umbrella and pad. I chose the pad only and it doesn't fit. I took it to the ranch where we are using the wagon and it is too short. Do you have a pad for the #29? Thanks for your help

Just a warning before check-out...
This pad WILL NOT fully fit the ATW wagon bed.

They will attempt to sell you this as an accessory on check-out.

The pad itself seems nice and comfy and durable...it just is too small for the wagon we bought/for it was suggested. (I'm not holding it's lack of "fun" or "educational value" against it either.) Just check the measurements of your wagon bed before buying this to make sure it fits.

I personally could have used the extra [money] elsewhere... ... Read more

Editorial Review

When Thomas the Tank Engine and friends get dirty after a long day's work, they can headstraight for the Sodor Engine Wash. This 6-inch-tall wooden building snaps directly into your Thomas theTank Engine railway system. Just drive the engines up to the building, turn the large red knob on the roof,and the blue foam grips will pull the engines through the wash in either direction. The Sodor Engine Washhas a smooth black roof with a silver water tank perched on top and brick facades with fancy archways oneither side. This handsome and durable structure will add lots of interest to your Thomas the Tank Enginerailway system. --Elisabeth Fredrickson ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Excellent addition to my son's collection, he loves it!
My son is 4 and 3/4 years old, and received the engine wash for his third birthday. He has had no difficulty operating it, and it is holding up wonderfully. The foam wash rollers look just like new after having countless trains run through them. There are a few pieces that may get caught up a bit but it's quite easy to release them by giving them a little push from behind.

The same engine wash is part of the local toy store's set, which obviously gets tons of wear. It is holding up very well, and is clearly a favorite of the children who sample it at the store.

I would highly recommend this piece to any Thomas enthusiast age 3 and up. I can imagine it may be challenging for a younger toddler to operate it, but it isn't intended for that age anyway.

Very fun
My son loves this! I don't know what people are talking about. The trains go through just fine, even a long line of them. My son is two and a half and very rough with his toys and I have never had a problem with this piece. it's one of his favorites.

sodor engine wash
This piece has had many bad reviews but we recently got this one and it works just fine. Maybe the manufacturer worked out the kinks because or trains go through really easy, even in a long line. One of my 2 1/2 year old sons favorites.

There are better Thomas additons
Our three year old rarly includes this engine was in his railroad set ups anymore because many of his Thomas trains don't fit through it well. The rollers are also some kind of foam that I doubt would hold up to a whole lot of use. Save your money.

Hard and frustrating
My son Tom loves Thomas the Tank Engine trains, track and accessories. He received the engine wash for his 3rd birthday and was extremely excited. Unfortuately it is very hard to push the trains through even when turning the handle at the top (which I or his Dad have to do). Not all of the trains fit and if, for example, James goes through his coal car alway becomes detatched. It looks very nice but I would only recommend this to children of older ages. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Sir Topham Hatt and his equally robust consort are perky and colorful.Sir Topham Hatt wearshis trademark topper, gray flannels, and a black tailcoat with a rather smart yellow waistcoat; his wifesports a green skirt and a sensible sky blue blouse with lace collar.Their wooden heads sit on top of plasticbodies with movable arms. The legs also move (both together) so that either figure can be seated.Anyrebellious type over the age of 4 is going to find the large Phillips screw in the back of each figure too hardto resist, so early dismemberment is a distinct possibility.But these figures are a lot more lifelike than thetwo-dimensional wooden cutouts that come with many Thomas sets.The box claims they are 3 incheshigh, but they actually measure just under 2.5 inches. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Tophams visits Barbie often
My son Ramsay loves Thomas anything...The Tophams are made very well with moving arms and they can even sit..We have found the Tophams having dinner at the home on Barbie many times..Just shows you how far owning a railroad can take you.... ... Read more

Editorial Review

The leading lady of the big screen gem Thomas and the MagicRailroad, Lady is a beautiful magenta-and-gold engine who holds thesecret to the Magic Railroad. She measures a petite 2 inches long andhas exquisite detailing, including a wide-eyed, charming face and hername scripted on the side panels. This high-quality engine is stunningalone, but is also compatible with other wooden railway systems'magnetic train sets. Kids of all ages will love reenacting scenes fromthe movie--or making up all-new adventures. --Melissa Wilson ... Read more

Reviews (7)

After Two years of use it's time for another one
I was really disapointed when I found my Lady's paint chipped off in most places. We need a new one now and that's a bummer becase I have at least 70 thomas trains and most of them survived pretty well .

For 18 months to 8 years: Be prepared to buy them all!
The Thomas train and train collections are durable toys. Their real value, though, is that playing with the toys allows children to act out the great Thomas and Friends children's stories they read and watch.

The only problem--if you can call it that--is that you can't just buy one! Your kids will want more and more. These are the most played with toys our son has. The characters are his friends, and we tell stories with Thomas, James, Gordon, and the rest of the gang.

Lady only appears in the Thomas and the Magic Railroad movie. But she is an important character, and the kids adore her. My own three-year old son was so overcome with excitement at the sight of Lady that for a long time he couldn't watch her when she first appeared on-screen and wouldn't play with her when we initially bought him this toy. She is magical, and kids pick up on that. THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PIECE IF YOUR CHILD HAS SEEN THE THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD MOVIE. Note that durability is an issue: the smokestack is very thin at the bottom and can easily snap off.

Purchasing recommendation:
* Choose which type of Thomas trains you will 'standardize' on. There are three kinds: This size of wooden trains from Learning Curve; larger, plastic, battery-operated trains from Tomy; and smaller, die-cast metal trains from Ertl. The wooden trains have the most products and accessories available.

* The clickety-clack (grooved to look like real railroad) track in the Thomas series is great, but it's expensive; I recommend buying generic track. ... You can literally save hundreds of dollars by buying these kinds of sets.

* Buy the Thomas and friends engines separately--and wait for sales. The kids care about the characters, so no short-cutting (ie., Brio or generic trains) here.

* Look for trains bundled with VHS videos. You can get a video and a train (on sale) for about the same price as a train alone.

Good, but not what I expected
When I ordered this item, it was listed at $.... When I received the item in the mail, it was listed at $..., not what was shown on the website. Also, I thought this would be a metal piece, like the Thomas we already have, instead it is wooden.

Very Enjoyable
My kidssimply love this train. It is definatly cool how the magnet on it's front and back sides can link it to other trains, and my kids are just obsessed with doing so. Also, it is very durable.

This toy is a must!

Great for the little sister!
My son has an extensive thomas collection and his little sister is always "messing things up". It was his idea to buy this for her for Christmas. Now when she goes into his room to mess up his track, he gets out lady, builds her a simple circle track and lets her play with her own train next to him. It has worked like a charm....no more "mom, she's tearing up my tracks"! ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Shame we had to replace
My 3 1/2 yr old LOVES this car . . . I'd say it's his favorite of all his toys and TRUST me we have ALOT of wiggles toys . . . might just be cause he's very rough on things but i was very dissapointed when we had to replace it ofter a month or so when he rolled it off the edge of the table and it just quit working . . .my husband even pulled it apart to try and fix it . . we ended up having to buy a new one . . .If it wasn;t for the fact that he loves it SOOO much I don;t think i would have gotten another one just in case it breaks like the first one . . but we've had the new one for over 6 months now and so far so good . . kinda battery hog but ohh well most kids toys are.

Nice Centerpiece!
I bought this toy for the centerpiece for my little one's birthday party. Sure made a cute one! It's a nice toy too - I just wish it had more of the song in it instead of just one line. That didn't make much sense to me. Anyway, it's a nice toy and a good buy.

Great toy for a Wiggles fan!
We bought this toy for our 20 month old son and he just can't get enough of it. It's been two months and he still pushes down the guys and dances around to the music. Even when I play the entire song on TV for him, he'll run over to the car to get it started so he can dance along.
Like other reviewer's children, he loves to hold it down to keep it from moving and it does sound like it's going to break but it hasn't. We're already on our second set of batteries! The only toy better than this for a Wiggles fanatic like our son, is the Wiggles guitar!

Pleasantly Surprised!
My 2 y.o. son picked this Wiggles Car completely on his own. I tried enticing him with other toys, but this is THE one he wanted. Although he insists on holding the wheels while it plays the music (and it makes a clicking sound like the car might break) it's STILL in good working shape. He's been pretty rough, between dropping it on our tile floors and pushing it backwards, and still it works just fine. I am amazed at how well it is holding up.

Good at first . . .
My 2-year old son got The Wiggles Toot Toot Car for Christmas and it is broken already! When we push the guys down, nothing happens. We've tried a few different sets of batteries, but nothing makes it work.

I am highly disappointed in the quality of this toy. I would expect a $15 car would last at least more than a month!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Pull Along Thomas is a great toy.
Pull Along Thomas is an adorable toy. By pullling the string, Thomas, Annie and Clarabelle, chug along after your child. You can even turn the sound off if you need a little more quiet. Your child can walk slowly, or race around the house and Thomas, Annie and Clarabelle will follow bouncing along after him/her. The realistic train motion and sound effects helps your child to use his/her imagination while playing with the toy. This is a very durable toy, and will provide lots of fun for any child.

It's Cute, But LOUD
This is a nice little train, although, it does tend to fall over a lot. When you pull the string it makes a chugging train sound then a loud horn noise. It's really really loud and scared my son the first few times. But now he seems to like the noise and occasionally dances to it, stangely enough. But for me, it's annoying. Thankfully there's an on/off switch. I would suggest this toy to die hard Thomas fans only.

The perfect gift for my 2 yr. old nephew
I recently purchased this item for my newphew's second birthday. He pulled it around the room for a full two days after receiving it! My sister says it keeps him busy and out of her hair.
When there is tension on the pull-string (leash), it plays a two-second clip of train noise over and over. It's not very loud, though, since the speaker is on the underside of the train and is aimed straight at the carpet.
The cars wiggle front-to-back, not side-to-side, and the cars are wide, so it doesn't tip over easily. Even when it does tip over, the cars are big and square, so the little guy can fix them on his own.
Even his five-year-old brother loves this one. It's a hit!

A great TOY
I have a cusion and he loved this toy. I cant tell ya'll how much that he loves it because everymorning he wants it and nothing else it is a great toy to have.

Doesn't stay upright
My 1 year old got this toy for his birthday in May and he would probably play with it if the toy wasn't so frustrating! The train will not stay upright for more than a few steps - carpet or floor it doesn't matter - the train will fall over on its side. Also, for the parents the sound can get VERY annoying in a short period of time. Even if your child loves Thomas, save your money and buy something else. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With this carry bag, your little ones can take their pal Thomas the Tank Engine and all his railroad buddies with them wherever they go. Made of sturdy, washable, reinforced vinyl, the 15- by 7- by 3-inch blue case has pictures of Thomas, Percy, James, and Henry on the front and plenty of space inside for all of them and the tracks they need to keep running. There are small pouches for storing different parts and both a carrying handle and a shoulder strap for transporting the set. This carry bag is a crucial accessory for the tank engine on the go. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (3)

We Love It
My son got this case for his 2nd birthday along with the Figure 8 trian set.He loves it and is so funny trying to carry it around the house.I think it is a great way to carry and store the trian set.I dont know what we would do w/o it.I dont know just how durable it will be because it is still new.I do know that we liked it so much that we recommended it for a gift to another 2 year old and he loves it as well.Basically it has been a big hit all around!!!

THOMAS CARRY BAG
My son received this bag for Christmas 2001, it is very poor quality. It is not durable, the straps tore loose from the bag with in just a few months. If your child is anything like mine, Thomas goes everywhere he goes. This bag cannot handle the wear and tear. If your looking for something to carry your train set in you need to look further.

A utilitarian case for your treasures!
This carry bag, although functional, could definitely stand some improvements. My 2-year old adores his wooden trains and requires us to bring them along wherever we go. My biggest beef with the product is the lack of dividers or any type of organization. Inside, there are a few pockets suitable for holding a few engines/cars, but otherwise the bag is just a flimsy, rectangular piece of plastic. It's great for just throwing some wooden track into and getting on your way, but it would be better if there were separate compartments for curved & straight track and maybe an accessory or two. I gave it three stars across the board, but we have not had it for very long so I cannot vouch for the product's durability.
BOTTOM LINE: If you've got to have a Thomas bag for your trains & track that travel, this is about your only option. But I'd recommend you save your [money] and throw them in a small duffel. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great combination of a train and a puzzle.
My almost 2 year old daughter received this for Christmas this year (1 month ago).

She loves to play with it as a train - she lets her stuffed animals ride it and even tries to ride it herself.

As a puzzle, she has mastered the 'take it apart' aspect, and is learning to put it back together. It is a well designed puzzle that will be challenging for younger toddlers - some of the reasons that you'd choose block X over block Y are subtle - but it is still a serviceable train most ways you can put it together, although it might look odd.

It is very durable and safe. My daughter has sat upon it, stood on it, and dropped it on a wooden floor. So far it is still completely intact. Nothing has chipped or come loose.

This is another great Melissa and Doug product that will be enjoyed for many years, provided we can avoid losing the pieces. Toddlers can play with it on a simple level - it is a train - or a more complex level as a puzzle.

The Stacking Train is HEAPS of fun!
At first, I wondered if the Stacking Train was ever going to entertain my son. You see the cars slide off the linking dowels, if pushed down too hard. Well, at least when traveling on carpet, which is the main playing surface in our home. What's more, the order in which the blocks stack onto the cars is essential for movement. The blocks don't have to stack in perfect order, but certain blocks must be stacked in the appropriate places, otherwise the wheels cannot rotate. My husband and I noticed how aggravated Will became when he first started playing with the Stacking Train; thus, we intervened as the toy frustrated him so. Once he became familiar with the puzzle, (2 weeks later) he began to enjoy playing with it. The Stacking Train soon became a favorite, and now, 7-months later, it still amuses him for 30 minutes or more a day.

I have found that sometimes the age recommendation on toys is not always accurate. This plaything is appropriately labeled for 2 and up, and will probably continue to entertain my son for another 6 months or more. As a side note, the stacking order is quite complex for little minds. Although this does not take away from the fun-factor, it can add to the level of frustration. This mommy had to go on-line to see the stacking sequence so she could teach her son.

The Stacking Train is a well-built puzzle! It has been tossed around, stepped on, and even chewed upon, yet keeps on rolling. There are NO sharp edges on this toy, but we have had a few minor mishaps when my son, who plays rough, has pulled the dowels off the cars. We glued them back with wood glue, and the following day this choo choo is back to rolling around on the floor. Recently, my son lost one of the blue dowels, which links the cars together. I called the customer service number, found on the bottom of the toy, and the company replaced the entire train for nothing. Now that's excellent customer service! Overall, I recommend the Stacking Train as it's engaged my son for hours on end, plus the educational values are significant.

Other Points of Interest:
· No batteries required
· There are NO safety concerns with this plaything, i.e. strangling, smothering, cutting, or swallowing
· Gender neutral plaything
· No assembly
· Lifetime guarantee

Happy Playing,
Mary

reaches for train again and again
My child loves this wooden train set.
She started playing with this at 21 months
and still loves it at 24 months.
Great job guys!!!

Great durable toy
My son ended up getting 2 sets of these trains. I can't tell you how much he loves them. The first set he got as a gift last year when he was 10 months old. He got a second set as a gift a month ago (at 20 mos) and we were going to return it, but he became so excited when he saw them, we let him keep it. I am so glad we did, he has combined the trains, can now sort the blocks by color, "parks" the trains and takes them everywhere. Our Parent Teacher Educator commented that he plays really well by himself, ESPECIALLY with the trains. They look simple, but they are great for children to develop imaginitive play.

Brandon loved this toy
I first saw in the store I didn't buy it because the 2 age was older than my 16 month old, but then he played with it at his cousin's house. I couldn't get him to let go!

He loves this train at 17 months, he plays with it everyday, he takes the blocks off and puts them back on. He also is learning his colors.

Great toy! We have quite a lot of Mellisa and Doug products in our house! ... Read more