Thomas the Tank Engine Stop N Go station: On track for learning fun.
Written: May 26 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very Durable, easy to clean, Learning fun.
Cons: Can be pricey
The Bottom Line: Thomas pieces are excellent learning tools and fun for your children as well.
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| Mininut's Full Review: Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends: Stop and Go St... |
I won’t lie to you; my son is the most spoiled child on the face of this earth. I like to blame it all on grandma but I know I am as much to blame as she is. I can never go in a store with out purchasing a toy for him and his toys of choice are cars, trucks, bikes, boats and trains. For his first birthday he received his Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends figure 8 set. Soon followed by the circus set, extra trains, spare tracks and then grandma bought him the train table. This child is in love with his train table and trains. I could go on and on about all of the trains but since this review is about the stop and go station I better get to the point.
About the Stop and Go Station
This special little station is a small building that you add to your train set. Although you can purchase it separately this piece is included in the figure 8 set that I highly recommend as a starting point for your Thomas sets. The Stop and Go station measures 4"L X 3 1/2"W X4 3/4"H. The building itself is attached to a 4” piece of track that you can connect to any part of your Thomas track. The track is solid wood except for the connector to attach the track; it is a hard plastic ball. The building itself is stenciled to look like an actual building with siding, windows, door and vines. In the front of the building are the 2 traffic signs that are made to swing in and out. At the top is the green round “Go” sign, and the bottom sign is the red “Stop” and is also round. When the “Go” sign is sticking out the “Stop” sign is flush against the building and it gives the train plenty of room to cross under the sign and keep going. When the “Stop” sign is out then the "Go" sign is flushed against the building and the trains can’t move.
What mommy likes about this Thomas train piece
The most Important thing is that these pieces clean easily. However, do not soak this or any Thomas piece in water because they are made of wood and will absorb the water and can become warped. To clean each piece you take a damp cloth and wipe them and then allow them to dry thoroughly. Because the Thomas the Tank engine pieces are made of wood they are more durable and can with stand a lot of toddler abuse and that is a good thing with a 2 ˝-year old. The down side is that they can become nicked quite badly but nothing that a little paint won’t fix. I do recommend keeping touch up paints and a small brush in your home if you have a large Thomas collection and you like to keep them looking good. The other huge plus to Thomas is that he is compatible with Brio trains and tracks. I do not like the Brio trains but the tracks and some accessories are great additions and cost a fraction of the cost that Thomas does. If you have a SAM’S club near you then check them out at Christmas for the Brio train table complete with 132 piece train set for $130.00 compare that to the Thomas table at $199.99 and that does not include any track or accessories. All Brio items are interchangeable and compatible with all Thomas the Tank Engine items and sets.
What Wayne likes about this Thomas train piece.
Wayne generally likes his train laid out in a certain way but will occasionally move a few pieces here and there. He likes to swap the tunnel with the stop and go station and will sometimes try and place it on level two of the tracks. (Please note that this piece is too large and heavy to use on upper tracks {laugh} but your little one will figure that out quickly enough.) Because of the way the pieces connect it is very easy for little ones to move the around themselves. It is also very easy to tear the track apart and then holler for mommy to fix it, which is a down side when you are busy and they holler for you every 5 minutes. Each piece is well built but Wayne does get upset when occasionally one of the decals comes off. We have never had that happen to the station but the bridge decals have peeled off several times (thank goodness for glue). All in all he loves all of his train pieces and incorporates almost all of them onto the lay out of his table.
In closing
This is a really good piece as are all of the Thomas train pieces. There is a reason they go for so much money on E-bay and in stores. Good quality is hard to find in children’s toys and Learning Curve has combined, fun, learning and quality into each piece of the Thomas the Tank Engine sets. I do recommend Thomas the Tank engine sets and pieces and they make excellent birthday and Christmas gifts as well. To look out for good buys check E-bay (although very rare), Toys-R-Us, Zainy-Brainy or your local hobby store.
About Learning Curve
To find out more about Learning curve and what they offer and also to register your Thomas the tank engine pieces, visit Learning curve on line at http://www.learningcurve.com/ourProducts/thomas.asp
Check it out and see what they have to offer. This website has everything from Vehicles, Movie items, Accessories, tracks, bridges and tunnels, buildings and destinations, play boards and tables, battery powered engines (we have James!) and more. You can also pick up the Thomas the Tank Engine Year book to see what is new.
I could go on and on about what all is offered for the Thomas sets but I would be here all-day and so would you.
Big Smiles and Warm Hugs
Heather aka MiniNut
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 12.99
Type of Toy: Trains
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
Mininut
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Member: Heather
Location: Leander, Texas
Reviews written: 88
Trusted by: 273 members
About Me:
Mother of 4 gorgeous children and survivor of Cervical Cancer.
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