Thomas and Friends Spin & Fix Thomas

Repair your engines at the Sodor Steamworks Repair Station. Contains all you need to re-enact your favorite stories from the movie "Hero of the Rails" with this deluxe Thomas Trackmaster set. Features Thomas, Sodor Steamworks, large Crane with Claw lift, special light & sound repair tool, and a double loop layout.

With switches, rotating parts and other interactive features, this train set is the perfect place for a railway adventure. It may take children a few tries before they are able to send Thomas smoothly in and out of the pod, but with a little help from adults, kids will love their dual role as conductor and repair specialist.

The Thomas and Friends Train Set measures 24 x 15 (W x D) inches and works best on hard surfaces. Designed for kids four years and older, this model train set provides hours of imaginative play.

• Three LR44 batteries for tool (included)
• One "AA" battery for train (not included)
• Adult assembly

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor:

The Good: Model railway system with colorful steamworks for fun on and off the track.

The Bad: Single railway loop makes for a short ride.

In a Nutshell: Kids will love manipulating the giant crane and numerous rail switches. Other options include rotating Thomas with the spinner dial or turning on the repair tool to generate flashing lights and sound.

Reroute to the Sodor Steamworks for Exciting Repairs Because younger children may initially find it difficult to operate the crane or spin the rotating pod on their own, helpful instructions for play are included. The Thomas and Friends Train Set is more than a railroad--it's a large, colorful train yard where kids can reroute Thomas and make a number of exciting train-car repairs. While the repair tool comes with batteries already installed, adults will need to help install the train's one double AA battery (not included).

What's in the Box Spin and Fix Thomas Train Set, repair tool (LR44 batteries included), Thomas the Train ("AA" battery not included), assembly and play instructions.

Adults will want to assist with assembly, which takes approximately 30 minutes with the help of illustrated instructions. The flip of a switch will send Thomas out of the steamworks and around the track again. Otherwise, Thomas remains in the rotating pod, where kids can slide the crane into position, and then lower the claws to grasp and lift Thomas into the air. With the Thomas and Friends Spin and Fix Train Set, kids get to be train conductors! Much of the action is centered around the Sodor Steamworks, where kids can operate a crane with a claw that lifts Thomas into the air, or rotate a dial that spins Thomas around in a rotating pod.

With railroad switches located at intervals along the track, kids can send Thomas along one of two routes into the steamworks. View larger. The repair tool generates flashing lights and sounds. View larger. All Aboard Thomas the Train! Children will love sending Thomas the train around the tracks and into the model steamworks for a tune-up. Adults may want to demonstrate how to slide the crane into position and engage the claw to lift or drop Thomas.

In order for Thomas to make a complete loop around the track, the rotating pod must be manually positioned in its proper place, and a switch must be disengaged. They can a operate the railroad switches to send Thomas into a revolving pod, turn on the repair tool to generate flashing lights and sound, and then use the crane to pick Thomas up.