Melissa & Doug Stacking Train

by Melissa & Doug

Product Features

• Made of solid wood
• Comes with interchangeable pieces
• Recommended Age Range 2 Years and up

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 18.2 x 3.5 x 5.5 inches ; 2.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000658L5
• Item model number: 572
• Our recommended age: 24 months - 5 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 24 months - 5 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #766 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #2 in Toys & Games > Preschool > Toddler Toys > Activity > Trains & Train Sets
  • #3 in Toys & Games > Play Vehicles > Play Trains & Railway Sets > Train Sets
  • #3 in Toys & Games > Preschool > Pre-Kindergarten Toys > Activity > Trains & Train Sets
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The solidly built engine and multicolored freight cars have sturdy pegs for linking the cars and stacking the cargo blocks. Includes 15 interchangeable pieces.

Product Description

This brightly-colored wooden train is over 17" long and includes 15 interchangeable pieces to get any child's imagination rolling. The solidly-built engine and multicolored freight cars have sturdy pegs for linking the cars and stacking the "cargo" blocks. Get on board for a high-quality, value-packed adventure.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Stacking Train is HEAPS of fun!, November 18, 2003

By 

History_of_Art_Geek (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Melissa & Doug Stacking Train (Toy)

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

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great combination of a train and a puzzle., January 23, 2004

By 

Colorado reader & parent (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Melissa & Doug Stacking Train (Toy)

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.

67 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars TOXIC TOY, April 20, 2009

By 

J. Ban (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Melissa & Doug Stacking Train (Toy)

I bought this toy for my little girl last year. I was shocked to find that there had been a recall on it in Canada..they have stricter testing methods than we do in the US.

"this train has been recalled in Canada for containing high levels of barium. Apparently barium can cause (according to Health Canada), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps as well as more severe symptoms."

There was also a recall on their geometric stacker.

The Melissa and Doug representatives were AWFUL!! The said it was an isolated incident and not a big deal!!! It is dishonest and wrong that they never issued a recall here and there was hardly any information on this recall available. DO NOT BUY THESE TOYS!!!