Customer Reviews

PlanToys Road & Rail - Deluxe

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My son got this set and a Thomas set for Christmas last year. This set is better than the Thomas set in nearly every way, the most important aspect being that the track pieces interlock better than the Thomas set pieces. On a carpet, this set holds together during play, but the Thomas set just falls to pieces.

However, unlike nearly every other Plan Toys product we have, it's not perfect.

1) It does NOT interlock with the Thomas pieces, no matter what the people in toy stores tell you. The 'male' ends of the Plan Toys tracks are too large to fit into the 'female' slots on the Thomas tracks. (You can fit the 'male' Thomas pieces into the 'female' sides of the Plan Toys tracks, but then you have a line instead of a loop.)
2) The non-magnetic clips to hold the trains together are much less frustrating for toddlers than the magnets, which just fall apart if you look at them wrong, but they're not as sturdy as they should be. I admit, this train is played with in ways far more demanding than rolling over the tracks, but we've already had one clip break.
3) The bridge is rickety. It's nearly impossible for me, being as delicate as i can, to roll the train over the bridge without it falling apart. Kids don't stand a chance. We're probably going to get some wood glue and just glue the bridge together and glue to supports to it.

In all, i'd still recommend this over similar kits from other manufacturers, especially if it's the first train kit and you can stay loyal to this brand instead of worrying about compatibility with other train sets. You might want to invest in some wood glue, though, just in case.

We love the road and rail! it has lots of options to build and is sturdy enough to withstand my 2 year old!

I gave this as a gift for my little great-nephew's 3rd birthday. After over a month, my niece tells me he still plays with it DAILY. What a great gift!

ordered this for my 2 year old for christmas, and decided to open it two days before christmas to just check it out. luckily i did b/c the connecter piece on one train car was broken in 3 pieces. i was very nervous b/c we had 2 days until "santa" came. long story short plan toys sent a new car out in time to save christmas, so very good customer service on their part :) they were very happy to help.

with that said, i was nervous about the connector pieces being made of plastic, thought it wouldn't be long before another broke. i tried to convince my son that they don't come apart but of course he figured it out. but so far, a week later of daily play and nothing broken yet. so i'm hopeful. i'm still torn between these plastic connecters and the magnets. i ordered a magnetic train also, and it has to be driven very slowly in order for the magnets to hold.

most of the track pieces are double sided so that you may flip them to create different paths. we have it on the floor on an area rug and they stay together nicely. well, everything except the bridge. the bridge has to be made with the two upward curving pieces and one straight piece. the bridge pillars hold it up when you place it under where the straight and curved piece go. needless to say, it open falls down often, "please fix a bridge ma" is uttered at least 20 times a day. an older child could fix it independently- but i'm sure would be just as frustrated. i saw there is a solid bridge that looks much studier, maybe for the next birthday/holiday...

the people, trees, signs, and lights are sooo cute and very well made.

this set is expensive, but i did not want anything to do with thomas train, one i don't like him and two it's easily grown out of. and after playing with it over and over everyday since christmas, i am very happy with the quality. and i'll pay extra for something that is well made and comes from a company with values.

Great toy! no complains about the toy itself BUT the set was missing the car!!! Too much hassle to return it & get a replacement. Not sure why this should happen. Please check ALL pieces are included/intact before you start using it.