Thomas and Friends Train Play Set - Thomas Big Loader

by Thomas & Friends

Product Features

• Multi-level play station
• Vertical movements and dramatic actions
• Load, fill, scoop, haul, and dump cargo
• Imported
• 2.75Hx16Wx11.25L"

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• ASIN: B00000ISUK
• Manufacturer recommended age: 3 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,230 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (125 customer reviews)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Watch out for falling rock! Railroad construction ahead! Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Big Loader will bring out the train conductor in any child. When the big loader is running, use the control buttons on the track to make the train change direction. Itsy-bitsy engineers control whatever it does next. The track includes hoppers, loading docks, and transfer ramps. The motorized chassis fits under Thomas, Percy, and Terrance, the toys' included companions. After parents take a few minutes to read the simple instructions, make sure a 2-by-2-foot space is available for construction. Requires one AA battery for operation. --Andrea Linsky

Product Description

This deluxe version of the most popular Thomas preschool collection has been designed with more vertical movements and more dramatic actions than its popular predecessor. Thomas, Lorry and Cranky the Crane have all come along to this multi-level play station to load, fill, scoop, haul, and dump cargo. Imported. 2.75Hx16Wx11.25L".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Frustrating toy, December 12, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thomas and Friends Train Play Set - Thomas Big Loader (Toy)

My 3yr old son received this toy as a present a year ago and gets very frustrated by it. My kids, and their friends are attracted to it but once out of the box it is abandoned. It needs an adult/older child to put it together and once together it offers very limited hands-on play. It has little levers which you push to make the train change direction but apart from that they get to watch the train go around the track. We are big fans of the Thomas trains and love the way the kids can use their imagination to construct different layouts. This track offers no flexibility.

The trains have to be set in certain positions so they can complete the circuit, our experience has been that the kids want to touch the trains and usually put the whole sequence out of synch. My 6 yr old can put it together but then has no interest in it.

My advice is save your money and buy another piece of track.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars My boys LOVE Thomas but . . ., October 26, 2003

By 

mom of 2 boys (Ferrisburgh, VT USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thomas and Friends Train Play Set - Thomas Big Loader (Toy)

Both of my boys LOVE Thomas (they're 3 & 5). My 3 yr old (then 2) received this last Christmas. It was a nightmare to put together with the directions - took forever. We were very disappointed to find that only one engine worked at a time and it's not interactive AT ALL. All you can do is sit there and watch it. Dollars would be better spent on the wooden railway which allows children to follow their imaginations anywhere. This is great for kids who just like to sit and watch (yeah, right!) but if your kids actually like to play with it? Avoid - go wooden!

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engineering made fun!, February 26, 2002

By 

Sherry Garfio (Centennial, CO) - 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: Thomas and Friends Train Play Set - Thomas Big Loader (Toy)

This toy must be what happens when mechanical engineers decide to stay home with their kids. Our 3-year-old son is crazy about Thomas, and we saw this toy on display at a toy store and bought it. At first, we thought it would provide very little opportunity for hands-on play, but we were pleasantly surprised. Both our son and his 5-year-old sister love trying different variations of pressing the levers and putting the trains in the wrong order to see what happens. They even play with it cooperatively by deciding who is responsible for which lever. I pointed out the different features on the track that cause the motor to reverse or slow down, and started asking them to predict what would happen in certain instances.

I wonder if this toy has been reengineered since some of the other reviewers bought it, since we didn't seem to have most of the problems I've read about (trains falling off, track falling apart, etc). It is true that the instructions are worthless, as they are with most toys (ever try to assemble a swing set?), so toss them and look at the picture on the box instead. There are pictures printed on the track itself that indicate which train topper to put where. As for having to be a "magician" to get the thing started, try starting the motor off the track and with no train on top, then set the pins into the groove and let it go - it will pick up a train when it gets there. Also, don't get too hung up on having it work "right" - my kids delight in seeing it do something unpredictable.

This toy can be a great lesson in cause and effect and problem solving. Parents may have to initiate this aspect. I would recommend studying this toy from an adult perspective first, then coming up with some age-appropriate leading questions for your kids (after they get bored just watching it, that is). For older kids, have them figure out how it works.