Top positive review
35 people found this helpful
Very Good Train. I recommend this train for both kids and adults.
By Connor on Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2022
I am editing my review because of how quickly the batteries run out. This is a good train at an unbeatable price. Although the price is low, the quality is impressive. I have owned two of these trains and I love them both. It's only been a few years, so I can't attest to how it will hold up in 10 years +, but I have to say I'm pretty confident it will last a long time. You can just tell it's a good quality set when you pick up the cars and feel their weight. The controls are very simple and they're perfect for either a kid or an adult. I know it's mostly for kids, but I'm an adult and I just love it. I couldn't really afford to invest $400+ for my first train, and this one looks wonderful around the tree. It's awesome to have the remote which lets you control the speed, direction and play sound effects. If you're looking for a nice gift which can be used every Christmas for years to come I highly recommend this train. Also just so you know before purchasing: this is the cheaper model, so you won't be able to add additional cars like in the more expensive models of the Polar Express, but you can extend the track as long as you want, just make sure you buy the Ready to Play track. I rated volume control 1 stars, because there is no volume control, but it's a train and I wasn't really expecting that anyway. Ideally there would be a volume control, but it's ok as trains are supposed to make noise. Unfortunately the batteries don't seem to last that long, so just be prepared that you'll need to have a massive amount of batteries if you want to run it during the whole holiday season. Update: I think I've figured out that what happens: I think the batteries inside the controller weaken because I can't use the sound FX right now, but it still controls the train. When I turn the train on it doesn't have the train sounds either, but it still runs. I'm certain this will be fixed replacing the batteries, but I'm mentioning this because it is kind of a cool unintentional feature, because now I have the train still running and it isn't as noisy. So I think the batteries on the train last a while, but you just may need to replace the controller ones. I definitely recommend the train!
Top critical review
56 people found this helpful
junky and flawed in many ways
By Mike D., La Jolla on Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2018
Our children love to watch the train go around, but it's the adults who suffer the pain of getting this thing to work on a remotely reliable basis. First, the plastic tracks, especially when put into a circle around the tree, don't fit snugly. This creates noise and easy spots for the trains to derail. The hooks that couple the cars are the absolute worst part about this. you find yourself constantly adjusting the cars back on the track, but that decouples the car. You recouple the cars, and of course, the trains are lifted off the track. to get both right at the same time is like performing surgery. this thing takes 6 C batteries - just for the locomotive - and it drains them fast. 6 c batteries cost $12. That will give you 3 hours of run time. maybe a little more. we have rechargeable batteries, and they exhaust faster, but at least you don't spend $12 every 1-2 days. The cars easily derail going backwards. and when they derail and you lift the car in place on the track, it decouples. As I say above, you try to recouple and the train comes off the track again. The locomotive is pretty good. It makes some sounds that my kids like. The cars on the other hand are made of cheap light painted tin. which is another reason why they derail so easily. Let me also add that the rubber band that fits over 4 of the 8 wheels of the locomotive come off easily. those bands produce some friction so that the wheels can grab the track. problem is, they come off whenever the train isn't perfectly on the tracks. and of course to put them back on, you end disconnecting all the cars, and you have yet another project ahead of you: putting all the cars on the track while coupling them together. With better tracks and a decent coupling system, train set would have been fine. We so want to send it back but the kids love it. The sounds are cool and it's a good size with pretty good detail. Little do they know what a giant pain this is for the adults to keep it running.
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