Take Along Thomas Sodor Mining Playset with Three (3) Diecast Cars including EXCLUSIVE Troublesome Truck

I too looked for a toy that my 4year old could play with and that I would be comfortable with. I wasn't excited about the wooden railway system because of the cost, the space it would take up and the fact that it was made of wood. I was relieved and excited to find the Take Along series of Thomas products. I must admit, we had problems like everyone else. The first time we put the mining set together, the track snapped right on the back but hasn't snapped into place since. However, when my son rolles his trains across the track, it never falls out. The biggest problem we have had with the mining set is the storage of the tracks. It took me two months to figure a way to get they tracks into that small space for storage. We have not had any problems with the smart magnets on our Thomas or the Troublesome Truck. I belive the other lady may have had a defective one. The noises are loud but my son does not really use the sound effects much. He tends to reinact stories we have read or his favorite episodes. I did want to ask a few questions about the sets and called the learning curve toll free number. The customer rep was very helpful, friendly and answered all my questions. She also sent us a couple of items that were missing after we brought the Take Along Engine Wash. I am very happy with the mining set and I am looking forward to buying him the newest line that has been introduced (Cranky).

My 2-year-old son just received this as a gift today from his nana. He has played with it ALL day. He loves it! The only thing frustrating about it, as with most track pieces, is that the track comes apart easily. My son is a little too young to put it back together himself, so I have had to reassemble it several times after he tried to carry it from room to room. I think it is a little pricey for what it is; I think it should be the same price as the Roundhouse. But, that is just my opinion. I didn't pay for it, and my son loves it. He wasn't disappointed at all.

My son got this as a birthday gift. He loves it. He already had a collection of the wooden Thomas toys, but this is so portable and easy to carry around. He takes his trains everywhere and the die-cast trains cost so much less than the wooden ones, that you don't really worry about losing them. I would recomend this toy to any Thomas fan. It's great, and worth every penny if your child loves Thomas as much as my son does.

Aside from the sounds that quickly died and were quite annoying, My 5 year-old loves it.He recieved it 1.5 years ago and still plays with it on a weekly basis. And now the real clincher him and his baby brother, age 1.5, love to play this together. Overall this is a wonderful Thomas the Tank item that takes lots of abuse but shows little to no wear.