For the train lover in all of us...

The nice people at Bachmann Trains provided me with these products for review.  As a kid, I remember my brothers always having a train set.  I never had one of my own, I always got dolls, stuffed animals and other girlie toys, which I loved...but I still loved to join my brothers when they played with their trains.  Even now as adults, they still collect them.  And I still enjoy watching them run.  It's amazing the setups that collectors build, with miniature train stations, houses, trees, lakes and even people.  But that love of trains and the desire to collect them always starts with a single set.  

The Bachmann Thoroughbred train set is a good set to begin a collection with.  It's an HO scale set that is priced at $165. Even if you don't plan to start a collection, it is great just to play with.  And remember, it isn't just boys who will enjoy this...girls like trains as well!  As you watch this train speed down the track, it's easy to imagine being the engineer.  You'll hear the wheels rumble like the pounding of hooves as this iron horse rounds the bend.  Hauling freight with the ease and grace of a champion, the Thoroughbred delivers fun and adventure to your stable of trains. 

    
This ready to run train set includes an F7 diesel locomotive with an operating headlight, open quad hopper, gondola, a wide vision caboose, body mounted E-Z Mate couplers, a 47" x 38" oval of snap fit E-Z Track (includes 12 pieces of curved track, 1 piece of straight track and 1 plug in terminal rerailer), power pack and speed controller and an illustrated instruction manual.

  
If you have a little one who loves Thomas the Tank Engine, this HO scale Thomas with speed activated sound and moving eyes would be perfect for them.  It's priced at $142 and is tons of fun to play with.  It lets you hear Thomas' steam sounds!  With an analog sound system that includes whistle, puffs and steam exhaust upon stopping, this sound equipped Thomas brings to life the sights and sounds of the Island of Sodor.  Thomas is the No. 1 blue engine.  He's cheeky and often gets into difficult situations, and it's usually because he's over eager to do the things that are best suited for the bigger and more sensible engines.  But clouds never last long in Thomas' world.  Before long all of his problems are solved and he's bustling about again, playing his part in the yard and on his very own branch line.  He works hard and always strives to be a "Really Useful Engine." 

This Thomas the Tank Engine Locomotive features a detailed character face with moving eyes and a realistic body shell.  It has all metal wheels with factory installed international style hook and loop couplers.  It performs best on 15" radius curves or greater and runs on Bachmann HO scale E-Z Track.  It is also compatible with all popular brands of HO scale track.

You can purchase the other characters from Thomas and Friends separately.  I received the Annie Coach and the Clarabel Coach, which are two of the Rolling Stocks, along with my Thomas.  They keep him company so he doesn't get lonely.  They are priced at $32 each on the Bachmann website.  

Bachmann has  faithfully reproduced all of the Thomas and Friends characters to run on HO scale track.  All Locomotives feature realistic character faces with moving eyes, operating HO scale electric drive mechanisms, highly detailed plastic body shells, all metal wheels and hook & loop couplers.