Lionel Mattel Thomas & Friends Battery O Gauge Toy Train Set with Remote, Locomotive, Train Cars, & Track with Authentic Train Sounds, Lights, & Water Vapor Smoke Effects for Kids 4+

When I first unboxed the Lionel Battery-Operated Thomas & Friends Toy Train Set, I felt like I was stepping into the magical world of Sodor itself. This isn’t just a toy train set—it’s a full-blown adventure packed into a box, and my 10-year-old son hasn’t stopped grinning since it came chugging into his life. **The Locomotive That Steals the Show** Let’s start with Thomas himself. This little blue engine is *packed* with personality. His eyes move! Yes, you read that right. Thomas’s eyes shift side to side as he rolls along the tracks, giving him an almost lifelike charm. Combine that with the authentic train sounds—whistles, chugs, and even the occasional “cheerful toot”—and you’ve got a locomotive that feels like it jumped straight out of the TV screen. My son loves mimicking the sounds, and I’ll admit, I’ve caught myself humming along to the cheerful tunes. **The Remote Control: A Game-Changer** The included remote control is simple enough for my son to use but sophisticated enough to keep him engaged. He can make Thomas go forward, reverse, and even stop on a dime. The remote adds a layer of interactivity that keeps him entertained for hours. Plus, it’s a great way for him to practice his fine motor skills without even realizing it. **The Track and Cars: Endless Possibilities** The set comes with a circular track that’s easy to assemble (no engineering degree required, thank goodness) and two additional train cars that hook up seamlessly to Thomas. My son loves rearranging the track layout and creating little “stations” with his other toys. The best part? The set is compatible with other Thomas & Friends tracks, so we’re already planning to expand his railway empire. **Battery-Operated Brilliance** No cords, no plugs, no fuss. The battery-operated design means my son can set up his train anywhere—living room, bedroom, even the backyard (weather permitting). The batteries last a surprisingly long time, which is a win for both my wallet and my sanity. **The Verdict: A Must-Have for Thomas Fans** If your child loves Thomas & Friends, this train set is an absolute must-have. It’s not just a toy; it’s a gateway to imaginative play, storytelling, and endless fun. My son has already named his train cars, created backstories for them, and even started hosting “train races” with his friends. As a parent, I appreciate the durability and quality of the set—it’s built to withstand the enthusiastic play of a 10-year-old (and trust me, that’s saying something). Plus, seeing my son’s face light up as he controls Thomas and hears the familiar sounds from his favorite show is priceless. **Final Rating: 10/10 Toots on the Whistle!** All aboard the fun train—this Lionel Thomas & Friends set is a total winner. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a train schedule to help my son manage. Sodor waits for no one! 🚂✨

Very good product

Perfect train for a 3-year-old super train fan! The easy remote control is great and works exactly like the LionChief remote for Lionel's trains for older kids. The train is big and fun to watch with moving eyes on Thomas's face. The tracks were easy to assemble for a 7-year-old, a little too hard for the 3-year-old owner. Not sure why Lionel makes the tracks so short, but it's a lot of pieces to snap together. The sounds are really fun and the whistle sounds in particular is "just like the real Thomas". Also appreciated that the train makes a sound if left turned on so you won't forget to turn it off and burn thru batteries. The couplers are a little tricky to figure out, but with a little practice the 3-year-old was managing Thomas's rolling stock with ease. Great train!

I was pleasantly pleased to find out that the track and train are very durable. The track snaps together firmly but is generally flexible enough not to be brittle so it hasn’t broken despite the rough play by a 3 year old. The train cars can be easily loaded up with small blocks or toys and not affect the train’s pulling. A parent will need to help get the train back on track for younger kids. The roofs of the train cars come off and on with ease. The quality is outstanding. Two things would make it perfect. One, as many have complained the volume of the speaker which is in the engine is not adjustable. Two, it would be better to have a small stop or click when the dial is at the stop position. Our grandson has trouble getting the train to stop because he turns the dial beyond the stop position and since there is a pause at that point he thinks it is stopped when it isn’t.

Train is just OK 👍

What sold me on this train besides the price was that it runs on Lionel fast track which I use for my more expensive electric trains. I bought this for my grandchildren who love the Polar Express train. However, this Thomas and friends train is so cute and adorable with its interchangeable faces. Its whistle is so cute sounding for their age. It has the same controller that the more expensive trains have. Therefore, I can let my grandchildren run this inexpensive battery only train without worrying them breaking it.

My son loves Thomas but I was concerned about how big this actually is so I waited more than a year to actually get it for him and now I wish terribly I had gotten it sooner... He absolutely loves this train.. He changes the face and clarabelle and Annie actually hold some toys so the can ride... If your child Really LOVES Thomas I highly recommend that you make sure at first (at least) having more than one set of 6 C batteries cause it will be played with non stop!! The track goes together easily so its not terribly awful to take down and put back together like the smaller sets are...My 4 yr old son can take it down and reset it by himself or carry it through the house in one piece if he desires...This is our first Lionel train and I would be willing to bet we end up with several more!! Next he says he needs "Christmas Thomas" 👀 maybe if I look during the year we can find him for less than he was at Christmas time..

This train is junk. Cars don’t stay connected. Switches don’t work properly. Had to repair engine. Wish we would have tried it out more right after purchasing instead of waiting until Christmas. Definitely would have returned it.