More Thomas Recalls

The CPSC just announced a recall of 5 additional items from the Thomas Wooden Railway series. From the CPSC announcement:

• All-Black Cargo Car - Included only in the Brendam Fishing Dock Set. The car is labeled "CARGO CAR" and has either no tracking code or one of the following codes on its undersides: 26833i, 28233i, 23243i00, 24643i00, 25343i00, 27443i00, 32043i00, 34743i00, 01553i00, 04553i00, 13353i00, 14753i00, 15453i00, or 18353i00. Cargo cars sold in other sets are not included.
• Toad vehicle with brake lever - The vehicle is labeled "TOAD" and has the tracking code 16560W000 on its underside.
• Olive Green Sodor Cargo Box - The side of the cargo box says "SODOR", the box was included only in the Deluxe Cranky the Crane Set.
• All-Green Maple Tree Top - Included only in Conductor's Figure 8 Sets.
• Green Signal Base - Included only in Conductor's Figure 8 Sets.

RC2 has set up its recall website with photos and instructions to help identify affected products, plus an online return form which you can fill out, then request either an e-mail or snail mail prepaid return label. Much more convenient than the original return process, so I guess RC2 learned a few things from the first recall.

Fortunately, our Toad brake van doesn't have the specified code, so I don't have to send him back. We do have the green maple tree top and the green signal base, though. I'm concerned about the green roof on the Conductor's Shed, however, since it's from the same set as the tree and signal (and the Yellow Boxcar and Sodor Line Caboose from the June recall). I think I might hide it from DS, for now, and ask his pediatrician about having a lead screen, since we've had the Conductor's Figure 8 Set since he was 2 years old, and he just turned four.

Hmm, in the time it took me to write this post, I've received my prepaid shipping label!

Oh Happy Day!

Our replacement trains from the Thomas Wooden Railway RC2 recall came in the mail today. James, Skarloey, the Yellow Boxcar, the Sodor Line Caboose, and the stop sign are "all back home, safe and sound" (according to DS). I was a little annoyed that they were shipped in bubble envelope, just wrapped in tissue paper and plastic bags, but they were in good condition.


Of course, now that DS has seen how shiny James' "new coat of paint" looks, compared to his older trains, he wants to send Gordon to the works, too. :P

Heading Home from the "Works"!

I received an e-mail today that our replacement items from the recall were shipped. DS will be so happy to have James back. I'd told him that James, Skarloey, et al, had gone to the engine works to get a new coat of paint, so hopefully he won't mind not having his original trains. In the meantime, he is enjoying the Little Engine That Could train set we just gave him for his 4th birthday.

Thomas Recall Progress

I ended up sending back our affected trains more than a month after the recall was announced, due to health issues and subsequent surgery. I was worried we wouldn't receive anything till late Fall, but was pleasantly surprised at how quickly RC2 responded.

July 24, 2007 - Sent 4 engines/cars, 1 tender, and 1 sign back to RC2, by USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insurance ($7.30).

July 26, 2007 - Package delivered to RC2.

August 2, 2007 - Received e-mail from RC2 acknowledging receipt of recalled items.

August 13, 2007 - Received "free gift" (Oliver, which we already have).

August 17, 2007 - Received postage reimbursement check ($2.32) from RC2.

Hopefully, James, Skarloey, the Sodor Line Caboose, the Yellow Boxcar, and our stop sign will arrive within the next month or so!

Thomas & Friends on the Big Screen

On Saturday, September 8, 2007, Thomas will be making an appearance at select movie theaters across the country. The event kicks off at 10:00 a.m., and will include new episodes with new characters, plus activities. Moviegoers will receive an exclusive activity book, and a WalMart gift card.

Tickets go on sale on August 10, 2007, and will cost $7.00. For participating theaters, see the official website.

Sodor at Six Flags

Six Flags will be adding a Thomas-themed area to Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA. Visitors will be able to ride a life-sized Thomas, take photos with Sir Topham Hatt, and also enjoy a Harold the Helicopter ride and Bertie the Bus ride.

• The official press release.
• From UltimateRollerCoaster.com.
• From About.com.
  

So far, I haven't been able to find a definite completion date for "Thomas Town" at Six Flags, but at least now you don't have to go all the way to Japan to enjoy a Thomas theme park!

[When I was growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Six Flags New England was called Riverside Park.]

Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Recall

RC2, the parent company of Learning Curve, announced a voluntary recall of Thomas the Tank Engine toys in conjunction with the CPSC. A variety of engines, railway cars, accessories, and destinations from the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway line are being recalled because of lead content in the paint.

For further information, see the following links:

• CPSC announcement.
• RC2 announcement and product return information.

Not all the engines or vehicles have codes on them. Purely by accident, I found codes on 2 of my son's trains: Skarloey and James (and his tender).

If you hold the train upside down, so that you can read the engine's name, and shine a flashlight on the lower right corner, you'll see a series of numbers and letters. Our trains had 4 numbers, followed by "OWOO" printed in dark gray ink. The codes were barely visible without the flashlight. You might have to tilt the train around a bit, in order to see the codes.

I also happened to have all the original packaging for James and Skarloey, which were both purchased in 2005. Both had codes imprinted on the back, but neither corresponded to the codes on the trains themselves.

DS also has the Sodor Line Caboose, and the Yellow & Green Boxcar, but neither one had codes. Those trains were part of the Conductor's Figure 8 set, along with the recalled red stop sign.

Play and Go Carry Case

I saw this nifty accessory during a recent trip to Toys 'R Us: a wooden "Play and Go Carry Case" that holds up to 16 engines or vehicles from the Thomas Wooden Railway Series. The exterior of the case folds open, to form a playboard with working tracks. The case is a TRU exclusive and retails for $39.99. Seems like a nice (albeit pricey) alternative to the cloth carry case, for trips to Grandma's house and family vacations. Not sure about the durability of the blue latches, though.

Thomas & Friends Live! on Stage in "Thomas Saves the Day"

A live action Thomas & Friends show is opening in a few weeks, with tour dates scheduled for North America throughout 2007. The show is 90 minutes long, including a 15 minute intermission, and features animatronic versions of Thomas, James, and Percy; plus, a cast of 10 actors. FYI, you can purchase tickets for the Camden, NJ show, even though the option isn't listed on the official Thomas site at this time.

Since we've taken DS to "A Day Out with Thomas" twice, and are a little leery of licensed character-based, live action shows for preschoolers, we 're opting instead to see the Big Apple Circus again.

Product Demo Videos from Trains Galore

Here's a nifty feature at Trains Galore: thanks to the wonder of YouTube, you can view demo videos of new products from the Thomas Wooden Railway series. It's nice to see some of the Learning Curve products in action, since local stores don't always carry every item.

Currently featured engines and cars are the "Light & Sounds" versions of Thomas, James, and Percy; the Adventures of James set; Sodor Dairy Cars; Rosie; and Max and Monty.

Several new Destinations for 2007 are also highlighted: McColl's Pig Shed, Deluxe Railroad Crossing, Toby's Windmill, and the Suddery Swing Bridge.

I was planning to get DS the recently retired Barrel Loader at some point, but Toby's Windmill looks like a fun alternative, even though we already have the regular windmill. It's a combination windmill (with a lever to make the windmill turn) and flour barrel loader. The set includes 2 flour barrels and a barrel car.

Throw Mama from the Train

I'm a mom. I have a 3.5 year-old son. And he loves trains.

Steam engines, diesel engines, toy trains, model trains, Thomas the Tank Engine, the Little Engine That Could, the NYC subway, NJ Transit, Amtrak, the T, amusement park trains . . . you name it.

Did I mention that my son loves trains? And has loved them for more than half his young life?

And that I . . . did not.

But now I know what a banker, sand dome, Johnson bar, puffer billy, and many other railroad related things are. We've ridden the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad, the Strasburg Railroad (including "A Day Out With Thomas--twice), the Conway Scenic Railroad, NJ Transit, various MTA trains in NYC, the train ride at the Turtle Back Zoo, and more. We've slept in cabooses.

I'm sure there are many moms (and dads) out there who have found themselves suddenly ensnared in their child's train obsession--and wondering how it transpired. And how to survive.

So, as Patti Page crooned: "Throw Mama from the train . . . a kiss, a kiss."

Welcome to my blog. ;)