Real Steam Thomas Trackmaster available.

[ripley802]

Hello,

I just ordered two of these. They are set to arrive later this week or next. I will post back once they are in. I am planning on listing one on eBay soon. Thanks.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp...age=search

[Super]

Thanks for the heads up Ripley802

Wonder if the stack also lights up and makes steam train sounds? Wonder what the workings look like under that engine shell. And what is that protruding black arm on the right, front side only? Does not seem to be on the left side. And from those pictures I can't exactly see where the water goes. Hope you can answer all these questions when you get yours.


EDIT:

Just located a picture of the underside of the engine with a closer view of that black arm and is that hole for filling water and possibly moving the black arm to open and close the water reservoir?

[ripley802]

Thanks for the heads up Ripley802

Wonder if the stack also lights up and makes steam train sounds? Wonder what the workings look like under that engine shell. And what is that protruding black arm on the right, front side only? Does not seem to be on the left side. And from those pictures I can't exactly see where the water goes. Hope you can answer all these questions when you get yours.


EDIT:

Just located a picture of the underside of the engine with a closer view of that black arm and is that hole for filling water and possibly moving the black arm to open and close the water reservoir?

Definitely some questions I hope I can answer. I am hoping it is similar to the older one that was released several years back. I was tempted to get the new volcano drop set too, but passed for now. Hopefully there will be a sale and I will pick that one up.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp...age=search

I would ask is that protruding black arm going to cause any issues?

What I mean is will it be likely to catch on things travelling round a track? Will it interfere with the steep inclines seen in so many revolutions sets? What if it catches and snaps off as it doesn't seem too substantial from the photo's?

Nigel

To me it looks possible that the black 'arm' is a flexible rubber piece with a plug on it for plugging up the water filling hole? - as implied earlier by Super.

Ah, could be, either that or the lever goes up into the bodywork when closing the reservoir I suppose.

Still little point speculating I'm sure Mr Ripley will give us the low-down when its in his sweaty palms

[Super]

After Chrisjo's observation I tend to agree. The reservoir is filled upside down and that is a flexable piece that folds over to plug the hole, good eye Chrisjo. There goes any hope for a water tower being able to refill it. I wouldn't think that there will be any sounds as there couldn't be any room left under that shell for the steam maker, two batteries and the motor. The original Steam Along Thomas used sounds from the attached coach right? Curious to find out all the details.

The original Steam Along Thomas used sounds from the attached coach right? Curious to find out all the details.

The original Steam Along Thomas has the motor (And accompanying drive wheels), batteries, and a switch for turning on and off the sounds in Annie. The steam mechanism and sounds are in Thomas, controlled by a set of unpowered traction tyres.

[ripley802]

Great news guys. The Steam Along Thomas arrived today. I have not had a chance to play with it to much yet, but wanted to post some pics and a few observations so far.

First, the train it self. I was surprised to see the darker blue and almost metallic body color. It was a pleasant surprise indeed. The train takes 3 AAA as opposed to the normal 2 that most TMR trains have been taking.

The water filling. I know this was a topic of interest for most. I am not sure on what the item is in the pics posted earlier, maybe from a prototype or another earlier version etc.. But this version does not have anything removable from the bottom. The water is drawn up through the supplied yellow dropper, and it goes on the left side which is marked. The directions mentioned to fill it up but I only put a little water in for now. And I did not have distilled water so had to use a little tap water.

On the top the on/off switch is actually a press button. Press once to turn on and then again to turn off. I really like this design and hopefully is something incorporated into more TMR.

My fist impression of the workings were WOW. I think by far this is the coolest engine from the TMR series I have seen. Obviously that is an opinion and everyone has one, but other than not having sound, it is all that I expected. The light is blue versus the red from the old version, maybe this can be modified, but for me it it nice. The smoke seems to function great. You can see the little water droplets inside the smoke stack while it is working.

Well enough talking, here are some pics I snapped of him. I am eager for the Percy to come out and will definitely pick that one up. Enjoy and let me know if there are any questions you make have that I will try and help clear up. Thanks.

Good find! I ordered both real steam thomas and the volcano drop set. Crazy that these dropped before Ryan, Mike or treasure thomas went on sale.