In this video, I'm going to fill you in on a real bargain on a model train set...
It's a Thomas & Friends set that's battery powered...
Is operated from a remote control...
Has some pretty decent built in train sounds...
And believe it or not, this complete set with everything you need, except for the batteries...
Sells for just seventy dollars.
That is a really good value.
So, if you've got a kid that likes model trains...
Pay attention... this would make a great Christmas or birthday gift.
Now if you've watched some of the other videos on my YouTube channel...
You know that I have a big collection of G-scale model trains...
Including Thomas and quite a few of his friends...
But those are my G scale trains, and that's not what this video is about.
On the left, that's my G-scale Thomas...
The one on the right is the one we're talking about today.
It's a Thomas & Friends set by Lionel.
G-scale trains are really expensive.
That G-scale Thomas on the left there cost me $200...
And that was just for the one locomotive...
Not including the two cars behind, or the tracks...
Or any of the other stuff you need to make it work.
So at just seventy dollars, the complete Lionel Thomas set...
While not being as big and impressive as G-scale...
Is a tremendous value.
Let's open up the box, and I'll show you everything that's inside.
Underneath the main packaging is a flat tray that contains some track.
And I'll prop this up for a brief look here before I start unpacking it.
Here's some curved track.
And more curved track.
This is the remote control that we'll operate the train with.
Here's Annie, one of the coaches...
And Clarabel, the other coach.
And finally, here's Thomas.
Let's take a better look here, with the packaging out of the way.
That piece in the center, just below Thomas...
I'll show you that in better detail later.
It's another version of his face, with a different expression.
Here's a closer look at Annie and Thomas and Clarabel...
And Thomas' other face!
Actually there are two other expressions...
Plus the one that's mounted on the locomotive already.
So, a choice of three different facial expressions.
And you can get a little better view of the remote here.
There you can see the two additional facial expressions...
Plus the one already attached to the front of the locomotive.
And the instruction manual, over on the right there.
If you buy one of these sets, be sure to also buy...
3 AAA batteries for the remote control...
Plus 6 "C" size batteries for Thomas.
The batteries are not included, you have to buy those separately.
The track is plastic and just snaps together. Very easy.
And now, with a little YouTube magic...
I'm going to make a train layout here in just ten seconds!
There you have it. Or as the Brit's like to say...
"Bob's your uncle."
The Americans are going to have to look that expression up on Wikipedia to understand it!
To turn the power on, just turn that blue thingie on the top of the locomotive...
And it beeps at you to remind you to also find the power switch on the remote and turn that on.
And then it stops beeping.
And here we go!
So, you can hear it has built in sound effects that simulate the chugging sound of a real steam train.
There are also some other built in sound effects...
Which I'll demonstrate in a minute.
That's all the track that comes with it, in the box.
Definitely all you need, though... If you just want to run the train around the Christmas tree.
And you can assemble the track pieces in different combinations to make an oval...
And you can even buy additional track, if you'd like to, in order to make bigger layouts.
Notice when I stopped it, there was a sound effect to match.
And also that the train can run backwards in addition to forwards.
You've got full control of it there from the remote.
Including a full range of speeds.
And everything is designed for kids...
So, it's pretty tough, and difficult to break.
In a moment, I'm going to give you a full demonstration of some of the other sound effects you haven't heard yet.
And give you a good look at those other facial expressions that Thomas has.
That's coming up... right after this!
Now, let me give you a demonstration of a few of the sound effects.
And this next one only works when the train is not in motion...
In this shot you can really see how Thomas' eyes move from side to side when he's going down the tracks.
And let's talk for a minute about those two additional facial expressions.
The faceplate just pops off fairly easily, so it's easy to change the expressions out.
This is what I would call the normal smiling expression.
This is a little different smile, showing some tongue.
And then this one... Not a smile... a raised eyebrow!
So, now I've got the camera down near track level, moving along with Thomas...
So you can get a good look at his expression and his moving eyes as he goes around the layout.
What kid wouldn't want this?!?!
Going around their bedroom, or around the tree at Christmas time.
And don't just think of this as a toy for boys.
There are a lot of girls that have grown up watching Thomas & Friends on TV...
And they would love this train set just as much as the boys would.
Now here I've changed the facial expression out.
This is the one where his tongue is showing as he smiles.
And if you're smiling because of this video...
Be sure to hit the thumbs-up button...
And if you like model trains, subscribe to my channel.
Here's the third faceplate... This is the one with the raised eyebrow.
I bet a child psychologist would have fun studying a kid's personality versus their favorite Thomas facial expression!
Now I've got the camera mounted on top of one of the coach cars.
Just to give you a little different viewpoint...
As Thomas and Annie and Clarabel work their way around this little layout.
If you own a GoPro...
I think your kid would have an awful lot of fun mounting it on to the train...
And being able to make their own train videos like mine...
And then watch them back later, or share them with their friends...
Or maybe even share some of them with me!
In the video's description, I'll put a link to where you can find this little train set at Amazon.com
And if you like model train videos...
Be sure to explore my YouTube channel...
Where there are a LOT more train videos besides just this one!
I'm Jim Zim. Thanks for watching!