November 2012 Notable Toys — Rail Roads & Trains

Featuring a compact size and fanciful designs, Bachmann’s new Large Scale Li’l Big Haulers® are the perfect introduction to model railroading. Choose from three different ready-to-run sets - Fast Freight,  Short Line Special, and North Pole Express - that include a steam locomotive with operating headlight, brightly colored freight or passenger cars, hook-and-loop couplers, 4'3" of steel alloy track (12 pieces), and power pack/speed controller. There’s also a full selection of colorful separate-sale Li’l Big Haulers locomotives with tenders, tank engines, hoppers, tankers, coaches, baggage cars, and cabooses. Launch date: November 2012.

Duck is the latest addition to our line of HO scale Thomas & Friends separate-sale locomotives. He features moving eyes and hook and loop couplers. "We're the only licensee of electric HO scale Thomas & Friends train products," Debra Schiff, communications manager for Bachmann Trains, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2013.

Set contains 124 pieces. How do you want to travel today? This set gives lots of choices. Catch a Hi- Speed Train at the station, if that is too fast, what about a slower ride on the local line. If you want to go by car to the airport to watch the planes and helicopters don't forget to fill up at the petrol station before you go. Also included brightly colored houses, buildings, people, tunnel, trees, and vehicles.

Set contains 130 pieces. This set has so much included it will keep children ( and parents ) busy for hours. Low rail tracks, high rail tracks up above the forest, bridges, a tunnel, a turntable and a triple engine shed. Two freight trains chug along carrying their cargo to the crane depot to be unloaded. The people are very busy here there is so much to do. Also included brightly colored houses, trees, and vehicles.

Set contains 101 pieces. The passengers must make sure they know which line the train is going on, or they could arrive at the orchard instead of the post office ! The train with two carriages and a guards van is traveling through the town over the bridge and out into the countryside, passing houses, trees, and a lovely church. Vehicles wait patiently at the level crossing for the train to pass arriving at the station right on time.

Set contains 20 pieces. Perfect way to begin - starter set of circular track, brightly colored train & two carriages to push around the track, three colorful houses and trees included. Additional track pieces and accessories can be added as required.

Christina, Grant, Mimi, and Papa go "All aboard!" Papa's borrowed train for a fast-track adventure across America. Just try to keep from being "derailed" by mysterious mishaps, spooky surprises, and - oh, it's so dark in there! - those treacherous tunnels! This mystery incorporates history, geography, culture and more. Launch date: January 2012.

Using colorful strings as tracks, players will aim to outwit their opponents by taking control of the playing area by strategically placing stations throughout, collect points and build the most profitable railway network to win the game. Launch date: 2012.

A classic starter set for the 2 year + child with all wooden details. Take the classic inspired engine out on an adventure along the tracks. Stop by at the all wooden station and continue along the tracks passing by trees and a crossing bridge. Lots of fun for the youngest drivers. Launch date: August 2012.

Kids of all ages can experience traditional holiday fun with the Fisher-Price GeoTrax Christmas Train. The train features working lights in each of the cars and automatically activates lights in the mini-sites as it passes. There are 2 moveable street lights, a bridge that plays holiday music, and a skating rink with spot lights. The Easy-Rail Station lighted features include: a 3-faced clock tower, 2 lamps, 2 street lights, and station windows. Pull into the station to unload passengers and listen as they are welcomed by a fun holiday tune. The station's lights and music can also be activated by pressing the button on the clock tower or either of 2 buttons on the track. This cool set includes 16 pieces of durable, Snap-Lock track, holiday decor that snaps onto the guard rails, street lamps, a bridge, a station, and signs that can be placed throughout the set. Compatible with other GeoTrax train sets.

It’s all aboard for BIG railroading adventures and fun with Li’l Big Haulers train sets and separate-sale items. The Short Line Special ready-to-run train set comes complete with steam locomotive with operating headlight and tender, two colorful passenger cars, hook-and-loop couplers on all cars, 4'3" oval of steel alloy track (12 pieces), power pack and speed controller, and illustrated instruction manual. Launch date: August 2012.

The magic of Thomas & Friends comes to life with remote control action. The TrackMaster remote lets little engineers control Thomas' every move. Connects with other TrackMaster playsets.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville told TDmonthly that Thomas the Tank Engine items are overall best sellers at her store.