I have got no idea why but it is a fact that most children just love trains. Real ones or pretend, it doesn't really seem to matter. My eldest daughter gets really excited just when she sees a real train whizz past!

When I saw that Tomy make a battery operated train that young children can actually ride on I thought that my youngest would love it and I have to say its the best money I have ever spent.

I have spent a fortune on toys and most of them just end up in the bottom of the toybox but not so with this one.....its a total success.

Firstly what you need to do is set up the track. Each piece is interlocking but it does get frustrating when you are trying to slot the last piece in as other parts do spring up but try and keep your patience as it is worth it in the end. The track is circular but you can buy extra parts to make the track more exciting. If you have room to store it then each track piece does have holes in so it can be screwed onto a piece of wood and that would save setting it up each time your child wants to use it.

Once the track is set up you find out the bad news......the train takes six D batteries (yes they are the big round ones)! The instructions recommend not to use rechargable batteries but doesn't really say why. If you do Im sure that you could save a fortune.

Now its time for some fun. The product is recommened for 18 months+ but my daughter has just turned one and she sits on it with no problem. There are handles that the child holds onto and foot rests at the front. The train can actually run forward or in reverse and to do this there is a lever at the side that is easy for little hands as it only needs a gentle nudge in either direction to set the train in motion. At the front of the train there is also a whistle although Emily has yet to master that!

Although it may look boring going round and round in a circle small children adore it. My daughter screams the house down wh
enever I try and take her off. The only way I can now is to wait for her to fall asleep on it!!!

The only downside to this train is if you have got older children. My eldest daughter is three and she is just to heavy for it. It does state that you can have a maximum weight of 25kg on it (thats about 4 stone). My daughter is just over half of that and it really seems to struggle. Maybe if you use powerful batteries (and not the cheap and nasties like me!) then that would make a difference.

This toy is brilliant for childrens imagination. Although Jess can't ride on it she does play trains and her Winnie the Pooh is quite happy to be the passenger whilst she is the train conductor.

This toy is everything playing is about.....alot of fun!!!