by Richard and Alexander Schumacher
Press & Go Train by Fisher-Price.
Product: Press & Go Train
Category: Toy Train
Manufacturer: Fisher-Price
Scale: approximately G gauge (off-rail use only)
Powered: yes, batteries (included)
Special features: sound, lighting effects
Accessories included: five peek-a-blocks
Price: approximately $20
Toot! Toot! Pressing the smokestack is all it takes for your littlest engineer to get this train moving, with lights, music, and lots of block bobbing, spinning, and teetertottering action. The Press & Go Train is part of Fisher-Price’s extensive Peek-a-Block system.
When running, a block placed in the engine’s cab bobs up and down. A turntable mechanism on the top of the tender engages special peek-a-blocks, causing movement inside the block, while two flashing LEDs light the block’s interior. The mechanism is well designed, and is not damaged if its movement is obstructed (such as by small fingers).
The detachable car has a flip-down back and a teeter-totter mechanism in the interior capable of loading two blocks. The teeter-totter action is activated by movement of the car, driven through one of the car’s axles. A proprietary coupler is provided on one end of the car. The rear axle of the tender is powered, and has traction tires for excellent performance on carpet as well as on hard surfaces.
Alex especially likes the various circus-themed tunes which play when the tender’s turntable mechanism is pressed. While pressing the smokestack causes the train to move and play music, pressing the tender only plays music. A holiday edition (in a red and green paint scheme, with appropriate holiday peek-a-blocks and music) is seasonally available.
