Geotrax Trains: Bull and Bruno

Bull and Bruno make up the "Toughest Team," and are featured in the first Team Geotrax DVD episode where they help Aero and Eric out of a precarious position after they run off of GeoTown's bridge.

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Experimenting with Different Geotrax Track Layouts

Okay, so I don’t have pictures of these to show you. Blame it my little builder, who is as quick to tear down as he is to build up. But I’ve been playing with some new layouts and wanted to post a few ideas here.

A Twist on Traditional Switches

Try this on: on either side of a railroad crossing line, create alternate routes with switches. You’ll need a lot of Geotrax track to do this, but the end result is that you can use the switches to avoid Geotrax train collisions right before the railroad crossings. It really adds a fun twist to gameplay. Even better, add some elevation changes near those switches to loop around to the other side of the switch. 

Figure Eight Intersection Squared (Almost)

We set up a figure eight intersection that used the GeoAir Barn as its centerpiece. We then added some elevation packs to circle round the top of the GeoAir barn. The end result is that every so often, we would have a train hitting the 8, a plane screaming through the barn, and another train coming down the hill just outside the barn. And we crashed and burned 50 percent of the time, but that’s half the fun.

Jumbo Curves

You can make use of jumbo curves and a parallel switch to create a passing siding for the trains. Not a stellar combination, but interesting nonetheless.

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Why are Geotrax Trains Great for Kids?

We're big Geotrax fans in our house. They are an incredibly versatile toy for our kids. Here are a few reasons I think they're great:

• They are well made: the tracks and accessories snap together firmly, they stay together, and they are durable enough to withstand even the heaviest use of toddlers.
• They are well engineered: there's something very satisfying knowing that almost no matter how you arrange the tracks, you'll need pieces in the exact length that Geotrax tracks are available in.
• They're great for all ages: our youngest just loves to work the remotes, our son loves the building aspect, and their older cousins come over to play and they all find something to do.
• Planes, trains, and automobiles: I'm sorry, but I don't believe that we socialize kids to like certain kinds of toys. Boys are hard-wired to like these kinds of things, and every boy who has been in this house has loved the Geotrax rail sets.
• Builders love them: some kids are natural builders, and the Geotrax rail sets support that with insanely flexible layout options.
• They encourage imaginative play: with the included characters and many different sets, Geotrax toys encourage pretend play.
• They build motor skills: for the younger ones, there are plenty of doors to open, elevators to operate, trap doors to find, and so on.
• Well-developed characters: our kids love the characters, thanks to the Team Geotrax episodes that come on DVD. Great marketing tool by Fisher Price, but it also helps the kids identify with the toys.

All-in-all, Geotrax toys are great for kids of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities. Oh, and adults!

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Geotrax Trains: Hauler and Big Rob

Hauler and Big Rob make up the "Dependable Team," and are featured in one of the Team Geotrax DVD episodes. Hauler is an 18-wheeler and is sure to please your little truck fans!

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Geotrax Trains: Aero and Eric

Aero and Eric are the "Fastest Team," and come with Grand Central Station. They are also the focal point of episode 1 on the Team Geotrax DVD, which means that kids love this team!

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Geotrax Rail and Road Layout Options

One of the neatest things about the Geotrax Rail system is the fact that it’s modular, interchangeable, and supports multiple layouts. Each add-on playset usually contains several options depicting how the set can be integrated with the rest of your Geotrax toys.

If a particular set doesn’t have any layout options, Fisher Price does a great job of providing manuals and instructions via their web site. There are also enthusiast groups who share innovative designs for layouts and record them in manuals. I’m working on getting some up on this blog myself.

Every layout allows your child (or husband!) access to interesting activity stations in order to keep it entertaining. Good layouts take considerations like the following into account:

• Makes sure that the layout can be traversed in either direction
• Makes sure that the train doesn’t derail at attachment points or after hills
• Permits the easy addition of many optional kits
• Is extremely simple and easy to assemble
• Periodically allows the train to change speed and levels
• Includes play stations that allows your child to gain access to play for some time.
• Makes use of fun kits 
• Includes multiple routes by employing switches
• Introduces new assembly techniques that the customer would not have thought of

The best part about a good layout is this: it holds your child’s interest! That means spare, peaceful time for Mom and Dad.

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Geotrax Trains: Brutus and Victor

Brutus and Victor are the "Biggest Bullies" and are featured in two of the Team GeoTrax DVD episodes. Theya re generally causing troubles for the other teams, and haunted the tunnel in one of the episodes. My son calls them the "Ghost train" (from the episode) or the "bad guys." But he still likes them. They are human powered, but require a battery for lights and sound.

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Geotrax Rail: In Introduction to the Playsets

If you thought toys were only for kids, you might need to give that a little more thought! These days, toy manufacturers put serious effort into making toys that appeal  to children and are also entertaining for adults. A brilliant electronic toy on the store shelves that is a treat for children as well as adults is the Geotrax Rail and Road Systems. 

I usually describe Geotrax as a modular play system, where each set is interchangeable or can build upon the other sets. This innovative play system includes networks of rail lines, roads, trains, vehicles, outbuildings, planes, and more. This is a clever approach, as it attracts the builders from among our wee ones, but also attracts the vehicle and pretend play ones. I’ve been particularly impressed with the playability of these little toysets.

We first bought the Geotrax because out son is a classic builder. At age 2, he was putting together puzzles that our friends’ five year old couldn’t solve. I can’t twell you how often I go into his room to find a monstrosity of a construction – sometimes, it’s a house, or a robot, or a car. It reminds me of the classic Dreyfus scene in Close Encounters! We figured that Geotrax Rail packs would be just the thing for him.

It turns out that not only does he enjoy building the tracks, but he also enjoys the train and conductor characters, which are very well done and developed in an included DVD. He calls the people his “little friends” and has grown quite attached to them.

All aboard Team Geotrax!

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Geotrax Trains: Marshall and Cap

Marshall and Cap are the "Most Trusted" team and are pull and go cars. That is, they don't light up or require batteries. They are purely human powered.

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Geotrax Trains: Knight and Sir John

Knight and Sir John make up the "Most Admired" team, and can usually be found casually sipping tea!

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