"Edward Nice Train"
Written: Mar 04 '03 (Updated Jul 12 '03)
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Pros: New design, great character, good likeness, collectible.
Cons: Expensive, chipping paint
The Bottom Line: Edward is a character both parents and children can admire and learn from. A great addition to your railway.
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| dagny21's Full Review: Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends: Edward The Blu... |
Old Iron
Edward is an older engine who - having once almost been scrapped - is simply grateful to be able to work hard and always tries to be really useful. He's always kind and polite, and well-loved by the other engines. We've seen Edward in several stories, the most memorable for us being "Old Iron." In this story, James complains that Edward is slow and old, and that he's always having to wait for him. Several of the other engines immediately jump to Edward's defense, saying Edward could beat James in a race any day. James huffs off in disbelief, claiming that he'd like to see Edward try. Soon enough, Edward gets his chance. Some children play with James' controls for fun, and this results in James becoming a "run-away" train. Edward is the only one available to chase James down and stop him. Edward saves James, who has to eat his words about Edward being slow and useless.
The Hunt for Edward
My son has developed a great affection for the kind, hard-working Edward, which I'm happy to encourage since Edward sets such a fine example for good behavior. So, when my son started asking for a wooden Edward, I was happy to get him for him.
I had no idea how difficult a task it was going to be. Late in 2002, all of the main characters in the Thomas & Friends wooden railway system were redesigned. They now have different paint on their faces, and stripes across their tanks just as they do in the books and videos. When we first started buying these wooden vehicles, we weren't aware of the change in design and - by pure chance - purchased all newly designed trains except for James, who was in the old no-stripe style. My son definitely notices the difference in James, and we did not want to make the same mistake with Edward.
Everywhere I looked, I could only find the old version of Edward. All the train stores were trying to sell out of the old engines before putting the new ones out on the shelves. Even when I checked eBay I couldn't find a new-style Edward. I emailed store after store, and no one had the new one. Finally, I contacted Learning Curve(the company that makes these toys) and asked them for help. I was frustrated, but my letter was polite and kind, not really a complaint, just a plea for help. Frankly, I didn't expect much from them. My best hope was that they'd offer to sell me an Edward directly, or refer me to someone who could.
I was shocked when they asked for my mailing address and said they would send me an Edward for free! Normally, Edward retails for between $16 and $20, so I was quite blown away by their offer. I have to confess to being jaded enough that I didn't really expect Learning Curve to follow through. At best, I expected to have to wait several weeks. I was over-joyed when just 10 days later FedEx arrived on my doorstep with the box from Learning Curve.
Edward the Toy
Edward is a small blue engine who is the same size and color as Thomas, but unlike Thomas, comes with a coal tender for longer distance travel. The toy looks like a short version of our wooden toy Gordon, but with a distinctive face all his own. Gordon's tender and Edward's tender also look identical, except that Gordon's tender has a #4 on the side, and Edward's displays a #2. As my son is just now learning to recognize numbers, we're using his desire to have the right tender attached to the right engine to our advantage. Edward is made mostly of hand-painted wood (maple) and has strong magnets on his front and rear to attach him to freight cars and other engines. Edward's face and wheels are made of molded plastic. Aside from the paint chipping over time that is par for the course with all such painted wooden toys, Edward is acceptionally durable and can stand up to whatever abuse my toddler will dish out.
Play with Edward
One of the things I really like about the Thomas & Friends series is that it teaches the values of hard work and responsibility. These attributes are particularly present in Edward, who - in my opinion - sets an example of good behavior for the other engines and for my son. I'm happy to see that my son has obviously gotten the idea. When he plays with Edward, he often explains to me "Edward Workin' Hard, Mama!" or will show Edward helping or talking with the other Engines. He also often says "Edward Nice Train," which I find very sweet. I take advantage of these statements of his to have conversations with my son about how good it is to work hard and be kind to others.
Edward is a fine and important addition to our wooden railway collection.
FIND RELATED REVIEWS BELOW
Wooden Railway System
Annie - Thomas' Beloved Coach
Barrel Car
Bertie the Bus
Clarabel- Thomas' Beloved Coach
Gordon the Big Express Engine
Harold the Helicoptor
Henry the Green Engine
James the Red Engine
Lady
Percy the Small Engine
Rusty with Construction Cars
Thomas the Tank Engine
Tidmouth Milk Tanker
Toby the Tram Engine
Arched Stone Bridge
Single Stone Tunnel
6.5 inch Curved Switch Track
6.5 inch Curved Track
Circle Set
Books
Diesel's Devious Deed
Thomas: The Really Useful Engine
Buying Thomas
All Aboard Toys
Train Table
Nilo Train Table
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Free
Type of Toy: Trains
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
dagny21
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Member: Christine D
Location: Alaska
Reviews written: 388
Trusted by: 66 members
About Me:
Happily married mother of one boy.
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