GeoTrax Rail and Road Systems

GeoTrax Rail and Road Systems are sets of interchangeable railroad tracks, roads and buildings that when connected create entire communities and working systems.

Introduction

Fisher-Price GeoTrax Rail and Road Systems, first released in 2003, consist of train engines, train cars, tracks for building layouts, and several playsets that can be used with the tracks and road sets. GeoTrax trains and toy vehicles can be used for push along play or be operated by battery powered remote controls that enable sounds and actions. Some GeoTrax toys are modeled after well-known trains. Adding more sets and track to expand the layouts is the goal of GeoTrax collectors. Children 2 1/2 and older are the main users of this toy.

GeoTrax Toy Types

GeoTrax toys are categorized as Rail, Construction, Rescue, Elevation and Air and Sea playsets. The Rail sets vary from small basic pieces that include an engine and one or more cars, to larger sets of 30 or more pieces that can be configured in a number of ways. Separate water works, tunnel, crane, and freight loading toys comprise the Rail playsets. Several Rail playsets include a remote controlled engine and cars with tracks and other pieces such as trees and signposts. Rescue playsets include fire stations, rescue response vehicles, and toy police cars and ambulances. Construction sets come in mining, trucking, fork lift and digging toy variations. The Elevation playsets include mountains, bridges and clock tower toys. Lighthouses, airports, seaplanes, jet planes, fishing piers, trains, drawbridges and tugboats make up the Air and Sea sets. Extra track is available to expand the playsets.

GeoTrax Figures

In 2007, GeoTrax train cars began to include miniature figures of conductors and passengers. These sets containing humans (typically one or two) and trains are identified according to “teams”—thereby giving GeoTrax train cars personalities and presenting additional play options. "Team” sets are available individually or in conjunction with GeoTrax playsets such as the Chop ‘n Haul Sawmill or the Rope ‘n Ride Ranch.

GeoTrax Layouts

GeoTrax train set layouts come in beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert levels, and are built around playset Rail, Construction, Rescue, Elevation and Air and Sea focal point toys. GeoTrax's appeal is due in part to the number of possible track configurations that can be created with interchangeable track and playsets. GeoTrax is known for its Snap-Lock track which can be locked together or taken apart to create a multitude of track configurations. Layouts can be set up flat or using elevated tracks, and can incorporate curves, ramps and bridges. Some adult assembly is needed to build the track layouts. The assembly process involves using a Philips screwdriver and snapping tracks together to create multiple play levels. Users can learn to build a number of prescribed layouts by visiting the GeoTrax site which shows pieces and sets used in each layout and printable pictures of the layouts. Some enthusiasts create GeoTrax layouts in CAD, and work on complex processes such as engine teardowns and track cutting to gain new functions from GeoTrax toys. [cite web|title=Z Recommends|work=The Art of the Geotrax Layout|url=http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/05/art-of-geotrax-layout.html] Some GeoTrax users post images of their layouts online. [cite web|title=Flickr|work=Max's Tallest GeoTrax Tower Yet on Flickr|url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/13kingdoms/268952660/in/set-1639377/]

GeoTrax Hobbyists and Hackers

Collecting GeoTrax trains, tracks, and playsets has become a hobby that is discussed on fan sites such as GeoTrax World and fan blogs, including GeoTrax Train Blog, where collectors and hobbyists interact with each other and find out more about GeoTrax collecting and play. Hacking GeoTrax toys is another facet of the hobby.

Recall

On September 4, 2007, some Geotrax trains were recalled by Mattel due to lead based paint. This follows similar recalls of other Mattel products, such as Polly Pocket dolls and accessories due to problems stemming from Chinese parts [O"Donnell,Jayne [http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2007-09-04-mattel-toy-recall-lead_N.htm "Mattel Recalls More Toys For Lead"] ",05/04/2007, USAToday.com" ] .

External links

* [http://www.fisher-price.com/us/geotrax/default_flash.asp?x=whatsnew/ Official Fisher Price GeoTrax Rail and Road Systems Web Site]

* [http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2007/05/hacking_geotrax.html/ Wired's "Geek Dad" blog]

References