Fan Video: GeoTrax Train Layout with Monorail Set

Here is a great user-created video featuring a GeoTrax train layout coupled with a fun toy monorail system.  The video is set to the music from Toy Story and features some fun train sounds.  The conclusion of the video features some fun outtakes from the recording.

I think your kids will really enjoy watching this.

In case you are looking for any of these sets, I am including the names with links here:

• GeoTrax Knight and Sir John Remote Control Set
• GeoTrax Grand Central Station Set
• GeoTrax Fly-By Bridge
• Multiple GeoTrax Track Packs

I have also searched for a monorail set and I believe I have found one similar to the one featured in the feature (Note: the monorail is not an official GeoTrax set, but I seriously think Fisher-Price should consider creating one).  Here is what I found:

• Walt Disney World Deluxe Monorail Train Playset Toy 

Enjoy the video!

Great User Created Video Showing you what GeoTrax are All About

Not sure if GeoTrax are right for your kids? The following is a great video created by a GeoTrax fan. Fun to watch plus it gives you a good idea what GeoTrax are all about.


(Thanks Adam S. and Family for Sharing)

More about GeoTrax Trains:

1. All sets are durable and Fisher-Price stands behind the product if you have any issues
2. Ground sets are easy to set up and young children can assemble the track pieces
3. There is a good community of sites that provide track layout setup ideas
4. Remote trains are easy to operate
5. Disney Cars sets make these even more appealing to most young kids (boys and girls alike)

Make Your Own GeoTrax Trestle for about $20

Nearby where I live you will find the Wilburton Trestle - a historic wooden railway trestle that measures over 100 feet high and almost 1,000 feet long. The trestle was originally built in 1904 and has served many purposes during its life. Freight trains carrying Boeing's aircraft fuselages to its assembly plant in Renton used to cross the trestle 6 days a week.

I have always thought the GeoTrax railway system needed a good trestle. Apparently, I am not the only one to think this. In fact, recently a creative GeoTrax enthusiast built a trestle for his son's GeoTrax set.



The video includes some instructions on how he went about building this and at the end offers an email address you can contact for plans. The final result is amazing and it only cost him about $20 to build. Enjoy!!!

GeoTrax Video - No One Makes Videos Like This YouTube User

It has been a while since I have posted any new GeoTrax videos on the blog. There are plenty of them on YouTube but no one creates great GeoTrax videos quite like YouTube user kmae987. Great story-telling and great music. See for yourself...



Some great GeoTrax sets included in this video (in case you are interested) include the following:

* GeoTrax Grand Central Station
* GeoTrax Bayshore Drawbridge
* GeoTrax Mile-High Mountain
* GeoTrax High Chimes Clock Tower
* GeoTrax Big City Lights Building

I have also flagged a list of my favorite GeoTrax videos on YouTube -- you can view the list here.

Happy viewing...

New GeoTrax Video: Steamer & Samuel Save the Day

Good news! Fisher-Price continues to add to their series of GeoTrax videos with the release of "Steamer and Samuel Save the Day." What happens when Opie and Woohoo, the most confused team in GeoTown, try to help out with the building of a new Timbertown station? Tune in to find out...

The video hints at new possible GeoTrax sets soon to be released.

Steamer and Samuel - The Hardest Working Team



Pumper, Payton and Paul - The Track Repair Team



Ironface and Irving - The Stubborn Team



The video also makes reference to "GeoPeak" and "Timbertown Station". I think the idea of GeoPeak is a great one. I see this being similar to the Mile High Mountain set but I think it would be really cool to have the mountain wrapped with a gradual, circular track. At the top of the mountain the track could then connect with other elevation track or elevation sets.

   

Merry GeoTrax - Enjoy the Movie!

For many of you kids and parents today has been filled the joy and thrill of new GeoTrax. Christmas is also a day when many new movies debut in the theater. Thus, I thought it would be appropriate to show a GeoTrax Double feature here on the blog.

Matthew, Chad & Eric have been hard at work again producing what is sure to be their second GeoTrax blockbuster short film -- "The Great Train Robbery". So grab the popcorn and enjoy...



If you are new to GeoTrax, you may have missed their original smash hit "GeoTown" set to some upbeat Zydeco music. This is my kids favorite GeoTrax video yet...



Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy your new GeoTrax.

More GeoTrax GeoAir Demo Videos

There is a lot of great content recently posted to the web that gives you a first hand look at the new GeoAir sets and what they are like. The Fisher-Price website now has a GeoAir Section with some great demonstration videos.

You can check out the GeoAir Bridge, the GeoAir Airport and the Blast-through barn. There is even a video demo of how you can connect all the new GeoAir sets together to get the most fun out of your GeoTrax collection.



A Cool GeoAir Fan Video
Aidan, a real live GeoTrax fan, was also kind enough to make this great layout including all the new GeoAir sets and post a video of it. Check it out...



Where to Buy
If you are looking to buy any of the new GeoAir sets here are some links (be sure and check the "More Buying Choices" on the right-hand side of the resulting page for best prices):

* GeoAir High-Flyin' Airport
* GeoAir Blast-Through Barn
* GeoAir Fly-By Bridge
* GeoTrax GeoAir Mega Set
* GeoTrax GeoAir Remote Control Loopy Loco Bi-Plane
* GeoTrax GeoAir Remote Control Blue Flash Jet Plane

See the GeoAir Airport in Action - Video From a True GeoTrax Fan

Okay, I have spent way too much time scouring the Internet for a video of the new GeoAir Airport (much to the chagrin of my wife) and finally I have found one. It is only about 40 seconds long but it gives you a good idea of what GeoAir is like.



See Jumbo the plane, hear the sound effects, watch fun looping action. If you have any of the new GeoAir sets we would love to see them in action. Make a video and then post a link in the comments to this post...

P.S. I love how they call this the "coolest present ever"

New "Flying Lesson" GeoTrax Video starring Loopy Loco and Darren

I just got back from a Memorial Day camping trip with my family and noticed the Fisher-Price 2008 catalog in our mailbox. I thought I would take a peek and see if there was any mention of GeoAir inside. Unfortunately, the latest items appearing for the GeoTrax set were the following:

* Gritty & Farmer Earl
* Swifty & Kevin (Chopper)
* Hauler & Big Rob

Later, I decided to get on the Official GeoTrax website and see if they have started mentioning anything about GeoAir yet. I did find that they have released a new Video on the website called Flying Lesson with some of the new GeoTrax characters.



Loopy Loco is a yellow and red stunt plane that likes doing loops--his captain is Darren. Captain Jim and Jumbo appear to be the jumbo jet commercial airplane and pilot set that come with the new airport.



The video is a lot of fun I am sure your kids will really enjoy watching it. Tune in to see if Darren will learn from Captain Jim the importance of being a team player in GeoTown.

Don't Forget, you can pre-order some of the new GeoAir sets online (and take advantage of FREE Shipping):

* GeoAir High Flying Airport
* GeoAir RC Plane and Pilot Figure
* GeoAir Expansion Set Assortment

User Created GeoTrax Videos

Since Christmas there have been some great GeoTrax videos published to the Internet. I thought I would take a moment to share a few of them with you.

Thumbelina Farewell - GeoTrax
by A Monkey in a Train Production



This Video Features the majority of the latest GeoTrax sets including the following:

* High Chimes Clock Tower (Blue)
* Siren Sounds Rescue Tower
* Switchin' Signs Covered Bridge
* Hauler & Big Rob Remote Control Truck
* Swifty & Kevin Helicopter Set
* Gritty & Farmer Earl Tractor Set (w/ Pig)

The music and video style go nicely together to create some effects we haven't yet seen in a user created GeoTrax Video. A very fun video I think your kids will enjoy, thanks guys.

GeoTrax by Aidan
by PrivateReserves



Nice job on the sounds effects, check out the realistic train sounds and background sounds from around the city.

And last, but not least, is one of my all-time favorites...

Foggy Mountain Breakdown
by pmlgrampagin



Bluegrass banjo and a bunch of GeoTrax trains in hyper drive. Super fun for your kids to watch. I absolutely love the amazing train trestle at the heart of this GeoTrax track layout. I must confess I tried to duplicate this in a layout of my own and ran out of supports. :(

Great work everyone...

Have a Video you would like to share, email me at geotraxblog [at] gmail.com.

GeoTrax Grand Central Station Now 20% Off - Plus Product Videos

Here is your chance to get the GeoTrax Grand Central Station for 20% off ($49.99, $39.99) and take advantage of FREE Shipping. 3 years ago we bought our son a starter set similar to this for Christmas and it was a huge hit that led to hours of creative playtime. Not sure how many sales like this will happen before the Holidays so you may want to act now.



I also wanted to call out the fact that Amazon has launched a product video area on their site. You can also make and submit your own product review videos to their site. This might be fun for some of you GeoTrax enthusiasts out there...happy filming...

Costco has the GeoTrax Grand Central Station Mega Set with Nice Bonuses

I just got back from Costco and I found they are carrying a special GeoTrax Grand Central Station Mega set for only $43.99. The mega set comes with some nice bonuses. The following items are included in the set:

* The entire GeoTrax Grand Central Station set (MSRP = $49.99)
* Opie and Woohoo Push Train GeoTrax Set (MSRP = $4.99)
* NEW Team GeoTrax--All Aboard! DVD (2 animated episodes) (MSRP = ?)

If you figure the DVD would probably cost you at least $4.99 to buy separately you are looking at about $60 worth of stuff for only $44.

Here is a little bit more about the GeoTrax Mega Set...

You are probably familiar with the GeoTrax Grand Central Station set by now, if not here is a picture of the base set before any bonuses.



Opie (the figure) and Woohoo (the push train) are also known as "The Most Confused Team" -- they seem to be called that because Woohoo is the only train in the GeoTrax family to have a double hitch on one of its cars.



The GeoTrax DVD is called "Team GeoTrax--All Aboard!" and it contains two animated episodes called "New Train in Town" and "The Legend of Old Rust". Each episode lasts 11.5 minutes for a total running time of 23 minutes. There is also a bonus episode of Planet Heroes included on the DVD which runs about 25 mins.



Here is a little bit more about the animated episodes directly from the packaging the DVD comes in...

"New Train in Town"
How fast is too fast? That's what Aero & Eric learn after they challenge their new teammates to a race their very first day in GeoTown. They go too far too fast and end up hanging from a bridge? Do they find a way out? Can their teammates save them? Tune in and see!

Watch the "New Train in Town" episode online.

"The Legend of Old Rust"
The old tunnel is said to be haunted by a ghost train. But Aero & Eric think it's a great shortcut. Are they brave enough to face a ghost...or is it just a face from the past? Are you brave enough to tune in and see for yourself?

Search eBay for the items mentioned in this post:
* GeoTrax Grand Central Station Mega Set
* GeoTrax Opie & Woohoo
* GeoTrax DVD

GeoCAM - Enjoy the Thrills, Chills & Spills

Speaking of Brian and Max...they just posted a GeoTrax video on YouTube that is worth watching. What makes this video unique is that it features a tour of a track layout from the trains perspective. That's right they figured out a way to strap a wireless digital video camera to Geo (Motorized Starter Set).



A few comments from Brian:

This camera is powered by a 9 volt rechargeable battery that is also mounted behind the camera on Geo, the train that ships with the "All About Trains" set. The one exception is the final video segment in which it was attached to the remote controlled older fire truck train (which moves slow enough to not fly off the tracks!)

Included in the video are 3 track layouts, complete with a few spills.... (For example, Max removed a necessary rail in the 2nd layout... but the 2nd run (also shown) was successful... The straightaway lengthy shot was not successful, but the crash was interesting enough :) Finally the last track is run perfectly...

Enjoy the accompanying appropriateish music track.... My video editing skills are NOT so wonderful, though... it was my first video editing attempt in years!

Comments appreciated, as well as ideas of what to do with the modification.... I'll also be happy to give details to anyone who cares to replicate this project....

Watch on YouTube and leave a comment for Brian

GeoTrax Track Layout Ideas, Part III

In this post I would like to mention a couple online galleries that provide plenty of inspiration for building your next GeoTrax track layout.

* GeoTrax group on Flickr.com
* User Galleries on GeoTraxWorld.com

GeoTrax group on Flickr.com
This group is pretty small right now, I think mostly because it is difficult to find. There are currently 7 members and the majority of the pictures have been posted by the user "bmooneyatwork" (aka Brian).

Brian is one of the most creative contibutors to the GeoTrax community on the web, he has posted over 100 pictures of his truly one-of-a-kind track layouts. Check out his layouts for Stacked Bridges, Max-the Human Stanchion, GeoTower and his picture response to TechMan2553's GeoTower (aka product of severe boredom) video on YouTube. If you haven't seen the video I am including it here...have a look, it is quite amazing.



User Galleries on GeoTraxWorld.com
These user galleries are probably more like what the rest of us are capable of building. Some really nice layouts here--even some ideas for those of you who like to build your layouts on top of a train table.

Need more track? GeoTrax Track

GeoTrax Track Layout Ideas - Part I

Designing a track layout is part art and part science. I remember when we bought our first GeoTrax set, the Tracktown Railway, my wife kept saying, "Don't throw the box away, we need it as a reference to put the track together."

Once you add a few sets to your collection, you quickly out grow the basic layouts and are left to your own creativity. Once I found a few resources on the web, I was able to convince my wife to release her security blanket (the box), and let her creativity flow.

I am happy to report she has become quite the designer or her own original and creative railroad track layouts. The next few posts will focus on some resources available to help any of you who are stumped to get going on creative track layouts.

First a little inspiration...queue the Zydeco music...

(Press the play button (2 times) in the center of the image to play the movie.)

Credit: YouTube user EricTimothyJessen Special Thanks to Matthew, Eric, Chad & Blake for creating this!

Fisher-Price recognized the need and added some track layouts to their site. These can be hard to find in Google because of all the flash animation that FP uses on its website. No worries, I have creative a comprehensive list of the links for you here, enjoy!

Beginner Track Layout #1
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View)

Beginner Track Layout #2
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View)

Intermediate Track Layout #1
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View)

Intermediate Track Layout #2
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View)

Advanced Track Layout #1
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View)

Advanced Track Layout #2
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View)

Expert Track Layout #1
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View, Step-by-step Instruction Sheet (PDF))

Expert Track Layout #2
(Printer Versions: Basic (Overhead) View, Enhanced View, Step-by-step Instruction Sheet (PDF))

Or, for those who yearn for simpler times, here are the Tracktown Railway Track Layouts I mentioned earlier in this post.