A friend at work sent me this link today, and I was positively stunned. RC2, the American makers of the wooden Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends toys, has issued a recall on a number of engines and accessories over fears that the paint on the engines could contain lead.
(!!)
(I shudder to think how many of those trains we have, and how much time the boys spent with them – and yes, they have all been chewed on, drooled over and sucked on.)
I found the actual recall notice on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site, and it has details on exactly which engines and accessories are involved in the recall (seems to be mostly the red ones) and what to do. RC2 Corp has information on its recall page on which trains are recalled and how to return them (including information for Canadians and Americans.)
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, I’m glad we just have masses of the “Takealong” style engines. That’s too scary.
OMG!!!!!!!! What?
Great. So, out of the trains listed, my son has:
- Red lights and Sounds James Engine and Red James #5 Lights and Sounds Coal Tender
- Red Baggage Car
- Red stop sign (2 of them)
Great. And he, too, has sucked on these a lot. I thought the fear of the magnets coming lose was all I had to worry about… now what should I do? I will call the number and take away those trains, but come ON!!!!!!
FYI, through the link you had on your post, there is a form to fill out and check off the items your kid(s) have, and mail it to them and they’ll send you new items and a ‘free gift’.
Another FYI, just spoke to the DG of Product Safety here at HC and they’re aware of this. I guess they would be!
Just to confirm, the items in question were sold from 2005-2007 so I’m thinking many of your older ones from Tristan’s era should be OK?!?
Thanks so much for posting this! I’ve passed this along to as many people as I could think of!
Loukia, that’s ELEVEN comments on three posts! I’m not sure whether I should accuse you of spamming or stalking!!
Hey there Dani,
Just as a note of interest… I used to manage a store that sold TTE and many people aren’t aware of the wonderful LIFETIME guarantee that TTE and BRIO offer. If your engines, track or accessories are damaged in ANY way, they will be replaced free of charge, no questions asked. If they’ve been chewed up by the dog (yes it’s happened to me), if they’ve been left out in the sandbox for the summer and all of the paint has worn off, if you’ve stepped on a piece of track while vacuming and cracked it in half… reason doesn’t matter..just bring it to a store that sells it, and they will replace it for you. (or at least, they’re supposed to) I’ve never had a probelm bringing trains in to be replaced when damaged.
I also was wondering about what snackmommy said about timing – but can’t remember just when we bought the ones for Sarah – for her 3rd b’day? 2nd? I guess I won’t take the chance.
Just found your blog. Very nice reading. The Thomas story had us a little concerned here as our grandson has quite the collection. From the newest right back to when his father got them from us. There are a set of serial numbers that you can go by to see if your trains are safe or not. Don’t have them handy at the moment but can look them up if needed.