This is an excellent teaching tool that can give a novice good instruction on how a 4-stroke internal-combustion engine works. OK, it is a little complicated to put together, but the “Playz” website is VERY helpful with any problems you may have. So: good product; good company. Read more

Bought this to build with my boys and they loved it! Nice STEM toy for kids and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to other buyers! Read more

I’m a homeschooling mama of 5, and This seemed like a cool product for a shop project when the kids didn’t want to work in the real shop since it’s still so hot out. I had my older 2 boys start to put it together. They are 14 and 16 and love to work with real tools in a real shop. They thought it looked nerdy, but I thought it would be a great way for them to learn the inner workings of an engine. Besides the fact that it’s not a combustion engine(obviously, cause it’s plastic!) it seems to operate like a real engine. I loved that they give a quick overview of how the engine will work and a few pictures of how the intake works (pictured). As they started to put it together they got aggravated because it doesn’t have any written instructions. I THOUGHT this would be great since my 14 yo is dyslexic and hates to read, but he pointed out that since no pieces are marked, you have to search through everything to find a specific piece instead of just grabbing the appropriate piece and putting it in place. (Included pictures of instructions and pieces laid out as they come.) After they laid out all the pieces separated from the plastic sheet they were attached to, they could see all the pieces easier, but it would have been better if the pieces or bags were marked in some way for identification purposes. There were a couple instances where they had to figure out which screw to use because it didn’t say which one, and they all look very similar (picture of 2 types of screws included). The main problem with this set is that there are little nubs where you detach the small pieces from the plastic sheet they come on. (Close up picture included) Those little nubs get in the way of putting the tiny pieces in tiny holes. You need to file the nub off to make them fit. After filing the nubs off some of the small dowels still don’t fit quite perfectly into the place they are supposed to, and you have to really jam them in. My boys got board with it and I am now working on finishing it with my 11 and 8 year olds. Overall, I think when it is complete it will be a neat project. I like that the body is translucent so you can see the inner workings as it runs. It is expensive, but if you look at all the other plastic toys around it is comparable in price. Read more

This is a great project. We have had a little issue with the “steam whistle” button fitting the slot where it is supposed to slide into. I think the button card wasn’t trimmed enough from the manufacturer so we will have to modify that a little. That said, this is more challenging for my 12 year old nephew than his typical snap together model. This is great because it teaches him patience and problem solving experience when things don’t work like they are meant to at first. Great kit. Read more

Assembly directions were fairly straight forward, DEFINITELY advanced for even a ten year old. All screws were self tapping so a fair amount of hand strength was necessary to get everything properly tight so it could work and there were multiple parts where wires could easily be crimped/pinched while putting pieces together. Because of the gearing, if things were loose it would not work correctly. Only defect was the wire harness coming out of the motor had been improperly assembled, came crimped and nearly broke the wire because it had been tightened down by the factory. Had to carefully open assembly, reroute wire, and reassemble. Worked fine afterwards. Obviously this is a plastic model of a steam engine that does not actually work like a real steam engine, so if the child is interested in a more technical model (metal, castings, actual steam running the pistons) then it probably won't satisfy. If instead you have a grade schooler who finds trains cool and likes the idea of assembling things (with dad's help), then it will probably be a win. Castings were satisfactory for the price, sprues were easy to deal with (once again, because of some tight tolerances, any rough edges needed to be removed so sharp knives necessary). Colors were colorful, decals simplistic but well within the skills of a grade schooler to affix. For the toy it is, it is fun if your child is mechanically minded, likes trains, and likes seeing how things work. Read more

This engine even though it's all plastic is well made for the price. It was very easy to assemble and is a good way to introduce a child with interest in how an engine works to learn about it. All parts fit perfectly and the engine works as stated. Read more