From the Toysit archive
GeoTrax Timbertown Railway
Plan a loading stop and a return trip with GeoTrax Timbertown Railway: understand the Easy Rail Station, remote movement and track layout.
The play at a glance
Give the train somewhere to go
Timbertown Railway combines a train route with a loading job. A child can arrange a journey, bring the train to the station and decide what the cargo is for. The mountain and crane give the story places to pause.
The P1370 version documented here includes Steamer and Samuel, remote-controlled movement and an Easy Rail Station that helps line the wheels up with the rails. Hand-pushed play offers another way to take the same journey.
Separate the route from the controls
Lay out a route before inventing a busy timetable. Use the P1370 drawings to match the track, ramps and supports, and place the railway on a hard, flat surface. The Easy Rail Station helps align the wheels; it does not decide the journey.
The guide shows forward and reverse remote movement, with a stop when the lever is released. Keep the engine at the front of coupled cars. The crane gives loading and unloading a separate action from driving.
A simple route can be enough. More track creates more places to reach, but it also asks the players to remember more destinations and keep more of the floor clear.
Try load, deliver and return
Use the set’s own cargo for this original activity. Choose a loading place and an imaginary destination along the assembled route. Say the names aloud; extra signs or objects are unnecessary.
- Line up the train and decide which cargo is going on this trip.
- Load at the crane, then announce the destination.
- Travel to the chosen stop. Pause and say who needs the delivery.
- Return to the loading place and choose whether another trip is needed.
Keep the first story small: a log is needed for a pretend building, or a delivery has gone to the wrong stop. The player can change the story without changing the track. With two people, one can drive while the other gives the cargo a destination; exchange jobs after a journey.
Change one part of the journey
Try the same trip by pushing the train, then with the remote when the equipment is working as documented. Notice where it helps to pause. The aim is to make a deliberate stop, not to finish a lap quickly.
For a planning variation, say the return destination before leaving. For a storytelling variation, keep the route unchanged but invent a different reason for the cargo. A child who prefers repeated circuits can leave the delivery story aside and enjoy the movement.
Identify an older set before expanding it
Check the product code, engine, controller, station track, supports and crane against the matching guide. Inspect connections and secured battery covers before use. Follow its setup and battery directions rather than rebuilding from the small publicity photograph.
Do not assume that another railway fits because it uses a familiar brand name. Mattel’s compatibility FAQ distinguishes GeoTrax from Thomas TrackMaster, Take-n-Play and Wooden Railway systems. Check the particular parts and instructions before adding an expansion; similar-looking rails do not establish compatibility.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original description and train-play essay are preserved below. General developmental benefits in that essay are historical commentary, not results from a Toysit test.
RC train can easily be lined up on the track in the special track area
Push the Fisher Train GeoTrax train around the curve and up the hill to the mountain. Fisher Price will get things on track. Elevation mountain has a tunnel and working crane. Accessories and sound effects add to imaginative play. Snap lock train tracks can create many different adventures.
Train track playsets offer a magical blend of imaginative play, creative problem-solving, and hands-on fun that captivates children of all ages. The experience begins with the excitement of constructing intricate tracks, complete with loops, bridges, and tunnels, fostering spatial awareness and engineering skills. The tactile sensations of snapping tracks together and maneuvering trains along the routes provide valuable fine motor skill development. Once the tracks are in place, the pretend play begins, as children take on the roles of engineers, conductors, or even passengers on a whimsical journey. The train can make stops at toy cities, transport tiny goods, or explore make-believe landscapes, encouraging storytelling and role-playing. Many train track playsets also come with interactive features like sound effects, light signals, and moving parts, adding layers of engagement and sensory stimulation. Whether playing solo or with friends and family, train track playsets offer a multifaceted play experience that is both educational and utterly entertaining.
Sources and editorial notes
Reviewed October 16, 2026 using Mattel’s P1370 record and all twelve pages of its instructions, including the track, station, crane and controller diagrams. This treatment does not combine P1370 with push-only or holiday packages. The route activity is an original editorial suggestion. No physical set or cross-system connection was tested.
- Mattel: P1370 Timbertown Railway — Product identity and included Easy Rail Station.
- Mattel: Timbertown Railway instructions (PDF) — Assembly, layouts, alignment station, controller and crane.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.