From the Toysit archive
Follow Me Thomas with Light-Up Lantern
Explore Follow Me Thomas and his light-up lantern, then invent station announcements inspired by the circle, zigzag and figure-eight patterns.
The play at a glance
A lantern becomes the engineer’s invitation
A blue Thomas engine and a hand-held lantern turn the familiar railway character into a floor-level companion. The retained picture shows the light shining just ahead of the engine: a small invitation to move, with the child cast as the person guiding the journey.
Following light and choosing a pattern
The manufacturer describes two lantern-controlled ways to play. In Follow Me mode, Thomas follows the light as it moves near him. In Easy-Press Moves, the lantern’s three buttons select a circle, zigzag or figure eight. These are distinct choices: guiding with light supplies the changing direction, while a pattern button selects a movement already built into the toy.
The instruction sheet also describes a mode without the remote, using the dome button on Thomas to start preset movements. It recommends indoor use and notes that bright sunlight or fluorescent lighting can affect the response. The matching guide supplies the setup and operating details.
Try this: Station-shape announcements
On paper, draw three railway destinations: a circle station, a zigzag goods yard and a figure-eight sightseeing line. Give each one a name and a reason to visit. Move a paper Thomas along the routes while a second player becomes the station announcer.
- Circle station: announce a round trip that brings a visitor home. Describe one thing the passenger sees along the way.
- Zigzag goods yard: invent a parcel and its destination. The announcer explains which imaginary platform is waiting for it.
- Figure-eight sightseeing: name a different landmark for each loop, then make a welcome announcement when the tour returns.
Swap the engine and announcer roles. The next announcer can add a visitor who needs directions, a surprise delivery or a request for an extra sightseeing stop. A spoken announcement can change the story even when the route stays the same.
Let the railway have a voice
Try a grand station voice, a sleepy early-morning voice or a delighted welcome for a returning friend. If using the powered Thomas separately, keep the paper town clear of his movement area and follow the guide. The map gives the announcer places to describe, while the lantern provides its own choices for movement.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The complete earlier product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Control Follow Me Thomas the Train by pointing a light the way you want him to go
It would appear that the wooden classic Thomas the Train was not enough. Kids demand electronics. This version of Thomas the Train is even in the realm of magic: the way that the child can direct the path of Thomas by painting a pathway with light, the pattern then followed by the vehicle. Follow Me Thomas includes a Thomas engine and a light-up lantern. Children can point and move the light and Thomas will follow along. As he moves, he will say interactive phrases and sound effects. When the child presses the buttons on the lantern, Thomas follows programmed patterns including: a figure eight, a circle, or a zig zag.
The history of lanterns on trains is intertwined with the broader history of railroads and their need for effective communication and safety measures. In the early days of railroading during the 19th century, lanterns served multiple purposes: they were used for signaling between train crews, for lighting inside the train cars, and as a means to signal at stations and crossings. The most iconic is perhaps the railroad lantern equipped with colored lenses or "gels" that could be switched to signal different messages like "stop," "go," or "proceed with caution." These lanterns were usually oil-lit and made from materials like brass and iron. Over time, as technology advanced, the traditional oil lanterns were largely replaced by electrical lighting systems, especially as trains themselves became electrified. Nonetheless, the historical lanterns remain a symbol of a bygone era and are often prized by collectors for their craftsmanship and nostalgic value. Modern trains still use advanced signaling systems that serve the same basic function as the old lanterns, but they are now digital and automated, a far cry from the manually operated lanterns of yesteryear.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s R9255 product record and complete R9255-0920-G1 instruction sheet were reviewed, including the lantern diagram. The guide describes following a moving light and three preset patterns; it does not establish recording a light-drawn route for later replay. The original account and railway-lantern history remain intact. No physical testing was performed.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site image reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Mattel R9255 product record — Identifies Follow Me Thomas and links its instruction sheet.
- Mattel Follow Me Thomas instructions (PDF) — Complete manufacturer sheet and diagrams reviewed; distinguishes moving-light guidance, preset patterns and play without the remote.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete historical account retained, including its original claims and wording.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
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