Thomas's Light Up Lantern Remote

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.