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We were anticipating more fun out of this powered engine, but have been disappointed for a few reasons:

1. There is a cutoff switch on the bottom for use with the switch track (available separately or in combo with this engine), but it is placed in such a way that it comes perilously close to the ramp tracks when climbing hills, usually causing the engine to switch off whenever it climbs a hill. Moving that cutoff even a fraction of an inch closer to the rear of the engine would prevent this. Bad design.

2. Batteries are every parent's nightmare. We get around this by using NiMH rechargeable batteries in all our kid toys. This engine, though, does not work well with rechargeable batteries, insisting on alkalines - and the most expensive ones at that. Seeing how easy it is to leave it running, this can be an issue.

3. Read the instructions carefully before doing anything as it is possible that right out of the box this locomotive will not work unless you do. You have to be careful how you install the battery the first time or else the engine will not run, no matter what you do. And this is not simply a matter of getting the positive and negative ends swapped. It's possible to put the battery in the right orientation and still get no response. We futzed for a while before going back to the manual and "priming" the engine as directed.

4. If you do not have your track perfectly aligned, it will run off quite readily.

5. Almost requires the manually-operated switchable "Y" tracks in order to switch it onto a different track section. The fixed "Y" tracks will only work perfectly in one direction. If you let the engine decide which fork to take, it will usually run off the track. But if it comes down a fork into the merged section, it will work fine. Still, invest in the manually switched "Y" tracks.

Positives? It's durable. Has a little light up front that is fun. Adds another dimension to your train set. Kids enjoy it despite the deficiencies.

In short, though, it's not perfect and could be engineered in such a way to eliminate the problems noted, but hasn't been. Oh well.

75 of 75 found the following review helpful:

Brio engines just not as powerful as othersDec 04, 2002
We received this Autostop and Start Engine as a gift from Brio when I wrote them about the lack of power/functionality from the Mighty Red locomotive we purchased (which I've also reviewed here at Amazon.com). Brio's customer service is outstanding. (Only Playmobil's is better, in my opinion.)

First, this Autostop engine is a classic toy design--very cute and works reasonably well in chug-chugging cars around the track. It can pull a decent load if all on a flat track without too many curves. Add a curvy track or hills and this little engine doesn't have the power nor traction to pull more than 2 or 3 cars. And, surprisingly, this does a better job pulling cars than the more expenive Mighty Red Locomotive.

We love the Start 'n' Go track feature, and for that I am less critical of this little engine. This engine does lack the charming sounds and elegant forward/reverse/stop buttons that grace the Mighty Red. The green Autostop engine also will not freewheel, which means your child can ruin the gears pushing this engine around.

However, we have gained much more satisfaction from Learning Curve's battery-operated Thomas and Great Railway Adventures engines. First, even the smallest Great Railways Adventures or Thomas engine has four wheel drive, which adds much to the ability to pull cars around. They still struggle--mostly because of a lack of traction on the wooden tracks--to pull cars up the hills, but nothing like the Brio engines. Great Railways Adventures, in particular, do have engines patterned after famous engines of the past, and this more "mature" styling has allowed them to age better with our 6 year old than the Thomas engines. (Thomas engines do have a cuteness factor that Brio can't compete with either.).

Great Railways/Thomas battery-operated engines "free wheel," making them less prone to damage caused by young kids unfamiliar with using the switch. That said, these switches are as clumsy as the Brio green Autostop engine. Not even Brio has duplicated the elegant design of their Mighty Red on any of their other toys, and Learning Curve hasn't copied them. They should.

Even still my recommendation is Learning Curve's Great Railway Adventures collection. Very similar cost, but with free-wheeling gear protection; four-wheel drive; die cast metal construction (engines only); more realistic styling; and charming sounds and actions available through a variety of battery-operated (and non-battery-operated) stock cars.

9 of 10 found the following review helpful:

Return PolicyJan 05, 2002
We received this engine in a starter set about a year ago. It worked fine for a while. Later it would only work in reverse, and then a few days ago in quit working all together. I think my 2-year-old daughter stood on it, and messed up the internal gears. Knowing it was probably my daughters fault I didn't think the warranty would cover it. I went to the toy store with a year old broken toy, no receipt, and no box. Needless to say I fully expected to buy a new engine. To my amazement the toy store didn't ask any questions or have me fill out any paperwork. They just handed me a new engine, and that was it. Brio may be expensive, but I think a no questions asked return policy is worth the money you spend on Brio Trains.