Happy Land Train set - help with setting up?

[Hulababy]

Can you help?

We have the Happy Land Train Set , with loads of extra track. But we can't get the figure of 8 bit right to make the train go round and round the track, using the points - so the train doesn't get stuck going round and round just one bit of track.

We know that we have to have at least 1 and half bits of the figure of 8 done before we can add on the remainder of extra track - and we did manage it ONCE. Now we can't

Please - anyone????

Sorry, I am in hysterics Hulababy ... presumably your dh is not an x-train spotter like mine?!

Just look carefully at the points - they are Y-shaped ... the train can go to-fro down two routes, but not down the third possibility (the arms of the Y) ... with me so far? So your loop needs to fasten on to these two arm bits of the Y, instead of the main trunk of the Y, that way the train can't go back round the Y.

I do hope this helps, as I can't explain it any better!

OKay - sorry we are a bit dense!!!

So I get the loop bit, but what about the other end. How do I fix the two point sections together? What do I fix to the trunk of the curve?

We even have friends here and they didn't figure it. Only perspn who did was my brother, but he has gone back to Abu Dabai (sp???) - sadly!

Sorry only got Happy land Farm with an easy track. Have you no instructions with it? Thats a stupid question isnt it? Obviously not? But im sure ELC will get you some

Not sure if this is any help but we had happy land and extra track and it was a nightmare...we eventually figured that the only way to get it set up was by making sure the 2 crossroads we had were sort of in a staight line, like not one on one edge and one on the middle, like joined BY a straight. HTH and hope you understand what i mean...otherwise we could dit for hours and it wouldnt fit together.

I had this problem as well. Get the ELC catalogue - there's a picture that you can copy from and then cut out 'n keep. Ours is stuck to the notice board. Sorry can't explain it now as need to go watch thing about Take That on Channel4!

I have tried that using Internet but can't see well enough. Will pick up catalogue from shop this week!

Hula, ds has that too- I thought it was just me! I have to sit with the box in front to do it- and then let dh take over. My spatial skills are cr**.

Star with the middle of the 8 and work from there. If I rememember, take the forked bits in the middle, and kind of reverse them- sorry that's useless

I set the road one up in the front room, which is supposed to be a round square (see) but I gave up and just have assorted track.

I'm so frustrated for you

Think it's a hands-on thing ... ply your guests with alcohol it might help!

I threw the box away

I am going into ELC this week and I am going to study the box really carefully to see it. Considering taking my camera and taking a shot - do you reckon they'd mind if I explained why!?!

Failing that she can just play with it as it comes!

Hula- I have the box sitting in front of me now- are you there?

okay will attempt to explain

Take 3 of the curved pieces and join them - this will be the right side, and do the same for the left side.

Take 2 of the little square pieces and join them at the top of the top right piece.

Other square pieces go at the bottom curve of the left.

Next take 1 point piece and with the forked ends, join them to your right pieces.

Take other points piece and join the forks to your left tracks.

You should now be able to join the two track pieces in the middle and voila.

If this makes any sense then I'm astounded- def need a big drink now

For further (dis)clarification you can contact me ot msn me

Thanks sammac. I will give it a try tomorrow and let you know how I get on!

Oh, I'm so glad that I'm not the only parent that has trouble with this train track.

My dd was given the happy land train set one year for christmas, similar to the one that you have but not as much track and we have a station with it. But just as hard to put together.

I HATE it and every time dd asks to play with it I try to distract her with something else as no matter how hard I try I CANNOT put the track together. Dh thinks it's hilarious and will actually sit and watch me struggling until I flounce off in a big huff because I can't do the track. Childish I know but honestly you'd think it would be easier.

I have done it! Went to ELC this morning and did a sketch from the box.

In order to use all the extra track as well I knew I had to make 1 and half of the loops from the figure of 8 - so that the levers would still work and the train could go round and round the whole track and not just get stuck in a loop.

And it works.

It's here !

(password is hulababy)

Just in case anyone else gets stuck - or I need to recap again!

hulababy, it looks great, as does ds. DS1 had basic track, I think we will buythe extra track for ds2 when he is old enough, prepare for a loud help in a years time!!

Once you get the middle bit of the figure of eight sorted it's dead easy Felt very impressed with myself afterwards! Consideing using a marker pen and labelling them all underneath - numdered - so I know how to do it again even easier.

I'm glad you got there in the end. We have that road set too- It's a bit of faffng about but good at the end