SO WE VISITED MY BROTHER THIS WEEKEND, and the train set that I gave my nephew is still going strong. For several months he carried the remote-control with him everywhere — and I mean everywhere — and it still works fine, which is no small feat considering that he’s two. My brother calls it “a marvel of engineering.” I just sent them some more tracks and accessories. Always nice when something turns out that well.

UPDATE: Reader Dana Brown emails:

I have two boys – two and four – and they love their GeoTrax trains (sometimes too much!). We’ve had the trains for about two years now and they are still going strong, which is more than I can say for just about anything else we’ve bought them. They haven’t even been able to break any of the tracks! If you do get extras, don’t bother with the switch yard. It’s neat but way too complex for toddlers. I think the coolest accessories are the windmill and the factory.

I’ll keep that in mind.