Prior to going into detail about Toby & Flora, a little of our own "Thomas" history... As first time grandparents, my husband and I wanted to start some type of collection for our grandson that he could possibly pass along to his own kids one day. Our grandson was 2 1/2 at the time, and had been talking a lot about a certain train named Thomas (a little fella whom - now seems hard to believe! - we'd never heard of.) After doing some research, it seemed the Take-n-Play line might be the perfect investment to engage and encourage his active imagination, as well as provide a fun way for us to interact with him. What a rewarding decision... we've had SO much fun together with this quality line of trains, vehicles and playsets! As he approaches 4, a large portion of our basement has become a wonderful Sodor land of make believe that we all enjoy visiting - and continues to hold his interest, which is quite a feat given the tendency at that age to move in and out of toy phases so quickly!
Toby & Flora are steam tram engines, and one of the first 3 "buddy packs" offered on the original (Spring 2010) Take-n-Play Collectors Checklist. Toby is part of the 8 member "Steam Team" (including Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy & Emily), old and a little uncertain of himself and his capabilities. He's brown with a light grey roof, dark grey sideplates and cowcatchers, and has a yellow number "7" painted on both sides and 6 dark grey wheels. He first appeared in TV Season 1 (1984), Episode 21 ("Toby the Tram Engine"). Friendly and attentive Flora is bright yellow with green and white lining, her name printed in gold on red on her sides, red sideplates and cowcatchers, green boards on both sides of her grey roof with white lettering, reading "SODOR TRAMWAYS", and 6 grey wheels matching her roof. She first appeared in TV Season 12 (2008), Episode 13 ("Tram Trouble"). Though both are sold separately (with MSRPs of $6.00 each), I bought this twin pack for my grandson instead because it was a better deal. Fisher-Price recently (March 2012) raised Toby & Flora's MSRP from $10.00 to $11.00 (well worth the $10.99 I paid for my grandson's.)