Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky‑High Bridge Jump Review
Thomas & Friends Bridge Jump Review
Thomas & Friends Bridge Jump Review brings high-flying excitement to the tracks as one of the most spectacular entries on the Top 10 Christmas Toys 2016 list. Created by Fisher Price, the Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump set delivers jaw-dropping thrills for young train fans. With a motorised Thomas engine that speeds up a vertical ramp and launches over a massive gap in the track, this isn’t your average sleepy train ride. It’s a gravity-defying stunt show that combines construction play, action, and beloved characters from Sodor.
If you’re looking for more epic Christmas gift ideas, check out our curated list of the best Christmas toys 2025 and our guide to the best places to buy toys online.
What’s in the Box?
- Motorised Thomas Engine: Powered by batteries, this Thomas train is modified for stunt action, equipped with extra speed and design details inspired by the movie.
- Sky-High Track Components: Over 8 feet of track including vertical ramps, curves, supports, and the dramatic bridge jump structure.
- ️ Crank Tower: A manually operated lift that carries Thomas to the top of the jump track—kids love cranking it themselves.
- Assembly Instructions: Clear and illustrated manual for adult-assisted setup.
- Themed Packaging: Colourful Thomas & Friends box designed for Christmas gifting, though not intended for disassembly and re-storage.
How It Works
The magic of the TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump is in its dramatic engineering and surprising functionality. Once the track is assembled (expect an adult to help here), kids crank Thomas to the top of the towering ramp. Once released, Thomas zooms down a steep slope, gains speed, hits the jump—and literally flies through the air across a giant gap in the track!
He lands safely on the other side, continues along the track, and resets back to the crank tower for another round. The entire experience is looped, allowing for repeat play without major reassembly. And yes—it works! Thomas really flies!
The playset is powered by 2 AAA batteries (not included) and includes some manual features for added engagement. It’s an ideal combination of kinetic action and the gentle, reassuring world of Thomas & Friends.
Background & 2016 Legacy
Released in 2016 to coincide with the Thomas & Friends movie The Great Race, the Sky-High Bridge Jump set took the Thomas franchise in a new, high-energy direction. While most traditional Thomas sets focus on gentle storytelling and character-based scenes, this one embraced big stunts and exciting visuals. It quickly became a standout toy for Christmas shoppers, landing it squarely in that year’s “Dream Dozen.”
Fisher Price designed the toy to appeal not only to loyal Thomas fans but also to kids craving action-packed play. The gamble paid off: the set was featured in major holiday roundups and sold out in many major UK retailers. Parents were impressed that the jump mechanism actually worked, while kids couldn’t get enough of the launch-and-land excitement.
By 2018, the toy had been discontinued but remains one of the most talked-about and sought-after sets on the second-hand market.
Developmental Benefits
Underneath the high-flying spectacle, the Sky-High Bridge Jump offers strong educational and developmental value:
- STEM Skills: Cranking, launching, and watching Thomas fly across space introduces basic physics concepts like momentum, gravity, and velocity.
- Fine Motor Development: Assembling track pieces and operating the crank tower hones manual dexterity.
- Cause and Effect: Kids learn that specific actions (crank, release, launch) result in dramatic outcomes.
- Imaginative Play: Children create their own stories based on the jump or re-enact scenes from the film.
- Patience & Sequencing: Building the track teaches step-by-step assembly, patience, and perseverance.
- Confidence Building: Watching Thomas succeed at a massive stunt gives kids a sense of pride and excitement.
The toy also encourages parent-child interaction during assembly and first-time play, turning setup into a shared experience.
Festive Play Ideas
- Thomas’ Christmas Jump: Decorate the jump with tinsel and pretend Thomas is delivering presents across a snowy canyon.
- Elf Track Team: Add other Thomas & Friends engines as Santa’s helpers trying to beat Thomas’ jump record.
- ⛷️ Sodor Winter Games: Host a tournament of launches—see how many jumps Thomas can complete in 5 minutes.
- Action Replay Challenge: Film Thomas in slow motion and replay the stunt for added drama and laughs.
- Holiday Rescue Mission: Create a story where Thomas must jump the canyon to save Percy stranded on the other side!
It’s the kind of toy that gets brought out during holiday gatherings—and everyone wants a turn, grown-ups included.
What Parents & Kids Are Saying
“We thought it was just a gimmick, but Thomas really jumps! My son was screaming with joy.”
“A bit of a faff to set up, but totally worth it. He plays with it every day.”
“My daughter loves re-enacting the movie scenes. She even decorated the bridge for Christmas!”
“Needs a large space. Definitely not one for tiny bedrooms, but the action is amazing.”
“Good battery life and solid build. We’re still playing with it a year later.”
“We added lights and a snow scene for Christmas morning. Best toy surprise we’ve done.”
Parents appreciated the sturdy build and functional mechanics. While it requires space and setup, the play value was consistently praised across reviews.
About the Brand: Fisher Price
Fisher Price has long been a trusted name in preschool and early learning toys, and their stewardship of the Thomas & Friends TrackMaster line has brought a wave of interactive, motorised playsets to the franchise. Known for innovation and quality, they combined engineering precision with joyful storytelling in the Sky-High Bridge Jump set.
With this toy, they managed to preserve the heart of Thomas while delivering high-octane thrills to modern audiences.
Why It Made the 2016 Top Toys List
Thomas may be a timeless character, but this toy redefined what a Thomas set could be. With its 8-foot track, moving parts, and literal airborne action, it became one of the boldest and most exciting toys of the year.
Priced at £49.99–£59.99, it offered great value for the engineering, brand strength, and sheer spectacle. It was a bold new direction that paid off handsomely—making it a guaranteed hit for fans of both construction sets and motorised action toys.
Best For Ages 3+
Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump is perfect for kids aged 3 and up who:
- Love trains, building tracks, and watching moving toys
- Want an exciting, big-box Christmas surprise
- Benefit from STEM play, storytelling, and imaginative engagement
- Enjoy toys that involve parent participation
Small children may need supervision during setup and play, especially to avoid frustration with track placement or motor alignment.
Parental Tips & Setup Notes
- ️ Assembly Time: Allow 30–45 minutes with adult help. Lay out all track pieces first to speed things up.
- Batteries: Requires 2 AAA batteries for Thomas. Use new ones for best jump performance.
- Space Requirements: Needs a play area approx. 3 feet by 6 feet for full setup.
- Cleaning: Wipe with a damp cloth; avoid water exposure near the motor.
- Storage Tip: Consider using a plastic bin or box. Original packaging not designed for frequent reuse.
Where to Buy in 2025
As a retired toy, the Sky-High Bridge Jump set is no longer available in retail stores, but second-hand options abound. Look on eBay, Vinted, or Facebook Marketplace for listings. Expect to pay £25–£45 depending on condition and completeness.
Before buying, ask the seller to confirm the motorised engine still works and that all track pieces are included. A missing ramp or landing piece will stop the jump from working properly.
Final Verdict
Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Sky-High Bridge Jump is one of the boldest and most exciting playsets Fisher Price has ever produced under the Thomas brand. Combining a beloved character with real mechanical action and visual spectacle, it absolutely earns its place on the Top Toys 2016 list. The jump mechanism really works, the storytelling is endless, and the smiles it brings are priceless.
Still looking for more? Browse our top picks for the most popular Christmas toys or find out what toys every kid wants in 2025.
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