See-Through Locomotive
Michael Krepsik
39-245 Spring 2001
Principle: The See-Through
Locomotive is a fast, informative way to show the inner workings of a steam
locomotive. With true-to-life operating
levers, gears, drive shafts, lights and whistles, the See-Through Locomotive is
sure to be a hit with your little favorite engineer. It teaches all the mechanical properties of a steam engine and
the gearbox, which operates much in the same fashion as an automotive gearbox.
Interaction: The See-Through Locomotive is designed for
all age groups. Durable ABS plastic and
lack of small parts and sharp corners make this an easy-pleaser for your 5
year-old. At this age, watching the
gears and cranks turn as the wheels do, should provide enough to keep them
interested. When kids start getting
older, they start taking their toys apart to see how they work. The See-Through Locomotive facilitates this
by the fact that it is held together by a large number of tiny screws. A screwdriver is even supplied. Additionally, instructions for how the model
goes back together is also included, just in case mom or dad has to help where
junior couldn’t finish.
Safety and Cost: Durability should not be an issue, as it
would be made of high strength plastic.
The exterior will be absent of sharp corners, or small parts, which
could injure smaller children. Cost
would be a little high, as more screws would have to be used to allow for easy
disassembly, and the fact that to make a realistic model that one doesn’t need
a microscope to fix the gears, the Locomotive itself will have to be rather
large in size, using more plastic.