Thomas The Train Recall Alert

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall today of various Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway toys.

The commission, in cooperation with the toy distributor, RC2 Corp. of Oak Brook, Ill., said about 1.5 million of the recalled toys were made. Consumers should stop using them immediately because surface paints on the recalled products contain lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects, according to the commission Web site.

No injuries have been reported.

The recall involves wooden vehicles, buildings and other train set components. Toys marked with codes containing "WJ" or "AZ" are not included in this recall.

The recalled products are:
Red James Engine & Red James' # 5 Coal Tender
Red Lights & Sounds James Engine & Red James' #5 Lights & Sounds Coal Tender
James with Team Colors Engine & James with Team Colors #5 Coal Tender
Red Skarloey Engine
Brown & Yellow Old Slow Coach
Red Hook & Ladder Truck & Red Water Tanker Truck
Red Musical Caboose
Red Sodor Line Caboose
Red Coal Car labeled "2006 Day Out With Thomas" on the Side
Red Baggage Car
Red Holiday Caboose
Red "Sodor Mail" Car
Red Fire Brigade Truck
Red Fire Brigade Train
Deluxe Sodor Fire Station
Red Coal Car
Yellow Box Car
Red Stop Sign
Yellow Railroad Crossing Sign
Yellow "Sodor Cargo Company" Cargo Piece
Smelting Yard
Ice Cream Factory

The recalled toys were made in China, and sold at toy stores and various retailers nationwide from January 2005 through June 2007 for between $10 and $70. Consumers should call RC2 Corp. for a replacement toy, according to the commission Web site.

For more information, call the company's recall hotline at (866) 725-4407 or visit its Web site at recalls.rc2.com