ROKR Mechanical Construction Brainteaser Locomotive: Optimize Your Search Review

Gave it to my 76-year-old father. He loves trains and models. He loved it. He spent many hours putting it together, even calling me a couple of times to let me know how he liked it and how some of the parts fit together (I'm an expert on wooden trains for example). However, he had some really tough moments for himself and his aging fingers that he managed. He still talks about it and proudly demonstrates it.

It was too heavy for the kids to help my engineer husband and very hard on his fingers. Heard quite a lot of swearing lol. He eventually reassembled it only to find that the key didn't actually work, it appears to have been taken apart after only a few turns. Should have gotten another marble train, they all had fun last Christmas! However, none of these kits are built to last. Don't expect them to last long if you have kids!

As with most mechanical models, there is a good chance that this model will not work once assembled. This is usually because a part is slightly misaligned and causing drag somewhere in the model. Grinding parts and waxing helps but does not guarantee model performance. So only buy if you're happy with a model that doesn't work, or if you just enjoy collecting models. I painted my model with gouache paint. This paint is water based so it has been rubbed off hands when installing parts. Be…

In general I am very satisfied with this model. I bought it with the understanding that even if I try my best, the mechanical performance of the product could be questionable. Multi-level designs, especially those with wooden gears, can be a challenge to connect all the moving parts together. This is one of the ROKR parts with a high difficulty and a "5-star" difficulty. I agree with this assessment. As with any "stamped" model, be it plastic or wood, care must always be taken not to force the…