Thomas goes airborne.

• Position: Holiday Gifts Galore - Brief Article

Few toys we've found over the years seem to give youngsters as much enjoyment and play value as Thomas the Tank Engine, from Learning Curve International, Inc., Chicago, Ill. The endearing wooden train, his often neurotic friends, and the various tracks and other accessories that make up the collection can keep kids busy for hours with constantly changing layouts taking up virtually every inch of floor space in their rooms. A brand-new accessory, the Sodor Airfield Set ($99.99), adds another dimension to their games by going airborne.

The airport consists of a tower with a magnetic arm. Wind up the arm and press the button atop the control tower, and the Tiger Moth biplane that can be attached to the end of the arm revolves in sweeping circles around the airfield as its propeller spins jauntily, while another button controls its altitude. The 40-piece set comes with a train and flatbed car; trees and signals; Sir Topham Htt, owner of...