Remote Control Thomas very poor sound, and Cranky the Crane good sound and good add on match, better running quality.

Cranky the crane sounds very cool. 

But the remote Thomi I bought (two so far, third on order) were all quite nice.  Yes, it has a basic chuffing sound, but it is loud enough (really, I would not want it louder if kids are going to play with it all the time) and it is proportional to speed, and it makes idle noise, and the "all aboard" plus bell and whistle.  Given it pulls well and runs simply and smoothly, I think the set is a bargain for the price.

My remote control Cranky the Crane (Fisher-Price) arrived today.  That is one big momma (29" tall)!  Will go very nicely with the Thomas, James, Percy, and Diesel stuff I already have stockpiled.

Looks really cool!  Anyone find any particularly cheap blowout sales on these this year?

We have the remote controlled Cranky paired with a Lionel remote Thomas as well and both are a big hit with our kids!  That cranky really is a beast - probably pretty close to full O scale in general proportions.  I was very pleasantly surprised with the size, quality, and how much he could lift when we got ours.  The hook on Cranky is quite a bit oversized, but there's an strong embedded magnet that works well for a variety of cargo applications.

Lionel gets "mad props" for making Thomas (and I suppose the whole Lionchief line)compatible with TMCC/DCS layouts - makes for great fun when Thomas visits Daddy's train table.

-Dustin

Check train world

Perhaps the sounds in Thomas require full voltage to operate correctly?

Stuart

The Transformer voltage does not affect the volume of the Thomas or other engines.

The volume is fine for running on the layout but when at a show with lots of other noise they are hard to hear for the kids behind the fence.

But the Thomas bell is very loud and will drive you nuts!

It was more the point that the sounds from the engine are not as close to the sounds on the show.

Percy and James also have the all aboard announcement as well just would be nice if a different announcement from Thomas.

As for Thomas stuff by Lionel take a look at Trainworld they have a lot of it on sale different engines and car sets.

As for Cranky google it /

for sales

Toys R Us had them on about 1/2 price a while back.

Have had mine for a couple of years now set it and Thomas etc. up at several shows and always fun for the kids to run!