Let’s take a trip back to the 80s, where everything came in neon, and if you were lucky, there was a cartoon teaching you to "play nice." Enter The Get Along Gang—the ultimate in cutesy, critter-based friendships, all wrapped in a cozy, pastel blanket. For a show about good vibes, teamwork, and a bunch of furry buddies, The Get Along Gang actually had a pretty unique origin, a solid lineup of merch, and a surprisingly dedicated fanbase. So let’s take a walk down memory lane—but, you know, without the sap.
So, Who Were These “Get Along” Animals Anyway?
In 1983, The Get Along Gang crawled out from the greeting card section, courtesy of American Greetings (yes, the card people were also responsible for Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake). The cast included Montgomery Moose (the moose in charge), Dotty Dog, Woolma Lamb, Zipper Cat, and a few others. Basically, they were Green Meadow’s answer to what happens when a bunch of anthropomorphic animals hang out in a caboose all day—random life lessons and a bit of lighthearted drama.
Each character had their “thing”—Montgomery was the straight-edge leader, Dotty was all high-energy and “quirky,” Woolma brought the fashion drama, and Zipper was that kid always one step away from detention. They were all about tackling playground issues, like cooperation and loyalty, except with way more moose than you’d expect.
The Show and Its Morals (Yep, Those Were a Thing)
The Get Along Gang had an animated series and a special that hit in 1984, where each episode would dive into your classic 80s kid dilemmas: being a good friend, sharing, teamwork, you name it. Every episode was like an after-school special that happened to be set in a brightly colored animal town. But unlike today’s kid shows that sneak in sarcasm for the adults, The Get Along Gang was straight-up earnest. Kids watching got solid advice and moral lessons, all without a wink to the audience.
And hey, for all its squeaky-clean messaging, the show was kind of like a training ground for the 80s kid mindset. If you were glued to the screen for He-Man or Transformers but wanted something that wouldn’t involve laser battles, this was it.
The Toys: Plush, Plastic, and the Caboose Clubhouse
Let’s get real—back in the 80s, if your cartoon didn’t come with toys, was it even a cartoon? The Get Along Gang had a solid lineup: plush dolls, smaller plastic figures, and of course, the holy grail, the Caboose Clubhouse. The plush toys were about a foot tall, soft as heck, and came decked out in the same outfits as on the show. You had Montgomery in his varsity jacket and Dotty with her polka-dot skirt, all set for hanging out on your bed or wherever you stashed your critters.
The 4-inch action figures were the real scene-stealers, though. They had little posable limbs and came with accessories—like Zipper Cat’s skateboard—that made them prime material for backyard adventures. Then there was the Caboose Clubhouse playset. This thing was the gang’s headquarters and came loaded with a slide and other interactive bits to re-enact the show’s more “exciting” moments. It was colorful, portable, and probably still hiding in some dusty attics across America, just waiting to be unearthed.
Why The Gang Still Sticks Around
Maybe The Get Along Gang didn’t have the bad-boy appeal of G.I. Joe or the rock anthem theme of Transformers, but it carved out its place. The toy line and TV show were honestly about as wholesome as it got, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you needed after dealing with whatever chaotic junk the rest of the 80s threw your way.
And as for the fandom? There’s a solid group of collectors out there who still hunt down these plush and plastic critters, especially the Caboose Clubhouse. It’s not easy to find a lot of 80s shows that don’t come with explosions or battle cries, but that’s what makes The Get Along Gang kind of refreshing to revisit now. A little nostalgia, a few life lessons, and some critters who just wanted to get along.