A tape loading device for a tape recorder comprises a pole base assembly 360 moveable along a deck chassis comprising a main chassis 310, and a sub chassis (320) slideable thereon. A stationary guide rail 381 and a movable guide rail 385, mounted on the main chassis and the sub chassis respectively and having different thicknesses, become inter-locked by movement of the sub chassis to take tape from a cassette during loading. An extended portion 391 is formed on the thinnest guide rail. The pole base assembly is moveable during loading/unloading of the tape by a link member 368 which is maintaining parallel to a plane of the guide rail by a protrusion 393 depending from the stationary guide rail, such as to contact a leading end of the pole base assembly when the tape is loaded. A second protrusion 395 is located between the stationary guide rail and the link member 368. Unwanted movement of the pole base assembly is prevented.