Any plans for Legacy Hogwarts Express?

Have not heard anything. The only mention of Hogwarts in the ready-to-run catalog is a re-run of the G-gauge set and the O-gauge Dementors' add-on coach.

 

Count the number of add-on cars released for the Polar Express set (so many the set engine has trouble pulling them all), and compare them with the number released for the Hogwarts' set (3).

 

It may not mean anything, but it sounds like they've milked the latter franchise for what they think it's worth. The Hogwarts' engine is already almost scale-sized, so there doesn't seem to be a whole lot else you can put into it to justify a Legacy price tag.

 

---PCJ

I was hoping they would issue the Hogwart's Express in the new Lionchief Plus line!  I'd definately buy one.  

Compared to the Polar Express, which was a train-focused movie, Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express doesn't look popular enough to be a candidate for a Legacy version. A LionChief one, maybe though. Many dealers I've talked with said so.

I agree, but take issue with the PE pulling power.  I usually run 16 cars or so with her, a mix of freight and passenger cars plus a RS die cast tender.  She's a torque monster.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

I could see the Hall class engine done as LC/+.  Thesr are various trains in the UK a Hall could pull, pluss various liveries.  In bothe private hands and under BR.

There is a Hall Class LC set in the latest catalog. 

 

Nick

I would seriously doubt if there are any such plans.

Why would they? 

It is a scale Hall class loco, so from that standpoint, it would perhaps make sense to make it a Legacy model, since most are scale.  

 

But from nearly every other angle, it's not a great fit.  The loco has a tiny motor compared to Legacy and while it does okay for its current price range, up in Legacy territory people are going to demand more pulling power: have to change out the motor - I'm not sure a larger one will fit - there is not a lot of room in that narrow body.  Then they have to build a metal tender (its plastic now).  Finally they have to worry about what Legacy buyers would run with it: they are going to expect "Legacy" quality rolling stock to be available for it.    MTH makes some nice premium quality Euorpoean and UK stuff, but not Lionel.

 

Much more likely that ey would upgrade it to Lionchief, except all the LC electronics are normally in the loco with LC and there is not really a lot of room in that Hall class body. I suppose they could break with their current design method put that stuff in the tender, but . . . I expect they will just leave well enough alone.  

       
       

Well Universal Studios East and west coast are expanding thier Harry Potter theme parks and the Florida park is opening a Hogwarts train ride this summer. More movies are ion the way and it is a very popular movie and book series still.

 

That is what I was thinking.  I was figuring it would be a supply/demand thing.  I had not though of it being physically impossible.  I guess I am not familiar with all of the internal components of legacy locos.  I guess legacy is too extreme.  I would be happy with LC+ if they ever decide to go that way.

 

Thanks for all of the friendly replies.

I think people see the Polar Express scale version and wonder why Lionel couldn't do the same for the Hogwarts.  But I think there is a difference.  I think there are far more adults who are into Polar Express than Harry Potter.  And who are scale trains marketed for -- adults.  I'd gather the majority of adults who have the Hogwarts set have it for kids to enjoy and so the current set is just fine.  Where many of us who have the Polar Express sets might have it for our own enjoyment.

 

Even for the kids, I also think that the Hogwarts isn't as big of a draw as PE because the train does not play a major role in the Harry Potter saga.  Unlike PE, where it's the main character.

 

I do agree that we may see the Hogwarts set out in LionChief.  I think it's only a matter of time before all starter sets will be LionChief only. 

 

Either way, I've always loved the look of the Hogwarts locomotive.