Berkshire Polar Express Information

Thanks for the info Bill. I am actually glad that the proposed sets will have the FlyerChief remote control system. My three year old Grandson was able to master the O gauge Thomas the Train Remote controller in about one minute's use.

Making the S gauge side of the hobby just as easy to use for the newcomer is very important. Todays electronics need to be very simple to operate or frustration soon leads to disuse.

An intro set with the FlyerChief remote control system will still work on Dad's (or Mom's) large layout. You'll just have to make sure the voltage is 18v and use the specific remote for that specific set.

Maybe someday Lionel will eventually make a separate remote that might operate a variety of intro set engines. If they did, the ability of that remote to operate other intro set engine add-ons (think of the Thomas fellow engines...James, Percy, Diesel)

might lead to additional sales w/o the need to supply a remote with the add-on engine.

Mark

Future products depends on current sales.  Look at the Lionel current "Ready-to-Run" catalog to see what might be in the future for Flyonel.  

Lionel seems to be pegging this as an entry level set aimed at getting new people into the hobby.  The Polar Express franchise has an enduring popularity.  It has the potential to put appeal of the size of S, and its 2-rail track, in front of a wider audience.  Not a bad idea at all.  If, at this price point, they can give the customer a moderately detailed steamer that runs well, cars that stay coupled and track properly, and a basic sound/control system they may have a winner.

I intend to find out, as I've preordered a set which will get a workout on a fairly large public Christmas display.

I must admit, though, that given delivery track records of late I'm not counting on it hitting the layout until 2015.

Nick C.

All three sets are a good idea.  Few folks are going to be willing to try S with just full-blown, big buck Legacy equipped locomotives.

 

Some folks are already bemoaning the plastic tender.  Well, how may Pacific's did ACG sell with plastic tenders?  How many have survived?  Die cast shells are not the alpha and omega of model trains.  The material used has less to do things than how the product is engineered.  If plastic helps to control costs, I'm all for it.

 

Personally, I'm interested in the NKP freight set.  The selection of cars is nice and the Berk will keep my Flyonel NKP GP's company.  And it'll give me an excuse to play with the FlyerChief system.

 

Rusty

Rusty:

For years guys wanted Lionel to get a Flyer set out to encourage younsters to play with S Gauge trains.  The Docksider sets really didn't do it because they don't look like much of a real engine.  Now with a Berk using Flyerchief selling for a good price I think it should go.  The hand held Flyerchief system to run the trains brings electric trains into the present.  Kids love technology and the Flyerchief is it.

 

I am tired of hearing people complain that this set is not what it should be for them.  Not scale, plastic tender, no Legacy, Hi Rail, and such.  Let kids play trains with dad and gramps should be the deal.

 

I love the movie and I ordered a set just to enjoy the seaon around the tree.

The Polar Express is just fine. I wouldn't care if the boiler was plastic. As long as it's scale proportioned. Would have liked a Berk tender, but we'll get that when a scale Legacy/DCC fully detailed version is offered. Who knows, that weird tender it is illustrated with in the catalog may show up on yet another traditional steamer in the future. I'm all for new tooling.

I'll admit, I wasn't enthused about the Flyer/LionChief systems, but they do seem to be proving their worth on the O gauge side.

 

It's somewhat interesting, the metal vs. plastic debate goes back to the late 50's early 60's.  It subsided during the 70's-late 90's and surfaced again after that.  I've always maintained it all goes back to product engineering.  A poorly engineered metal model is no better than a poorly engineered plastic model.

 

Rusty

I would agree.  I love the feel and heft of a cast loco as much as anybody (I still think the AM Northern is among the best modern production steamers made) but properly engineered plastic parts have their place and have added much to the hobby. 

From the beginning Lionel's plans for the Berkshire seem to have been to create flexible tooling that could be used for a less detailed PE set and also used as the basis for more detailed models.  Pay for the tooling with a higher volume product and then offer an expanded product line. 

It's a great idea if they execute it properly.  If my copy of the PE performs I'd be more than willing to buy the more detailed version with Legacy.

Nick C.