I have an original Polar Express which is on its second motor. The first one failed fast and this one is not that great either. It will pull the original 3 cars but that's it. Is there somewhat stronger motor available from Lionel or others? Is this something I can install myself? Thanks in advance.
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Sorry but the size and shape of the larger PE motor won't fit and can't be retrofitted to the frame your PE engine has. The series ll PE engines with the large motor have a different fame than the original series small motored engines had. Both the motors and frames are not interchangeable.
Look around for the Series II Polar Express locomotive, it has a real motor. 
The earlier engine shells have wire handrails, where the latest versions are cast-in. I did install my first version engine shell on a LionChief frame with no issues. I concur that the later motor won't fit the early frame.
Good catch Tom, that's one reason to transplant the shell.
The wire handrails returned on the 10th Anniv. Polar Express loco: LINK to 10th Anniv loco
Are these all the same size?
I don't have PE, but a C&O Berk Jr., Im curious as to which PE locos may be "PE jr"
I'm not entirely sure what actual product # mine is, I got it as a basket case with just a motor, no electronics, no pickups, etc. I put it all back together to do a TMCC upgrade. The feature I liked it it did have the larger motor, not the flat-sided set motor. However, it does have the handrails, not the molded in ones.
Now it has fan driven smoke, the Super-Chuffer, ERR Cruise, RailSounds, all LED lighting, etc.
Johns PE has an extra boiler band behind the square sand dome compared to my "Kanawa" Jr. #2755. So I assume it is bigger than a Jr as one general clue to Berks. I'll look for my box too.
6-28627 is the number of my Jr if that might help sort things for anyone.
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