I received my Polar Express observation car with Hero Boy and Hobo on top that was produced by the LCCA. It was a really clever idea and meant to duplicate the scene in the movie where the train roared round curves and the Hero Boy was saved from flying off the roof by the Hobo.
The car has the two figures which are supposed to pivot when the train "roars" into a curve. In addition, Lionel changed the snow pattern on the roof by showing ski tracks in the snow so the hobo can come from his forward car to save the Hero Boy climbing onto the roof.
Two disappointments, however. First, the boy never swung out when entering curves. I ran the train up to fly off the track speeds, no change from what you see in the picture. So, I tried adding a bit of weight to the boy's shoes to try to increase the momentum when going around a curve. Didn't do anything. Added a bit more weight, still nothing. So looked at the bearings between the top and bottom of the hobo figure. They are metal, so maybe a little oil will help them move more freely. Nothing. Maybe the weight on the shoes through the alignment of the shaft off. Took off the weights with the oil on the bearing. Nothing.
So, the train roars around and the two figures still look really great, but in their fixed pose.
Second issue. The original set's observation car had no figures in the windows except one with the Lonesome Boy looking out. That car is a real crowd pleaser as anybody who has seen the movie relates to that character. On the new car, the windows are still blank, but Lionel forgot (I hope) to put in the lonesome boy looking out a window.
However, this I can correct. I can take a photo of my original car's boy, make a decal of that and put into one of the LCCA's observation car window.
Just wish I could figure how to make the figures swing out.
