How good is it? Would it go ok with the polar express set? Is it worth the cost over the polar express loco that comes with the set?
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I am asking about the K-4 version
Scale versus semi scale. Probably wouldn't look right. I'm assuming you're talking about the 0-27 set cars.
It's a Berkshire not a K-4.
Loco $1200
Polar Express Legacy tender $400
Five cars $750
Worth the cost? For a Polar Express fan, perhaps
I think he's referring to the legacy k-4 lettered for the "Polar RR"
Its probably still too large for the set cars, having said that these k-4's are super smooth runners and the sound is great. I'm not sure if these have the whistle steam like the PRR version or if Lionel dropped it on these, but if they do its a great feature.
Originally Posted by old ironside:
I am asking about the K-4 version
If you are talking about the scale Legacy Polar Railroad K4s, it will probably look oddly big with the traditional-sized PE cars.
This past holiday season, I had the chance to compare my scale Polar Express with the traditional set side-by-side, and the size difference is pretty significant! 
Andy
Andy
In my humble opinion, having the Polar Express scale version engine and tender with the scale passenger cars is very much worth the cost. Considering the folks who visit the layout during the Christmas Season and who are just in awe of this set, it to me is one of the most important train sets in my inventory.
When the Legacy PE Berkshire first came out, you did not have the option to select either the PE or Pere Marquette tender. If you wanted the PE tender you wound up owning both tenders which was and is perfectly OK with me.
To answer the original question, the Legacy PE Berkshire is worth the investment, and no, it would not look good with the non-scale PE cars that come with the starter set.
Originally Posted by Passenger Train Collector:
In my humble opinion, having the Polar Express scale version engine and tender with the scale passenger cars is very much worth the cost. Considering the folks who visit the layout during the Christmas Season and who are just in awe of this set, it to me is one of the most important train sets in my inventory.
My sentiments exactly.
Although, when it come to kids, I don't think that they really care if it is scale or traditional. The night that we had both my scale PE and another PIHR member's traditional set at our Kennywood setup, I ran my scale Polar Railroad freight cars behind my scale PE, and while some people noticed, the kids focused on the traditional PE and were just as excited at seeing it as they were when I was running my scale PE set.
Adults, on the other hand, were really impressed by the scale PE set. It sparked many questions and started many conversations. Not to mention comments like "that doesn't look like my Polar Express." 
Andy
Originally Posted by RickO:
I think he's referring to the legacy k-4 lettered for the "Polar RR"
Its probably still too large for the set cars, having said that these k-4's are super smooth runners and the sound is great. I'm not sure if these have the whistle steam like the PRR version or if Lionel dropped it on these, but if they do its a great feature.
That is the one. Is the price of that engine worth it when compared to the standard polar express? How is the sound?
The going price of $809 is a bit on the high side, I'd hold off and see if they drop. I paid $775 for the Pennsy version, its one of my best sounding and smoothest runners.
The only drawback as I mentioned above is I believe Lionel may have omitted the whistle steam from the polar railroad k 4.
Sound is identical to the Pennsy k4 in this video (not my video).
