New S Gauge American Flyer Polar Express

The answer is in the article on page 65 in run 295 Dec 2017 of OGR magazine.

Thanks guys, l guess I missed that info. I guess my set won't match the movie.

Ray

banjoflyer posted:

 

most likely won't be ordered  by those ( I won't) who want to extend the original PE set. To have the lettering in two different places on cars in the same train would look confusing at best. That's OK though as my original PE set completely fills the stepped shelves reserved for it when I added the PE wood side reefer from last year.

Mark

I agree! Enough coaches already. But then there's that Aquarium Car...

It matches the movie. We moved it for the O versions.

Edit: incorrectly said it isn't changing - it is

Thank you Dave for clearing this up, we can add more coaches if they are made.

Ray

People in the window have more detail I believe. And better wiring. 

I got them mixed up. So we are moving the lettering to below the windows as per the movie. And yes, the window silhouettes are more detailed.

So if you have the original set, the lettering on the new cars will not match.

So, Dave, any chance the "new extra cars" will also be made with the P.E. lettering above the windows as per the early, original  P.E. Flyer Chief sets or is Lionel's plan one of forced obsolescence for the original set buyers like myself having no choice other than to upgrade to a new set or forego buying additional cars if we want a completely matching set?

banjoflyer posted:

The unfortunate thing about the lowering of the lettering is that new add-on passenger cars like the hot chocolate car:

and extra coach most likely won't be ordered  by those ( I won't) who want to extend the original PE set. To have the lettering in two different places on cars in the same train would look confusing at best. That's OK though as my original PE set completely fills the stepped shelves reserved for it when I added the PE wood side reefer from last year.

Mark

I recall when they first came out some questioning why not produce the cars as depicted in the movie and others saying it isn't a real train anyway who cares. (Superman isn't real yet in the toy aisles he is never dressed in green with a purple cape.) I'd have expected those owning the Polar Express license to require the lettering in the right spot and the colors close. Lionel may get those who have held back to spring for a set now plus those who want a correctly done set.

It's a licensing thing. They are now requiring it match how it was shown in the movie.

Being curious, why were they not below the window line to begin with?

Dave Olson posted:

It's a licensing thing. They are now requiring it match how it was shown in the movie.

Thank you Dave, I was surprised they didn't do that from the start.

Since we're on the subject, will the new O scale Polar Express Berkshire have whistle steam effect as well as the previous sound clips from the movie? Or, will the movie clips be a different variety?

Last question: any idea when we can expect delivery on the engine and cars?

Thanks

Being new to PE (bought the LC set w/Bluetooth last year), I am curious about a Conductor announcements car.  It seems like nearly all other cars are in this new catalog, but that one is conspicuously missing.

I may order a few of the cars, but not sure I want to test my luck and see how long the engine could pull a full train (though I understand the newer motors are far superior to the original set from many years ago that was famously under powered when adding extra cars).

-Dave

banjoflyer posted:

Guys...try to keep this post reserved for the S scale version of the Polar Express set. Mixing O gauge comments with others here will muddy the waters plenty.

"S," "S Gauge" or "Flyer" should be placed in the subject line, particularly when similar items are offered in O.

Rusty

Thanks Rusty, I agree. Then again if you are focused in one scale, you may not be aware whats going on elsewhere, like myself.

Ukaflyer posted:

Being curious, why were they not below the window line to begin with?

Back in 2004, all the movie pre-release renderings, illustrations and the like from Warner had the name above the windows.

TRW

"S," "S Gauge" or "Flyer" should be placed in the subject line, particularly when similar items are offered in O.

Rusty

Thank you Rusty, you are totally correct, that was my error and I apologize to any I may have confused.

I have since change the topic to reflect S Gauge

Ray

Did anyone notice the lettering on 1225 in the movie is in white, not gold?

Maybe we can get the new window inserts and traction tires from Lionel parts...as a purchase of course.

Recently bought A/F Polar Express set , made it a figure 8 layout (upstairs). Very enjoyable, love the Bluetooth app to run it with.  Love the scale dimension the set offers. Great puller, excellent speed control, smoke that won't quit, and realistic sound, Tom Hanks.

Interesting though, Lionel lists the track at R20, it's the same as their 036 fastrack for O gauge,  so they must be measuring from outside rail to outside rail on A/F where as O gauge  is measured center rail to center rail.

Another interesting fact, since there is no center rail, it sounds different when running.

I don't think the missing 3rd rail could have anything to do with sound difference.  

Whatever Lionel calls it the radius is the same as Gilbert track.

Have fun!!!

Jushavnfun posted:

Recently bought A/F Polar Express set , made it a figure 8 layout (upstairs). Very enjoyable, love the Bluetooth app to run it with.  Love the scale dimension the set offers. Great puller, excellent speed control, smoke that won't quit, and realistic sound, Tom Hanks.

Interesting though, Lionel lists the track at R20, it's the same as their 036 fastrack for O gauge,  so they must be measuring from outside rail to outside rail on A/F where as O gauge  is measured center rail to center rail.

Another interesting fact, since there is no center rail, it sounds different when running.

The sound is most likely affected by the smaller size of the speaker and smaller tender shell resonance.

Rusty

Rusty  I'm running no sound on both engines, however volume at full is not quite as loud ON A/F engine. My new the speaker in use is "Fat Boy Slim"  LOL

Roundhouse Bill.  IMO The extra noise on 3 rail must be coming from the pick up rollers on the center rail and the fit ( not as tight and close) of 3 rail track vs. 2 rail.

Jushavnfun,

I don't know what the Fat Boy Slim is, but with the original S gauge PE I changed the speaker and used the Fat Boy that ERR sells. This speaker noticeably increased the volume on both my "S" PE Berk and on my "S"  Nickel Plate Berk. As Rusty mentioned maybe the larger speaker and tender on the O gauge PE contributes to the difference.

Ray

Jushavnfun posted:

Rusty  I'm running no sound on both engines, however volume at full is not quite as loud ON A/F engine. My new the speaker in use is "Fat Boy Slim"  LOL

Roundhouse Bill.  IMO The extra noise on 3 rail must be coming from the pick up rollers on the center rail and the fit ( not as tight and close) of 3 rail track vs. 2 rail.

Confusing statement here. If you are running no sound on both engines, what volume are you referring to, just the mechanical noise of the drivetrain and wheels on the track? If that’s the case, why would any speaker difference matter?

Bill in FtL

I tried a web search for an ERR Fatboy speaker and didn't get anywhere.  I would like to try one in my NP Berk.

Where can I buy one?

Thanks,

Tom Stoltz in Maine

Tom,  Go to the Electric Railroad website. You can find it among their products,  I think it is priced around $10.00

Ray

Thanks, Ray.  I ordered one.

Tom Stoltz... in Maine

Well so much for that, electricrr is refunding my payment:

 Does anyone know the Lionel part number?

But just so I understand the Berk speaker situation; Lionel sells it with a lousy speaker so you can buy a better speaker from Lionel?  There must be other better speakers out there.

Tom Stoltz in Maine

Tom,

Contact me off line, my email is in my profile.

Ray

Here is the one I use for most of my TMCC conversions. It is smaller than the ERR fatboy but sounds better in my opinion.

Thanks Chuck.  Just bought one.  Looks like a good one to have on hand and try.  Thank you oh trusted speaker advisor.  

Dave

Sgaugian posted:

Thanks Chuck.  Just bought one.  Looks like a good one to have on hand and try.  Thank you oh trusted speaker advisor.  

Dave

That's the grandest title I achieved this year. But I think it was Ed Goldin who originally recommended the Railmaster brand to me.

A/ F Polar Express update. Down 33" to the carpet. Skirted by my  3 rail trains.

Spring is coming  all things  alive flourish anew.

JUSHAVNFUN,

I believe that is exactly what toy trains and model railroading is all about, just having fun.

Ray

For my carpet layout....

Just bought more fastrack to build Pretzel Loop Junction extended with baggage and abandoned toy cars to add to train. Having a blast. Also going to try and  add regular transformer control see if it works. 

Doesn’t it have FlyerChief with BlueTooth? Why in the world would you want to go back to conventional when you’ve got FlyerChief?

Bill in FtL

For my carpet layout....

Just bought more fastrack to build Pretzel Loop Junction extended with baggage and abandoned toy cars to add to train. Having a blast. Also going to try and  add regular transformer control see if it works. 

           OPKKS RR

The Transcontinental RR 

     "Tryin ta git it rite"

part of the D Reg U Latd Co

You should not have to add transformer operation to this , just turn off the FlyerChief  switch on the engine.

Bill, some folks prefer the to run with the old standard transformer operation. Yeah, I know.

Ray