"Older" non-snow-covered Polar Express car rooftops vs."new" snow-covered P.E. rooftops

Never having seen one in the flesh, I would have expected the snow to be removable, giving the owner their choice.  While we're at it, Lionel really ought to have a Lion Chief Plus version available, as I will not dedicate a layout to Lion Chief.   I would like to be able to run PE with other older trains simultaneously.  I'm not into scrounging the web for a 1st gen PE set either.

I have the scale version of the older cars, but have a new combi car on order.  I'll have to see how they look together, though I'll probably add snow to the older ones (after a little practice, of course). 

Here’s what I did with my mix of cars, not sure I’m totally in love with it, but it is what it is.  WS snow shaken on after white flex paste and glue spray.  Heavy on first two cars cause the roofs were black.  You make a good point about engine n tender, might experiment with it.  Edit:  Threw in that 3mm red led EOT light too.  That tiny jewel was a little lame for my taste.  

I don't like snow covered anything......I have 25 Dept 56 buildings I'd consider using on my layout if not for all that snow made into them. Glad I have a older PE.....

Originally posted by OGAUGEGUY:

While it's likely Lionel has future plans to release those "older" P.E. add-on cars giving them both snowy rooftops and
the P.E. lettering below the windows, but until then, will you run both types of cars together or do you plan to, or
already have, added snow to those "older" P.E. roofs? 

My last Catalog Pre- order was of the whole SCALE P.E. train with snow roof. IF I obtain the combo car for the old set, Then I will have TWO sets of the P.E. and see which one I like better. So far the Older Scale P.E. set had the Abandoned Toy car. IT will remain to see what Add Ons are for this New set. However the Bigger issue is that Crappy Observation car end. IT's too short to begin with as a standard Observation end - never mind the round Boat end the Movie producers gave it. 

Doe anyone know if Lionel sells the snow covered roofs in their parts catalogue?

And if so how much? This way you can change the older P.E. cars to match the new ones...

Sal V. posted:

Doe anyone know if Lionel sells the snow covered roofs in their parts catalogue?

And if so how much? This way you can change the older P.E. cars to match the new ones...

Based on a quick search, no.  They list most of the mechanical and electrical parts but no shell parts.

The snow is cool  sometimes icy 

One or two trains and a scenes worth, no more  

If I was stuck mixing I'd run the "clean" ones head end. 

It's wind speed would lift the loose snow off the front 

yea, that's the ticket  a golden one ? 

A paint fade with spray snow flocking on a plain one? 

An "♪♪ up on the rooftop ♪♪" transition car 

I recently bought the new (LionChief with Bluetooth) set and 2 older add-on cars from that large retailer sale back in December. 

I suppose I realized the differences would be there, but I went for all 3 pieces (set and 2 individual add-on cars) anyway.

I think the more obvious difference is the windows.  The older simple silhouettes vs. the newer actual graphics of the children from the movie.

I may replace the add-ons with newer ones with snow when they are offered.  I think the one car I bought was offered with snow in the catalog this week, but the one with conductor announcements I don't think was offered yet.

As others have mentioned, there is also the above vs. below windows lettering thing.

-Dave

This constant release of new versions of the Polar Express cars and sets is starting to get annoying.  Just trying to decide whether to sell all the old stuff and get new or just stick with the old.  Too many choices and decisions to make!  And I keep thinking about how complicated all of this must be for the person just getting into the hobby.  So many different sets and add-on cars and scale vs not.  Lione's Polar Express offerings really need to be mapped out in a graphic somehow to figure out what is what.