Polar express

If you do a quick search on this forum, or on youtube, you will see thousands of postings

The Polar Express is on the ceiling layout but here's a shot of my tree.

Here you go Michele. Also check out the 2014 Christmas Photo Album Thread. There are many, many photos of the PE set on Christmas layouts.

 

 

Speaking of the Polar Express, Lionel shows two different Lionchief sets - 10th Anniversary and the 30218 which appears to be a regular set. Does anyone have both sets for comparison?

Wow that's so beautiful I want to live on the polar express

I don't know if you are aware or not, but Lionel has taken the liberty to bring an "expanded universe" to the Polar Express franchise: in addition to the original set, there is also a Polar Express freight set with an 0-8-0 steam loco, and a diesel passenger set with an EMD FT loco.  Lionel also has a "Polar Railroad" line of equipment which have very similar paint schemes to the Polar Express equipment.

10+ years later, the Polar Express continues to be one of the most popular subjects discussed on this forum.   (Year-round even!)

I don't have the high end Legacy set, but the starter set is nice. My shell is from the conventional set, which has separately added grab bars. The Lionchief locos dont have that feature, but are nice. i swapped the shells, so I can run Lionchief, with the nicer shell.

 

Regrettably my Polar Express is packed in it's plastic storage tub and is already back in the attic until next year. The engine is in the backshop for a fire box glow upgrade.

 

Gilly 

Gilly, I am considering the same upgrade. i can drill a hole. I can install the lights. what are you using to cover the hole, so it doesn't look like a light?

First bought Polar Express because I got a great deal on a set.

 

BUT

 

As time went on we grew to really like this whole concept. We started collecting the passenger cars.

 

NOW we plan to get the Polar Express LionChief.

As I grew in knowledge about what kind of locomotive it was, then the famous Pere Marquette which actually ran in our neck of the woods here in Northern Indiana In addition the hobby shop owner told me he was very impressed with the quality of the engine for a "set"!! NOt to mention it is die-cast metal!!

 

Now I really like the Berkshire not to mention the #1225 is so right on!!

 

 

Larry,

I got my Polar Express Anniversary Edition set about 2 weeks ago.  Before I bought it, I called the LionelStore and asked what the difference was.  The support person clued me in.  And, her information was accurate: differences are small 10th annv. decals on both sides of the locomotive and the passenger cars included in the set and a wire handrail on the locomotive.  The decals are very small.

Also, a Polar Trolley is available as well. I think that is a nice touch. My train store sells just about everything Polar, but they do sell fast.

 

Pete

When we were at our lhs earlier today my wife spotted the PE Trolley and immediately went into the  "I want this. This is cute" unfortunately I don't have the $80 to get it for her for our future layout right now, but she gave me an idea for her birthday coming up in about 4 months. Should be able to save up for it if Bill still has it. If not I'm sure he can order me one in time.

This is the Scale PE running through my 2013 Christmas Village.

 

Emile

 

Here is mine on the inner loop.  I intend to take some better photos and video this coming week for the Christmas layout thread.  I will try to post here as well.  Mine is a 2012 version I bought last summer from a forum member.  I added the hobo car and the diner.  

Here is my scale PE (2010 Version) with the scale cars running through Santa's Village.  

 

Here is a hobo campfire car I made out of the regular coach that came with my set.

 

I also added a red taillight

 

I finally broke down and purchased the set for my annual Redford Theatre Christmas display.  A good friend also occasionally brings his scale PE train to run on the layout when we are in attendance.

 

Michelle,

 

This is a video I took today and posted in the 2014 Christmas Photo Album thread.

 

Its a 10th Anniversary Polar Express LionChief set that I expanded with extra fast track.  I added the PE baggage car, snow tower, a couple Woodland Scenic buildings and a bunch of Lemax buildings, trees, mountains and other winter accessories.  This is going to be my semi-permanent layout until I have money to buy more trains and accessories.  I'm already looking forward to Halloween and having buildings from the Lemax "Spooky Town" collection.

 

I saw the EMD FT set and I really want to get one of those.  I am going to look out for an inexpensive locomotive only since I don't need the whole set.  (I know the rolling stock won't really match, but I don't care that much).  I'd like to get a non PE EMD FT set, but the only other LionChief set seems to be the Amtrak.

I'm also a big Polar Express fan, both the film and the models.  Of all the trains I own, it is my absolute favorite, and I get excited every November because I can get it out and give it a good workout.    Here are a couple of shots of my Polar Express running on my club's annual display at a local amusement park:

 

 

 

 

The 10th Anniversary scale edition came in just in time to let me double-head them at the park.  It can be seen in a few more pix and some of the videos I posted to this thread.

 

I still believe...

Andy

Is Lionel still offering the PE set in conventional, or have they completely switched over to LionChief(+)?

Don't you also get one or two additional announcements with 10th anniversary set?

All aboard, tickets please and ...?

---

Andy,

   I agree with Brian, your PE train is just seriously cool!

PCRR/Dave

This years Christmas display featured the Polar Express theme...

 

 

I don't know what was on other pre anniversary sets but, for the 10th anniversary edition:

You don't have to know where a train is going......

This is the Polar Express,

All aboard,

I am the king of the North Pole,

The first gift of Christmas,

Tickets please.

Prior to the 10th anniversary set the only anouncements were... "All Aboard This is the Polar Express!" and "Tickets, Tickets Please"

A great thread and wonderful pictures and video...

 

Alan

My scale heavyweigh hobo car...

 

Touch up the edges of the hole with locomotive black paint. To the interior, you can get lenses for Mag light flashlights. One is red. Scuff it up on the inside with a Scotchbrite or some fine sand paper to further blur the light. A dab or two of CA glue and you're good to go.

Gilly

Michele:

 

Here is an important point about participating here on the forum.  You may post a question, or a comment about some particular thing.  Soon you will get an answer or answers directly related to your post.  At sometime, during the life of the original post, others will make commentary that relates, not to your post or question, but to a comment made by another forum member on your post.  Sometimes, the original idea or question will get completely lost, as the commentary actually becomes a discussion amongst fellow members.  This has no reflection on you, or what you said or asked.  It's just the way of things here.  If you see this happening, and it bothers you, just ask again, and request that people keep in mind what the original subject was.  This may or may not work, but it usually does.  And then people will get back on track. 

 

It sometimes takes a good jostling to keep the original subject in the forefront.

 

Bob Severin

Here's pictures of our permanent winter layout. It features the Polar Express, Polar Express Trolley, and the North Pole Central. Enjoy

Well, its not a very good shot of the Polar Express running around our tree, but its the best I can do for now:

 

 

Most of the ceramic buildings came from Goodwill or other thrift stores (in a few weeks they should have tons of them for sale real cheap). The tunnel is a cardboard box with the portals cut out and snow blanket glued to it. I added a bit of extra snow in the corners to make it look not so square. 

 

The train is powered by a CW80 transformer, and the track is just a big oval of fastrack. I made sure not to use any switches or crossings, as the other train I run under the tree was made by Marx, and it will not go through them. 

 

J White

 

Polar Express is great!

 

Here are some photos of my overall large layout with many trains and Polar Express at our Polar Express event at our railway museum.

 

 https://ogrforum.com/t...ess-train-experience

 

Seems the new 10th Anniversary set would be the one to get with the extra announcements.

Scale sets shown are great!

 

The things I think need adding to the Lionel sets are;

Fire for the Hobo I drilled out the roof and added an Evans Designs fire kit. LED light set runs on any voltage AC or DC just stuffed bulbs into an orange candy wrapper and up through the hole I cut in the roof.

 

For the roofs of the cars I added snow, can get a paste mix from your craft store and sprinkle in silver glitter before it dries.

 

Also in the movie if you look at it the only car with Polar Express on it was the 2nd from last car of the train that the kids board on, large Polar Express on side of car so added this to the 0-27 cars.

 

Great photos and videos.

Some creative designs.

 

Say with the LionChief PE engines ?

For those with an up and down the hill if you set the speed on the remote does it maintain speed up and down or slow on up hill and speed up going down??

 

 

kj356,

There is no cruise control with the LionChief PE. It slows and speeds up and down climbs.

Some pictures

 

 

Volphin

 

Got to give you a big "10" for that short video!! Awesome!!

 

Got to ask you where did you find all that "Pere Marquette" stock???

Awesome!!!!!!!

SantaFe158 and everyone else; we've been lookin at the videos everyone made all "10's'

what creativity!!!!!!!!!!

Did you find a way to really secure the coal shoveler?