This is the Polar Express GG1...

@Paul Kallus posted:

Roger on replacement Reindeer cars. I am pretty sure Ryan of Lionel made this happen. I haven't put mine on yet...they had told me there's only 4 screws...it's on my list of things to do which is quite long, and nothing is easy. I think these are about a year or maybe older...how time flies. Write to Lionel and specify item # and attaching receipt is always a good practice. I tried like heck to get replacement shells for my Polar Express High Speed set and cars, but I think not enough people wrote to them. Rider: I think these were only made with snow on roof...I would've also liked a black-roofed version.

That’s fantastic, Paul. Is the blue a good match?  I may write and see if they still have the shells and then track a car down. It’s my understanding the snow is not “thick” or “textured,” but rather just white paint on the roof. If so, a black air brush or spray paint job would be easy peasy.

Yes, Rider, IMO the darker blue color is a good match with the earlier scale cars.

Regarding the Acela PE set, I didn't catch the color discrepancy until about a year after it was released, when I was able to buy a set and the add on cars. I surmised not enough people wrote to Lionel about it, possibly because they hadn't purchased the earlier PE cars and didn't know the difference, or they were happy enough with what is a very pale blue. The Acela PE set was the most expensive item I've ever purchased. I still like it, though I agree with others who commented about the snow on the roof, and I wish it was black roofed...it would be sharper looking that way IMO.

Well I emailed Lionel and within a few hours I had a shell on the way.  Thanks to @Paul Kallus for letting us know about these.  I'll let you know how it turns out.  Couldn't have been a better service experience from Lionel!  Great Job!

I found a Vision reindeer car at forum sponsor Mario’s and sent in a request to Lionel service for a new shell. The only wrinkle is Lionel insisted on doing the shell swap themselves (as opposed to sending it to me). They were kind enough to pay for shipping both ways, so it’s no big deal.

Once back from Lionel, I’ll paint the roof black and it will be a great addition to my original PolEx passenger set.  

Thanks again to Paul for making us aware of the replacement shells!

@Rider Sandman posted:

I found a Vision reindeer car at forum sponsor Mario’s and sent in a request to Lionel service for a new shell. The only wrinkle is Lionel insisted on doing the shell swap themselves (as opposed to sending it to me). They were kind enough to pay for shipping both ways, so it’s no big deal.

Once back from Lionel, I’ll paint the roof black and it will be a great addition to my original PolEx passenger set.  

Thanks again to Paul for making us aware of the replacement shells!

Interesting.  My shell shipped out today.  Regardless it is great that these are being addressed by Lionel. 

@MartyE posted:

Interesting.  My shell shipped out today.  Regardless it is great that these are being addressed by Lionel.

Admittedly, I earned my engineering degree way back in the 90’s, so perhaps they thought my screwdriver skills were a bit outdated.  

Either way, I’m happy with the solid customer service.

Well I ordered a Caribou 6 pack to put in the Reindeer Car while I swap the shell.  I also frost the front windows where the wires show through.

I like Polar Express items and have several of them (the GG1 is way out of my budget range though), but I'm not a fan of "snow" on the roofs of any motive power. I don't much mind it being on the rolling stock, but I just prefer that motive power be snow-free on top, as it most often would be in real-life service.

They should offer streamlined polar express passenger cars to go with the polar GG1.

@Allan Miller posted:

I just prefer that motive power be snow-free on top, as it most often would be in real-life service.

Then you haven't been on a real locomotive in a snow storm! Nor have you ever seen a train that has been in a heavy snow storm. Just like your family car, if you do not clear the roof of that 18" of snow, don't trust the wind to blow it all away as you go down the road! The same with trains. Some snow is going to stay up on top until the sun shines and can start heating up portions of the roof.

Personally, I like the snow effect on top. It gives the loco some character and I hope that they keep it there!