by Lionel LLC
(110)Buy new:
12 used & new from $210.00
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Review & Description
Now, you can own the ever popular Polar Express train from Lionel. Painstakingly designed to be true to the original, this exclusive Lionel train set features a die-cast metal Berkshire steam locomotive with a new, larger pilot, headlight lens cap and unique whistle. The engine and tender are painted in a dark, matte finish to complete the image.
Following the locomotive and tender are two lighted coach cars. The observation car features a new rounded observation deck. Silhouettes in the windows depict passengers, and the joyful coach car is where the kids get their fill of hot chocolate and candy. A 40" x 60" oval track completes the set.
Articulated figures with turning heads, movable arms, bendable waists and jointed knees are included. They can be posed and placed on areas of the locomotive, tender and passenger cars.
Locomotive Features:
- Transformer controlled forward, neutral and reverse operation
- Air whistle in tender
- Operating headlight
- Operating coupler on rear of tender
- Powerful maintenance-free motor
- Two traction tires
- Puffing smoke
- Die-cast metal locomotive body and frame
- Separately applied metal handrails
- All-new pilot and headlight lens shield
Passenger Cars Feature:
- Interior lighting
- Decorated drumhead on observation car
- All-new, rounded observation deck
- Silhouettes in windows
- Gauge: O Gauge
- Minimum Curve: 0-27
- Dimensions: Length: 63 3/8"
- Railroad track layout dimensions: 40" x 60"
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 The stylish engine bus has a nostalgic, old-fashioned design and is impressively detailed. View larger. |
 The set comes with figures modeled after characters from the 2004 film. View larger. |
The pieces of the train set are easily assembled, from the smooth linking of the cars, to setting up the track. The instructions are sometimes vague: for example, the train needs to charge before it runs, but we didn't understand that from the instructions and spent some frustrating minutes wondering why the train wouldn't move.
Otherwise, the toy is a delight to set up and play with. Most of the parts are reassuringly heavy and durable, including the impressive transformer that powers the train. There is a small learning curve associated with learning to drive the train, especially for electric train novices, but kids will quickly catch on with their parents' help. The small figurines that can ride atop the cars are a nice entertaining feature. However, they are small and can get easily lost, as well as pose a choking hazard to younger kids.
Attention to Detail Creates a Lifelike Experience
The Polar Express has some especially nice features, like the smoke fluid that you can add to it so that it emits puffs of smoke as it chugs along. The realistic-sounding steam whistle is also a great touch. The transformer that powers the train is heavy and solid, with a big throttle that's easy for little hands to operate.
Testers found the train easy to assemble, and once charged, it went smoothly around the oval track. At 60 inches long and 40 inches wide, the track is not particularly big, but you can extend it by purchasing more track pieces from Lionel (sold separately). In general, we enjoyed the old-fashioned quality in the train set's well-crafted parts, as well the numerous design details (such as interior lighting, retro styling, and a working headlight) that made the Polar Express come alive.
What's in the Box
1 die-cast steam engine; 1 coal tender; 2 coach passenger cars; 1 observation car; 1 CW-80 transformer; Santa's Bell; 4 articulated movie characters; 1 bottle smoke fluid; 40- x 60-inch oval track (with 8 curved sections; 3 straight sections; 1 power terminal section); and instruction book.
 The train puffs smoke and makes convincing whistle sounds as it makes its way around the track. |
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