I keep seeing these things on fleabay for about what the whole locos were on clearance, and got to wondering… I know the wheels are plastic, but how strong are the drives? good? bad? indifferent? Is one axle gear driven or more?
If they are reasonably stout, and I could get one cheaply enough, I was thinking I might repower the mogul I’ve been working on. I’d rather have a low driver Consolidation anyway.
I have two of these sets in their original set form, (Pennsy Flyer & Christmas Story sets) they are originally from the (bi-)Polar Express G set. They seam OK but the original engine was fairly light so its pulling cap is not very high. You should be OK if you can get the batteries wired directly to the motor without needing the Lionel RC controller which has a couple annoying problems; A. you have to hold the throttle open constantly or it will stop, and B. you have to keep the controller within 6 feet of the train or the signal drops and the train stops. But the drive is R1 capable so thats a plus. I dont know what $ they are asking, but personally I paid $45 each for the whole darn set. I want to get rid of one set, let me know if your interested.
Thanks Vic! I’d just be using the drive block, as the rest of the thing isn’t my cup of tea- so I’ve really no need of a whole set. I just might take up you on the offer, just for the loco in a week or two, though… but only if you’re willing to dump the rest on evilbay rather than ship it clear across the country to sit in a box until I do…
Have you had one apart yet? I’m really curious how it’s gears are set up…
One of my sets had a dislocated lock ring on the main drive axle so the motor would spin but no movement. An afternoon with a needlenose plyer and a professional level weeving of expelative verbag I got it back locked in place and it has ran fine since. If I recall the drive axle was geared to the other axles. There is a lot of slop in the siderods as one would expect in a set aimed at kids. I want to say the motor was geared to the 3rdother axle but it may have been the 4th. I would have to pop one open and see.
Alan,
I picked up one of the sets that are floating around for about $45 from a local shop. I got the Polar Express set to give to my son, who is 4. This will be perfect for him. Personally, I think it is a step up from the new bright / toys-r-us set I got him last year for his birthday. I know it isn’t a model train, and consider it a ‘toy’. But, that said, I think it really isn’t that bad, for $50. More than that, I’d think twice.