Harry Potter?

Chris_Vernell1 · August 27, 2012, 10:26pm

She Who has expressed interest in adding a Hogwarts Express to our Thomas layout, (and you know about the MBO bit :P).
I’ve seen Lionel’s O gauge version “in the flesh”, and it looks and runs rather nicely. I’ve only seen pictures, and a U-toob video, of Lionel’s G gauge battery-operated thingamabob. It looks godawful, as though someone had put the loco in a press lengthwise and squeezed (it’d make a better Mogul than a 4-6-0), but it seems to run (at least in the video). The reviews I’ve seen on the 'net are “mixed”.
Anyone here have any experience with the thing? And does it run on regular G track (Aristo/LGB R1 track and switches)? I’m not looking for anything more than a toy to give the younger set some amusement at shows, but I do require some reliability and more than five minutes working life.

VicSmith · August 27, 2012, 11:15pm

I do know it will run fine on regular R1 LGB/Aristo G track, if it is like my Lionel large scale Penn Flyer it will also navigate LGB R1 turnouts as well, as for long term reliability??? Dunno.

I do know of one iffy thing about it, the RC control on mine, you have to be within 10’ of the train for it to keep running, walk a distance away and it will slow then stop, this also happens if there is something in the way of the radio signal, others have not reported this issue, maybe I just got lucky, yeah. I’m planning to sell mine as its more like 1/32 scale and really has no place in my universe. Overall, meh, not bad, not great but not bad, good for kids, if the crash it your not going to have a seizure over it.

Catman8778 · August 28, 2012, 12:09am

I have the Hogwarts and the Polar Express that come out at Christmas. What Victor said about range is very true on both sets. you get a couple of hours out of a set of batteries, so not too bad of a run time.

Mik · August 28, 2012, 2:38am

Since Lionel made their usual hash of it, you may need to build your own if you want reliability.

The first thing you need to know is the “Hogwarts Castle” isn’t even a Castle. It’s a tarted up Great Western Hall (4900) class. This bit of information will give you a lot more pictures to work from.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_4900_Class

This is a Manor, but the backhead for a Hall should be similar
http://www.john-carter-images.com/photo_1842925.html#photos_id=615136

The drivers at 60" are fairly tall. But an Annie chassis with it’s 2"drivers would still be close. The pony truck and stack finial are probably useable as well. B’mann Thomas/James parts could be used for the buffers wheel humps and other bits, if needed.
The tender wheels would probably need to come from B’mann’s Annie and Claribel.

A broken Lionel HP could supply the needed smokebox door, nameplates and trim parts if you don’t want to build those.

All in all, very do-able. Mostly just a matter of getting the parts at a good price.

Dave_Meashey · August 29, 2012, 12:33pm

Chris;

Don’t know whether this would work or not. I’m just typing out some brainstorming ideas. Both Lionel and Bachmann have made Thomas 0-6-0t locomotives. Lionel also used the same chassis for their regular 0-6-0t. The Lionel locomotives have been much maligned for their brass wheels, but my own experience has been that these locomotives run very well if the wheel treads are kept clean.

You may want to check the wheel base for both the Lionel and Bachmann 0-6-0t locomotives. You may be able to cobble-up a credible chassis for the “squished” Lionel Hogwarts 4-6-0 using the 0-6-0 chassis and the original Hogwarts lead truck. That way the locomotive could run on regular track power, and you would not need to worry about battery life or the range of the remote. I think that kids would even accept the “squished” version, as so many toys they get to play with are somewhat cartoonish in proportion anyway. It’s still better looking than the Leggo offering.

Best wishes,
David Meashey

Chris_Vernell1 · August 30, 2012, 4:40am

Mik said:
Since Lionel made their usual hash of it, you may need to build your own if you want reliability. The first thing you need to know is the "Hogwarts Castle" isn't even a Castle. It's a tarted up Great Western Hall (4900) class. This bit of information will give you a lot more pictures to work from.

Mik: Yes, I do know the difference between a Castle and a Hall, and that the movies' Hogwarts Castle weren't no Castle (and RED, gack) :D I'm a GWR fan(atic) from w-a-y back ... loco-spotting back when Castles and Halls and all their brethren (including the Moguls) were in regular service and diesels were just poking their ugly noses in (and no, I didn't wear an anorak). You could tell the difference between a running Castle and a Hall even without seeing them, from counting the exhaust beats, especially if the loco was just getting away from rest. I don't think I'd go to the bother of bashing up a loco of my own, but thanks for going to the effort of digging up those references. Ah, memories ...

Vic: I did see that bit about having to stay within 10 feet … Fortunately, my Thomas layout is 12’x14’, so I’d just have to stand in the middle …

Dave: The problem I’ve had with the Lionel locos hasn’t been the wheels, but the pickup plungers: They get stuck inside their tubes and lose contact with the wheel backs. George Schreyer addresses this problem, but I haven’t got around to following his suggested fixes. I guess one day I’ll have to take the bottom off the motor blocks and see whether the brush springs have failed; I wonder whether you can still get parts.

Actually, I have occasionally speculated over the years about scratchbuilding an Edward using an HLW motor block (now that’s reliable) with 2-inch wheels. Or a Duck: GW Panniers were marvellous beasts. No moving eyes, though; some things just ain’t worth the trouble.

Right now, SW’s attention has turned to circus cars, so maybe magical school trains are moot. … School trains … more memories … (oddly ;), the end-of-term trains seemed a lot more magical than the ones that carried me to school at the beginning of term)