Grandson Luke’s Christmas included a Polar Express battery operated, radio controlled train that runs on Grandpa’s track. Luke will be 5 in February. The unit works good and provides a very excited young train enthusiast with a working piece of equipment that achieved its goal. It has a bell and whistle that operates with the push of a button and the pistol grip transmitter is a perfect size for his small hand. I think we have a winner.
Pictures to follow.
Cool, I’ve looked over those sets before; I’d been told they wouldn’t run on brass track?
Ran just fine. Did have trouble with the steep grades of “Owl’s Bend”, but that is why we have geared engines and a big Mallet in that area. We had fun. The throttle has a lot of momentum, so you really have to anticipate getting it to stop. 
Pictures?
Jon.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Christmas%202008%20J%20034.jpg)
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/rgolding/Christmas%202008%20J%20038.jpg)
What fun!
and that’s what Christmas is all about…
Couldn’t agree with you more, ken…
Very cool! I remember when our kids were that small (I think).
Jon.
Nice pics! Looks like a very fun Christmas.
Is that train battery powered? Does it work anything like the first Big Hauler did, and if so, how does it compare?
Ric is that marine roping on the tree?
Nice train by the way. Looks like it runs better then my Bmann.
“Is that train battery powered? Does it work anything like the first Big Hauler did, and if so, how does it compare?”
It runs pretty good pulling its two coaches. It can pull the 4% grade out of Owl’s bend, but struggles pushing up the switch back. It has quite a bit of momentum and the axles roll freely, so it can get away from you on a grade. Luke had to learn to play the throttle. Scale is closer to 1:32, if anything maybe smaller. But it runs on Grandpa’s track , so he’s happy.
“is that marine roping on the tree?”
Yes, Jan made garland out of 1/2 inch 3 strand with shells attached by hot glue many years ago.
I picked up one of these last year, and it was a huge hit with my five year old. Had trouble running it on my outdoor layout and gave up quickly. I’ll have to try it again. Looks like the track in the pictures is Lionel, perhaps. I purchased a lot of extra track and set it up again this year. No museum piece, but it works really well for what its intended to do. Much better than the old Bachmann battery powered sets. Just recently bought one of the Hallmark Christmas versions very cheap.
Ric,
Does your Polar Express play Christmas carols? Mine does not, or so I thought. My daughter was running it and I heard music. I went over to check, and sure enough it was coming from the train. I asked her how she made it play and she said it was just supposed to do that. Hmmmm. Unplugged it, tried it myself, no music.
Next day I try it, still no music. Daughter comes along, starts it up, and carols begin to play. I still can’t get it to play music. Guess you just have to believe. At least I can still hear the bell ring.
(For the record, I looked it up, and cannot find any mention of this set playing Christmas music.)
Paul Lambert said:
Ric,Does your Polar Express play Christmas carols? Mine does not, or so I thought. My daughter was running it and I heard music. I went over to check, and sure enough it was coming from the train. I asked her how she made it play and she said it was just supposed to do that. Hmmmm. Unplugged it, tried it myself, no music.
Next day I try it, still no music. Daughter comes along, starts it up, and carols begin to play. I still can’t get it to play music. Guess you just have to believe. At least I can still hear the bell ring.
(For the record, I looked it up, and cannot find any mention of this set playing Christmas music.)
Seems the Polar Express has taken you on a trip…to the Twighlight Zone.
Ralph
Paul,
You probably can’t here the bell ring, either.
I want to believe, really!
I was sure I heard Christmas carols, but perhaps it was all just a dream…
Maybe theirs a different explaination for the music :lol:
Great post Ric!
Luke looks very involved and inspired…