I got my Harry Potter Hogwarts Express today! I haven’t opened it yet because I am not allowed to yet! I’ll get to take the set out before it is wrapped for Christmas-my dad is being nice enough to let me see it tomorrow morning.
It is right beside me right now, it’s cool!
Semaphores,
Not that anyone ever listens to me, but I’ll try one more time. I strongly urge you (or your dad) to inspect the train if not actually run it prior to the Big Day. Admittedly it is really well-packed into that box, but some folks have found defects (usually involving the pickup-rollers or bent little parts) straight out of the box. My local dealer says the same thing: check it out well before the Holiday so that if something is awry there is time to deal with it. After all, in your case the element of surprise is already non-existent.
The good news is that quality control at Lionel has really picked up in the past few months; so that folks seem to be finding far fewer defects than in past years. During this period I have only seen one complaint about the REVISED CW80 transformer, and that was probably due to operator error, but I’d check it anyway. Some folks (I don’t have any idea how many) are going to ignore this advice, and as surely as God makes little green apples, will be thoroughly p…d off on December 25. Why take the chance?
Enjoy!
I agree your Dad should test it, with all the cars attached ( the CW80 usually needs a “power draw” for the engine to work right). Joe
I haven’t opened our HWX set yet either, but I will this weekend to inspect the engine and cars.
Any other specific things to look for aside from the pickup rollers?
SotaPop asked:
Any other specific things to look for aside from the pickup rollers?
Cosmetic blemishes, detail parts broken off, wheels not attached, lights not lighting, windows pushed in, loose wires sticking out, etc. These have all been reported, but they seem to be quite rare. I suppose the transformer could be dead, or the locomotive not run, or the whistle not blow with the transformer that comes with the set, but I’ve seen no reports whatsoever of any such happenings.
I bought a couple of extra pieces of track in case something gets broken. You have to avoid twisting the track when assembling or disassembling. Some say the best way is to put the two pieces of track down on a smooth flat surface (such as vinyl floor) and while holding each piece by the edges (rather than the ends) push them together until the little plastic parts mate properly – possible with an audible click. When FasTrack is together properly, you know it. The line between the sections virtually disappears.
Hope this helps. At this point, I’ve about exhausted my “knowledge” of Hogwarts.
bfskinner,
Thanks!!! Next to putting Christmas lights up on the house this weekend, I’ll be thoroughly examining my HWX.
As far as I’m concerned - Saint Nick would inspect his toy trains before delivering them anyway. I’m just helping him out!
Thanks again for your input and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you. Happy holidays to everyone.
Let me clarify one thing: my comments are not limited to the Hogwarts set or to any one manufacturer. My local dealer and I both strongly recommend checking out new toys prior to Christmas. The way things are packed these days, it may not be easy, but it’s worth it, IMHO.
If the new train won’t run, or you don’t have the right parts to assemble the bicycle, some kid (or overgrown kid) is going to be terribly, terribly disappointed on the Big Day. We really don’t want that.
Someday I’ll repeat my story about what happened with my first train set on Christmas morning somewhere between 1945 and '47. In the end, my father managed to save the day, but it was a near thing.
How about my sister’s husband who late christmas even was putting together an electric ride on jeep (many years ago when the came in many pieces) only to read the final instruction of “charge battery 18 hours before use”.
Next morning (6 hours latter) my nephew climbs in beaming from ear to ear. Sits there fore about 30 seconds and says “this thing won’t go!”.
It pays to assemble and check items long before the big day!
Jim H