Thought those of you interested in the status of those additional Lionel O-gauge Polar Express cars - baggage and dining cars - that have been seemingly on hold for some time. Well, they have been - but according to the guys at Model Train Stuff - a 2nd shipment is supposedly on the way. What I expected to receive in August, may now be shipped for November delivery.
Given that no money was put up front - no harm no foul. Nonethless, I’m anxiously awaiting their arrival! [tup] My hope is that these additional cars will be a proper match for the original consist.
Now guys - this is just “news” and not intended to turn into Lionel bashing! [swg]
Concern about an animated movie not holding true to form when it comes to real life toy
trains?
Then the audacity (swg) to rub it in that some of you actually have found a source for the “missing” cars! Geesh.
My version of the Polar Express that is operating on my shelf system has a tavern car along with some sleepers. We have an adult consist for those who didn’t take the time to watch the movie’s trailer … [swg]
“Concern about an animated movie not holding true to form when it comes to real life toy
trains?”
I get a big kick out of that, too! Ever since Lionel released their Polar Express, there have been on-line debates about its authenticity; how many cars it should have; what type of cars it should have; how many wheels the cars trucks should have; and numerous other things.
It’s a cartoon movie (albeit a refined cartoon) based on an illustrated (NOT photographically illustrated) children’s book. About the only thing that even approximately has a prototype connection is the film’s Berkshire-type locomotive, and even it doesn’t have a true prototype–just the one used as a basis for the film’s locomotive.
Who would have ever thought that something as fanciful and imaginary as the Polar Express–an imaginary/fictitious child’s story–would ever become fodder for the rivet-counting grist mill?
Ya really gotta love it!
But I must admit that I’ve seen similar discussions on the Bachmann forum–those, of course, related to “prototypical” errors made in the “Thomas” line of trains. Awesome stuff! [:-^]
We have been known to let the Coke-a-Cola Polar Bear Hand Car run on the same layout as the Polar Express. Obviously this must be a Toy Train No-No. First of all, we are mixing Lionel and K-Line in the same room. Secondly, there were no Polar Bears in the movie pumping a handcar and drinking Coke. Third, the handcar is not to the correct scale. Sometimes we are even so wild as to put the K-Line Santa Claus car into the Polar Express consist.
But you know what really bugs me? The movie forgot to put the third rail down the middle of the track. How could they have missed this detail? [D)]
And from page 410 of the Coffe Cup:
And I thought that the LGB Combine was the hard car to find. Stupid me.[D)]
Buckeye Riveter: Can’t help ya, pardner, with the 3rd rail, HOWEVER, au contraire mon ami - there WERE Polar Bears in the flick and they WERE drinking Coke. Just that they couldn’t be seen! But, they were there, I assure you … [swg][tup]
Now, back to my Polar Express consist - I’ve decided that those heavyweights also should have an RPO car, after all, how DID the mail get to Santa? Hmmmmmmm.
When it comes to my style of model railroading (toys or otherwise), if it pleases ME, that’s all that counts! [tup]
I don’t see any problem with “Polar Express” bagage and dining cars. The movie and book may not have featured them directly, but I would suspect that a good imagination could see Santa and the Elves using the Polar express off season with a few head end cars and a diner. Plus, the hot chocolate had to come from somewhere. So, why not from the diner that wasn’t shown.
I’d like to eventually buy the 2 add-on cars. I’m in no hurry, but my local Lionel dealer tells me to buy them now, because they might not be offering them again. They are more than likely a one year only offering. Anyone else heard this?
No one has mentioned that the consist of the Polar Express varies quite a bit throughout the movie. Perhaps the cars in question pop into and out of existence from time to time.
This should pose quite a challenge to those who want to run this train prototypically. The best I can think of is to have two or more trains of different lengths. One goes into a tunnel, another comes out.
My local train shop has the add-on cars priced at $99 (Cdn) each. Catalog price shows about $55 (US).
What is everyone paying for the cars?
And I think the baggage car should be the one with all the marionnettes hanging from the ceiling.