Polar Express: from a prototype vantage

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

By now, most of you must have seen the movie. Now a prototype discussion of the Polar Express.

First, there are several railroads that do, in fact, cross the Arctic Circle, notably one in Norway, a mining train on Spitzenberg and possibly the Alaska RR (not sure of this).

Of course (unless you BELIEVE), there’s not a single train (yet) to the pole itself, which is actually flat and (don’t tell anyone) does not contain an elf city with Santa.

However, truth is stranger than fiction. RRs have infact crossed ice lakes; notably Lake Baiykal in Russia and rivers in the Western US during the early years. And, some trains have actually sunk when crossing thin ice, while others, like in the movie, have scrambled to get across safely–and made it.

The little annoying boy in the movie seemed to know his trains, rattling off the date the locomotive was built, and builder, and the operating characteristics.
I’ve heard of hobos and I’ve heard of hobos riding atop the freight cars, but a hobo building a fire atop a train and skiing across the train is a new one–but possibly could have happened.

The dancing chefs too, perhaps have a precedence in the prototype; although I’d much prefer the Harvey Girls.

2

The Alaska Railroad goes as far as Fairbanks, which is just short of the Arctic circle. However, it does go to North Pole. See http://www.alaskarails.org/stories/ARR-spirit-of-north-pole.html

Not only is the north pole flat, it is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean.

3

Bob,

I’d love to see the long-dreamed about RR from BCR to the Alaska RR (I think that BCR merged with CN or CP?)

There used to be a RR in Nome; don’t know how close that is to the circle.

Not much chance in laying track across the arctic as the ice is thinning every year.

4

From what I have read, the north pole ice has melted.

I personally think it is Santa’s way of keeping the non-believers at bay! It is really a moat!

5

Hey Ya’ll

The Polar Express is not real, however, it is based on real engines and cars.

The locomotive is a Baldwin 2-8-4 S3 Berkshire
The coaches are heavyweights (I am not sure if there really is a rounded end heaveyweight observation)

However, all of us kow that if a train ran on ice, it would break through imeadiatley, I mean a 20 something or more berkshire alone would do that. However, the moviee was really cool.

I have seen it 2 times already, (A Sneak Peek Saturday before it was realesed, the Saturday after that which was last saturday, and my youth group is going this coming Sunday)

I would have loved for a berkshire and coaches to pull up in my front yard, let alone take me to see Santa, but I am sure I would have had a heart attack in the process.

Nick

6

Nick,

The street running is prototypical. Would be interesting to see how they made the picture of the train. Looks half real, half cartoon.

Loved the windows that open; alas, windows on trains no longer open.

Safety reasons, of course; political correctness.

7

Wasn’t this engine based upon Pere Marquette 2-8-4 No. 1225 - see http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/494plygh.asp

8

The passenger trains always ran down the middle of the street in the town where I was born; Lafayette, Indiana. Houses on both sides of the street, just like in the movie.

9

“but a hobo building a fire atop a train and skiing across the train is a new one–but possibly could have happened.”

Did you not notice that the Hobo was a ghost? Ghosts can do anything they want!

How many of you noticed the Hobo’s Lee Marvin impression?

10

It sure is, based on the PM No. 1225 class N-1 Berkshire;not
an S-3 as earlier reported,and is a Lima class of '41.[:)]

11

A: Do you mean Lionel’s model or the movie locomotive? (haven’t gotten to see it yet-darned busy)
B: The movie engine has a headlight whose lens is flush with the smokebox door-pure Delaware & Hudson,