Trains.com

Lionel O-gauge Polar Express baggage & dining cars

2133 views
20 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Lionel O-gauge Polar Express baggage & dining cars
Posted by siberianmo on Saturday, September 24, 2005 1:45 PM
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]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Adel, Iowa
  • 2,292 posts
Posted by jonadel on Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:15 PM
Well, I didn't get my Nov. CTT today but I did pick those two cars on Wednesday. Very nice additions.

Jon

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Saturday, September 24, 2005 7:13 PM
I HEARD BUCKEYE GOT THE TWO CARS FOR THE POLAR EXPRESS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO!!!!! [;)]

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Saturday, September 24, 2005 7:22 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

I HEARD BUCKEYE GOT THE TWO CARS FOR THE POLAR EXPRESS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO!!!!! [;)]

It was supposed to be a secret. [:(][:(]

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Saturday, September 24, 2005 9:56 PM
OH[;)]

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 24, 2005 10:07 PM

"Polar Express baggage & dining cars"

Was there a baggage and dining car in the Polar Express movie?

As I recall, the train was on a 7 hour trip to the North Pole and none of the children had any luggage.

And weren't the children served only hot chocolate and cookies in the passenger car they were riding?

Or was this a different movie?

,
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 1,991 posts
Posted by Frank53 on Saturday, September 24, 2005 11:52 PM
They've had them at my local hobby shop for a couple of weeks. I have a Polar Express set on hold there as well.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 25, 2005 12:17 AM
does the polar express run on o27 track and switches?
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 1,991 posts
Posted by Frank53 on Sunday, September 25, 2005 2:45 AM
I believe it will run on 0-27, the cars appear to be short.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, September 25, 2005 9:49 AM
Good Grief! What have I started?

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]

Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 25, 2005 10:40 AM
"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! [:-^]
  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Jelloway Creek, OH - Elv. 1100
  • 7,578 posts
Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Sunday, September 25, 2005 1:34 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

Good Grief! What have I started?

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]

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:
QUOTE: Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter

If you can keep quiet, I'll tell you a secret. Yesterday, I received a big package from Davis Trains. Inside was the two new Polar Express Cars for my daughter's train set. We will keep them hid and give them to her for Christmas. Now remember it's a secret. [swg]

BTW, I also received the very hard to find LGB C&S Combine car for my Garden RR. [:)]

And I thought that the LGB Combine was the hard car to find. Stupid me.[D)]

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

TCA 09-64284

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Sunday, September 25, 2005 5:12 PM
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]
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 26, 2005 11:00 AM
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.
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Monday, September 26, 2005 12:11 PM
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?

Jim

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Monday, September 26, 2005 12:32 PM
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.

See http://www.moviemistakes.com/film4612 for more detail.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Michigan - Nevada in winter time
  • 249 posts
Posted by IronHoarse on Monday, September 26, 2005 1:03 PM
All I can say is...LOL

Thanks for the laugh and enjoy those trains!
Ironhoarse "Time is nature's way of preventing everything from happening all at once."
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 1,991 posts
Posted by Frank53 on Monday, September 26, 2005 2:54 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by lionelsoni

This should pose quite a challenge to those who want to run this train prototypically.


If someone wants to run the Polar Express "prototypically", I would guess they already have more than their share of "challenges", so to speak.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Monday, September 26, 2005 6:28 PM
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.

--David

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 26, 2005 6:55 PM
Charlie Ro still has them at good prices.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 26, 2005 11:45 PM
If any of you folks want a New Polar Express set. I have one new and boxed. You can have it for $190.00 plus UPS. My phone number is 724-479-2026.
Thank you,
Jimmy

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month