Polar Express vs Trad berks

[ADCX Rob]

Santa brought my son a Polar Express Set... the size & heft of the loco IS impressive for a starter set - it's just so much more than the old Columbia/Scout engines or even the 1666/2026/2037/2029 "prairie" types, more like a 225/2025 or a little bigger - and the tender is an updated 2466W/6466W type with the air whistle.

It is not that powerful, however. The one can motor is tiny, and will pull any reasonable modern consist easily, but bogs down on our current 15 car postwar freight consist that our MPC 8800 & 8142 locos (4-4-2 "prairie" type - 2026 type shell - pullmor motors)run away with on the Christmas layout. There is no wheel slip - the weight, & traction tires on the rear pair of drivers, assures that. I did not want to push it with that load so early in its life, we'll try it again after break-in some day.

It is 2 days old already, so I took it apart tonight for inspection & lube. 4 obvious screws from the bottom is all it takes. The axles appeared dry, so all oil points got a tiny amount of Mobil 1 0W-20 from a LaBelle oiler, and the worm shaft (steel - directly on the motor) & worm wheel(brass alloy) got the usual Lucas Red 'n Tacky #2.

The reverse unit is the typical 3 position electronic mounted up on one edge behind the smoke unit. Smoke is quite prolific for a postwar-based plunger type, we've been using the Bart's "Classic Cedar" Supersmoke. The construction is really simple & straightforward, the chassis alone can be run on track w/ all trucks in place "a-la" the 2055/2065/665 spur drive steamers & the Turbines/Berks worm drive locos. The 2046/2056 can be run like this, too.

The leading & trailing trucks are substantial castings, the boiler detail is really nice for an entry level set. Switches(slide type) are on the cab floor, hidden but accessible for reverse lock-out & smoke on/off.

I expect the engine to be VERY durable in long-term use. the simple construction, and a 4 to 6 amp reverse unit(estimated) dictate that the motor will probably fail if overloaded before anything else. It should be a very inexpensive repair part if it ever does fail.

It pulls its consist at reasonable speeds, top end is such that it will not fly off the 36" diameter Fastrack, and it slows down to more prototypical speeds with grace. The full complement of driving rods is a huge draw to this loco.

I expect some folks will want to abandon the air whistle for a Trainsounds or Railsounds upgrade to the tender, if one ever becomes available... a little something each year, like this year's baggage & diner cars to keep interest in the Polar Express piqued.

Hope this helps some...

[overall]

This may seem stupid and petty on my part but the cowcatcher sticks out too far for my taste. For that reason, I prefer the older berks. That is purly cosmetic.

George

[1688torpedo]

My Vote goes for the older 726/736 Berks any day. They will keep on running & running.Nuff said.[:)]

[dwiemer]

I just got one on a great deal following Christmas. I really like it, but it needs the test of time. My older Post War Berks never seem to fail and besides the occasional brush/spring work and lubes, they need very little attention. Sorry I can't be more desicive about this.
Dennis

[MartyE]

Well I took off the sleeve and then used fiberglass insulation. Made sure to lay it in the unit to keep the air holes open but enough to have the heat element sit in the material. I kept it off the top of the element. That's about it. Someone suggested seeing if there was a 10 ohm 5W resistor inseries and bypass it as it was left out on later models. There was but mine is still smoking fine enough.

[Jumijo]

Marty,

My PE whistle sounds like any other Lionel air whistle.

Just for future reference, what diddling did you do to make you PE smoke better?

Jim

[MartyE]

It is definitely no 726... It is more starter set quality and size. That being said mine has operated flawlessly for 2 years with the exception of some smoke unit diddling. It now smokes well and always ran great. When I first held it I was suprised by the heftiness of it. It's got some weight to it. The whistle is OK. It is the old air whistle. A little buzzier than I would like it but still OK. Depending on what your use is I would say it works for me under the tree.

[Anonymous]

Howis the Polar Express Berk compare w/the old Berks 726s and 736s? The old Berks seem hard to get and are very expensive. The polar express is much more reasonable. Is the Polar express as good as the old Berks? Does the Polar Express have the can motor? Does anyone own one and how reliable has it been?
Thanks
Much
TOm