Lionel Thomas & Friends Ready-To-Play Train Set Review #7-11903 - Not G Scale Compatible!?!

Since Lionel announced their Ready-to-Play Thomas & Friends set, I have been somewhat curious about it. The product image is definitely nightmare fuel, which was honestly my biggest complaint when I first saw it. Upon watching several videos from other TH-camrs though, I found that this set (or more like the entire Ready-to-Play system) had other issues. After coming across one of these sets at a very reasonable price on eBay, I decided it was time to do a review of it on my channel.
When Lionel first started making these Ready-to-Play sets, they had the advantage of running on their own track, or actual G scale track. Somewhere within the last decade, Lionel has made the stupid decision to regauge this system to where it is no longer compatible with G scale, nor is it compatible with what preceded it. Now there's nothing wrong with making improvements to your range, but to unnecessarily regauge everything to where people have to go out and buy a designated track system is just ridiculous. I know for a fact several people have been burned by this, going out and buying a set which they think is G scale, when in reality it is not.
In addition to that, cost is also an issue. This set will on average cost you around $80-$100 depending on where you buy it. Other Ready-to-Play sets can be had for around $50-$70 depending on where you buy them. The question here is why is the Thomas & Friends set so overpriced compared to the others? Furthermore, when considering all Ready-to-Play sets have the same contents (trains, track, and remote), why is there such a difference in price?
After looking at this set, I will admit that I do see quite a few good things about it, but the positives don't outweigh the negatives. I know some may say I was being far too critical over this set, but I'm not going to promote Lionel when they do things like this. Furthermore (looking at this from a viewers perspective), I would rather know what's wrong with something before I go out and spend my money on it. At the end of the day, I think you're better off buying an actual G scale set from manufactures like Bachmann, LGB, USA Trains, or Piko...
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[@lillywho]

There is a web page that describes how to regauge the set to run on 45mm again. The Hogwarts Express is the easiest one and described in detail, for the rest you kind of have to figure out how to push in the wheels yourself. But at least on Annie and Clarabelle, it looks to be really easy. And on Thomas, you might want to look how the model is built on the underside.

[@buzzlightyear1519]

The whistles are actually metal!

[@theofficialicemariochannel5498]

I need this Lionel Thomas with Annie and clarabel 😊

[@beno2002]

If I can get it for cheap, I might buy it. However, I will be tempted to modify both Thomas and the coaches to fit on G gauge track.

[@OccasionalInc23]

From what I’ve heard, that’s impossible to do with any standard gauge engine unless it is ToyState’s early 2-6-0 train sets they made from 1988 to around 1992. From what I have heard, ToyState originally intended those trains to be G-scale, but they didn’t have the correct materials to do it. However, the chassis was actually around 43-44 millimeters showing that the basic originally was G-scale. If the axels are drilled down some, and replace some parts out with New Bright, it would perfectly fit on G-scale track. The Ready-To-Play engines chassis are purposely designed to run on their tracks, not to mention Lionel was mean enough to mold over the screw-holes. The only RTP engine i’ve heard that IS possible to convert to G-scale is the Hogwarts Express set. 3 people were able to do it on TH-cam, as well as several people on this garden railway website. It turns out the chassis for the RTP Hogwarts Express is actually the same as the original G-scale version. Only difference was that they must’ve got lazy to re-design that. Trucks on the coaches I heard also lack screw-hole protection. But so far, that’s the only Ready-To-Play set that’s convertible to date. The rest is unknown, and I wouldn’t recommend going out and buying one of these just to wildly experiment it. Especially, if cheap sets like these are being sold for like, $100-200 dollars.

[@greatwestern57]

I might get one and try to re-gauge it

[@eddierools]

Yeah, not gonna lie, the price gouging compared to other Ready to Play sets is ridiculous, but i'm just assuming it's down to the price of the Thomas license from Mattel. I definitely don't see myself getting this, being more of a OO modeler, but maybe if it was a $50 set, i can see buying this for a nephew or something.

[@trainboy7]

I’m almost considering selling my G Scale Polar Express Set in favor of the Ready To Play version. But only because it has better frequency and runs a bit faster.

[@OccasionalInc23]

DON’T DO THAT! I have read the customer reviews for that set, and the reviews are all negative! I have the original G-scale version and it’s lasted for 12 years now! The ready-to-play version won’t last you 20 years. I guarantee it!

[@nwrxhenry]

Is the model in scale with gauge one models, since when I saw the model next to the bachmann one, it’s really small

[@jdemata8115]

I'm pretty sure it is in scale with the gauge 1 models

[@OccasionalInc23]

These “Ready To Play” sets are 55mm. (Standard gauge) They are not G-scale and will not work with any G-scale product.

[@jdemata8115]

Yeah, it's kinda disappointing that Lionel change the track gauge of the G gauge Ready to run battery powered(Ready to play)train sets. It could had been better when these Lionel Ready to play sets run on actual g gauge track just like the old Lionel Ready to run g gauge battery powered train sets.

[@FlyingScotsman-ks8iy]

Do you think this set could be converted to g gauge like I’ve seen others do with the other sets in the range

[@PlowBenderStudios]

It's been a few years now, but I've had this sitting under my workbench in hope of converting it over to run on actual G scale track. I've not really taken the time measure, but Believe with some careful trimming and such, the wheels can be moved in just enough for it to be done. It's still something I'm yet to do though.

[@asbmp]

Don't lose the remote otherwise you would have to buy the whole train set again just to get the remote

[@nikerailfanningttm9046]

oh god, they used the CGI voice....the set is fucked!

[@crisishelp1120]

Ok, Not hating but.. People collect these? 🤪

[@PlowBenderStudios]

Yes they do and I don't understand it. Just got an email from a guy before Christmas who has apparently been collecting this particular line and wanted to know my thoughts on whether it was worth the money compared to buying actual model trains. These days I don't even think they're worth the plastic they're made from...

[@crisishelp1120]

@@PlowBenderStudios Jeez, Do they give them to there kids? In my opinion they should just collect semis Semis are literally my favorite thing in the whole world and needed to expand this train topic into semis because on how much I love then. 😐