I just got the set and it is great, looks, runs very smooth. I run it on my layout and the kids love it. It is supposed to look like the movie and for that they hit the mark. The electronics are amazing, you can run it on almost any system, dcc, blue tooth, lion'chief, and who knows what else. Remember guys this is not a scale item, so deal with it and let's hope the best for Lionel in their venture into Ho once again.
super new intro James, for the holidays, as far as the review goes, when you first got this out I was ya, I want one, then the more I looked at it, well we all know what Lionel can do for detail, and to see this model was like looking at a Life Like model from the 1980;s, just think they could have done way more for being Lionel, it sure is set up to use there controller, great review, like your opinion on this model, lighting is great, Thanks James for the review, due to the molded parts on this thing, I think I wait till next year to see if Lionel tries again, HAPPY HOLIDAYS JAMES, to you and family, thanks for the great video review
Jlwii 2000. Lioneis is Ho Scale Polar Express W/ Rail sounds is out Reveiew inside. Real cool to see the way that it works. An seeing how the Locamotive works. Thank you for sharing this video. Real cool to watch is go around the track.
I saw that you uploaded a video and I almost had a heart attack when I saw the video's name. Great Review! NOEDIT: I noticed that the wheels are still unpainted, I hope that this was un-intentional.
ITS ABOUT TIME. Oh how I've longed for an HO polar express. Maybe I'll pick one up after I'm through with college to replace my wounded Bachmann berkshire.
One of the wires disconnected from the orange tender plug. I got it when I was very young, and foolishly didn't keep hold of the warrenty card. I'm more into electric guitars now than model trains, so maybe I could try soldering it back in, but I'd rather just get what I really wanted all along: an accurate polar express.
I got the ready to run set about 2 years ago on Christmas. Fast forward to yesterday and now the drive rods won't stay straight long enough to pull a train around my layout for 2 turns. Let alone it jiters during running. I really like the engine. it's just a pain that it's not perfectly reliable. My 7+ year old Bachmann F7 has proven to be more reliable.
nice! I got this for christmas in 2019 and then it stopped working after it went over a track but then i returned it and got a new one and i works amazingly. and my athearn union pacific f3a and f3b units cannot push or pull this lionel polar express but this thing can. Nice review!
OMG I am a ho scale model railroader and waited since I was ten for a ho scale polar express to come out! your layout is awsome! can you make a video tour of your layout?
Interesting! I just saw this at the train store in Lincoln. I hadn't paid attention to an HO scale Polar Express so I was surprised to see this. Not too bad for the price point, sound seems good and if the loco is diecast it should pull decently. Hopefully a train set than can last beyond its initial purchase season. The next generation of model railroaders have to be inspired by something and this might be a step in that direction. Merry Christmas to the Wright family!
Thanks, my friend! Ha! Believe it or not James ... it was just that! Had some Taxidermy work today, then played with some little 0-4-0 Saddle Tank Engines! They are my next detailing/weathering/DCC installation projects!
jlwii2000 I don't know if I'm the only one that thinks this but Lionel did an awful job I should just get a Burkeshire locomotive that's blank and just put road names on it
Cool, I think this product is geared towards people buying for children and looks like it would survive less than delicate handling with the moulded in detail. An alternative to the Thomas the train sets. Great nephew is turning nine might be something worth considering.
I recemend the American Flyer Polar Express, its in HO scale and it comes in whole set for only 250 and the HO Polar Express doesn't come in a set, you need the train, passenger cars, and track and that's a total of about 500 dollars
CarterTornadoGuy Then it's a good thing I have plenty of track, and operate DCC locomotives, all I need is the locomotive, three set passenger cars and the hot chocolate car for a grand total price of $350 (estimate). The other passenger car is that which comes in the three car set.
I really enjoy your reviews, I hope to get into HO model railroading myself as soon as I can save up some money. I know this is quite different than what you already do, but would you be able to review some European HO locomotives at some point? I would be really appreciate to see some of the stuff from across the pond as that is what I plan to get into. Thanks again for your consistent and informative content!
I like thew concept of the train..wish I had a place to use it on besides a christmas tree all year round. I would have added a decorative christmas style box car to it that had the words on it Merry Christmas..Love the train but bit expensive for now..
It IS virtually identical to the MOVIE Locomotive. This is what you all are NOT getting! If you don't like it ... don't buy it! Man, some people aren't happy unless they're bitching about something!!!
Edward Leslie The CGI locomotive from the movie was pretty plain too. Trains targeted to a younger demographic are usually plain on the details to keep prices down and improve their durability when handled by children.
It's the Polar Express; it IS a Toy Train. The 'prototype' is a magical train that takes a boy to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. If you can't see why molded on detail is useful to a loco likely to be picked up and handled by a child
Its a dying hobby because the real trains died in the US for anything but unit freight and containers about 2 decades ago. People spend huge amounts of money on hobbies of all kinds, not to mention tech toys. I don't know where YOU shop, but I can get cheaper, more detailed train models today, with features that literally didn't even exist (full sound in HO?), compared to 2 decades ago. The off-the-shelf models produced today are better in every conceivable way than those of the past, regardless of where they were built. THIS toy train was never intended for, or aimed at, serious prototype modelers, so sure, it doesn't satisfy those requirements.
I got both the long-sleeve & short-sleeve versions of the Union Pacific " Building America " shirt. Did Lionel specify a minimum curve radius for the locomotive? When I watched " The Polar Express ", I got the impression that the design of the locomotive & cars were based on the classic Lionel Berkshire & Irvington passenger cars. Things like the pilot, marker lights, & no diaphrams between the cars. With the green marker lights, prototypical modelers will have to run another passenger train behind it as a Second Section!
Wow, it looked as if the Polar Expressed polarized a lot of viewers! Folks either like it or hate it. I do like the idea that you could use the remote or your DCC controller and I assume the Bluetooth version with your smart device. When will Bachmann learn this?
I see that just like in the the pre-production model you previewed with the Lionel rep., the lone boy silhouette is at the wrong end of the observation car unlike their S and O scale versions. I wouldn't be too critical on the lack of detail on the loco since Lionel indicated that they were after the look of the movie version rather than try to be prototypical. They made similar concessions with the O and S scale version.
The locomotive may have a slightly lighter drive wheel color than the other models and they did switch the windows around on the observation car, but there's no way that will stop me from asking for this for Christmas.
Lionel has managed to recreate diecast molding in plastic! Then again it's a model of a digital animation locomotive. Some have complained about the price, it's not out of line. Consider you are getting a DCC & Sound with conductor's voice (Tom Hanks) and a remote control all included. That's actually a bargain! Performance is not out of line for a DCC model and will properly get better as the milage adds up. Again styling is all Lionel. Kids who like the movie will be happy to have the Polar Express run under their tree, especially those that live in an apartment or no room for the O scale version.
I must say, I didn't have high expectations for Lionel on this one, but it turned out alright. The bell and whistle are impressive but the chuff just sounds awful. The detail is minimalistic but that's accurate to the movie I suppose. My biggest gripe is still the price point, like does Lionel really expect traditional modelers to pay that much for an HO engine that isn't prototypically accurate? I would get the engine but not at their advertised price. Hopefully they follow MTH's model and eventually gradually lower their prices to more reasonable ones in HO.
TFN5459 : from my mind to your mouth. I was thinking the same. No disrespect to the legacy that Lionel has created, but it's only ever been a toy to me. As far as the price point, it is rather outrageous. Only fit to run around your Christmas tree. I may be a bit harsh on it, but $250 is an entry level price for a premium model. This is fit for a traditional toy store as I see this as a novelty rather than a model train establishment.
J.A Dapper I don't think you're being too harsh, and I think those outside the hobby would have a similar reaction as well. Lionel is a "toy train" manufacturer with a few items in the scale side of things like their Vision Line engines and such, which I feel much of HO is oriented around. I would buy the Polar Express if it were in the price range of say the Bachmann Sound Value equipment. Even MTH who has long been in the O scale market and only recently entered the HO world realized this is a vastly different target audience than in O and started bringing out lower cost models and more road name specific details. If Lionel can't make the same changes that MTH did, I see their time in HO being rather short like it was in the early 2000's.
I've watch a few other reviews of this set now and it seems that your set is the only one with slow speed problems, you might want to exchange yours for a new one or send it into Lionel service!
I have been waiting for this set for years and I'm buying two set. One set for the family and one to collect and now the decision is to get the additional cars or not
Edward Leslie relax, it's a children's toy meant to be durable and user friendly. if you want a really realistic prototypical 2-8-4, look at the MTH Ho one or proto 2000. those can be found relatively inexpensively. leave the kids toys alone.
Oh it’s you again. Look, I’m gonna try to be nice but why? Why do you have to come and attack people and act like such a jerk? I happen to collect very high-end O-scale and so I think it’s safe to say that I know a thing or two about quality and detail. I think Lionel did an okay job with this set and hey, at least it has lights and is a great runner. It’s meant to be wrapped up and put under a Christmas tree. Yeah I agree that it’s a little much but you gotta remember you can get discounts at dealers. First you trash BLI and now Lionel. What’s next, MTH? Seriously, just don’t watch these videos if you hate this hobby so much. But for the record, it’s not dying anytime soon (it’s never been bigger). So your words kinda fall flat. Also, fix your spelling. Please. It looks horrible.
I think I might take a Bachmann 2-8-4 and use the fron of the engine for the polar express, them I'll strip the paint off it and paint it black(if it isn't already) and will put 1225 on it so it's a More detailed polar express
In my case, I hadn't stripped off the paint, but I painted all white rims on the wheels, and the white sides black with an acrylic black hobby marker, and painted the whole smoke box black with acrylic black paint, then I printed Polar express lettering from the computer, cut the lettering off the paper, then glued it onto a sticker, cut out the sticker, and stick it onto the sides of the tender on my bachmann berkshire even though the paper sticker didn't adhere well.
I hope I'm not the only one who is annoyed by this, but if Lionel tries to recreate the Polar Express from the movie, are they watching a different version of the movie? Last time I checked, the locomotive in the real movie had its headlight sort of built into the boiler face, kind of like a mix of an NKP Berk and Kanawha Berk, and the marker lights were never as distinguished either. Also this doesn't apply to just the HO version, it goes for all versions as well (O, American Flyer). Just compare pictures of the movie locomotive and Lionel's loco,Irvine and you'll see what I'm talking about.
I bought one and my bell broke broke off not even after a hour of using it like it's a nice locomotive but kinda disappointed that happened and it's kinda hard to run it on small layouts cuz i been trying all day to build a layout it could run on but it kept derailing and I have 18'' curves pieces
Helllo James, You mentioned that there was some discounts available to buy the trains and under the MSRP price. Can you please share those? Many thanks in advance, Fausto
Bachmann and Lionel have a long history together. When Lionel first introduced their line of HO scale products 5 decades ago, Bachmann was one of the sources for product.
Excellent valuable review, ALTHOUGH I was not empressed with Lionel Ho polar express. The cut out problem, is a loss of power from the track . Lionel could have easily fixed this fault, with an internal auxiliary rechargeable battery from track power. . The price is far too high for this cheep of a model. What brand name you you suggest for a highest quality manufacturer??
It's a minor thing for most folks but if it had separately applied hand rails, I'd be all over it! I have an O Gauge PE set that has them and they make a big difference in realism (to me anyway.)
I ordered the complete 5 car set and am very happy with the train. However, the Lionel HO MagaTrak totally sucks and is really unusable. They have been making this train for 5 years now and I know the track has been a major issue for most people. I am not sure how they continue to sell this track. Also, the small boy who is alone in the last car is on the wrong side of the train. He should be in the last seat on the right side of the car as you look from the car in front. Not sure who does Lionel research, but they need to improve. As I remember, they had the boy sitting in the front of the car on the O scale model instead of the back. Also, the light on the back of the last car is white on the train, but should be red! Get with it Lionel--you need to do much better!
The Know-It-All Kid Lied to me! Its a Berkshire 2-8-4 Built in 1941 by the Lima Locomotive works. Eddie Deezen! How could you let me down like this lol!?
I was so exited to get this model but when I got it I was disappointed as the loco cuts out even at high speeds and I have 2 berks and the passenger cars
You should probably ask that the consumers support their local hobby store too since you are telling them to look around for discounts.. Without the local shops, the consumers will not have a place to see the new items (in-hand) and purchase.
I said brick and mortar hobby shops and online retailers have discounts. I also said discounts are available, never did I say "shop around for the best discount." I'm not going to tell people to support their LHS every video, but I have said that many times over the course of my many videos.
Can you tell Lionel that they make the best locomotives in the whole wide world because I like trains so much and want to get one of their locomotives sometime around soon?
I am watching the ho scale polar express review. I love it so much and want to get it someday and like the sounds and look of it. Have you seen the movie the polar express? I seen it and think the movie is awesome. If you haven't, you should watch it. You will like it. Trust me, you will once you get to know it and like it
Yup those are definitely green marker lights, lol. My LHS has these 2-8-4's not even in glass, just sitting on the retail racks for 149.99. I'd grab one at that price.....hmmm, might have to. Even though they look like ass pretty much, the mechanism is probably bullet proof.
"Lionel said the model is supposed to reflect how the polar express looks in the movie." Excuse me, what? Lionel, did you even watch the movie? The render of the locomotive is EXTENSIVELY detailed. The animators did a fantastic job. It looks just like a real Berkshire (Minus the big pilot). I think Lionel is trying to appeal to younger generations who like PE, and want this model. Less details to break. I'd like this model if Lionel took the time to make the marker lights more off to the side like a real berkshire. They should look like marker lights, not eyeballs; and if the handrails were separate, and if the wheels were black. But the markers are the killer for me. I'm surprised that doesn't really bug anyone else as it's like that on their O scale Berkshires as well. Overall, Lionel is making a big jump back into HO, and is doing an OK job so far, but I don't think they are realizing the HO market they are up against.
First, I love your reviews, and thank you for doing them. There are 2 critical things I would like in a review: Is the coupler height correct, and, are the wheels in gauge. Especially on a steam engine's drivers, this could be a big problem, especially in the market that this set is targeted for.
I feel like because this is small and affordable it will be a success with people who just want a cheap Christmas train but for anyone who is into the hobby this will probably be avoided. In the end if Lionel wants to be successful in HO scale they're going to have to basically bring their Legacy stuff to HO scale and NOT charge the insane prices they do for the O scale. I mean really how can they get away with charging 900$ for an 0-8-0 in O scale that looks worse than the old 1970s Rivarossi HO scale 0-8-0s.
The only thing that bothers me about this model is the fact that Lionel never, on any scale, has actually made the headlight sunken into the boiler like the actual polar express
Get the Bachmann one, it's a real MODEL and not just an overpriced piece of garbage like this thing. I have a Bachmann 2-8-4 and i love it, it runs smooth and it looks great
I just got the set and it is great, looks, runs very smooth. I run it on my layout and the kids love it. It is supposed to look like the movie and for that they hit the mark. The electronics are amazing, you can run it on almost any system, dcc, blue tooth, lion'chief, and who knows what else.
Remember guys this is not a scale item, so deal with it and let's hope the best for Lionel in their venture into Ho once again.
Love the whistle:) Thank James for all the great videos!!!!!!!!
I have the same shirt you are wearing. My father worked for Union Pacific
It’s a beautiful HO scale model of the Polar Express.
super new intro James, for the holidays, as far as the review goes, when you first got this out I was ya, I want one, then the more I looked at it, well we all know what Lionel can do for detail, and to see this model was like looking at a Life Like model from the 1980;s, just think they could have done way more for being Lionel, it sure is set up to use there controller, great review, like your opinion on this model, lighting is great, Thanks James for the review, due to the molded parts on this thing, I think I wait till next year to see if Lionel tries again, HAPPY HOLIDAYS JAMES, to you and family, thanks for the great video review
So cool! I've recommended your channel to 38 people at my train club.
Thanks for the recommendation!
I remember having this when I was a kid for Christmas.
Jlwii 2000.
Lioneis is Ho Scale Polar Express W/ Rail sounds is out Reveiew inside. Real cool to see the way that it works. An seeing how the Locamotive works. Thank you for sharing this video. Real cool to watch is go around the track.
Love your Holiday inspired opening!
awesome set! I got to see the movie on my 13 birthday(just turned 23 Nov.10).My Aunt took me to see it, I've watched it every Christmas since.
Edward Leslie I'm actually gonna get this set when I see it in my local train store
I like your layout and your HO trains.
Put an ESU decoder in it, get the sounds of the movie and there you have it. Great motor control & sound!
I saw that you uploaded a video and I almost had a heart attack when I saw the video's name.
Great Review!
NOEDIT: I noticed that the wheels are still unpainted, I hope that this was un-intentional.
I have been inside of this locomotive in person and it’s much bigger than you might expect
Btw, JLW, love your reviews. Keep up the great work.
This thing is very well detailed and it looks exactly like the prototype except a lot smaller
Happy Holidays James. I might sell my older Lionel Polar Express for this HO Polar Express.
ITS ABOUT TIME. Oh how I've longed for an HO polar express. Maybe I'll pick one up after I'm through with college to replace my wounded Bachmann berkshire.
What happened to your Bachmann 2-8-4?
One of the wires disconnected from the orange tender plug. I got it when I was very young, and foolishly didn't keep hold of the warrenty card. I'm more into electric guitars now than model trains, so maybe I could try soldering it back in, but I'd rather just get what I really wanted all along: an accurate polar express.
KnapfordMaster98
Same thing happened to me with my spectrum 4-4-0
KnapfordMaster98 I've been wanting an ho polar express I'm so happy they made one
If I were you, I'd just get another Bachmann. The Lionel one is so chunky and toylike, it just makes me sad.
I got the ready to run set about 2 years ago on Christmas. Fast forward to yesterday and now the drive rods won't stay straight long enough to pull a train around my layout for 2 turns. Let alone it jiters during running. I really like the engine. it's just a pain that it's not perfectly reliable. My 7+ year old Bachmann F7 has proven to be more reliable.
nice! I got this for christmas in 2019 and then it stopped working after it went over a track but then i returned it and got a new one and i works amazingly. and my athearn union pacific f3a and f3b units cannot push or pull this lionel polar express but this thing can.
Nice review!
Lionel should remake their 1950s HO the original Gilbert American Flyer HO from the old dies or forget HO.
OMG I am a ho scale model railroader and waited since I was ten for a ho scale polar express to come out! your layout is awsome! can you make a video tour of your layout?
4:40 ahhh yes red marker lights
Interesting! I just saw this at the train store in Lincoln. I hadn't paid attention to an HO scale Polar Express so I was surprised to see this. Not too bad for the price point, sound seems good and if the loco is diecast it should pull decently. Hopefully a train set than can last beyond its initial purchase season. The next generation of model railroaders have to be inspired by something and this might be a step in that direction. Merry Christmas to the Wright family!
Nice review ... and on my Birthday, too!
Happy Birthday John! I hope it was filled with taxidermy and trains!
Thanks, my friend! Ha! Believe it or not James ... it was just that! Had some Taxidermy work today, then played with some little 0-4-0 Saddle Tank Engines! They are my next detailing/weathering/DCC installation projects!
jlwii2000 I don't know if I'm the only one that thinks this but Lionel did an awful job I should just get a Burkeshire locomotive that's blank and just put road names on it
John Bellucci Lo
John Bellucci
I love this polar Express locomotive
Cool, I think this product is geared towards people buying for children and looks like it would survive less than delicate handling with the moulded in detail. An alternative to the Thomas the train sets. Great nephew is turning nine might be something worth considering.
I've always wanted the Lionel ho polar express and cars!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I got Locomotive Of Polar Express it Ruin Good and quiet if switch under Tender turns off the switch flip.
I want this set... As a polar Express fan, I WANT THIS SET SO BAD!!!!!!
Tyler Kane I hear ya brother. I want one as well,
I recemend the American Flyer Polar Express, its in HO scale and it comes in whole set for only 250 and the HO Polar Express doesn't come in a set, you need the train, passenger cars, and track and that's a total of about 500 dollars
CarterTornadoGuy
Then it's a good thing I have plenty of track, and operate DCC locomotives, all I need is the locomotive, three set passenger cars and the hot chocolate car for a grand total price of $350 (estimate). The other passenger car is that which comes in the three car set.
CarterTornadoGuy American flyer is S-gauge not ho
Ya I know now it just looked like it was sorry about that, there both cool tho I have HO and I love it!
I really enjoy your reviews, I hope to get into HO model railroading myself as soon as I can save up some money. I know this is quite different than what you already do, but would you be able to review some European HO locomotives at some point? I would be really appreciate to see some of the stuff from across the pond as that is what I plan to get into. Thanks again for your consistent and informative content!
Kolby Latranyi get into MTH and Marklin HO for the best.
very nice vidéo and trains thanks.
thats a really bright red compard to your bnsf hoppers
How cool is that!
I like thew concept of the train..wish I had a place to use it on besides a christmas tree all year round. I would have added a decorative christmas style box car to it that had the words on it Merry Christmas..Love the train but bit expensive for now..
I thought in your interview with Lionel they had said the wheel set would not be grey?
The nice thing about it being a "plain" design, it allows the owner to detail their Locomotive if they wish. That's what I would do to it! ;)
It IS virtually identical to the MOVIE Locomotive. This is what you all are NOT getting! If you don't like it ... don't buy it! Man, some people aren't happy unless they're bitching about something!!!
Edward Leslie The CGI locomotive from the movie was pretty plain too. Trains targeted to a younger demographic are usually plain on the details to keep prices down and improve their durability when handled by children.
It's the Polar Express; it IS a Toy Train. The 'prototype' is a magical train that takes a boy to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. If you can't see why molded on detail is useful to a loco likely to be picked up and handled by a child
Its a dying hobby because the real trains died in the US for anything but unit freight and containers about 2 decades ago. People spend huge amounts of money on hobbies of all kinds, not to mention tech toys.
I don't know where YOU shop, but I can get cheaper, more detailed train models today, with features that literally didn't even exist (full sound in HO?), compared to 2 decades ago. The off-the-shelf models produced today are better in every conceivable way than those of the past, regardless of where they were built.
THIS toy train was never intended for, or aimed at, serious prototype modelers, so sure, it doesn't satisfy those requirements.
I'm a teen aged have no money and yet I'm marking a PRR mid div in n scale. Who said trains are for the elderly.
I got both the long-sleeve & short-sleeve versions of the Union Pacific " Building America " shirt. Did Lionel specify a minimum curve radius for the locomotive? When I watched " The Polar Express ", I got the impression that the design of the locomotive & cars were based on the classic Lionel Berkshire & Irvington passenger cars. Things like the pilot, marker lights, & no diaphrams between the cars. With the green marker lights, prototypical modelers will have to run another passenger train behind it as a Second Section!
Wow, it looked as if the Polar Expressed polarized a lot of viewers! Folks either like it or hate it. I do like the idea that you could use the remote or your DCC controller and I assume the Bluetooth version with your smart device. When will Bachmann learn this?
Bachmann won't learn, they'll just copy it and fuck it up like usual, put modeled on grabs ona 300$ loco ect
Nice layout
The LionChief app has an update coming out letting you control the engine from the app
I see that just like in the the pre-production model you previewed with the Lionel rep., the lone boy silhouette is at the wrong end of the observation car unlike their S and O scale versions.
I wouldn't be too critical on the lack of detail on the loco since Lionel indicated that they were after the look of the movie version rather than try to be prototypical. They made similar concessions with the O and S scale version.
Nice set.
The locomotive may have a slightly lighter drive wheel color than the other models and they did switch the windows around on the observation car, but there's no way that will stop me from asking for this for Christmas.
In O gauge Lionel has the very best slow speed operation! I wander if your engine has a problem?
Lionel has managed to recreate diecast molding in plastic! Then again it's a model of a digital animation locomotive.
Some have complained about the price, it's not out of line. Consider you are getting a DCC & Sound with conductor's voice (Tom Hanks) and a remote control all included. That's actually a bargain! Performance is not out of line for a DCC model and will properly get better as the milage adds up. Again styling is all Lionel. Kids who like the movie will be happy to have the Polar Express run under their tree, especially those that live in an apartment or no room for the O scale version.
did you know that Athearn is making a 3rd run of the FEFs, Alex from Athearn told me and there fited with ESU loksound.
LNERMALLARD4468 Gaming & Model Rail Roading any idea when they would be out?
not sure,
I got mine with the three car set yesterday
I have seen many other reviews and those engines are not cutting out at low speeds
I must say, I didn't have high expectations for Lionel on this one, but it turned out alright. The bell and whistle are impressive but the chuff just sounds awful. The detail is minimalistic but that's accurate to the movie I suppose. My biggest gripe is still the price point, like does Lionel really expect traditional modelers to pay that much for an HO engine that isn't prototypically accurate? I would get the engine but not at their advertised price. Hopefully they follow MTH's model and eventually gradually lower their prices to more reasonable ones in HO.
At their price range you could get a Bachmann berk.
TFN5459 : from my mind to your mouth. I was thinking the same. No disrespect to the legacy that Lionel has created, but it's only ever been a toy to me. As far as the price point, it is rather outrageous. Only fit to run around your Christmas tree. I may be a bit harsh on it, but $250 is an entry level price for a premium model. This is fit for a traditional toy store as I see this as a novelty rather than a model train establishment.
J.A Dapper I don't think you're being too harsh, and I think those outside the hobby would have a similar reaction as well. Lionel is a "toy train" manufacturer with a few items in the scale side of things like their Vision Line engines and such, which I feel much of HO is oriented around. I would buy the Polar Express if it were in the price range of say the Bachmann Sound Value equipment. Even MTH who has long been in the O scale market and only recently entered the HO world realized this is a vastly different target audience than in O and started bringing out lower cost models and more road name specific details. If Lionel can't make the same changes that MTH did, I see their time in HO being rather short like it was in the early 2000's.
I've watch a few other reviews of this set now and it seems that your set is the only one with slow speed problems, you might want to exchange yours for a new one or send it into Lionel service!
nice model train video
You already got it?!?! Dang that must of have came out fast
I am also watching your jlwii2000 train shows right now.
no railings on the side? that seems safe!
Great video!
I'm curious if this is just a one-time thing by Lionel or if they intend to release more HO models in the future.
I certainly DO care.
Great model I like the detail of the tender....hwo ever doesn't like it is a cheap scate
I have been waiting for this set for years and I'm buying two set. One set for the family and one to collect and now the decision is to get the additional cars or not
Edward Leslie relax, it's a children's toy meant to be durable and user friendly. if you want a really realistic prototypical 2-8-4, look at the MTH Ho one or proto 2000. those can be found relatively inexpensively. leave the kids toys alone.
Andrew Magosky
Oh it’s you again. Look, I’m gonna try to be nice but why? Why do you have to come and attack people and act like such a jerk? I happen to collect very high-end O-scale and so I think it’s safe to say that I know a thing or two about quality and detail. I think Lionel did an okay job with this set and hey, at least it has lights and is a great runner. It’s meant to be wrapped up and put under a Christmas tree. Yeah I agree that it’s a little much but you gotta remember you can get discounts at dealers. First you trash BLI and now Lionel. What’s next, MTH? Seriously, just don’t watch these videos if you hate this hobby so much. But for the record, it’s not dying anytime soon (it’s never been bigger). So your words kinda fall flat. Also, fix your spelling. Please. It looks horrible.
Are you sure those two lights were red? I'm pretty sure those were green. 📕📗📕📗📕📗📕
Do a full running video
I think I might take a Bachmann 2-8-4 and use the fron of the engine for the polar express, them I'll strip the paint off it and paint it black(if it isn't already) and will put 1225 on it so it's a More detailed polar express
In my case, I hadn't stripped off the paint, but I painted all white rims on the wheels, and the white sides black with an acrylic black hobby marker, and painted the whole smoke box black with acrylic black paint, then I printed Polar express lettering from the computer, cut the lettering off the paper, then glued it onto a sticker, cut out the sticker, and stick it onto the sides of the tender on my bachmann berkshire even though the paper sticker didn't adhere well.
I hope I'm not the only one who is annoyed by this, but if Lionel tries to recreate the Polar Express from the movie, are they watching a different version of the movie? Last time I checked, the locomotive in the real movie had its headlight sort of built into the boiler face, kind of like a mix of an NKP Berk and Kanawha Berk, and the marker lights were never as distinguished either. Also this doesn't apply to just the HO version, it goes for all versions as well (O, American Flyer). Just compare pictures of the movie locomotive and Lionel's loco,Irvine and you'll see what I'm talking about.
I bought one and my bell broke broke off not even after a hour of using it like it's a nice locomotive but kinda disappointed that happened and it's kinda hard to run it on small layouts cuz i been trying all day to build a layout it could run on but it kept derailing and I have 18'' curves pieces
What is your take on the Model being plastic instead of metal? Is it bad to have a plastic locomotive?
my country power voltage is ac/220-240c..is this model or all lionet train set suit this voltage?
Helllo James,
You mentioned that there was some discounts available to buy the trains and under the MSRP price. Can you please share those? Many thanks in advance, Fausto
Wait 219 dollars ! For this train I'm planing on buy a train to go around the Christmas tree this year so I look into this one
But Lionel ho Polar Express still preorder
looks nice
very nice review
Does it come with the passenger cars
Could you do a video comparing this to a Bachmann Berkshire? I wouldn't be surprised if some parts were the same.
Bachmann and Lionel have a long history together. When Lionel first introduced their line of HO scale products 5 decades ago, Bachmann was one of the sources for product.
MrSouthernman73 Indeed they do. Bachman actually wasn't the manufacturer of Lionel HO until the late 1970's.
Excellent valuable review, ALTHOUGH
I was not empressed with Lionel Ho polar express.
The cut out problem, is a loss of power from the track .
Lionel could have easily fixed this fault, with an internal auxiliary rechargeable battery from track power.
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The price is far too high for this cheep of a model.
What brand name you you suggest for a highest quality manufacturer??
Is this a dcc loco I am looking for a polar express that is dcc but the set has a Bluetooth controller?
It's a minor thing for most folks but if it had separately applied hand rails, I'd be all over it! I have an O Gauge PE set that has them and they make a big difference in realism (to me anyway.)
I ordered the complete 5 car set and am very happy with the train. However, the Lionel HO MagaTrak totally sucks and is really unusable. They have been making this train for 5 years now and I know the track has been a major issue for most people. I am not sure how they continue to sell this track. Also, the small boy who is alone in the last car is on the wrong side of the train. He should be in the last seat on the right side of the car as you look from the car in front. Not sure who does Lionel research, but they need to improve. As I remember, they had the boy sitting in the front of the car on the O scale model instead of the back. Also, the light on the back of the last car is white on the train, but should be red! Get with it Lionel--you need to do much better!
The Know-It-All Kid Lied to me! Its a Berkshire 2-8-4 Built in 1941 by the Lima Locomotive works. Eddie Deezen! How could you let me down like this lol!?
I was so exited to get this model but when I got it I was disappointed as the loco cuts out even at high speeds and I have 2 berks and the passenger cars
You know those new Lionel Polar Express Cars can be pulled by your PM 1225 from Bachmann
Do a review on the Lionel ho scale polar express
You should probably ask that the consumers support their local hobby store too since you are telling them to look around for discounts.. Without the local shops, the consumers will not have a place to see the new items (in-hand) and purchase.
I said brick and mortar hobby shops and online retailers have discounts. I also said discounts are available, never did I say "shop around for the best discount." I'm not going to tell people to support their LHS every video, but I have said that many times over the course of my many videos.
G & G Model Shop
Where can I buy the 2016 version
I wanna see run videos of all ur 🚂 &I ur layout
How much are the cars alone?
Great review! What did you use to make your intro?
Can you tell Lionel that they make the best locomotives in the whole wide world because I like trains so much and want to get one of their locomotives sometime around soon?
I am watching the ho scale polar express review. I love it so much and want to get it someday and like the sounds and look of it. Have you seen the movie the polar express? I seen it and think the movie is awesome. If you haven't, you should watch it. You will like it. Trust me, you will once you get to know it and like it
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Yup those are definitely green marker lights, lol. My LHS has these 2-8-4's not even in glass, just sitting on the retail racks for 149.99. I'd grab one at that price.....hmmm, might have to. Even though they look like ass pretty much, the mechanism is probably bullet proof.
you said the marker lights on the front are red. there's a difference between the grinch and santa.
if you watched his channel at all you would know that he is color blind.
The 20th Century Limited i do watch his channel yet i don't know he is color blind
he also mentions it in the comments below
The 20th Century Limited well i didn't read the other comments so just leave off it
Forwetain25 im just telling you why he said red he also mentioned it in other videos
What's the minimum radius curve for the Polar Express?
wouldn't the O version with smoke be better at the same price point?
"Lionel said the model is supposed to reflect how the polar express looks in the movie."
Excuse me, what? Lionel, did you even watch the movie? The render of the locomotive is EXTENSIVELY detailed. The animators did a fantastic job. It looks just like a real Berkshire (Minus the big pilot).
I think Lionel is trying to appeal to younger generations who like PE, and want this model. Less details to break. I'd like this model if Lionel took the time to make the marker lights more off to the side like a real berkshire. They should look like marker lights, not eyeballs; and if the handrails were separate, and if the wheels were black. But the markers are the killer for me. I'm surprised that doesn't really bug anyone else as it's like that on their O scale Berkshires as well.
Overall, Lionel is making a big jump back into HO, and is doing an OK job so far, but I don't think they are realizing the HO market they are up against.
First, I love your reviews, and thank you for doing them. There are 2 critical things I would like in a review: Is the coupler height correct, and, are the wheels in gauge. Especially on a steam engine's drivers, this could be a big problem, especially in the market that this set is targeted for.
awesome video but now u need a Polar Express caboose to complete
At 4:40 he says the marker lights are painted red?!?! He's obviously color blind
Nice intro dude
I feel like because this is small and affordable it will be a success with people who just want a cheap Christmas train but for anyone who is into the hobby this will probably be avoided. In the end if Lionel wants to be successful in HO scale they're going to have to basically bring their Legacy stuff to HO scale and NOT charge the insane prices they do for the O scale. I mean really how can they get away with charging 900$ for an 0-8-0 in O scale that looks worse than the old 1970s Rivarossi HO scale 0-8-0s.
The only thing that bothers me about this model is the fact that Lionel never, on any scale, has actually made the headlight sunken into the boiler like the actual polar express
please make a video about the Bluetooth app cause i can't find it thanks
should i get this or ba hmann nkp 763
Get the Bachmann one, it's a real MODEL and not just an overpriced piece of garbage like this thing. I have a Bachmann 2-8-4 and i love it, it runs smooth and it looks great
Glad that I know you are red green color blind. The marker lights on the front are green, not red.
Da'Bobs N-Scale Mancave and yyyyhuudj