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This is from a locked thread of March 16, 2013. Just wanted to update and edit it. Thanks for replies.

I myself love the Polar Express ans Strasburg railroads and while I recognize fellow devotees to these two roads are a niche group, there are others like me or else the P.E. wouldn't be so popular or Strasburg items sought after.

So, I'm thinking it'd be interesting to exchange tips and ideas on modeling, modding and improving these liveries, relating our personal experiences, trials and tribulations with them.

Last edited by ogaugeguy
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Among those who model the Polar Express, there is usually an attempt at modeling the North Pole or one of the iconic scenes from the movie such as: "The First Gift of Christmas". I combined Lionel figures with Department 56 North Pole series elements. The hardest part is usually trying to find a couple hundred elves. I had to settle for some elves from the Hawthorne Village collection. I still can't imagine why Lionel hasn't produced figures to make up the crowd of elves. Many of us would buy them by the hundreds.

 

Emile

 

OGRHenault2

OGRHenault3

OGRHenault4

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  • OGRHenault2
  • OGRHenault3
  • OGRHenault4

We bought the Strasburg RTR set last November at request of my significant other who dreamed of having the same "take-it-down and store-it-away", on-the-floor type train set for our grandsons.  Well, unexpectedly, it has morphed into a 4-ft by 8-ft, table-mounted layout in the basement.  I attach couple of photos of the current status, Strasburg passenger consist, and additional rolling stock for a freight consist.

 

We wanted a theme that was transitional --- that is, a time when passenger trains were disappearing, but commuter trains were still active.  Ergo, in the station area, we have an old train station (BTS kit), and a newer commuter passenger platform (MTH B & R) on a very short siding with manual switches.  Also, we wanted an industrial area in between the mainline loop and a siding with remote switches ($$).  Tunnel?  Yes, of course with the town on top.  Connecting roadway (highway) weaves its way down through the middle on retaining walls and steep slopes.  A clear span highway bridge crosses over split of mainline and siding in a corner of the layout, while a steep side road descends in tight circle to a highway (culvert) underpass.  Recently added a country store inside that tight circle.

 

Yesterday we finally received our LionChief Plus Southern NW-2 switch engine.  Everything works fine, except the smoke comes out the sides in the front and not out the stacks...anybody have an idea on why?  See the video below to see where smoke comes out.

 

Main Street looking south 2015-07-27

Industrial area - bldg_lighted

Box cars

Car carrier and lowboy

Coal cars

Coal dump car and caboose

Oil tankers

Strabourg passenger cars

Strasburg steamer and tender_1

Better photos H

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Images (10)
  • Main Street looking south 2015-07-27: Our town
  • Industrial area - bldg_lighted
  • Box cars: Part of our freight consist
  • Car carrier and lowboy: Part of our freight consist
  • Coal cars: Part of our freight consist
  • Coal dump car and caboose: Part of our freight consist
  • Oil tankers: Part of our freight consist
  • Strabourg passenger cars
  • Strasburg steamer and tender_1
  • Better photos H: Country store inside the side road circling down from main road
Videos (2)
NW-2 Sounds - for email
VID00081

My younger son got the Lionel Strasburg set for Christmas a couple years ago and has been adding rolling stock to it since.  He has most of the freight cars, but we haven't yet found an affordable example of the 2-pack add-on passenger cars.  We keep looking.  He may get the 0-6-0T for Christmas this year.

Since TheBigCrabCake was too modest to post a link to his Polar Express video, I will do it for him.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, his BEST Polar Express video is the best I have ever seen.  If this dosen't get you thinking about Christmas and running trains then nothing will. 

 

Click in this link, then switch to FULL SCREEN and turn up your sound to really enjoy it.        

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc6IHUdl3V8

 

 

 
 
Last edited by SantaFeJim
Originally Posted by ogaugeguy:

The snowplow colors appear to perfectly match the PE oem colors. What paint and colors did you use?

The Polar Express Blue is a custom mix of Floquil paints devised by Forum Member “Michigan & Ohio Valley Lines” (Keith). His formula was a perfect match:

 

Polar Express Blue Formula (See below for Polar Railroad Blue)

• 4 parts Reefer Gray

• 1 part CSX Blue(GLOSS)

• slowly add Reefer White-not quite 1 part

 

The Maroon color is:  Krylon Fusion 2425 Satin Burgundy

 

For the striping on the plow blades I chose Floquil CN Yellow #12

 

I finished the Snow Plow with a clear coat (50/50 mix of Floquil Crystal Cote and Flat.)

  

When I painted the Jordan Spreader, I did not realize that Polar Express Blue is NOT the same color as Polar Railroad Blue. PRR Blue is noticeably lighter.

 

It was a pretty simple recoat with the correct paint. I found that Model Masters 4847 US NAVYBLUE GRAY M 485 was a very good, if not perfect match for the Polar Railroad Blue.

 

Emile

Originally Posted by TheBigCrabCake:
Originally Posted by ogaugeguy:

The snowplow colors appear to perfectly match the PE oem colors. What paint and colors did you use?

The Polar Express Blue is a custom mix of Floquil paints devised by Forum Member “Michigan & Ohio Valley Lines” (Keith). His formula was a perfect match:

 

Polar Express Blue Formula (See below for Polar Railroad Blue)

• 4 parts Reefer Gray

• 1 part CSX Blue(GLOSS)

• slowly add Reefer White-not quite 1 part

 

The Maroon color is:  Krylon Fusion 2425 Satin Burgundy

 

For the striping on the plow blades I chose Floquil CN Yellow #12

 

I finished the Snow Plow with a clear coat (50/50 mix of Floquil Crystal Cote and Flat.)

  

When I painted the Jordan Spreader, I did not realize that Polar Express Blue is NOT the same color as Polar Railroad Blue. PRR Blue is noticeably lighter.

 

It was a pretty simple recoat with the correct paint. I found that Model Masters 4847 US NAVYBLUE GRAY M 485 was a very good, if not perfect match for the Polar Railroad Blue.

 

Emile

Thanks, BigCrabCake. Now the challenge is to locate a place that still has those four Floquil colors in stock. BTW, after the three colors for the PE blue, do you apply it with an airbrush or paintbrush?

Last edited by ogaugeguy
Originally Posted by ogaugeguy:
 

Thanks, BigCrabCake. Now the challenge is to locate a place that still has those four Floquil colors in stock. BTW, after the three colors for the PE blue, do you apply it with an airbrush or paintbrush?

I used an airbrush. I'm very new to airbrush painting and still everything I've airbrushed is significantly better than anything I've painted with the paintbrush or rattle can. I love the thin layers that you can apply. They dry in an hour under a heat lamp and oven hood and you can easily do 3-6 coats in the same day. Even better is the lack of paint runs. Nothing wastes more time than sanding and repainting paint runs or bristle marks.

Emile

Originally Posted by TheBigCrabCake:
Originally Posted by Moonson:

That looks like you actually have it plowing light, fluffy snow off the tracks!

How cool is that.

FrankM.

Frank,

     It actually does Plow through the light weight snow made by Department 56.

Emile...

Delightful. You must be a fun guy to know, with that strong a sense of play. Cool.

FrankM.

I an in southeaster PA and have had the polar express set up the past 2 christmas's.  santa also got my son the rtr Strasbourg set so that will be neat to run.  Hopefully I will get some extra Strasbourg freight cars and the hot chocolate and disappearing hobos.  I am now building two 4x8 L shaped layout with 3 levels.  I will post when done but used edsal 36" steel legs for support.  I plan to keep my 

eye out for grey cobblestone pavement with brick accents and hope to sort of recreate the first gift of christmas scene.   Also contemplated getting an old mirror I have cut down to about a 12"x25" strip and lightly spraying with white sprat paint and would cover with couple pieces of o82 to mimic the scene of pe sliding on ice.   I had a hundred custom made elves made to help with the first gift of Xmas scene

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