The item I keep hoping for is a Legacy edition of the standard Polar Express steam locomotive. I beleive it would be very popular for those of us on a budget. What is Lionel waiting for, Christmas?
I would not hold my breath for this, at least not an affordable version. In the 15 plus years that TMCC was available, the cheapest TMCC sets were around $450 (In 2005), and that was without the CAB-1 and base.
Thanks for the response, ed h. $450-$650 for a regular-size Polar Express loco with Legacy and Odyssey speed control is not an unreasonable price. I was referring to the high price of the scale PE 1225 Pere Marquette as being beyond my budget.
If I send out my PE steamer that came with the original RTR set and have it upgraded with TMCC and Cruise Control (Electric RR upgrades), the cost to do that conversion would be reasonable. ERR says their boards will not fit the Polar Express, yet I have seen videos of PE engines running with their TMCC and cruise upgrades (the circuit boards were crammed into the tender). I have also seen a stunning You Tube video of the Lionel Harry Hogwarts Express converted to MTH Protosound 2 (jawdrop!). I am sure that was not a low budget conversion.
I would prefer to see Lionel issue a Legacy/Odyssey edition of the standard Polar Express steam locomotive that to have my conventional PE steamer upgraded. In the mean time, I will use a one of my MTH proto 2 steam locomotives to haul my Polar Express cars this coming holiday season. More than anything, I want speed control and the ability to operate my motives via hand-held remote.
