I received my Polar Express and 2 additional cars. The set arrived ok. I assembled it right away with a few issues.
The first was that a connector pin on one of the fastrack curves was off but I was able to properly reattached it. The second problem was with one of the two coaches that came with the set. Whenever it hit a curve it would spark and stop the train. I quickly pulled the coach off and noted that the side truck was bent and was ever so slightly touching the wheel. I carefully bent it back and problem solved. I was now able to run the engine with it's 2 cars at all speeds.
Next I added on the 2 additional cars. I opened up the baggage car and the truck fell off. Only the light wires kept it attached to the cars. I found the washer and the pin lock in the box. I disassembled the car put the washer on and attached the lock pin. Eight screws later and the car was ready to run with the abandoned toy car. Started them on the track and at slow speeds (Dial in the 2 o'clock position). I advanced to the 3 o'clock position still all was ok. When I increased speed to the 4 o'clock position the engine shut down and restarted. The stop and stop at this speed setting continued. I pulled the 2 cars off and the problem at that speed setting went away. I put the 2 cars back on and it returned. I thought maybe the problem was with the 2 cars I pulled so I pulled 2 others Cars. The problem went away. I was at a loss. Then I had an idea. Maybe the plug in power supply could not handled the power requirements with both the speed and the lighting power required for 5 cars. I removed the supplied power and replaced it with my fastrack power straight and my ZW transformer. Again I powered up the 5 cars with the supplied wireless controller and this time no problem at the 4 o'clock position. I advanced to 5 then 6 o'clock and the train operated flawlessly.
Has anyone else tested this. Do you have this problem or do I have a bad power unit?
Despite all the issues I overcame I do love this set and believe it is a great purchase.
--Rocco--
