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This is a question for Dave Olson. Dave, On the new Polar Express set the catalogue shows that the lettering POLAR EXPRESS is now below the windows. The original sets have that lettering above the windows, is that really being changed or is it just an error on the illustration? Thanks for your answer.

Ray

Last edited by Rayin"S"
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banjoflyer posted:

 

most likely won't be ordered  by those ( I won't) who want to extend the original PE set. To have the lettering in two different places on cars in the same train would look confusing at best. That's OK though as my original PE set completely fills the stepped shelves reserved for it when I added the PE wood side reefer from last year.

Mark

I agree! Enough coaches already. But then there's that Aquarium Car...

So, Dave, any chance the "new extra cars" will also be made with the P.E. lettering above the windows as per the early, original  P.E. Flyer Chief sets or is Lionel's plan one of forced obsolescence for the original set buyers like myself having no choice other than to upgrade to a new set or forego buying additional cars if we want a completely matching set?

banjoflyer posted:

The unfortunate thing about the lowering of the lettering is that new add-on passenger cars like the hot chocolate car:

and extra coach most likely won't be ordered  by those ( I won't) who want to extend the original PE set. To have the lettering in two different places on cars in the same train would look confusing at best. That's OK though as my original PE set completely fills the stepped shelves reserved for it when I added the PE wood side reefer from last year.

Mark

I recall when they first came out some questioning why not produce the cars as depicted in the movie and others saying it isn't a real train anyway who cares. (Superman isn't real yet in the toy aisles he is never dressed in green with a purple cape.) I'd have expected those owning the Polar Express license to require the lettering in the right spot and the colors close. Lionel may get those who have held back to spring for a set now plus those who want a correctly done set.

Being new to PE (bought the LC set w/Bluetooth last year), I am curious about a Conductor announcements car.  It seems like nearly all other cars are in this new catalog, but that one is conspicuously missing.

I may order a few of the cars, but not sure I want to test my luck and see how long the engine could pull a full train (though I understand the newer motors are far superior to the original set from many years ago that was famously under powered when adding extra cars).

-Dave

 

Recently bought A/F Polar Express set , made it a figure 8 layout (upstairs). Very enjoyable, love the Bluetooth app to run it with.  Love the scale dimension the set offers. Great puller, excellent speed control, smoke that won't quit, and realistic sound, Tom Hanks.

Interesting though, Lionel lists the track at R20, it's the same as their 036 fastrack for O gauge,  so they must be measuring from outside rail to outside rail on A/F where as O gauge  is measured center rail to center rail.

Another interesting fact, since there is no center rail, it sounds different when running.

Jushavnfun posted:

Recently bought A/F Polar Express set , made it a figure 8 layout (upstairs). Very enjoyable, love the Bluetooth app to run it with.  Love the scale dimension the set offers. Great puller, excellent speed control, smoke that won't quit, and realistic sound, Tom Hanks.

Interesting though, Lionel lists the track at R20, it's the same as their 036 fastrack for O gauge,  so they must be measuring from outside rail to outside rail on A/F where as O gauge  is measured center rail to center rail.

Another interesting fact, since there is no center rail, it sounds different when running.

The sound is most likely affected by the smaller size of the speaker and smaller tender shell resonance.

Rusty

Rusty  I'm running no sound on both engines, however volume at full is not quite as loud ON A/F engine. My new the speaker in use is "Fat Boy Slim"  LOL

Roundhouse Bill.  IMO The extra noise on 3 rail must be coming from the pick up rollers on the center rail and the fit ( not as tight and close) of 3 rail track vs. 2 rail.

Last edited by Jushavnfun
Jushavnfun posted:

Rusty  I'm running no sound on both engines, however volume at full is not quite as loud ON A/F engine. My new the speaker in use is "Fat Boy Slim"  LOL

Roundhouse Bill.  IMO The extra noise on 3 rail must be coming from the pick up rollers on the center rail and the fit ( not as tight and close) of 3 rail track vs. 2 rail.

Confusing statement here. If you are running no sound on both engines, what volume are you referring to, just the mechanical noise of the drivetrain and wheels on the track? If that’s the case, why would any speaker difference matter?

Bill in FtL

Well so much for that, electricrr is refunding my payment:

Merchant information B.G. Technologies, Inc. PayPalerr@lionel.com http://www.electricrr.com

Note from merchant Separate speakers no longer available from us. Try Lionel. Ken

 Does anyone know the Lionel part number?

But just so I understand the Berk speaker situation; Lionel sells it with a lousy speaker so you can buy a better speaker from Lionel?  There must be other better speakers out there.

Tom Stoltz in Maine

 

For my carpet layout....

Just bought more fastrack to build Pretzel Loop Junction extended with baggage and abandoned toy cars to add to train. Having a blast. Also going to try and  add regular transformer control see if it works. 

           OPKKS RR

The Transcontinental RR 

     "Tryin ta git it rite"

part of the D Reg U Latd Co

You should not have to add transformer operation to this , just turn off the FlyerChief  switch on the engine.

Bill, some folks prefer the to run with the old standard transformer operation. Yeah, I know.

Ray

 

The one thing I noticed with FlyerChief locomotives in conventional mode is it seems to take a lot of throttle to get them moving. When I tried my PE the first time in conventional mode I thought it was defective because I went at least to half throttle and it did not move. I chalked it up  to having a bad engine but figured I would always use the FlyerChief anyway. It was not til I received my GP that I found how much throttle or how long it took to respond, after that I tried the PE Berk and the NKP Berk and found both to work fine.

Ray

New and improved layout with 5 car Polar Express train. Used a Lionel fastrack plan, took a bit of massaging , some good ol'  J J Cale, and 3 trips to Fred's to git 'er dun.  Im not one for switches,this train I  like to just run.  As far as conventional transformer power, i just like options.  Variety is the spice of life.20180407_053421

Stretching fittings with special tool. 

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Test run, only 3 pieces left over.

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Under steam

about 13' x 5' with a bit of room to expand.

Having a ball with this .

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