Polar Express Train Set Archives

Lionel Polar Express Train Set

Polar Express Train Set

polar express train set image The lionel polar express train set has quickly become a classic and a must-have for the holiday season. Both train collectors and average customers alike just love the quality features as well as the affordable price. If you are looking for a durable train set with excellent life-like features, then you will be very satisfied with this polar express train set.

The reason we say Warning! is because we have done the hard work for you and have discovered the very best place to purchase this train set online. Don’t waste your time, you will find everything you need to know about these Lionel train sets below…

Polar Express Train Set (O-Gauge or G-Gauge?)

Many customers are confused by the whole “Gauge” terminology, but let me try to make this as simple as possible. The main difference between these two types of trains comes down to whether you prefer Metal or Plastic.

The O-gauge train set is more expensive because it is constructed primarily out of metal, while the G-gauge is less expensive because it is constructed primarily out of plastic. That’s really the main difference, but if you would like to learn more about the differences between these two trains, be sure to scroll through our site because I go into more detail about each polar express train set style below.

Reviews Are Important

Amazon is definitely the best place to purchase the Lionel polar express train set online. Not only is Amazon the largest and most trusted online store in the world, but they also have a lot of honest reviews from customers who have already purchased the same items.

Be sure to read through some of these reviews before you make your purchase, especially if you are still a little confused about the difference between the different gauges. This way you will find all of the information that you need to make the best decision possible about the polar express train set.

What Others Are Saying About This Polar Express Train Set…

“A Lionel train set is made to have a child’s imagination soar…”
“I play the Polar Express movie on disc and have the train running slowly all day long Christmas day…”
“Exceptional value, a well constructed Lionel product…”
“The attention to detail, by Lionel, is unmatched…”
“Lionel has outdone themselves with this replica from the movie “Polar Express”…”

Amazon is also great because there are always multiple different sellers in competition with one another. This is great for us because they fight to have the lowest price for their items, which means that the savings are passed on to us and we pay the very best price possible.

When To Choose The O-Gauge Polar Express Train Set

If you are looking for the FULL Christmas experience that will be memorable and magical for your kids, then you may want to choose the O-Gauge polar express train set. This set is definitely built to last for years to come due to it being made of primarily metal rather than plastic with the G-gauge.

The O-Gauge would be a better choice if you plan on using it a lot during the holidays or year round for that matter. This train set does cost more than the G-Gauge, but it’s well worth the investment in our opinion. You will not be disappointed with this Lionel train set and your kids will remember the experience for the rest of their lives.

Whats Included With The O-Gauge Train Set…

1 well-made and heavy duty die-cast steam engine with functional headlight.
1 coal tender car with air whistle.
2 coach passenger cars with interior lighting and silhouettes in windows.
1 observation car with decorated drumhead and rounded observation deck.
4 articulated and detailed movie characters.
1 bottle of smoke fluid.
40″ x 60″ oval track (8 curved, 3 straight and 1 power terminal section).
FREE SHIPPING!

Many Fun & Exciting Add-Ons…

The Lionel Polar Express Train Set has many great add-on features that allow you to completely personalize your train set. You can easily purchase extra pieces of track so that you can customize the length and shape of your polar express track. Tip: If you do purchase additional cars, you will surely need to purchase a couple of the 30″ track pieces. Many customers have recommended that you purchase these extender track pieces even without extra cars.

You can also purchase additional animal packs like Caribou, Wolves and Rabbits. Other add-ons include additional passenger cars to make your train set longer as well as additional characters including Santa, hobo, hero girl and lonely boy. You can also purchase the Polar Express diorama backdrop for the full movie experience. All of these features are a great way to personalize your set and create a magical experience for the kids.

When To Choose The G-Gauge Polar Express Train Set

The G-Gauge train set would be perfect if you plan on using it only during the holidays around your Christmas tree. This is a very good quality G-Gauge train that will make a great impression on the kids and will create a wonderful Christmas atmosphere as it rumbles around the track.

This G-Gauge polar express train set is also more affordable than the O-Gauge, so it may be a better option for you if you only plan on taking it out for a couple of weeks per year.

Whats Included With The G-Gauge Train Set…

Battery Powered Berkshire Locomotive.
RC Remote Control (batteries included).
3 polar express figures (boy, hobo and conductor).
1 observation car with disappearing hobo.
1 passenger car and tender.
55″ x 72″ oval track (12 curved and 4 straight).

What Does O-Gauge Really Mean?

O-Gauge Polar Express Train Set

With the release of the very popular Polar Express movie, Lionel was quick to release their versions of this popular polar express train set. They released two different versions of the same train, which has caused quite a bit of confusion among customers that are not necessarily train enthusiasts or collectors. There is also a pretty significant price difference between the two trains which has only created more confusion among buyers.

Our goal is to explain the important differences between the two trains, while making this as simple as possible for you to understand.

Short History Of O-Gauge Trains

O-Gauge track was introduced by the company Lionel around 1915 for its lower priced trains, compared to the more expensive Standard Gauge trains. O-Gauge trains were typically smaller, cheaper versions of the premium Standard line trains. The Great Depression, starting in 1929, sealed the fate of the expensive line of Standard Gauge trains not only for Lionel but for many other high-end train manufacturers. Lionel just barely survived due to the now extensive line of lower priced O-Gauge train sets.

What Is Gauge?

Gauge is the distance between the rails of the track, Thus O-gauge describes model trains that use track whose outside rails are 1.25 inches apart.

Although Gauge and Scale are often used interchangeably, there actually is a difference. O-Gauge simply refers to any model trains which ride on tracks where the outer rails are 1.25 inches apart.

The discrepancy between O gauge in the United States and O gauge in Europe is attributed to Lionel misreading the original Märklin specifications.

What Is Scale?

Simply put, Scale is the proportion to which the models are built.

O-scale is a scale commonly used for toy trains and model railroading.

O-Scale for instance is often defined as 1:48 Scale. That means the models are 1/48 the size of the real thing.

O-Scale refers to O-Gauge trains that are built to scale in order to closely match the real-life prototypes. Most commercially produced model track is a compromise between appearance and a trouble-free running surface.

So, Whats The Bottom Line?

“You get what you pay for”. This is especially true with the Lionel Polar Express Train Set.

The O gauge set is an electric train set, with the locomotive made from die-cast metal parts, running on standard Lionel track, also made of metal. The realistic locomotive puffs smoke as it runs, chugs like a real steam locomotive and has a very realistic-sounding steam whistle.

The three passenger cars have interior lighting (a nice touch for when darkness falls on Christmas Eve), and the passengers themselves are silhouetted in the windows of the cars. The track assembles easily into a 60″ x 40″ oval. The control pack (which also has the bell and whistle buttons) is solid, durable and easy to control.

The G gauge set, on the other hand, is made from plastic, including the locomotive, coaches and track. The locomotive is also battery-powered instead of electric and these two factors alone account for much of the difference in price.

If you want a train that is more realistic then you will also do better with the O-gauge Polar Express Train Set. O-gauge trains tend to display more detail and are crafted to closely resemble their actual real life counterparts. The O-Gauge train is also larger, so you will need a bit more space to run this train set. Since this polar express train set is more realistic, you will also have more fun building your model railway scenery.

With the release of the very popular Polar Express movie, Lionel was quick to release their versions of this

popular polar express train set. They released two different versions of the same train, which has caused quite

a bit of confusion among customers that are not necesarily train enthusiasts or collectors. There is also a

pretty significant price difference between the two trains which has only created more confusion among buyers.

Our goal is to explain the important differences between the two trains, while making this as simple as

possible for you to understand.

History Of O-Gauge Trains

O-Gauge track was introduced by the company Lionel around 1915 for its lower priced trains, compared to the

more expensive Standard Gauge trains. O-Gauge trains were typically smaller, cheaper versions of the premium

Standard line trains. The Great Depression, starting in 1929, sealed the fate of the expensive line of Standard

Gauge trains not only for Lionel but for many other high-end train manufacturers. Lionel just barely survived

due to the now extensive line of lower priced O-Gauge train sets.

What Is Gauge?

Gauge is the distance between the rails of the track.

Thus O-gauge describes model trains that use track whose outside rails were 1.25 inches apart.

Although Gauge and Scale are often used interchangeably, there actually is a difference. O-Gauge simply refers

to any model trains which ride on tracks where the outer rails are 1.25 inches apart.

The discrepancy between O gauge in the United States and 0 gauge in Europe is attributed to Lionel misreading

the original Märklin specifications.

What Is Scale?

Simply put, Scale is the proportion to which the models are built.

0-scale is a scale commonly used for toy trains and model railroading.

O-Scale for instance is often defined as 1:48 Scale. That means the models are 1/48 the size of the real thing.

O-Scale refers to O-Gauge trains that are built to scale in order to closely match the real-life prototypes.

Most commercially produced model track is a compromise between appearance and a trouble-free running surface.

So, Whats The Bottom Line?

“You get what you pay for”. This is especially true with the Lionel Polar Express Train Set.

The O gauge set is an electric train set, with the locomotive made from die-cast metal parts, running on

standard Lionel track, also made of metal. The realistic locomotive puffs smoke as it runs, chugs like a real

steam locomotive and has a very realistic-sounding steam whistle. The three passenger cars have interior

lighting (a nice touch for when darkness falls on Christmas Eve), and the passengers themselves are silhouetted

in the windows of the cars. The track assembles easily into a 60″ x 40″ oval. The control pack (which also has

the bell and whistle buttons) is solid, durable and easy to control.

The G gauge set, on the other hand, is made from plastic, including the locomotive, coaches and track. The

locomotive is also battery-powered instead of electric and these two factors alone account for much of the

difference in price.

If you want a train that is more realistic then you will also do better with the O-gauge Polar Express Train

Set. O-gauge trains tend to display more detail and are crafted to closely resemble their actual real life

counterparts. The O-Gauge train is also larger, so you will need a bit more space to run this train set. Since

this polar express train set is more realistic, you will also have more fun building your model railway

scenery.