Polar Express Train Set

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).

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.

This train set will transform Christmas morning into a magical and memorable experience, not to mention all the fun that will be had once the holidays are long gone.

This train is worth every penny, and has brought much joy to my family. I like to bring it out on Thanksgiving evening to help us all get in the Christmas spirit.

This lionel trains polar express train set o gauge is the best polar express train set on the market. The O-Gauge basically means that it is top of the line. Most notably, the locomotive is crafted from die-cast metal, rather than plastic which you will find with the (G-gauge train). The track is also made out of metal, the passenger cars have interior lighting and silhouettes. The train also features a puffing smoke stack, a powerful motor, operating headlight and a great air-whistle in the tender.

In my opinion, this polar express train set o gauge is FAR better than the lesser G-gauge train, and is absolutely worth the higher price. The G-gauge will work just fine, but if you are looking for something spectacular, then you will definitely want to go with the O-gauge train.

Superbly Crafted Train Set That’s Easy To Set Up
The pieces of the train set are easily assembled, from the smooth linking of the cars, to setting up the track. The instructions are sometimes vague: for example, the train needs to charge before it runs, but we didn’t understand that from the instructions and spent some frustrating minutes wondering why the train wouldn’t move.

Otherwise, the toy is a delight to set up and play with. Most of the parts are reassuringly heavy and durable, including the impressive transformer that powers the train. There is a small learning curve associated with learning to drive the train, especially for electric train novices, but kids will quickly catch on with their parents’ help. The small figurines that can ride atop the cars are a nice entertaining feature. However, they are small and can get easily lost, as well as pose a choking hazard to younger kids.

Attention to Detail Creates a true Lifelike Experience
The lionel trains polar express train set o gauge has some especially nice features, like the smoke fluid that you can add to it so that it emits puffs of smoke as it chugs along. The realistic-sounding steam whistle is also a great touch. The transformer that powers the train is heavy and solid, with a big throttle that’s easy for little hands to operate.

Testers found the train easy to assemble, and once charged, it went smoothly around the oval track. At 60 inches long and 40 inches wide, the track is not particularly big, but you can extend it by purchasing more track pieces from Lionel (sold separately). In general, we enjoyed the old-fashioned quality in the train set’s well-crafted parts, as well the numerous design details (such as interior lighting, retro styling, and a working headlight) that made the Lionel Polar Express Train Set come alive.

What you will get in the Box:
1 die-cast steam engine; 1 coal tender; 2 coach passenger cars; 1 observation car; 1 CW-80 transformer; Santa’s Bell; 4 articulated movie characters; 1 bottle smoke fluid; 40- x 60-inch oval track (with 8 curved sections; 3 straight sections; 1 power terminal section); and instruction book.

All in all, you won’t be able to find a better radio controlled G-scale train with so many features for the low price of this train.

Polar Express G-Gauge

Lionel Polar Express Train Set Specifications

Lionel’s G-Gauge battery powered sets are ready-to-run right out of the box. Track and batteries are included. You can run these trains using conventional C batteries (included) or a 9.6 volt rechargeable battery (not included). It’s your choice. And for ease of use, these “larger scale” trains are powered by an easy-to-operate RC controller (with two AA batteries included). Many customers have said that the batteries do not seem to last very long, so the rechargeable battery may be the best option.

Highly detailed with authentic train sounds (including bell and whistle), these “larger scale”, battery operated train sets are designed perfectly for children ages four and up. The Polar Express G-Gauge Train Set by Lionel is the perfect way for families to relive the magical scenes of the hit movie together. Three Polar Express train set figures are included (conductor, boy, and hobo) and the Observation car has an endearing “disappearing hobo” feature. Great for the kids!

With a touch of a button, you can hear ‘All aboard for the Polar Express’. Easy-to-assemble G-Gauge track creates a 55” x 72” oval. Set includes: Steam locomotive and tender with details never before seen in a G-Gauge format; passenger coach with two opening doors; observation car with “disappearing hobo” feature and opening door; three Lionel polar express train set figures; 12 curved and 4 straight track pieces; RC remote controller; 6 C batteries; 2 AA batteries.

As long as you know what you are getting and you realize that this polar express train set is a G-Gauge, then you will be very happy with your purchase.

Lionel Polar Express Train Set

As you can see, this O-gauge train set is far and away better than the G-gauge set. I have not had a lot of experience with different types of toy trains, but when I did open the box for the first time, I was extremely impressed. You can tell just by looking at the locomotive and cars that they are high quality and very well made.

The set-up was very easy and before I knew it, the train was puffing smoke and chugging around the track like you wouldn’t believe. You should have seen my kids faces when they saw the train around the christmas tree for the first time. It has now become a bit hit and we love to set this train up on special occasions.

Train Set Review

Wow this was worth the hassle to find. We lucked out and got it at retail price and delivered before Christmas. This was my 6 yr old son’s first “real” electric train. What a special train it is. The details are fantastic. Lionel out did themselves! The engine is sooo heavy and very well built. The passenger/observational cars were suprisingly light, but incredibly detailed, quite beautiful! Transformer is powerful, track easy to put together. The characters are to scale and he has placed in the train and they ride around sticking out the end of the cars and in the engine. Smoke stack works perfect. Everything is just great. I guess we have a train enthusiast now. He runs it every day… and is soooo proud of it. He is so careful with it and teaches all his friends all about it. Worth every penny. (lionel polar express train set)

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