Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set - O Gauge

The Polar Express O Gauge Ages: 8+ Requires: AC outlet

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Lifelike details and optional smoke that comes from the locomotive when it's running. The Challenging: Learning how to drive the train both backward and forward takes some practice. In a Nutshell: A beautifully designed and expertly crafted train set that will delight kids and adults both.

The stylish engine bus has a nostalgic, old-fashioned design and is impressively detailed. View larger.

The set comes with figures modeled after characters from the 2004 film. View larger.

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 Lifelike Experience
The Polar Express 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 Polar Express come alive.

What's 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.

The train puffs smoke and makes convincing whistle sounds as it makes its way around the track.

Following the locomotive and tender are two lighted coach cars. The observation car features a new rounded observation deck. Silhouettes in the windows depict passengers, and the joyful coach car is where the kids get their fill of hot chocolate and candy. A 40" x 60" oval track completes the set.

Articulated figures with turning heads, movable arms, bendable waists and jointed knees are included. They can be posed and placed on areas of the locomotive, tender and passenger cars.

Locomotive Features:

• Transformer controlled forward, neutral and reverse operation
• Air whistle in tender
• Operating headlight
• Operating coupler on rear of tender
• Powerful maintenance-free motor
• Two traction tires
• Puffing smoke
• Die-cast metal locomotive body and frame
• Separately applied metal handrails
• All-new pilot and headlight lens shield

Passenger Cars Feature:

• Interior lighting
• Decorated drumhead on observation car
• All-new, rounded observation deck
• Silhouettes in windows
• Gauge: O Gauge
• Minimum Curve: 0-27
• Dimensions: Length: 63 3/8"
• Railroad track layout dimensions: 40" x 60"