This finding is certainly worth pointing out because it means Lionel’s collection of releases for its Polar Express line is compatible with other manufacturer’s HO-scale equipment. The couplers checked out fine with a Kadee height gauge. Wheels on the locomotive, tender, and passenger cars are metal. The spring-equipped knuckle coupler very closely appears to reproduce the size and characteristics of a standard-size knuckle coupler found on many popular HO releases. You’ll see electrical pickup equipment on both lead and rear tender trucks. Well-defined Buckeye-style plastic truck sideframes come screw-mounted to the tender’s underframe. You’ll see ladders and railings on the tender, but these details are molded into the shell similar to the approach to the locomotive. Lionel’s tender is a plastic shell with plastic frame. Sound emits from the openings on the underframe. You can control sound output and change the type of operation from your power pack or DCC throttle over to the provided LionChief remote with a slide of a switch.
The underside of Lionel’s HO Polar Express tender shows off its high-tech features. Screws secure the upper plastic shell to a die-cast metal frame housing the motor and electronics, as well as trucks and drivers. The only obviously separate detail is the brass-colored bell on the front of the boiler. The locomotive’s boiler, cab, and pilot are injection-molded plastic. On closer inspection, the more basic lines and the inclusion of a cow-catcher pilot, along with the holiday-inspired “1225” number of the cab begin to bring the fantasy to life in model form. In the accompanying picture, compare Lionel’s HO Berkshire with a scale model - you initially see more similarities than differences. When examining the 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotive and tender, you will see elements of both scale model and toy train, which is easily a large part of the draw for this effort and its uncommon design! The locomotive and tender appeared to be essentially accurate 1/87 reproductions of this late-era steam prototype. Lionel’s HO-scale Berkshire for this line is certainly one of the most intriguing releases I’ve had the pleasure to review in my many years with Model Railroad News. The drive sits in a die-cast metal chassis and works under a variety control options. The model features plastic shells for locomotive and tender. You’ll see the Lionel HO-scale Berkshire 2-8-4 follows scale proportions for its locomotive and tender. However, that Lima-built 2-8-4, which was restored originally in 1979 and is owned and maintained by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, may come in second with a number of younger fans. 765 is the most famous example of a 2-8-4 Berkshire. Many MRN readers would say Nickel Plate Road No. The collection includes the famous steam locomotive, a set of passengers, and two separate-sale passenger car model offerings. The company surprised many with its HO-scale rendition that debuted at 2016’s National Train Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lionel’s catalog has included officially licensed reproductions of The Polar Express for a number of years. For railroad enthusiasts, this fantasy adventure takes on additional appeal with the youngster’s expressing appreciation for the train and its 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive, which a character calls out by its proper name. The story, set in the late 1950s, is about a young boy who, along with fellow passengers, takes an event-filled journey to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus. The book became an animated motion picture in 2004. In this edition of Model Railroad News, a brief overview of Lionel-HO is presented in “From the Archive.” The most recent chapter in Lionel’s HO-scale efforts is a collection of unique releases based on The Polar Express.Īuthor Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book The Polar Express arrived in 1985 and continues to command the attention of young and old even today. As HO scale began its rise in popularity around the middle of the 20th Century, Lionel stayed out of this category.
The company’s main focus has been O-gauge 3-rail for much of its history. The Lionel name is, for many, the most well-known toy train maker of all time. Review by Tony Cook/photos by the author except where noted
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