Lionel Polar Express Train Set - G-Gauge

by Lionel

Product Features

• Highly-detailed G-Gauge steam locomotive
• Authentic train sounds, including bell and whistle
• Working headlight
• Handsomely detailed passenger cars feature fixed knuckle couplers
• Remote control features clearly marked buttons that allow the user to make the train go forward and backwards
• To sound the whistle, to ring the bell, and to play `All aboard for the Polar Express

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22.5 x 8.1 x 28.8 inches ; 15.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000GL1EEE
• Item model number: 7-11022
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,657 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #2 in Toys & Games > Hobbies > Trains & Accessories > Train Sets
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (329 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com

Polar Express G-Gauge Train Set from Lionel Trains features a finely detailed style that evokes the magnificent steam engines of times gone by and authentic train sounds for a real-life experience. This large-scale, battery-operated train set is based on the Caldecott Award-winning book "The Polar Express," and the movie that followed in 2004. Easy to assemble, it's an exciting, interactive way for children ages four and up to relive their favorite scenes from the movie or create their own adventures.

Polar Express G-Gauge
Train Set

At a Glance:

Age/Weight Requirements:

4 years and older

Assembly Requirements:

6 C batteries (included) and 2 AA batteries (included). Assembly is required.

Warranty:

Limited one-year warranty

The Berkshire steam locomotive features realistic details complete with
retro styling. View larger.

You can make the mysterious hobo disappear and reappear on top of the
observation car. View larger.

Easy Setup and Remote Control Operation

Designed for easy use, the Polar Express G-Gauge Train Set comes with six C batteries for immediate fun. You can also operate the train with a 9.6-volt rechargeable battery (not included). The set includes an RC remote controller (complete with two AA batteries) that's easy for little hands to use. The 12 curved and 4 straight track pieces fit together to create a 55-by-72-inch oval, and when you're done, they pack up quickly and easily for storage.

Retro Detailing for Life-Like Experience

This train is highly detailed with retro styling on its Berkshire steam locomotive, blue and red passenger coach, and observation car with a "disappearing" hobo for an extra surprise. Fixed knuckle couplers, a working headlight, and realistic setup and shutdown sequences complete the authentic look and feel of a powerful G-gauge locomotive.

Authentic Sounds and Whistles

Clearly marked buttons on the remote control let little ones move the train forward and backward, sound the whistle, ring the bell, and play "All aboard the Polar Express!" as the train chugs around the track. For added fun, The Polar Express G-Gauge Set comes with conductor and boy figures that can be positioned on top of the locomotive, tender, or passenger car.

More Polar Express Fun with G-Gauge Diorama

To expand your adventure and enhance your holiday displays, pair this train set with the colorful, two-sided Polar Express G-Gauge Diorama (sold separately) with tunnel portal openings.

The Polar Express G-Gauge Train Set is baked by a manufacturer's limited one-year warranty. See owner's manual for details.

What's in the Box

Steam locomotive, tender, passenger coach, observation coach, remote control, twelve curved and four straight track pieces, three figures, six C batteries, two AA batteries, and instructions.

Product Description

All aboard the Polar Express! Perfect for inspiring imagination, this electric train set features ultra-realistic start-up and shut-down sequences, and is loaded with authentic train sounds including a bell and whistle.

Train set has a Berkshire Steam Locomotive, Passenger Car and Observation Car. Features include bell, whistle, fixed knuckle couplers, IR R/C remote control and 50"L x 70"W oval track. Requires two "AA" batteries for controller and six "C" batteries for train, included.

See all Product Description

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

302 of 310 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exeeded My Expectations October 13, 2009

By Alan Holt

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I was surprised to see the negative reviews on this product, but after reading them I think most of them were from people that did not read or understand the product description. This is a 'G' scale toy plastic train with plastic track that is battery powered and is controlled by an R/C unit.

I have not seen another 'G' scale set with better quality equipment and features for the price. The engine has built-in sound that makes a steam 'chuff' noise synchronized to the speed of the engine. It also makes a steam brake release noise when it stops. It has a bell sound and whistle that you can control from the R/C unit. It has 3 speeds in both forward and reverse directions. The speeds seems very prototypical. The speed is also momentum controlled - the train speeds up and slows down at a measured pace just like a real train. The detail on the engine is quite good for a 'toy' train.

I had the same experience with the included batteries as others - they barely moved the train for a few minutes and then conked out. I replaced the standard batteries with alkaline ones and it ran for about 10 hours before needing replacement. I have switched to a compatible 9.6v rechargeable battery that works great, is cheaper to run, and environmentally better.

The packaging states the set is for kids 4 years or older. Both my 4-1/2 year old and 2 year old can run the train with the R/C controller (and did not stop playing with it for almost a week). However they do not have the dexterity to couple the cars or snap the track together. I would guess that a 5 or 6 year old would be able to assemble and operate everything without adult help. They have banged the engine, thrown the controller, and knocked the coaches around quite a bit without any damage....

For model railroaders or anyone who wants to tinker, you could add lighting to the coaches fairly easily. I think the train would work well outdoors if you want to try creating a garden railway. I do wish Lionel would make more track options - an 'X' crossing and R/L hand switches would allow expansion to a true train layout instead of just an oval or circle.

I don't think you could find a better quality radio controlled toy 'G' scale train with so many features for such a low price. Read more ›

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gee,Happy to report,the G Gauge Works! November 11, 2011

By William G. Pursell, Sr.

Amazon Verified Purchase

After my bad experience with the O Gauge I was very hesitant to order another Lionel. But this is something else. With my experience with the O gauge;and since this doesn't need to be on a track to run,I decided to battery up the tender and connect it to the Locomotive and place it on the hard wood floor,figuring that if this works,THEN I'll assemble the tracks and put on the other two cars. I grabbed the remote control pushed the on-off switch to ON and turned the Directional switch to half way forward....nothing happened...then I remembered I'd forgotten to put batteries in the RC. Turned it over and as you could probably guess,when I put in that second battery the train and tender shot forward (The switch was STILL on and the direction STILL to half way forward)LOL. I continued with the assembly of the tracks and the addition of the other two cars. I could see that if you don't have the tracks setup on a hard level surface you're gonna have problems with train disconnects and possibly track disconnects too,so watch out for these possible problems. I decided after a few hours of having fun that I should investigate the idea of 9.6 VDC rechargeable batteries. Id heard others,here, mention a few batteries that wouldn't fit so I decided to find out what would fit. Called Lionel customer service; open 9-5 EST @ 586-949-4100 Amy there said they have listed two such batteries,BOTH Radio Shack,one is 23-342 a 1000 mAh Ni-Cad and the other is 23-432 a 1600 mAh NMH. I did two searches on the Radio Shack website. The 23-342 came up with nothing;the 23-432 resulted in a 23-1171 which turned out to be the 1600 mAh battery and the charger. When I manage to get over to a Radio Shack I'll pick up the pair and report back as to: if and how well they work....

Battery update: I bought the 23-1171 @ Radio Shack since I can't add a picture of what it looks like,here's a link [...] WHOA does this thing FLY NOW! After charging the 10 hrs.the package recommended I checked the DC voltage on the battery pack it was 11.03.
So if you want one that fits and comes with a charger get yourself to a Radio Shack. Read more ›

58 of 61 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a 3 year old train NUT!!! December 21, 2008

By sueb43

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

My grandson is kookoo for any trains, Thomas, Polar Express, toys, movies, YouTube videos... any trains in any form.

I thought I'd get him a junky train for fun for Christmas. I figured it would last the season. Unfortunately, I picked up a cheapie at ToysRUs for $[...]. Not only did it break after one week, it was pretty cheesy. Cars didn't really hook together, battery hookup from the coal tender to the engine was junky, etc. I don't even know if I'll be able to get credit for the dumb thing since my daughter-in-law inadvertently threw the receipt away. But my grandson was nutty about the thing.

So I started a desparate search last night Dec. 19th, and everyone was out of the junkier trains. I did an extreme internet search and found nothing. By today, just about everyone was out of the better trains too. I finally had success at Target and got the Polar Express Battery Powered train G Scale. My grandson absolutely loves it and it is made so much better than the cheap ones. The cars securely hook together, it has 3 speeds forward and 3 reverse. My daughter-in-law is thrilled that it doesn't really make a big racket; just enough noise to please my grandson without irritating everyone else in the household. I am planning to get him two 9.5 v. battery packs and chargers so he won't run out of batteries. This train is definitely the hit of Christmas 2008.

68 of 78 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, Sorry! November 19, 2010

By PG2010

Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 1.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 1.0 out of 5 stars   

What a cute train! I've had the train up for four days. Until yesterday, it has never made it around the track once without shutting down. It says it automatically turns off in ten minutes when not in use. Not so! I had to unplug the engine from the Coal Car and after four days had to change all batteries again.

In all fairness, last night, we changed the batteries and it made it around the track four times without stopping. Also, the train cars do not stay hooked. I had to scotch tape the cars together.

It's a cute train set and my 5,6 and 7 year old grandsons will love it around the Christmas tree this year, but it's not the Lionel that I remember as a kid. Hope this helps someone.