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Post by ptc on Oct 24, 2019 15:40:49 GMT
The Polar Express story was created in a childrens book by author Chris Van Allsburg. The author is from my home state of Rhode Island so the book has always has special interest to me. We introduced this book to our kids when they were small, but I can't say it had a lasting impression on them. This book was widely circulated but I doubt that it had a great del of impact in focusing interest in model railroading.
That all changed in 2004 when the movie was released. Lionel had obtained the licensing rights from Warner Brothers to manufactirer a matching train set that was first released before the movie hit the theaters. This entire run of Polar Express train sets completely sold out quickly and they were selling on eBay for hundreds of dollars over the suggested retail price.
Each year therafter, Lionel has sold thousands of PE train sets through retail train shops and the big box stores. I refer to these sets as starter sets and probably not attractive to the seasoned O-Gauge operator.
In 2008, Lionel introduced a scale 1225 Berkshire with a Pere Marquette tender. Additionally, at the same time, they offered an add-on Polar Express tender to match the 1225 engine. This offering dried up so quickly that again the secondary market had a field day with high prices. I ordered the wngine and the add-on tender the first day the catalog was released. Now we had something Polar Express related thqat would attrct the serious O-Gauge enthusiast.
The next York Meet, I started to lobby Matt Ashba for Lionel to produce a set od scale Polar Express cars to go with teh 1225 scale engine. This paid off as not too long thereafter, These cars were intorduced. Over the next few years other scale PE cars were introduced as well. Finally, we could have a nice scale Polar Express set to run on a train layout.
In 2014, Lionel surprised us again with a GOLD Editon Polar Express Train to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the movie. This offering was hugely poplular and makes a terrific additon to a Polar Express collection.
Overall impact on the O-Gauge Hobby, HUGE!!!!!! Probably the biggest impact in the past 15 years or more.
Do you have a Polar Express story and how it has effected your interest in model railroading? Please share it with all of us.
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Post by Country Joe on Oct 24, 2019 20:16:12 GMT
The PE hasn't had any impact on me other than that I really enjoy seeing the movie each Christmas season but I think it's had a huge impact on the hobby by introducing many youngsters to trains in general and O gauge trains in particular. Some of those youngsters will develop a lifelong interest in O gauge because of the movie and Lionel.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2019 22:15:10 GMT
We don't have any Polar Express items though I have to admit we have looked at them. I agree with Brian about the impact of PE. Our local guy stocks the stuff like crazy. He goes through a pile of ready to run sets and always stocks as much O-Gauge stuff as he can get his hands on. I would be curious to know the amount of dollars that have been generated for Lionel by the Polar Express line up.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2019 1:16:35 GMT
Polar Express got me into the hobby. Though I've still never seen the movie, I opted for a Lionel Polar Express with Bluetooth set in 2017 for around the Christmas tree. That set got me involved in O Gauge. I've since sold the set, built my first layout, and I'm off to the races. So for me the Polar Express is a dangerous gateway drug!
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Post by northstar on Oct 26, 2019 14:37:51 GMT
Simply put, it's keeping both the Lionel name which is synonymous with the model train hobby and trains in general in the public eye. Without the Polar Express, you wouldn't see Lionel G-Gauge sets sold at big name retailers such as Costco. Just keeping interest out there in model trains at any gauge has undoubtedly led to interest in O-Gauge. In today's world, without a flagship road name such as Polar Express, model trains remain to the general public a niche hobby of a time long ago. Santa Fe, Union Pacific, etc mean nothing to the average person today. But Polar Express, much like Thomas, is recognizable and server as a gateway to falling in love with the larger model train hobby.
Both the movie and the Lionel O-gauge set are the reason why I got into the hobby. And I know my story is not unique. The movie is one of my favorites and several parts send chills down my spine. As for the train itself, the color scheme is very regal.
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Post by ptc on Oct 26, 2019 18:01:47 GMT
Thanks for your posts Mike and northstar. Very revealing.
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Post by twincities on Oct 26, 2019 18:08:45 GMT
hopefully I word all this correctly! I would say the Conventional and other Polar Express Train Set's of today is the eye candy for the modern day children and in such intrigues them the same way we were with the conventional Lionel trains we grew up with from 1940's on up. I run my polar express at Christmas time and we enjoy the movie every year it just excites ones imagination of childhood days gone by. But one must Believe!  |
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Post by ptc on Oct 26, 2019 19:58:19 GMT
"I would say the Conventional and other Polar Express Train Set's of today is the eye candy for the modern day children and in such intrigues them the same way we were with the conventional Lionel trains we grew up with from 1940's on up.
I run my polar express at Christmas time and we enjoy the movie every year it just excites ones imagination of childhood days gone by. But one must Believe! "
I believe you have this correct. The Polar Express movie and related Lionel sure changed the landscape for years to come. |
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Post by Adam on Oct 26, 2019 22:40:38 GMT
I have to agree. Polar Express has been huge for the hobby. Although I just got back into it in the last couple of years, the movie (which we watched every Christmas since it came out) has always made me nostalgic for model trains. I just picked up my first PE set recently and plan to run it around our tree this year.
Another recent movie series also had a similar effect on me is Harry Potter. I love the train scenes in those movie, especially the first movie (platform 9 3/4, the first ride Harry and friends take to Hogwarts, etc.).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 0:53:57 GMT
When Lionel introduced the very first set I had to have it. It ran under our tree for many years. The scale Polar came out twice and each time I had too many other expense...until last year when the third was delivered. I jumped at it and the 5 coaches. I love this engine and it is one of my favorites!
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Post by ptc on Oct 27, 2019 10:42:13 GMT
Thanks for the video, Marty, it sure shows off the scale PR set. There are a lot of members who feel strongly about the scale PE items.
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Post by josef on Oct 27, 2019 11:34:41 GMT
Has the Polar Express had an impact on our Hobby? Good topic and one for an insight. Several years ago attending a local train show, as one entered the building there were 4 layouts, O, HO, N scales and a O scale Polar Express. The Polar Express was lined all around with adults, parents and their children. The children, one could see were smiling, laughing and talking about the train, and layout filled with Christmas scenes. Very few were looking at the other 3 layouts. Going into the hall there were many Lionel Polar items and many people gazing over them. As I left after couple hours, the Polar Express layout was still surrounded.
I don't know if any, if so, how much Polar Express items were sold. What one could see was that parents and children were entranced by what they saw. So maybe, just maybe, it introduced some if not all into trains and out Hobby. What was nice was the layout were a person could look at the layouts before buying a ticket which may have helped also in introducing people to the Hobby.
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Post by stoshu on Oct 27, 2019 12:42:58 GMT
Brian I think the question should be. " where would the hobby be without Thomas and The Polar Express ? " Like it or not these 2 have put more trains in homes ( many first time buyers ) then the Santa Fe F3 did....
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Post by ptc on Oct 27, 2019 13:49:22 GMT
Bruce, very good point.
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Post by dennym57 on Oct 27, 2019 14:07:36 GMT
I love the movie, but it didn't have much affect in me. I can tell you this, when I worked at I Love Toy Trains part time mostly to help with on the busy weekends. Families with children came in and when the kids saw the Polar Express Lionchief set it became the 'I want it ' battle.
So I think it has a huge impact on kids. Especially when their parents buy a PE set for them.
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