What if Bachmann made an HO Polar Express? I don't think it would be hard to make the loco because Bachmann already has a HO Scale Pere Marquette 1225 Steam Loco. All they would wave to do is remove the writing off the generator dome and put Polar Express on the tender. I just wish they would watch the scene where the loco pulls up in front of the boys house so they could get the writing color right. Lionel's Polar Express has the wrong color writing. It is supposed to be white but on the model it is gold. I think it would also be easier to make a P.E. Layout in a smaller space. If bachmann did make a P.E. HO model they would be the first to. I have plenty of ideas for it way to complicated to put on here.
-W
He who owns the copyright gets to decide who's tender gets "Polar Express" put on it.
wt-
Old Timer is right about the trademark/copyright issue. Bachmann could obtain the rights but I doubt if there's enough interest this long after the movie. Yes, I know you can still buy the book or the movie, but I still don't think there is enough interest any longer. Besides, it isn't just re-lettering a loco. The cars would need new paint configurations and lettering. Plus, you'd really need interiors in something like this, which would raise the prices pretty high.
Why not do it yourself? I did a Polar Express to run on a preschoolers wooden railway and now am building one for his HO layout.
I sprayed the cars for the wooden set gray, painted the roofs and used homemade decals for the sides and ends of all of the cars. One even played the Polar Express song. I purchased some white fabric paint with glitter to weather the loco and cars. That looks super. The trick is to mostly spread it thin and shape it like it's been sculpted by the wind. Don't try to cover everything with the snow paint.
For the HO train, I'm using a Bachmann Berk and repainting heavyweight passenger cars. I'll have interiors and put sound in the mail/baggage car (letters to Santa and gift delivery). I'll use the glitter paint again and might even put the hobo on the roof. I think a lone child in the lighted observation will be quite touching, as it is in the story. I'd like to have the loco's bell sound like the little one which Santa gives the boy but I'm not sure I'll be able to pull that off.
-- D
Quote from: wtierce on July 14, 2010, 02:33:04 PM
What if Bachmann made an HO Polar Express? I don't think it would be hard to make the loco because Bachmann already has a HO Scale Pere Marquette 1225 Steam Loco. All they would wave to do is remove the writing off the generator dome and put Polar Express on the tender. I just wish they would watch the scene where the loco pulls up in front of the boys house so they could get the writing color right. Lionel's Polar Express has the wrong color writing. It is supposed to be white but on the model it is gold. I think it would also be easier to make a P.E. Layout in a smaller space. If bachmann did make a P.E. HO model they would be the first to. I have plenty of ideas for it way to complicated to put on here.
-W
The thing is is that Bachmann isn't as cheap as a company like Hornby that just takes other toolings and puts different paint on it. Just like with the Thomas line, they'd make new moldings for the trains and it would be more work than you think.
The actual thought that theres no more popularity in it, is highly doubtful, I have to fight people tooth and nail to get polar express lionel Items, the coaches can go for well over 40 sometimes, its crazy, I lucked out buying an observation, coach and baggage for $44 for the whole lot, surprised someone else didnt go for it
I agree with the other posters. Make it yourself. The lettering is easy enough.
http://sites.google.com/site/lewismodelrailroad/Home
Click the link above, go to Winter 2009, and see my 9 year olds Polar Express he build himself.
sparky-
That's a pretty talented nine-year-old you have there. Did he do the rest of the work on the railroad, too?
-- D
We are a team and take on the projects that way. Having fun is what it's all about!!!
Quote from: Justin on July 14, 2010, 04:07:53 PM
Quote from: wtierce on July 14, 2010, 02:33:04 PM
What if Bachmann made an HO Polar Express? I don't think it would be hard to make the loco because Bachmann already has a HO Scale Pere Marquette 1225 Steam Loco. All they would wave to do is remove the writing off the generator dome and put Polar Express on the tender. I just wish they would watch the scene where the loco pulls up in front of the boys house so they could get the writing color right. Lionel's Polar Express has the wrong color writing. It is supposed to be white but on the model it is gold. I think it would also be easier to make a P.E. Layout in a smaller space. If bachmann did make a P.E. HO model they would be the first to. I have plenty of ideas for it way to complicated to put on here.
-W
The thing is is that Bachmann isn't as cheap as a company like Hornby that just takes other toolings and puts different paint on it. Just like with the Thomas line, they'd make new moldings for the trains and it would be more work than you think.
well in this case, the polar express engine
is the same engine as pere marquette 1225. i don't think bachmann will make a new mold for an engine they already have
Quote from: wtierce on July 14, 2010, 02:33:04 PM
All they would wave to do is remove the writing off the generator dome and put Polar Express on the tender. I just wish they would watch the scene where the loco pulls up in front of the boys house so they could get the writing color right. Lionel's Polar Express has the wrong color writing. It is supposed to be white but on the model it is gold.
Actually, you're wrong on that. The writing on the tender is in fact gold. Trust me, i've seen the engine in real life and even got to climb in the cab and ring the bell. It's not far from where I live in Brownstown, Michigan. The engines tender still had Polar Express written on the side from when they shot the movie, and it was in fact gold. That beats just one scene in the movie.
I would buy a Polar Express in HO if anybody made one ... that's what we were looking for when we got into trains and were gonna paint the New York Central set to look like it but the guy wanted like $120.00 to paint the three cars and said there would be no lettering
Just my personal opinion, but part of what makes model railroading a great hobby is the challenges that it throws at us. If you want a Polar Express in HO, model railroading is challenging you to make one. I remember seeing this Lionel train set in a local store a few years ago. Seems like it was a Berkshire with two heavy weight coaches and a HW observation.
There are a few issues involved in making an HO version of this set.
1. First, I would NOT try to make an exact copy of the Lionel set. The cars are less than scale length and the locomotive has lots of compromises to allow it to operate on small radius track. Not to say that you couldn't make an exact copy if you chose to accept that challenge.
2. The equipment is available. Bachmann currently makes a 2-8-4 and heavy weight passenger cars are available from Walthers and Bachmann, Athearn, Rivarossi and IHC cars are usually available on e-Bay.
3. Painting: I think the loco was black, so it should be okay. The cars will have to be painted. From illustrations I've seen, the cars are light gray with a maroon window stripe. I'd strip the cars first, then paint the window stripe, mask the stripe and paint the body. The roof might be black...I can't tell. But the roofs come out of most of these cars and that's how I'd paint it.
4. Lettering: Go to the MicroMark web site and check out decal paper. You can make decals with your computer printer, either ink-jet or laser. Lot's easier than in the old days when I had to letter Mantua brass passenger cars for "Brady Springs and Western" one letter at a time from an alphabet and numbers decal sheet.
Unless you got an undecorated version, you'll have to remove the lettering from the loco . Several methods have been discussed here before. Solvaset can work, and some folks have luck with a soft pencil eraser. Make new decals just like you did for the passenger cars.
So there's your outline. If you want it bad enough, you'll figure out how to accept the challenge and make it. If you don't want it that bad, don't whine.
Quote from: Blink_182_Fan on July 16, 2010, 11:42:26 AM
Actually, you're wrong on that. The writing on the tender is in fact gold. Trust me, i've seen the engine in real life and even got to climb in the cab and ring the bell. It's not far from where I live in Brownstown, Michigan. The engines tender still had Polar Express written on the side from when they shot the movie, and it was in fact gold. That beats just one scene in the movie.
The movie was computer animated!
And it still had WHITE WRIGHTING!!!
Quote from: M.Robinson on July 22, 2010, 03:31:44 AM
Quote from: Blink_182_Fan on July 16, 2010, 11:42:26 AM
Actually, you're wrong on that. The writing on the tender is in fact gold. Trust me, i've seen the engine in real life and even got to climb in the cab and ring the bell. It's not far from where I live in Brownstown, Michigan. The engines tender still had Polar Express written on the side from when they shot the movie, and it was in fact gold. That beats just one scene in the movie.
The movie was computer animated!
You are very correct on that, but, they still used the engine for shots. I can't remember just exactly what the tour guide was saying about it, but they did use the engine for several things in the movie. They mainly used the blueprints of the engine, but took shots of the engine so they recreate it on screen.
Wtierce, we are talking about the color on the
tender, right? If so I still think it's gold. Look at pictures of when 1225 still had "Polar Express" on her tender. You'll notice it's gold. It still had Polar Express on it when I went and seen it, and it was gold.
The 4th photo down on this page clearly shows 1225 with the Polar Express tender in GOLD lettering. http://www.trainweb.org/tracksideonline/Program137.html (http://www.trainweb.org/tracksideonline/Program137.html)
To be accurate for the movie, the writing would be white.
(http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID20402/images/Polar_Express_4.jpg)
The trailer -
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2954167065/ (http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2954167065/)
I'd like to see the track plan for Polar Express.
I used a Rivarossi Berk, and athearn heavyweight kits. The cars are of course, green. The stripe is of course, red. Lettering is of course , gold (its Christmas, you guys!). The observation car of the kit has a nice back rail enclosure (painted gold, of course) in which the kid's imagination can sing a romantic duet back there.
All are HO, and it is a beautiful train. Of course, the Berk was a freight engine so you'll need another Berk for the rest of the year.
If you feel lazy, just locate heavyweight kits and spraypaint them green before installing the windows and details.
We have a snow covered town, set, and forest that fits on the dining room table from Thanksgiving through January. I just can't find HO scale wolves to run in a pack during the lost ticket scene . . . .
Chris Keusink
Quote from: Blink_182_Fan on July 22, 2010, 12:40:22 PM
You are very correct on that, but, they still used the engine for shots. I can't remember just exactly what the tour guide was saying about it, but they did use the engine for several things in the movie. They mainly used the blueprints of the engine, but took shots of the engine so they recreate it on screen.
Wtierce, we are talking about the color on the tender, right? If so I still think it's gold. Look at pictures of when 1225 still had "Polar Express" on her tender. You'll notice it's gold. It still had Polar Express on it when I went and seen it, and it was gold.
And the writing on the computer animated tender in the movie is still white. Watch the movie.
Quote from: Terry Toenges on July 22, 2010, 07:21:50 PM
I'd like to see the track plan for Polar Express.
This is as close as i could find, it even has the twisty mountain!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THgzoLsn-R8
OK
In the animated movie the lettering is White.
On the real world 1225, the lettering is Gold.
The great thing is this that it is afterall, a Fictional train to start with, thus open to "artistic license".
The movie version is based on the real 1225, Not an exact copy, again "artistic license" was used.. One difference would be the size of the pilot or "cowcatcher" up front for starters. I'm sure we could nit-pic the differences between the two to death if we choose too.
The movie version used the sounds of the real 1225.
Thats my two bits, stepping down from the soapbox.
Well as much as I like the idea of having the polar express in HO
if no one makes it as a set I won't be having one.
Quite simply because my hobby time is better spent either making
something that has some resemblance to reality or operating trains.
I do have the Hogwarts Express all five coaches of it but then someone manufactured that as a set and provided separate sale coaches as well.
regards John
buzz-
I'm shocked! You don't think the Polar Express has a prototype? Migod, man. I'll bet you don't even believe in Santa Claus. How long has it been since you heard the bell?
--D
JB - Thanks for the link. Lots of Christmas trains.
The original question asked about Bachmann making the movie train.
Quote from: Doneldon on July 25, 2010, 12:18:20 AM
buzz-
I'm shocked! You don't think the Polar Express has a prototype? Migod, man. I'll bet you don't even believe in Santa Claus. How long has it been since you heard the bell?
--D
Oh about seven months I have the DVD ;D
The faerie folk are quite happy at the bottom of the garden
as long as you don't disturb them.
regards John
The story I have heard (from a Bachmann distributor) about the Polar Express is that Bachmann was supposed to make such a set, which of course required licensing from Warner Brothers. Apparently negotiations were far enough along for Bachmann to tool up for the equipment, which included a new 2-8-4, with the usual new tooling price tag.
However, for some reason, perhaps delays at Warner Brothers, perhaps an excessive licensing fee, or for some other reason, the deal didn't go through--and Bachmann had this expensive tooling sitting around. Well, no reason to let hundreds of thousands of dollars in tooling go to waste, and so you now have a pretty nice 2-8-4 model at Bachmann's quality and price range (which for a great many of us is an excellent combination).
At least that's the story as I have it.
Now, if it were me, and I had some kid who liked the Polar Espress, I'd make one up--painting and lettering aren't that hard, and it would be a fun project, a change of pace.
By the way, what would you come up with for a model railroad based on the Polar Express? Speaking for myself, I can imagine such a railroad looking a lot like John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid, but set much further north.
Santa had to rely on his elves as usual to build the line in the early 19th century, and in typical fashion of such a hand-built line, it has horrible operating conditions, including a lot of grades and curves. It would normally be a freight-only line, hauling materials and fuel north to a huge Victorian industrial city. Traffic flows are reasonable except for one night a a year, in which virtually the entire output of the city for the year has to be relayed south to staging points for final delivery by air (despite the huge capacity of Santa's sleigh, he can't carry it all in one trip, and he has to reload at key points). On top of this, this is also the one night the railroad runs passenger service, which despite running extra, does have a timetable to keep. This very limited passenger service is the reason freight power is used on the train; even Santa couldn't justify special passenger power from Baldwin for one night a year!
The elf who works as dispatcher that night has his hands full!
Have fun!
J3a-
I used the Bachmann Berk and some 60' Penn Line cars to make a Polar Express for my grandson, complete with baggage/mail, hot chocolate diner, coaches and an open vestibule obs. It looks great and he's delighted with it. I've added music, lights and passengers so I really am proud of it. I used the 60' cars so he can run it on his small home layout without the loco chasing the obs. He runs it with some regularity, not just at Christmas. And I'll bet dozens or maybe hundreds of such sets have been made over the years.
-- D
The thing is is that Bachmann isn't as cheap as a company like Hornby that just takes other toolings and puts different paint on it. Just like with the Thomas line, they'd make new moldings for the trains and it would be more work than you think.
[/quote]
Erhm Hornby can do that because every Real (Rev Audrey) Thomas trains are based on real UK trains and Hornby has already made the model ones.
So its no big deal to change the color and make a face to fit in place
of the smoke.
And they have the license for it in the UK
Rev Audrey's own models where done the same way minus the faces.
If the UK market wanted the as on TV ones all of them would have had to
be made from scratch like Bachmann did for the US market.
You do realize I hope that Thomas is about 80 years old and many in the UK
where bought up with Thomas and hold the view that the way Hornby did them is the right way to do them.
I don't quite see how this fits in with the Polar Express Discussion because any company that choses to make it in HO.
Will use existing molds if they can, so they can keep the price down at a level people will pay.
We are happy to pay the prices for our trains many parents are reluctant to pay that price for a toy that may well end up in pieces.
Don't be surprised if one day some one makes it for the discerning adult collector.
Because thats where the money is.
regards John
Gee, Buzz. Do you think the Danbury Mint will make one with Thomas Kinkeade, Painter of LightTM, in charge of the glow in Thomas' eyes and the murals on the sides of Annie and Clarabelle?
I guess my affection for Danbury and Kinkeade is showing. Seriously, I think you might be right with your prediction. I do hope it's not DM and TK, however.
-- D