Thanks for the great dialogue.  I agree with the statement that "really..there is no real "correct" version" since it is a fictional train.  You say that the illustrations that were in the book were closer to a Tyco Pacific?  I am wondering now...and I will need to go read and do a little research on this just for fun...but when and where was the setting for the Polar Express ?  I wonder what actual trains would have been in service in that area during that time period?  I guess it may be a moot point since the train supposedly came from the North Pole, but might be fun to speculate.

Thanks again for all of the information.

Davie

Thanks for the great explanation.  So if they made the 1225 in Standard scale, would the loco end up close to the same size as a Large scale narrow guage loco?  Does that make sense?

Also, I saw that Lionel made a battery operated version of the Polar Express in Large scale and used the 1225 as the prototype.  Did they "fudge" on the actual dimensions?

I am learning more and more as I read some of your posts as well as looking at other websites.  One thing I learned was that the Polar Express locomotive was modeled after the 2-8-4 Pere Marquette 1225.  I also learned that Bachmann created one of these, but am I right...only in HO scale?  I was wondering why they didn't do it on their Large scale version.  Instead they used the 4-6-0 that they use on tons of their sets.  Did they make, or do they plan to make the 1225 in large scale?

Thanks Bill.  We still love it.

Brian,

Thanks for the help.  I discovered all of the things you pointed out as I played with the set a little more.  Just one other question,  do you happen to know if this set has a train whistle sound with it?  We can hear the steam sounds, but haven't heard any whistle yet.

Thanks---David

So we put our brand new (to us) Polar Express train set together last night and surprised our daughter for Christmas morning.  She is beautiful!!!  But the set did not come with the video manual and I need help, being a rookie to the model train world.  How do I get the sound and lights to work?  I put a 9-volt battery in the tender, but I am not getting anything.  Is there a switch somewhere I need to flip, or a connection that needs to be connected?  I did connect the wire from the tender to the engine, but I don't see other connections other than the couplers.  Help! 

Dave

Thanks so much for the reply, even though it was bad news.  You too, Bach-Man.  I am new to the whole model train world, would the Lionel cars work with the Bachmann or is that totally taboo?  Even if they look the same, do they connect the same? or would the electrical connection work?  Sorry for the rookie questions.

I just purchased a Bachmann Polar Express G scale for my kids for Christmas.  I was wondering if Bachmann made any of the other cars for this set...ie Hot Chocolate, or Baggage, or Dining?  I know Lionel does.  Would theirs match this set though?