I finally have all the tools at my disposal to begin my longtime dream of modeling the polar express. I have the 2-8-4 berk, caught some micro trains passenger cars on sale and think I have matched the paint to my liking. Attached are photos of the test subjects. The passenger car is an old model power that I stripped and used as a test bed to see how the paints looked and the boxcar is an old one that came in a train set I got about 10-12 yrs ago. I know that the polar express never had a box car, but once again it was a test subject. Let me know what you think and I will post the final products in the coming days/weeks. enjoy!!! Shawn
Yeah I have Thursday through sunday off and plan to get it done then. Does anyone know where to find decals??
I remember reading somewhere that lionel has exclusive rights to polar express which is why there are no other models out there. So I don't think that is a possibility anyone know where I can get some made or tips on making them myself?
Look forward to seeing this one. I've considered doing it, I was going to use the bachmann shorty passenger cars. How are you going to do the observation car?
Yeah that is the one problem that I haven't figured out yet.....I have the observation car, but it has square ends not round. Havent figured out how to solve that problem any suggestions?? What do you think about the paint colors?
Oh very Cool! I did not know there was a such a thing as an N-scale 2-8-4 berk. Is there more information on that because I want one. I looked a few years ago but didn't see any.
They haven't made them in years. Life like made them before they were bought by walthers. It actually is a good looking model, very good quality unlike the toyish look life like has now. The one I found was second hand off of nscalesupply.com. They are hard to find. The one I have is dc need to switch it to dcc but the research I have done says its the hardest install everyone that has attempted it has done. I would keep an eye out on ebay and other second hand places. Good luck!
Thanks for the info on the Berkshire, that’s too bad that nobody is making them in N and it would really be nice if it were made for DCC. I wonder what the deal is with the Polar Express anyway. Does Lionel have exclusive rights to it? I would love to have a complete off-the-shelf N-Scale set
I think you can get close with splicing a bud observation on the end of a heavyweight. Concor and Kato made round end observations that might be a good candidate. There are a couple on feebay right now. How many cars are going to be in the consist? The LL berks were not strong pullers and may need the help of some bullfrog snot.
I too am planning on making the Polar Express. I have an undec Berk, and several heavyweight passenger cars (old Lima and Rivarossi) that are going to be painted for the train. Looking at the paint color you have chosen as well as what Lionel used on their set I am not so sure about the greyish/blue color on the coaches. In the first scene where the train shows up behind the kids house, the coaches look Pullman Green. Then later in the movie they appear to be blush/grey. So I am not sure what way to go. As far as the rounded end on the obsevation, I am just going to leave mine be. I mean afterall who is going to nitpick it anyways. As far as the decals........................well lets just say I have someone working on them now. I can't sell them though as that would be a violation of copyright infringements. Ryan
Well I'm not a lawyer, but let's take a look at this. They don't own the word POLAR AFAIK. They obviously don't own the word EXPRESS, we use that all the time in decals. If for some reason they own the Font, use a slightly different one. Same applies to the color. So if we're just looking at lettering for the cars, if someone did a decal for "LIMITED EXPRESS OF THE POLAR BEARS" and people choose to cut out what they don't need, I don't see what anyone could do about it. Jason
Of course what you say is true. What I referenced was making any exact replication. Which I could safely bet is protected by some sort of legal statute: Most likely similar to, or identical to what proctects the use of "Union Pacific Railroad" and their emblems, symbols, etc. The way these matters can be twisted and argued, even something remotely close might find you being challenged. For those willing to take on such possible jeopardy, be my guest. Myself, I do not have pockets that deep....
Round-end heavyweight observation? Hmm... http://canadasouthern.com/caso/images/nyc-56.jpg And for the observation end railing... http://rr-fallenflags.org/misc-p/ppcx800274gg.jpg http://condrenrails.com/WSOR/Quad-Graphics/Silver-Chalet-3.jpg http://condrenrails.com/WSOR/Quad-Graphics/WSOR-3808-11-4-06-8.jpg
