Every year we know that the holidays have arrived in full force, when we start to see the classic movie, A Christmas Story, being shown on assorted television stations. This movie has been delighting fans – both young and old – for decades now. When I found out about the Lionel Christmas Train Set based on A Christmas Story, I couldn’t resist finding out a bit more and reviewing it. I’ve always been a train buff and big fan of the movie, so I just had to do some research and write this Lionel Christmas Train Set review for you.

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Basic Train Set – Lionel Christmas Train Set

As you probably know, Lionel makes some serious train sets. Some hobbyists spend thousands of dollars to set up the most elaborate sets made by Lionel. This Christmas Story set is not one of the deluxe sets. It won’t set you back a lot of cash, and is ultimately designed for younger kids to have a bit of fun, inspired by the movie. It’s relatively easy to set up, though kids younger than 6 or 7 will need some help from a patient grown-up.

Fun Details – Lionel Christmas Train Set

There are some cute little details built into this Christmas Story Train Set. I especially like the box car that has the legendary “Major Award” inside. And since the award is removable, it makes for a fun little detail on this Lionel Christmas Train Set.

Product Details

• Recommended for kids ages 4 and up
• Has a fun boxcar with a removable “Major Award” that references that famous story line from the movie
• Simple to operate and moves forward and reverse
• Kids can even sound the whistle and ring the bell
• Runs on a 9.6 volt battery or 6 C batteries, sold separately
• Relatively easy to set up
• Makes a great first train set for kids
• Dimensions: Length: 55.0 “; Width: 72.0 “

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The Good & the Bad

As much as I like trains, and A Christmas Story, I had to make sure that I gave you an honest appraisal of the good and the bad of the Lionel Christmas Train Set. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros

• The bells and whistles are great fun for kids and adults
• Easy to control for younger kids
• Cute details from the classic holiday movie
• Comes with a durable box that makes it easy to pack up after the holidays are over

Cons

• Assembly can be frustrating for younger kids
• Batteries run out of juice quickly, even when you buy the rechargeable batteries

Customer reviews have been split down the middle on this train set. Some folks have said that they love it, while a few others have reported not really caring for it. I do have to say that this is a basic, starter train set. As such, it’s not going to dazzle hardened train hobbyists, but it is sure to be a big hit with younger kids and serious fans of the movie.

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Lionel polar express train set

polar express train set

This set is absolutely gorgeous. It looks so much like the train from the movie, that I had to do a double take. Here are the details about this set:

• Features a working headlight, puffing smoke and an air whistle
• The body and frame are made from die-cast metal and detailed with care and precision
• There are even interior lights in the passenger cars, and silhouettes in the train windows
• The motor is powerful and requires no maintenance
• Comes with character figures based on the movie characters

Buy  Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge

There’s no doubt about it, this Polar Express Train is for the serious fans and train hobbyists. With the highest level of details, solid construction and amazing sounds, this train is as close as anyone can get to hopping aboard the train featured in the movie.

This set received the highest average score of all three that I have reviewed for you here. Serious collectors and movie fans are sure to be amazed with the realism and attention to detail you get with this train set.

If you’re looking for a basic train set for the kids to play around with, the Christmas Story train is okay. But if you really want to capture the details of the movie and have fun with some serious train set features, the two Polar Express Sets, especially the O-Gauge model will be your cup of tea for sure.

Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge Review

If you’re anything like me, you fell in love with the Polar Express movie, the very first time you saw it. I know that my family looks forward to the holidays for lots of reasons, but watching this classic animated movie is definitely one of them. So, as you can imagine, I was pretty stoked to find out about the Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge. There’s just something magical about setting up a toy train for the holidays. And having a realistic Polar Express Train is as good as it gets for kids and grown-ups.

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Superb Craftsmanship -Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge

The very first thing I noticed about the Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge was the amazing attention to detail that Lionel put into this set. You just don’t see modern toys that are built like they were in the old days. From the die-cast construction to the detailed figures that come with the set, this is one toy train that really ups the ante in terms of realism and superior craftsmanship. This set reminds me of the old Lionel trains that my dad handed down to me as a child. It’s a real throwback to the days when quality was the top concern of the best toy companies.

Product Details

• Easy to operate for kids aged 8 and up
• The engine is transformer controlled and goes forward, neutral and reverse directions
• Solid, detailed die-cast construction
• Comes with 4 little figures inspired by the 2004 movie
• The air whistle sounds like a real life locomotive
• Comes with smoke liquid that you can add to emit little smoke puffs
• The passenger cars feature details, like interior lights and silhouettes
• The motor is durable, powerful and requires no maintenance

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that anyone who enjoyed the Polar Express movie, especially those who have kids at home, will consider the Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge one of the best holiday purchases they have ever made. You can start a whole new tradition by setting up this fun set with the kids every time the holiday season rolls around.

Customer Reviews

While writing this Polar Express Train Set review, I found 117 customer reviews. The majority of the reviewers gave this train set the highest scores possible. There was one person who said that their smoke puff feature didn’t work, but that seems to be an isolated incident, as nearly all the other reviewers said that this train is an instant classic, just like the movie. I will note here, though, that the kids will likely need a hand in assembling this train set and in getting to understand its operation. Once it’s set up and the kids have seen you operate it for a few minutes, they should be off to the races and having a great time.

This is one holiday gift idea that the whole family will enjoy getting out, setting up and playing with for years to come.

Buy  Lionel Trains Polar Express Train Set O Gauge

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Lionel polar express train set

polar express train set

lionel christmas train set

The Polar Express started off as a classic holiday book. Before too long, it was transformed into a beloved holiday movie. Kids and adults alike love this movie, so it was only a matter of time before a Polar Express Train Set would hit the market, to allow people to have their very own, magical Christmas train at home.Amazingly enough, there isn’t just one Polar Express set to choose from; there are actually two different sets that are now available to purchase. To help you Polar Express fans choose the best train set for your home, here is an overview of both, plus a Christmas Story Train set to round things out.

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The Lionel G-Gauge A Christmas Story Train Set – Polar Express Train Set

This Polar Express Train Set, based on the holiday classic – A Christmas Story – is more of an entry-level train set. It doesn’t have all the advanced features of the two Polar Express sets, but it is still very nice. Here are the key features of this train set:

• This fun train set features realistic locomotive sounds and a working headlight
• Comes with a fun boxcar with a special “Major Award” inside
• The track is simple to assemble
• The remote control is basic and designed to be easy enough for a 4 year old to use
• You can use 6 C batteries or purchase a 9.6 volt battery to run this train set

Buy Polar Express Train Set

As cool as this train’s concept is, it really doesn’t deliver in terms of performance. Some customers have complained about it not being responsive to the remote and just not being up to par, considering that it is a Lionel train set.

The Lionel Polar Express Train Set G-Gauge – Polar Express Train Set

Now we’re talking some genuine Polar Express action. This  Polar Express Train Set is definitely a few steps up from the Christmas Story train. Here are the key features:

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