Lionel Hogwarts Express?

[James Day]

Dear All,

I see that Lionel are making a heap battery powered Hogwarts Express set in G Scale, similar in concept to their Polar Express set. From the pictures I have seen, it looks quite attractive, although the loco and two Mk1 coaches look short, the tender looks a little large. However, at the sort of price it is going for, one can't really complain.

Looking on E-Bay I see that one could be bought in America and sent to the UK for less than £85 GBP.

Has anyone here got one? If so, what is it like and how easy is it to re-motor for track power?

I am thinking of perhaps fitting a suitable motor block in the tender to push the loco round?

James

 

[chris m01]

I had one but sold it.
The loco is quite charming but the proportions aren't right. The loco and tender didn't look too bad but the coaches are very very poor.
The loco wheels are plastic so conversion to track power would require new wheels as well. Perhaps the biggest reason for me selling it was that the radio control range wasn't enough for my garden. My railway is a 200 foot long dogbone in a garden which is about 60 foot square. The limited range of the radio control meant that I had to walk round the garden to operate it.

Short vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4l9jEvrFK8