My name is Carl Wilmsen I worked with Tom on many of his projects as a Layout builder and custom painter. I designed and built the John Deere heaven layout as well as painted everything on the layout that was not already green and yellow, which included a number 5 Lionel steam engine. I confirmed with Charyl Tom's widow Lionel did not make the observation car. They only made the engine, baggage car and one passenger car. Charyl is glad you are enjoying the Snyder collection and invites you to stop by the I Love Toy Trains store any Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00. The following is my tribute to Tom McComas, my dear friend. The TM books and video campus is the Hollywood of the Toy Train world. Tom McComas was its script writer, director, producer, and editor. The quality, and quantity of his work is remarkable. I had great honor of calling Tom my friend for 25 years. Working for Tom was never work. I remember one of the many times I was running a train while Tom was filming. I said, “just look at that engine smoke!” Tom exclaimed, “That engine is not supposed to smoke!” We both laughed and I went home with another repair job.
It would’ve been perfect if you added the 2017 sound system which includes 1225’s real bell and also added four 6 wheel buckeye tender trucks for o scale Lionel tenders so that you can equip them on there. Then it would be considered more accurate to real life.
Review is good. But.... as someone who works on the real thing, it makes me cringe that they have handrails on the tender, commonwealth trucks (movie accurate), and the wrong bell. Unfortunate.
![Steam Locomotive Controls: Pere Marquette 1225 “The REAL Polar Express" [HD]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9yQ2bZfMCDk/mqdefault.jpg)
Very nice run session. Enjoyed the review - thank you for playing all 5 whistles.
My name is Carl Wilmsen I worked with Tom on many of his projects as a Layout builder and custom painter. I designed and built the John Deere heaven layout as well as painted everything on the layout that was not already green and yellow, which included a number 5 Lionel steam engine. I confirmed with Charyl Tom's widow Lionel did not make the observation car. They only made the engine, baggage car and one passenger car. Charyl is glad you are enjoying the Snyder collection and invites you to stop by the I Love Toy Trains store any Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00. The following is my tribute to Tom McComas, my dear friend.
The TM books and video campus is the Hollywood of the Toy Train world. Tom McComas was its script writer, director, producer, and editor. The quality, and quantity of his work is remarkable. I had great honor of calling Tom my friend for 25 years. Working for Tom was never work. I remember one of the many times I was running a train while Tom was filming. I said, “just look at that engine smoke!” Tom exclaimed, “That engine is not supposed to smoke!” We both laughed and I went home with another repair job.
Awesome locomotive and layout. I have the prior Lionel PM 1225 model.
0:38 ain’t o way they changed the manual cover to the legacy polar express I love that so much
Great review! It's such a shame that Lionel used the wrong tender trucks. The real PM 1225 has buckeye trucks, and Lionel used commonwealth trucks.
Especially annoying because half of the other 2024 Berks use the correct trucks.
And used buckeye under 765
is there a way you can send me the link to this exact model i would love to have this same train on my layout
It would be much Appreciated.
Literally my favorite model train ever. I've wanted to buy one for years, but they are a little out of my price range!
It would’ve been perfect if you added the 2017 sound system which includes 1225’s real bell and also added four 6 wheel buckeye tender trucks for o scale Lionel tenders so that you can equip them on there. Then it would be considered more accurate to real life.
Nice review and beautiful locomotive. I ordered it but cancelled to get visionline GG1 and visionline J1e instead
ah yes, I’m now a “diehard sound guy” great review
If I could get one I would so badly
I like it that is the polar express steam locomotive
$1,700 for Chinese pot steel and cherry switches that go out in 3 years, Lionel is killing the hobby by actively pricing prospective buyers out
Lionel will forever piss me off due to the fact they use baldwin commonwealth trucks and not buckeye trucks.
Review is good. But.... as someone who works on the real thing, it makes me cringe that they have handrails on the tender, commonwealth trucks (movie accurate), and the wrong bell. Unfortunate.
it look 2018 one