Polar Express Lionel Christmas train Platform 2008

[Trolleymoose]

Great creation. I was thinking of what a PE layout would look like, and there you have it.

[Orca369]

Now that's quite a layout! I'm impressed! I collect lionel trains myself. I put the polar express train set on my Christmas list this year. I have high hopes!

[ApeLikeCreature]

AWESOME!!!

[HeWhoRunsWScissors]

Wow! What a cool dad!

[WestBrickstonFire37]

What kind of adapter track did you use to switch the fastrack to the regular O scale track?

[grizzleybearz282004]

that is one of the nicest polar express latouts iv ever seen i have the o gauge polar express set i got it for my kids back in 2007 i just upgraded the smoke unit on it im sure you know all of them were poor smokers right out of the box lionel use a poor QTY heating element i swaped it out with a postwar type fluid heating element that fits in the same way to mods are needed for it to work i collect alot of postwar lionel train sets myself

[delts99]

where did you get thoes bits from

[imscoope]

I would be happy to. I made the path for the track by cutting 1/4 inch plywood in a circle pattern and with a rise of 1 inch for every foot of track.. I made wood supports about every 16 inches. When I was sure the train wouldn't fall off, I made the mountain out of chicken wire, newspaper and a lot of plaster. I then painted it and then made the upper section (North Pole). If you have any other questions I would be happy to answer any other questions.

[MyElaineg]

hi my daughter would like to know how you did the moutain when the train goes around it would you mind telling us how you did it or how you make it? (plz she really loves the mountain you made and would like to make it )

[chris40539]

this layout looks you could make your own version of the polar express movie

[imscoope]

Hi , I'm sorry to take so long to respond. Lionel actually sells a track that will allow you to connect both the old and new style of track!

[countrykid1640]

i seen that you are using both the old track and the new track. i was wondering how did you manage to get the old and new to connect to eachother. because i got a new box set like 4 years ago or something and it had the new track and i have a whole bunch of old track but didnt know of a good way to get the new and old to connect with out comming apart or loosing connection

[jawbone60]

Wow love it. I want to build my own polar express layout

[imscoope]

Hi, the Santa Claus is actually a Dept 56 Heritage Village Santa's Sleigh. I did modify it a bit. I think it is retired but still may be available on ebay

[ojam4263]

How did u find that Santa?( In the back left corner of the track.)

[ojam4263]

NICE SNOW FEATURE ON TOP OF THE TRAIN CARS AND AROUND THE TRAIN!

[ojam4263]

NICE SNOW FETURE ON TOP OF THE TRAIN CARS AND AROUND THE TRAIN!

[scn102]

i just got the chills ,, sweet

[abusepawallecat]

Wow this one is even better than the first. I love the flashing christmas lights! (:

[Weiberts]

Wow. All I can say is wow! This is amazing. All you need to ad is that big drop. Just kidding. LOL!

[CookiesAndGuns95]

I'm not too much of a Polar Express fan, but this, no doubt, is absolutely impressive. Good job.

[skateskool100]

this should have a world record in the guiness book for longest train layout

[oOWickedRulesOo]

Just wondering....does it have a smoke feature? By the way, excellent layout!

[imscoope]

@oOWickedRules yes the train smoke. it actually puffs the smoke out!

[keepereg]

This is super cool...a direct quote from my boys Kyle and Jake. You've set the bar extremely high.

[ryeguyisme]

I have to admit thats pretty cool ;)

[GardeBlaze]

Very accurate and amazing!

[imscoope]

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad that you liked it. Please see my other two train video's. (one is my original version)

[zathras9now]

Wow!!! Wish I could see this in person! Keep up the good work!

[concorde99880]

Great layout just bought two addon cars for PE, great set up I wish I had this it's just like the movie, I thought all that red was eleve that you painted but I think it's just red, you should get some add on cars like Dinner, Disappearing Hobo, hot chocolate and baggage car! I have Dinner and hobo car there realy cool all I need is 2 more I'm not gonna get announcement car to much money for "all aboard, this is the polar express"

[wgovideo]

imscoope, absolutly wonderful work! You succeeded in capturing so many elements of the movie. The layout alone is outstanding. not to mention the attention to detail. you definately have a talant.

[imscoope]

Thanks! please be sure to look at my two other polar express train videos!

[roastedduck22]

Wow amazing layout! I'm putting one together this year too, and have been looking for the elves to go around the Christmas tree and have not been able to find them anywhere! Did you make those? If not do you know where I can find them? Thanks

[imscoope]

Thanks! The elves are h o scale people(The size for HO trains). I bought them at a model train hobby shop. They come unpainted, in a bag ofabout 75ea I think they are manufactured by a company called Model Trains. You should be able to find them at a hobby store that sells model trains. Good luck on the platform, Dont forget to post a video.

[durangokenpo]

I love this, I am sick and I just showed this to my mom and grandma, they loved it too!!!!! How did you do it, we enjoyed it very much. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[imscoope]

Thanks !! This is actually the second version. I changed it after taking it down so I could use the space a little better.

[imscoope]

Please look at my other two polar express videos. One is the original platform. My son wanted to recreate the the mountain scene and I thought it would be great to use it to change the level of the platform and then to take the train to the north pole.

[imscoope]

I built the mountain by cutting out the track path from plywood and supporting it every 14-16 inches then covered it with plaster. My son designed the North pole buildings and I cut them out and painted the bricks. I think it took me around 5 weeks to complete. I am so glad that you enjoyed it and I hope you are feeling better!!

[queenswake]

You did a great job on this. You managed to create something relatively simple, but one that also covers every element of the story. Just the small things like the glowing moon totally completes the layout. Definitely make another video this year.

[SouthParkfann65]

nice job man, are you goin to do one for 2009?

[imscoope]

Thanks, I was able to leave it set up last year , so I just planned to make some minor improvements and repairs.

[SouthParkfann65]

oh cool, be sure to make a video of it

[kiddnormal]

You are my hero!!! Great Job!

[imscoope]

Thanks!! Please look at my other two train videos. One is my original platform before I made changes.

[13002fast]

I have watched many of the polar express youtube vids. and this ones the best! You captured many moments of the movie. great job. I have one question, where did you get the brick paper surrounding your layout?

[imscoope]

Thanks! The brick paper is sold at many seasonal stores during the holidays. Our local True value hardware store sells it then. Hobby stores, most hobby  train stores sell it all year around. It actually comes in rolls of either 2 foot or 4 foot heights.

[ronbeck98]

Really nice Christmas layout!!! I love the way you integrated Plasticville village into the Polar Express Theme. I've been putting Christmas layouts up for years. And my favorite past time is watching others. Great job. Hope you never tire of building a layout.

[imscoope]

Thanks for the great comment, I also like to see christmas platforms, especially old ones. Please see the two other train videos that I have. One is my original polar express platform and the other is my #1 fan.

[racerboy23432]

it is better than the first one good job

[imscoope]

Thank you!!

[kathsteph]

Wonderful! So nicely choreographed with the PE music!

[crissmind263]

That is one heck of a train because it is the biggest polar express set i ever saw

[elevatedkiwi]

Cool layout, how did you do the elves in the village square?

[imscoope]

Thanks, I bought two packages of unpainted figures, HO size and also enlisted the help of younger family members and we painted them by hand, one color at a time. I then glued them in place. I hope to add another 100 for next year.

[pure656]

Is there an concerter for the lionel 0-27 gauge track to the new fastrack? and where can i get fake snow becaouse i am going to making a wintery layout so

Sincerely, Pure656

[imscoope]

Yes, lionel sells a converter track from the older style track to the newer fast track. I bought my fake snow at home depot at their christmas display and also at a local store called the christmas tree shop. Since christmas has now passed and probably neither of these store now carry it because it is seasonal, maybe you could try a hobby shop or a craft supply store. Also a store that carries department 56 items might also have it.

[ElAye]

Wow! Sure to set off any kid's Christmas! Any one who is a kid at heart, even,like me! Great layout!

[imscoope]

Thank You!

[wclaurence]

Great job on the layout. It is disappointing that Lionel provided a whistle tender instead of a trainsounds tender with the berkshire engine in this set. Now they're offering a railsounds tender on the side, along with other style of cars like a baggage, diner, chocolate, etc. The movie train consists of 4passenger coaches and an observation car.

[jsteiger2228]

I especially like the train climbing the mountain with the moon in the background - just like the movie.

This is a great example of the fun stuff you can do with a Lionel set which would be difficult with 2-rail trains. Reversing loops are great w/ auto switches!

[imscoope]

This platform was also possible because of the high quality of this polar express set. I was really amazed how well it was made and how well it runs.

[cngowens]

This is great! I think it is a lot better than the other one! this new layout is the best one I have ever saw! also I got that snow U used to put on top of the cars! ThankU! for putting out great vids. cngowens

[xPREDATORv]

nice layout, spent more time on the lighting then the track i bet. very nice, approx how much space does it take up? and Merry Christmas.

[imscoope]

The main platform is just over 15 ft long and 5 ft wide. The North pole secondary is 6 x 4 ft. Most of the work was building everything 2 years ago, setting it up this year wasn't too bad.

[stewartcamw]

thats just grate do you have a plan for the layout? I wish that I could do things like this

[imscoope]

No, I don't have a track plan, I really did it "on the fly". I used the flex track that came with the polar express set, for the north pole and bought conversion track pieces so I could use the older track. For the mountain, I just layed it out using standard curves and straights with a rise of .5 inch per foot of track. If you take your time it isn't that hard to do. Hope that helps. Good luck!

[dmem36]

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen. I think that who ever created this is a genius!

[lloyd2032]

Very Cool. Nice interpretation of the movie !!

[FFDmh2223]

looks good still. I plan on making my own interpretation when I have a house to put it in, I'm in the process of moving, anyway. happy holidays, thanks for sharing

[imscoope]

Thanks for the comment. Happy Holidays to you too!