Bachmann is a Chinese toy manufacturer that specializes in model railroading. It was founded in 1833 and has released a G-scale Polar Express train set. The locomotive in the set, however, bears no resemblance to the Pere Marquette 1225, the real-life locomotive which the Polar Express is based off of. It instead uses the same model as Bachmann's Big Hauler locomotive, which has a 4-6-0 configuration.
Description[]
- "Winter wonderland. This G scale train set is inspired by the classic children's book "The Polar Express." Set includes: 4-6-0 steam locomotive with operating headlight, smoke and speed-synchronized sound; coal tender; coach with lighted interior observation car with lighted interior and drumhead; engineer and fireman figures; 20 piece 8'2" x 4'3" oval track; power pack; illustrated "Bach Man" instruction manual; and VHS format video instructions. A custom made sleigh bell is also included with each set. Power pack UL listed. Lifetime LMW. Ages 8 and up. Made in China."
Basis[]
The locomotive included in the set, like all of Bachmann's "Big Hauler" 4-6-0's, is based off of a design built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC), which was a 3 foot Narrow Gauge line that ran between Johnson City, Tennessee & Boone, NC. 4 of these locomotives were built, with only one survivor: Engine #12, which is preserved and operational at the Tweetsie Railroad Theme Park in Blowing Rock, NC.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- On the back of the observation car, there is a picture of the Silver bell located on the drumhead.
- A custom made sleigh bell was included with each set.
- Bachmann also made a set that's similar to the polar express set in HO called the "North Pole Express" train set which included a 2-6-2 steam locomotive with two of the passenger cars that's painted in the same colors as the polar express coaches.
- The passenger cars in the catalog are painted in the same colors as the real polar express Blue with red horizonal stripes but the production model is painted teal green with dark red horizonal strips.
External links[]
| Merchandise | |
| Toy trains | Bachmann • Brio • Lionel |
| Board games | The Polar Express Game • Matching Game • Train-Opoly |
| Books | The Polar Express • A Guide for Using The Polar Express in the Classroom • The Art of the Polar Express • The Gift of Christmas • All Aboard the Polar Express • The Journey Begins • The Magic Journey • Trip to the North Pole • Keepsake Memory Book • Shadowbook • The Movie Scrapbook |
| Albums | Original Motion Picture Soundtrack • For Your Consideration |
| Other | Cereal • Video Game • CD-ROM Multimedia Edition |