Harry Potter Hogwarts Express G-Gauge Train Set

• Highly-detailed G-Gauge steam locomotive
• Authentic train sounds, including bell and whistle
• Working headlight
• Handsomely detailed passenger cars feature fixed knuckle couplers
• Remote control features clearly marked buttons that allow the user to make the train go forward and backwards,
• Remote control features also allow the user to sound the whistle, and to ring the bell

This is my first train set as well as my daughter's first, and I'm not sure who is enjoying it more.This is a perfect set for a child's first train. My three year old loves it. The track is easy to assemble, and the train itself simply requires you to place it on the track and link the cars (super easy to do!). I do recommend an extra track pack. The train is large, so you want to give it some distance in which to travel.

The remote control is easy to use. My daughter can easily understand the forward and backwards motion and gets a kick out of stopping the train and sending it in the reverse direction. The bell and whistle are authentic sounding but not at all loud. The train has an auto shutoff--if you leave the train idling for 10 minutes, it shuts off. I love this because my daughter doesn't want to ever turn it off, but this way, if she quits playing with it, it will shut off on its own.

The one drawback is the battery power. The 6 C batteries it came with died in less than two days. I will definitely be purchasing a couple of rechargeable 9.6 volts to deal with that issue (one to keep in the train, one to keep in the charger so that the train is always ready to go).

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I ordered this train for my two year old, who lives, eats, and breathes "choo-choo trains" right now. Of course his father and I appreciate that it's the Hogwarts Express. First strong point is the easy to unpack and repack box, designed repeat storage. Secondly, the track snaps together easily and firmly, and can be configured in three different shapes. I made a circle, which is 4+ feet in diameter, and fits perfectly around our tree. I ordered extra track, but will return it because i really don't need it.The train cars are sturdy, hook together easily, and have swivel wheels so they stay on the track. The RC remote works well, and is simple enough for my son to operate on his own; he loves the bell and whistle buttons!The train has a "power up" button, which initiates realistic train sounds. It will power down automatically after 10 minutes. At full speed, this train really moves!The only complaint I have is that, like other reviewers have mentioned, the included batteries for the train are a waste.Our's literally lasted less than 5 minutes. I should mention that in lieu of C batteries, you can also use a rechargeable 9.7V battery (not included).Bottom line, get the train, have extra batteries on hand, have fun!

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First off, this is a toy. Plain and simple. It's big, it's plastic, and it's very lightweight. It comes with enough track to make a loop around your Christmas tree, and that's it. I've read the reviews here and for the Polar Express, and I'm baffled about some of them. The train has never come uncoupled for me, and I've never had it derail. But I run it on hardwood or linoleum flooring, I don't have carpet in my house. The track is difficult to push together, but once it is together it takes quite a bit of force to have it come back apart. I replaced the batteries immediately, and the train straight out of the box just worked. No problems there. My only problem was range. I could operate it standing nearby, but often the train would lose the throttle signal and slow to a stop. Usually hitting the bell or whistle button would wake it back up, but it would happen often unless I laid the controller on the floor inside the loop of track.

Well, I fixed that. Details here:

Basically, I purchased a $5 28" telescoping antenna from Radio Shack, and replaced the antenna in the remote. Now I can reliably control the train from across the house and upstairs.

If you get a bunch more track and some additional rolling stock (train cars), the Hogwarts express will have a hard time pulling them especially up an incline. Not because it lacks power, but because it's so light. If you open the locomotive up (four screws on the bottom) there is plenty of room inside. I went to my local motorcycle shop and got a bunch of stick-on wheel weights, and stacked them over the drive wheels. I plan to run this in my garden, so I'm probably not your typical purchaser. As it comes out of the box, it's more than fine for a child. I'm just a bit of a train nut, and I wanted one too! :)

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We knew the batteries that came with the set would be dead from reading reviews. But the remote does connect well with the train. It says it works up to 10' away, but we've had to hold it about a foot from the train. We'll probably return it. (following the train around the tree with the remote isn't very fun)

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To celebrate my granddaughter's first Christmas at my house, I purchased this train for my son (an avid Harry Potter fan) to share with her during the holidays. It was to replace the Christmas tree trains he had as a child, now very old and unsafe. His face just lit up when he saw the box and he began setting it up within 20 minutes of his arrival from the airport. It's a great looking train and fits nicely around the tree.Unfortunately, the second car which holds the batteries had deformedwheels unlike wheels on the other cars and it would not stay on the track of course, without that car, the train can't run.You can imagine our disappointment and I was particularly upset that my special surprise was ruined as there was no time to order another before Christmas.I have no idea if the bad wheels were a fluke or a basic design flaw.If I could get another with proper wheels, I would.