Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer Freight Train Set with Diorama

• Set Includes: 0-8-0 steam locomotive and tender, Boxcar, Searchlight car, Caboose, 3 straight & 8 curved FasTrack sections
• Also includes a FasTrack terminal section, PowerMax Transformer, Smoke fluid, Billboard, and 10 telephone poles
• Locomotive Features: Powerful maintenance-free motor, Puffing smoke unit, and Die-cast metal locomotive body with metal frame and trucks
• Rolling Stock Features:Operating couplers, Opening doors on boxcar, and Illuminated searchlight with adjustable position
• Locomotive Features:Air whistle in tender, Operating headlight, and Operating coupler on rear of tender
• Length: 47", Layout dimensions: 40" x 60"
• Locomotive Features: Transformer controlled forward, neutral, and reverse operation

My grandson Parker loves trains and Grandpa and I decided this Christmas we would get him a train that would start him into train collecting.Of course we made the choice of a Lionel.This train is so sturdy, so life-like.We cannot wait to see his face on Christmas Eve.Grandpa has built a table and we are currently having a ball decorating it with buildings, people and landscaping.Grandpa does not want to come up from the basement.Parker is only 5 so he will be supervised.Due to the electricity involved this is probably more for a child of 8, however between Grandpa and Daddy, he probably won't get a chance to operate it until he is 8.Dawn

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For years I've wanted a high quality train around the 'ol Christmas tree.I've had HO sets in the past that my kids loved playing with, complete with a lighted village, tunnels, cars, etc.I decided to step up after reading the reviews on several of the Lionel sets.Today, I joined the few that weren't all that impressed.When I purchased it 2 wks ago, it was $186 thru Amazon.Now, it's $169.Shucks.The description talks of a whistle and puffing smoke.The train is so loud you can't hardly hear the whistle.Believe me, if you don't listen hard, you won't hear the whistle.Maybe mine's faulty.It works, but lousily (if that's a word).The steam generator puts out a whisp that if you get down really close and watch the train go by, you might see it.The transformer is plastic and does not have an On/Off switch.Yep, you need to unplug the set.The transformer has a "bell" button.But, guess what, the train in the set doesn't have a bell.I'll keep the set.I'll build the terrain.The grandkids will have a blast with it.

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Growing up in the 50s, every kid had a train set.Most of my friends had Lionel. HO hadn't really become popular yet so the big O gauge trains were pretty much standard. My Dad's family worked for the Pennsylvania RR and trains were a popular post war hobby. Dad and I had animpressive layout, but as a teenager, my interests changed (girls, cars).Years later when my Dad passed away I sold the collection for a handsome price.I was a little skeptical about buying an imported version of an American classic. Although no model trains are suitable for very young children, the bigger, sturdier O gauge are easier to handle and will hold up.I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer Freight Train Set.In all honesty, it is a better example of imported merchandise.The Pennsylvania Flyer set is minimal but absolutely perfect for under your Christmas tree. It fits on a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood with room to spare.Set up is so easy you could wait until the children or grandchildren went to bed on Christmas Eve, assemble the track (very easy) and have a working train Christmas morning.There's a lot to be said about a kid's first look at a train under the Christmas tree. Priceless.Lots of grownup grins, too. The promo material isstraightforward. Solidly packaged, everything was there and works. No surprises.I have to say, when I hit the whistle button on the transformer and the first puffs of smoke came out of the locomotive stack, I got a lump in my throat and for a few seconds I was ten years old again.

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We purchased this train set last year as an "extra" present. Just something fun that we could all enjoy together.I couldn't be more pleased with the investment. 2 adults in our 30's, a 3/4 year old girl, a 5/6 year old girl, and a 8/9 year old boy have enojyed playing with the basic set for a year now. I even brought the set to a cub scout meeting and had the boys design buildings out of boxes, it was one of the best meetings all year.

O scale-

We chose not to go with the HO because of the small size. We wanted our entire family to be able to use it, and our youngest was 3 at the time of purchase.In spite of some fine motor difficulties, she was able to put the train back on track more than half the time.Our (then) 8 year old son was able to consistantly put the train back on from the first week. The size is also a little easier to build models for because shoe boxes seem to be just the right size ;)

Track-

I have found the track to be durable, even when the train was attacked by our very confused dog. All 3 children can now assemble the track for playtime, though the younger 2 still need help with disassembly.Additional pieces are easy to find at our local hobby shop.

Controls-

Very basic. The control box is set up to automatically change from forward to neutral to reverse each time you throttle back to "zero".This setting can be changed at the locomotive. My husband and I both would like a more versatile controller, but are satisfied with this one until we are rready to set up a more permenant display.We have had no issue with the operation in spite of being trampled and manhandled by children, and stepped on by a dog.

Smoke-

Production could be better, and is relative to train speed (the faster it goes, the more smoke it has). Unfortunately, when it is going fast enough for more smoke, the speed creates a current that disperses the smoke and makes it hard to see. The liquid smoke bottle that came with it was more than enough for many hours of use (maybe about 20 hours).

Overall, we are glad we own this train. It has been a great family past-time for the amount of money that was spent.

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easy to assemble and strong enough to withstand my son cranking up the power and derailing the train. we love it