Overview
Product Description
Our team recently reviewed the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set and we have to say that it’s an excellent train set for adding to your Christmas decorations. The train set comes with a battery-powered general-style locomotive and tender, a Gondola with crate load, a Center-cupola caboose, as well as 24 curved and 8 straight plastic track pieces, and a remote control. The ready-to-play track can be set up in a circle, rectangle, or oval shape to fit your needs.
Product Specifications
This train set has a 50” x 73” Ready-to-Play track that is exclusive to this specific set, making it not compatible with Lionel G Gauge or any other G Gauge track systems. The locomotive is battery-powered, producing authentic train sounds and announcements, including the bell and whistle, with a working headlight. The train set also has fixed knuckle couplers, a removable crate load in the Gondola, and a user-friendly remote control.
Battery Requirements
To operate the train, six C cell batteries are required, and three AAA batteries are needed to operate the remote control. Note that the batteries do not come with the purchase of the train set.
From the reviews we’ve gathered, we’ve found that the train set is lightweight and decent in size, making it easy to assemble and use. It’s a perfect train for the Christmas tree, and the remote control is a must-have, as it allows children to control the train’s speed and sounds. However, some have noticed that the plastic made the train more vulnerable to breaking if dropped and that the sound cannot be turned off or adjusted.
Overall, this train set is a great addition to your Christmas spirit of decorations and enjoyable for kids and hobbyists. We recommend it as an affordable train set.
Features
This Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is packed with remarkable features that make it an ideal choice for anyone who loves trains or wants to add some festive cheer around their home during the Christmas season.
Battery-Powered Locomotive
The battery-powered general-style locomotive and tender operate smoothly on the track, providing an authentic train experience. It operates on six C cell batteries, which are not included in the purchase.
Working Headlight
The locomotive is equipped with a working headlight that illuminates the way as it pulls the train around the track. It adds an exciting element to the train and makes it even more realistic.
Authentic Train Sounds and Announcements
The train produces authentic train sounds and announcements, including a bell and whistle, as it moves around the track. These sounds further enhance the overall experience of using this train set.
Remote Control
The user-friendly remote control makes it easy to operate the train set. It lets you start, stop, and control the speed of the train, as well as the sounds it makes. The remote operates on three AAA batteries.
Fixed Knuckle Couplers
The train includes fixed knuckle couplers that keep the train cars connected to each other securely during operation. This feature ensures that the train maintains its shape and runs smoothly around the track.
Removable Crate Load in the Gondola
The gondola on this train set comes with a removable crate load that can be taken on and off with ease. This allows for more variety during playtime and makes it possible to add small decorations or figurines inside it.
Despite some limitations, some users have left glowing reviews of the product, praising its affordability, ease of use, and ability to delight kids and adults alike. The users also noted some minor hitches such as the track coming apart easily and the train making a constant sound while at idle. Overall, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to add some holiday cheer around their home.
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Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set Review
The Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is an ideal product for showcasing your Christmas spirit. This battery-powered model train set comes with a remote multi and 50 x 73 inches exclusive track system, making it great for kids, hobbyists, and holiday decorating.
Set includes
The set includes a battery-powered general-style locomotive and tender, a gondola with crate load, a center-cupola caboose, 24 curved and eight straight plastic track pieces, and a user-friendly remote.
Several customers have reviewed this product, and here are some of their remarks:
One customer shared that their grandson loves this train, but the track needs improvement, as it comes apart easily. They suggest that it needs a better design.
Another customer found this product great but too large for their table, meant for 12. Consequently, they had to return it, but it looked amazing in the box.
On the other hand, another customer bought this train set for their daughter and found it very sturdy and well-made. They recommended purchasing additional tracks for more variety.
Lastly, a customer shared that this train is great for its affordable and a nice addition to Christmas decorations. Though the sound cannot be turned off or lowered, it has a decent size, is lightweight, and easy to assemble.
In conclusion, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is an ideal and affordable train set that will bring the holiday spirit to any household.
User Reviews
Here are some user reviews that we found online:
Perfect for the Christmas tree
One user said that their grandkids preferred playing with the Lionel train rather than seeing Santa. They had acquired a complete town area to go with it and it runs very well as long as the track is flat. They enjoy it very much.
Very large and too big for some tables
Another user said that the train set was great, but it was too big for their table that seated 12. They said that they had to return it unfortunately.
Well-made and sturdy
Another user said that the train set fulfilled their expectations. Their kids loved it and it was delivered on time with everything included in the packaging. They also said that the karts were well-made and sturdy.
Plenty of track included
Another user recommended the set and said that it was a fun addition to their Christmas decorations. They also recommended buying additional tracks to have more variety. They said that there were plenty of tracks included and the set was user-friendly.
Overall, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set has received mostly positive reviews online. Despite its size, it is a great addition to any Christmas decor and is well-made and sturdy. It also comes with plenty of tracks and is user-friendly.
Pros
The Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is a great addition to holiday decorations. Here are some features that we love about this train set.
User-friendly remote control
The remote control included in this train set is easy to use, making it perfect for hobbyists, kids, and adults. You can easily operate the train, control sounds and announcements, and even stop and start the train.
Authentic train sounds and announcements
The sound effects in this train set are realistic and add to the overall experience. The train set includes bell and whistle sounds, making it feel like a real-life train.
Removable crate load in the gondola
One of the train cars comes with a removable crate load, which can be used to add little figurines or small items. It’s a fun and creative way to customize your train set.
Enough track pieces to make a circle, rectangle or oval
This train set comes with 24 curved and 8 straight plastic track pieces that allow you to create a circle, rectangle or oval track. You can customize the track layout according to your space and create a unique train set.
Overall, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is an ideal train set for the holiday season. It is affordable, user-friendly, and comes with a realistic sound and authentic features that add to the overall experience. However, some customers have complained about the size of the set, the plastic construction, and the track design, but these are minor issues that don’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the set. So, if you’re looking for a train set to add a touch of Christmas spirit to your decorations, this product would be perfect for you.
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Cons
Makes constant idling sound when stopped
One minor issue with the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is that it makes a constant idling sound when stopped, which can be a little annoying. However, this is not a major concern and can be easily overlooked.
May require finesse in lining up train cars to the track
Another aspect to consider is that you may need to use a little finesse when lining up the train cars on the track to prevent it from derailing. While this is not a major issue, it can be a bit frustrating at times.
May be too large for some tables
As mentioned in one of the reviews, this train set may be too large for some tables, especially those that seat 12 people, so it is important to measure your table before purchasing.
Batteries not included
Finally, it is worth noting that the batteries required to operate the train and remote are not included in the purchase of the set, so you will need to purchase them separately.
Overall, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is a great addition to any Christmas décor, with its authentic train sounds and working headlight. While there are some minor cons to consider, they do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the set.
Recommendations
Purchase additional track for more variety
One of the most common recommendations for the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is to purchase additional track pieces. Doing so not only provides more variety in the shapes and layouts you can create, but also allows for a larger and more intricate track system. This can make for a more engaging and entertaining experience, especially for kids.
Use on a large enough surface
Another recommendation is to ensure that you have enough space to set up the train and its track. The 50” x 73” track included in the set may be large, but it’s important to consider the space required for the additional track pieces and any other decorations you may want to put around the train. A crowded or cramped surface can detract from the overall experience.
Get batteries before use
Lastly, we recommend getting the batteries needed to operate the train and remote control before using the set. This will ensure that you can enjoy the full experience without any interruptions or delays. Keep in mind that the set requires six C cell batteries to operate the train and three AAA batteries for the remote control. Batteries are not included with the purchase of the train set, so make sure to get them beforehand.
Overall, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is a great choice for both kids and hobbyists. With its exclusive track system, authentic train sounds and announcements, and user-friendly remote, it’s sure to be a Christmas spirit showstopper. Just remember to consider our recommendations when setting it up for the best experience possible.
This image is property of Amazon.com.
Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set Review
If you’re looking for a train set that truly embodies the Christmas spirit, the Lionel North Pole Central Ready-to-Play Freight Set is a must-have. It’s perfect for both kids and hobbyists who love to decorate their homes during the holiday season.
Overall
This train set exceeded our expectations. It comes with plenty of track pieces, allowing you to create a circle, rectangle, or oval track layout. We opted for the circle layout and put it around our Christmas tree, and it was the perfect size for it. The train looks great and is very easy to assemble. It has various authentic train sounds and announcements, including a bell and whistle, which add to the overall experience.
Fulfilling Expectations
The train runs smoothly as long as the track is flat, and the remote control is user-friendly. Even a 3-year-old can operate the remote with ease. It’s also a great addition to our holiday decorations. The showstopper here is the battery-powered general-style locomotive and tender, complete with a gondola with crate load and center-cupola caboose.
Great for Adding Christmas Cheer
The set’s 50″ x 73″ Ready-to-Play track is perfect for tabletops and is not compatible with any other G Gauge track systems. However, the train set is large, so it may not fit on smaller tables. Nonetheless, the product delivers a lot of value and truly adds to the Christmas cheer.
Fun for Kids and Hobbyists
Apart from being a great Christmas decoration item, this train set also encourages playtime and imagination for the little ones. For hobbyists, it’s an excellent train set to add to their collection. It’s also quite easy to customize, so you can expand your track system and explore creative designs.
A Showstopper for Holiday Decorating
If there’s one downside, it’s that you can’t turn off the train’s sounds completely or adjust the volume. However, it’s a small drawback that doesn’t take away from the overall experience. This train set is a perfect showstopper during the holiday season and is sure to bring joy to anyone’s home.