Polar Express Inaccuracies Explained.
The model railroad community has directed much criticism toward the producers of the recent Polar Express movie for inaccurately portraying the workings of the steam locomotive in advertisements for the movie's spin-off products. In a surprise press release today, the Polar Express producers apologized for those inaccuracies, but explained that they were necessary due to exorbitant demands of licensing fees from the Union Pacific and CSX railroads to use their patented designs of the steam locomotive mechanical configuration. Although those patents have long expired, and are considered to be in the public domain, UP and CSX are demanding that all who portray such designs in their work pay exorbitant fees. Additionally, UP and CSX claim complete ownership of all works incorporating their mechanical designs.