Lionel Star Wars X-Wing/Tie Fighter Aquarium Car

Lionel Star Wars X-Wing/Tie Fighter Aquarium Car. Cody Grivno photo

When stacking up my wish list from Lionel Trains’ 2025 Volume I catalog, I included one of the Lightsaber illuminated boxcars from the new line of Star Wars-themed sets and rolling stock. Being a fan of the franchise, I was serious about ordering one. In the end, I guess you can say I turned to the dark side and instead went for the Star Wars X-Wing/Tie Fighter Aquarium Car (No. 2528190). I found it to be impressive… Most impressive.

Out of the box

This version of Lionel’s historic aquarium car is decked out to pay homage to the Galactic Empire with its black roof and grayish-blue body. The dark-blue graphics on the side nearly resemble the hull of the Death Star. The clean paint and graphic finish make this model a great add-on to Lionel’s Empire RS-3 LionChief freight set (No. 2523030).

The aquarium’s inside recreates the final space battle in Episode IV: A New Hope. A Rebel Alliance X-Wing races down the Death Star’s Meridian trench with an Imperial Tie Fighter in pursuit. The neat attention to detail includes a motion blur on each fighter to simulate the fast speed during this iconic scene.

On the tracks

I was initially concerned with the excessive wire slack between the trucks and the body hole. While necessary for easy pivoting and turning, I wondered if the overhang could snag nearby debris and cause a derailment. Successful tests at the Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club eased my disturbed lack of faith, but it is something to watch out for.

Applying track power triggers both the interior lights and the Vibromotor (The undercarriage has a manual ON/OFF switch for the motor). The motor sends the X-Wing and Tie Fighter looping around the aquarium during their epic chase, with the red and green bolts from their laser cannons illuminated. As Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer points out in her review of the racing version from the Lionel Collectors Club of America, the motor isn’t quiet, though the sound won’t be noticeable when running the car as part of a train.

Final thoughts

The Lionel Star Wars X-Wing/Tie Fighter Aquarium Car has the potential to become a template for additional Star Wars-licensed products. The Skywalker Saga, alone, with its nine films, is packed with space battles, races, and chases to choose from and easily replicate. For example, a marine-theme aquarium car could feature the submarine scene from Episode I: The Phantom Menace, complete with Qui-Gon Jinn’s infamous observation, “There’s always a bigger fish.”

Of course, sales will dictate any product line expansions. Even if this will ultimately be a one-and-done item, this aquarium car offers plenty of bang for your buck. It’ll make a fine addition to my collection, as it will yours.