REVIEW: 4565 Freight and Crane Railway

[TypoCorrecto]

Set Name: Freight and Crane Railway

Set #: 4565

Theme: Trains

Pieces: 914

Minifigures: 3

Year of Release: 1996

Price at Release: $140

Brickset

Peeron

Bricklink

This is a great 9-Volt set, and I noticed this set had not been reviewed so I decided to take a stab at it.

INSTRUCTIONS

MINIFIGS

ENGINE

Very interesting design. If someone knows of a real-world locomotive that may be the inspiration for this set please let me know.

Diesel engine detail.

Electric lighting hook-up. It came with the set, unlike today's sets.

ROLLING STOCK

Two of these are included.

CARGO

TRANSPORT TRUCK

CARGO DEPOT

This set was a showcase for the playability of LEGO Trains...

Cargo scale and Ballast Loader

Ballast Deposit

Cranes

A lot of things can get done here...

TLG needs to revisit their past for inspiration a little more...

Empty Scale

Empty Ballast Container

Filled Ballast Container

Too Easy...

MISC

Many different combinations

What is this?

DYNAMITE? LEGO seems to have a history of hauling dangerous cargo.

CONCLUSION

Pieces: 9/10 - It's the largest of any LEGO Train set, excluding the track-less engine/train sets. There are many different pieces with interesting uses.

Minifigures: 7/10 - Nothing spectacular, however I love the classic minifigs because they were unique to trains. Today the train minifigs are not all that unique to the train sets.

Build: 9/10 - Very fun to build with a lot of different uses of the pieces.

Price: 7/10 - $140, by today's standards that's a bargain but back in 1996 it was a lot...At least that's what my mom tells me...

Playability: 10/10 - This set is great in the playability department. Cranes, Scales, Ballast Loaders, Trucks...it has it all and can be configure in many different ways. I believe this is the most playable set in LEGO Trains.

Overall: 9/10 - A must have if you can find it on eBay for a decent price. Great playability, fun build, 9-Volt with lights, fun for days, and a great addition to anyone's collection.

Hope you enjoyed this review...Take care...

Edited November 16, 2011 by typo

[medib]

I don't know exact real life engines I can directly compair it to, but I think the engine was supposed to be a short-haul yard shunter.

My favorite part of this set was definitely the scale. That was absolutely brilliant of Lego.

Having you picture a Sumo on the scale was definitely very sweet!!

I definitely enjoyed that.

Great Review for a Great Set.

Brick On!!!

[drevim]

Great review, and a fantastic set.

Sadly, it didn't survive from when I owned it in the 90s, odd considering most things did. It is definitely a must re-buy for me.

Thanks for sharing.

[WesternOutlaw]

Thank you for sharing this image review Typo. I've always had mixed feelings about this set but must admit that I never picked it up during the late 9V era.

I see that you added a Train Tech graphic Typo. This signifies that your review has been indexed by a moderator. I've indexed and added a poll.

[lightningtiger]

Thanks 'Typo' for this review, an AWESOME classic town train set with a 6 wide truck (having also an interesting way to gain access to the cabin...gives me an idea).

From this I can see where 3677 gets some of it's ideas from too !

Brick On everyone !

[LEGO Guy Bri]

Good review 'typo'. This is an excellent set. I've been trying to get one on eBay for a while now. Keep missing the final countdown Oh well, one day. Thanks for the review

[Lord Insanity]

This was my first 9v train set. (Only had the 4.5v 7722 Steam Cargo Train before that.) It was the color scheme and cranes that sold me on it. I even got the 2126 Train Cars to go with it back then. (Christmas then Birthday presents respectively) The engine was always kind of weird looking¹ to me, in a good way though. I too would be curious to know if anyone knows what type of engine was being represented by this set. I don't think LEGO has ever otherwise released an engine that wasn't at least close to a real one.

¹The whole reason I bought the Super Chief was to have a "real" engine for this set. At the time I didn't realize the Super Chief was supposed to represent an old passenger engine, it looked like a modern freight engine to me. When the passenger cars for the Super Chief came out I kind of scratched my head and ignored them thinking that was just plain crazy.

[Brickviller]

Excellent review, I remember watching this set as a kid, and I couldn't even dream to get it. It's indeed one of the sets with the greatest playability, at least for it's time.

[Sokratesz]

Someone just posted the loc from this set for sale here, and the complete set here.

Edited July 24, 2011 by Sokratesz

[BrickStorm]

I not 100% about this, but at the time I was under the impression that this particular set didn't come with a speed regulator in AUS - anyone know if this was true? I seem to recall that TLC sold the regulator and power cable as a separate product in that catalog.

I don't think LEGO has ever otherwise released an engine that wasn't at least close to a real one.

There's at least two I can think of: 4559 Cargo Railway, and 4561 Railway Express.

Both those trains I consider in the true "What the hell were they smoking in Denmark?" realm of design. I prefer to walk off my trains not get lifted off via forklift, and i also prefer my locomotives longer than a family car haha.

[Sokratesz]

It didn't come with a speed reg in Holland, and yeah, that black/yellow 'cargo railway' was hilariously bad looking.

- Sok.

[vgsprites]

Ah, I remember when me and my friends first saw this set in the Lego catalog back in (sorry if I make anyone feel old) grade school.

We loved the functions of the set and I liked how it came with a road baseplate.

My family agreed on the price being too high also so I never got a copy.

I would buy this set if I found a complete set at a decent price.

One could put the cranes on a car and create a track building train.

[hoeij]

I would buy this set if I found a complete set at a decent price.

I bought mine for $80 Buy-it-now on eBay. With auctions, I've seen some go for $100 or even less. I definitely think it's worth it.