LEGO Trains 2025

[Phil B]

Got to see and hold (and partially rebuild, because some parts of the build need a little work) this engine during BrickWorld Chicago. The BDP team is already working on a few fixes (the roof is way too flimsy for example). But it is a great set, a true railroad modeling version versus a play version. I have dropped a few hints that they should up the limit to 4 so we can use the set to build an A+B+B+A consist ;)

[and_ampersand_and]

On 6/14/2025 at 7:10 PM, JGW3000 said:

Yup, I should have checked - https://www.railpictures.net/photo/693421/ thought it looked familiar. If I get the set, I'll get some custom stickers made.

And it specifically appears to be based on this scheme used on their freight F9s: https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=82641&nseq=11

Santa fe had a number of different paint schemes for their freight F units and this is the only one that matches as far as I can find.

Edited June 16 by and_ampersand_and

[idlemarvel]

On 6/6/2025 at 8:03 PM, idlemarvel said:

Now the instructions for #60469 are available I have built a facsimile from the bricks in my collection. Bit of a dog's breakfast but it is correct in all the main details, apart from the main arch. I made my own version of the transparent canopy on the left. I wanted to test if it would work on my layout with a curve before and after the station...

...Now I know it works I might invest in the actual set. I might even get two. As my grandson pointed out, how do passengers get from one side to the other? With two you could put two sets "back to back" and have a lift both sides with a bridge across, rather than a control room, and maybe add an intermediate stop on the lift to provide access to the mezzanine cafe!

I bought the actual set at a visit to my local Lego store:

Very nice, and the working lift is cute. Two things disappoint me. One is the transparent roof is only secured at the top and just flops over the curved technic beams:

I'm sure they could have found a way to secure the lower end with a couple of clips.

The other is the tiny maintenance of way vehicle. Here it is compared to its big brother from a previous station set #60335:

Doesn't really compare. I guess they had to include something to go on the rails but this is feeble. Maybe a small push-along railcar would have been better even for a few £££s more?

[L-Gauger]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the new Arctic Explorer Train is the first train set since the 9V era that is 100% freelance, right? Even though I can't name the prototype for every R/C, PF, and PUP train up to the Arctic Explorer, all of them at least looked like they were based on something in the real word, if possibly inaccurate or "proto-freelance." This Arctic Explorer Set seems like a departure from that trend... but maybe that's just me. 

It's also interesting to see how the Arctic Explorer locomotive doesn't use a traditional train base element. That's a major departure from precedent. 

[Murdoch17]

24 minutes ago, L-Gauger said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the new Arctic Explorer Train is the first train set since the 9V era that is 100% freelance, right? Even though I can't name the prototype for every R/C, PF, and PUP train up to the Arctic Explorer, all of them at least looked like they were based on something in the real word, if possibly inaccurate or "proto-freelance." This Arctic Explorer Set seems like a departure from that trend... but maybe that's just me. 

It's also interesting to see how the Arctic Explorer locomotive doesn't use a traditional train base element. That's a major departure from precedent. 

I never thought about it that way, but you appear to be correct about the Arctic engine not being based on anything!

Edited June 20 by Murdoch17

[L-Gauger]

@Murdoch17 do you know if any of the previous PUP, PF, or R/C trains were likewise 100% freelance? I'm not well-versed in modern European locomotives so I can't conclusively say... 

Basically, I'm wondering how long it's been since Lego has released a train set that wasn't based on anything in the real world. 

[Murdoch17]

13 hours ago, L-Gauger said:

@Murdoch17 do you know if any of the previous PUP, PF, or R/C trains were likewise 100% freelance? I'm not well-versed in modern European locomotives so I can't conclusively say... 

Basically, I'm wondering how long it's been since Lego has released a train set that wasn't based on anything in the real world. 

@L-Gauger These are what I remember being discussed here over the years about the locomotives in their respective sets and my own thoughts:

RC: 7897 looks like a German ICE, 7898 is basically a poor man's crocodile

PF: 7939 looks like an British Railways Class 92, 7938's is a *, 3677 looks like a NS 6400 class, 60051 is another ICE loco, 60052 is a American GP-type diesel, 60098 is *,  10254 is probably based of the 1860's C.P. Huntington steam loco (with the rear two wheels made into a tender instead of attached to the loco frame)

PU: 60197 looks kind of like a British Intercity225 (but sleeker!), 60198 was modeled after a French 'broken nose' -type loco in the prototype stage but was changed for unknown reasons as leaks showed, 60336 looks like a BR Class 93, 60337 is a poor man's TGV, 60470 is possibly based on a Siemens Charger. (thanks @XG BC for the help with this one!)

Creator trains: 10194 is basically 'inspired by' LNER A3 Flying Scotsman, 10219 Maersk train is actually based off a SD-type diesel that was owned by Norfolk Southern and painted in that same color scheme, 10233 is a TGV in all but name, 10277 is a Swiss Crocodile loco, while the 21344 Orient Express loco is a matter of some debate... there is a whole thread on this issue!

(* The ones marked with this symbol I can't remember what they are, but they are based off something.)

Hope this helps!

Edited June 24 by Murdoch17
added 10154, edited 60470

[XG BC]

9 hours ago, Murdoch17 said:

Thus, in my opinion, CITY set 60470 is the first train since My Own Train engines not to be based on anything... unless we're counting 10254 Winter Village train in this list. If so, then it has been since 2016 when the last freelance engine was made.

are you sure? it kinda reminds me of the siemens charger, the first generation of them:

the staggered headlights and the shape are very similar...

[Murdoch17]

2 hours ago, XG BC said:

are you sure? it kinda reminds me of the siemens charger, the first generation of them:

SNIP

the staggered headlights and the shape are very similar...

You may be on to something there, @XG BC! I'll edit my list in my other post.

[justinwebb]

My brick link designer program Wild West train shipped today! 

[L-Gauger]

On 6/23/2025 at 6:06 PM, Murdoch17 said:

@L-Gauger These are what I remember being discussed here over the years about the locomotives in their respective sets and my own thoughts:

RC: 7897 looks like a German ICE, 7898 is basically a poor man's crocodile

PF: 7939 looks like an British Railways Class 92, 7938's is a *, 3677 looks like a NS 6400 class, 60051 is another ICE loco, 60052 is a American GP-type diesel, 60098 is *,  10254 is probably based of the 1860's C.P. Huntington steam loco (with the rear two wheels made into a tender instead of attached to the loco frame)

PU: 60197 looks kind of like a British Intercity225 (but sleeker!), 60198 was modeled after a French 'broken nose' -type loco in the prototype stage but was changed for unknown reasons as leaks showed, 60336 looks like a BR Class 93, 60337 is a poor man's TGV, 60470 is possibly based on a Siemens Charger. (thanks @XG BC for the help with this one!)

Creator trains: 10194 is basically 'inspired by' LNER A3 Flying Scotsman, 10219 Maersk train is actually based off a SD-type diesel that was owned by Norfolk Southern and painted in that same color scheme, 10233 is a TGV in all but name, 10277 is a Swiss Crocodile loco, while the 21344 Orient Express loco is a matter of some debate... there is a whole thread on this issue!

(* The ones marked with this symbol I can't remember what they are, but they are based off something.)

Hope this helps!

Thank you! It does! 

To me, set #60052 looks most like a GP30 because of the cab roof shape... as for the Orient Express locomotive, I think it's a model of the Swiss Federal Railways class A3/5, specifically the preserved #705. However, the Orient Express Locomotive has the cylinders in the wrong place, a minor detail error on the whistle, and the wrong tender compared to the A3/5. Plus, like the Emerald Night the pilot of the Sapphire Star is too narrow compared to the prototype. 

 

@XG BC I think you might be right! The snowplow really changes the appearance of the Arctic Explorer locomotive but in many other respects it resembles the Charger. In that case it looks like a "proto-freelance" engine like so many other Lego trains. 

[Toxic43]

On 6/25/2025 at 12:18 AM, justinwebb said:

My brick link designer program Wild West train shipped today! 

Same! Can't wait! Although I actually have to wait, because it was such an expense I have to save it until Christmas, then not build it, so it can be re wrapped for my birthday next year also!

I'm not kidding. I wish I was. Luckily my birthday is not too far from Christmas!