drdavewatford Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Hi, I'm looking to get into Lego trains, with the beautiful Emerald Night likely to be my first 'modern' Lego train (I have an old set from the 70's and that's it). I note that the "Emerald Night Collection" comes with the new flexible track, but none of the more practical straights and curves (e.g. set 7896) which you'd need to make a reasonable-sized layout. I assume that Emerald Night will work with the RC track - correct ? Reading the forums here I get the feeling that the RC trains are being phased out in favour of Power Functions, in which case does anyone know whether the RC track will remain available, or whether we'll be forced to move to all flexible track eventually ? It just seems strange not to include some proper track with the Emerald Night collection. Advice gratefully received ! Thanks, David. Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Yes, they it rides on RC track. The set itself isn't motorized, but i think you can easily build in a PF motor. This would ofcourse also make it possible to build in a 9V motor and ride on the 9V tracks. Or even a 12V motor... Basically it can ride on anything you like. Quote
drdavewatford Posted April 13, 2009 Author Posted April 13, 2009 Great - I can't be doing with all those fiddly flexible track sections (although I can see that the flex track might be useful to create interesting lay-outs). I think a trip to the Lego Store to buy Emerald Night and a few packs of track the next time they offer double points for purchases is in order ! Reading through previous postings in this forum, it seems strange that some have avoided buying the RC trains because a 'new system' is on the way - surely RC can happily co-exist beside the new Power Function trains in the same layouts as the track is compatible, or am I missing somethng ? Cheers, D. Quote
Captain Green Hair Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Great - I can't be doing with all those fiddly flexible track sections (although I can see that the flex track might be useful to create interesting lay-outs). I think a trip to the Lego Store to buy Emerald Night and a few packs of track the next time they offer double points for purchases is in order !Reading through previous postings in this forum, it seems strange that some have avoided buying the RC trains because a 'new system' is on the way - surely RC can happily co-exist beside the new Power Function trains in the same layouts as the track is compatible, or am I missing somethng ? Cheers, D. No that is absolutely correct. The PF motors do allow some more functionality and are more powerfull then the RC system. Quote
Freddie Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 It can. There are two reason why they are avoiding it: spare parts, in this case the chassis with integrated battery-box and receiver, and the remote control, which is unique to these trains and isn't compatible with the Power Functions receivers. Replacing batteries in the old RC-trains is also a prohibitive factor. And the controller not capable of providing enough amps to the motor, causing lackluster performance - these trains are weak compared to the classic 9V trains, which again are expected to be far weaker than the PF-trains using the M and XL-motors for propulsion. I think Steve Witt already mentioned that the motorised Emerald Night has outrageous pulling power, and that thing is geared for speed. Other than that I see no reason why to avoid it completely. All of LEGO's battery trains are omni-compatible, which means even the old 4,5V trains will happily travel on the new rails, and the new 7.4V Power Functions will travel on the old rails. And getting the outgoing batterytrains now also secures you a unique piece of LEGO train history. Trains are divided into eras (blue, grey, 9V etc.), and the RC-trains stand out as being the only era so far, with a single generation of trains. All the other have multple generations, with 9V having the most. Quote
legotrainfan Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Great - I can't be doing with all those fiddly flexible track sections (although I can see that the flex track might be useful to create interesting lay-outs). I think a trip to the Lego Store to buy Emerald Night and a few packs of track the next time they offer double points for purchases is in order ! Do you mean set 7996 by double points? If yes, they're no longer produced. I'd buy them quickly if you really want them. Some can still be found on eBay for a moderate price. Quote
Holodoc Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Do you mean set 7996 by double points? If yes, they're no longer produced. I'd buy them quickly if you really want them. Some can still be found on eBay for a moderate price. Yep! I got mine (2 of those) some days ago for 32€. Nice deal if you take into consideration they are discontinued. And I´m slowly coming to the point, that the new track can exist next to the old 9V track. Quote
ILikePi Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 Do you mean set 7996 by double points? If yes, they're no longer produced. I'd buy them quickly if you really want them. Some can still be found on eBay for a moderate price. I think "double points" means two times the loyalty stamps at LEGO Stores. Quote
drdavewatford Posted April 13, 2009 Author Posted April 13, 2009 Yep - ILike Pi is correct - sorry for not being clearer. I'll visit the Lego store next time they offer double loyalty stamps to buy the Emerald Night collection. My Millenium Falcon was purchased from a Lego Store last time there was a double loyalty stamp promotion, and I got enough loyalty stamps for a free Market Street which I'm building now ! Back on the subject of tracks, I wish it was possible to just buy straight track sections without the curves....... D. Quote
legotrainfan Posted April 14, 2009 Posted April 14, 2009 Back on the subject of tracks, I wish it was possible to just buy straight track sections without the curves....... If you phone the customer service, you can get straight tracks only. Quote
drdavewatford Posted April 14, 2009 Author Posted April 14, 2009 If you phone the customer service, you can get straight tracks only. Great tip - I will try t ! D. Quote
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