American Diesel Engines Sold Separately

[legotrainfan]

The BNSF engine 10133 was available separately without an additional locomotive being part of the same set. And now set 10219 is available and there's also only one engine in the set. However, the passionate train lover knows that American diesel engines are often used in pairs or in units of even more than two engines. So I sometimes ask myself if TLC does this on purpose: They release sets with only one American diesel engine to make the customer buy more than one of that set. And the follow-up question is: Is the fact that American diesel engines aren't normally used seperately responsible for making TLC produce them? This question comes up because TLC can be sure that real train lovers are going to buy more than one copy since they want to depict real life - i.e. waggons being pulled by more than one engine - on their layouts. In the recent past, three American engines have been produced: 10020, 10133, 10219.

[gotoAndLego]

Its a combination of keeping the price down and wanting to sell more than one set. It would be more realistic for the Maarsk engine to be pulling twice as many cars than have a second engine so two sets is "necessary" if you want a more realistic set-up. Hopefully Lego will see how popular this set is and have additional cars or engines on S@H. Maybe even have a blind cab-less engine as an alternate build.

[hoeij]

The BNSF engine 10133 was available separately without an additional locomotive being part of the same set. And now set 10219 is available and there's also only one engine in the set. However, the passionate train lover knows that American diesel engines are often used in pairs or in units of even more than two engines.

I'm sure people on eBay are willing to split up sets, so that you can buy just the part that you want (the container cars, or just the engine).

[yugistew]

"the passionate train lover knows that American diesel engines are often used in pairs or in units of even more than two engines. So I sometimes ask myself if TLC does this on purpose: They release sets with only one American diesel engine to make the customer buy more than one of that set.

gotta love that strategy... i myself purchased 3 of the new set planning on keeping 2 of the diesel engines and 5 of the cars, 10219 looks pretty sweet with a set of 9v motors on the lead engine and a dummy backup! so the remaining one of each will end up on ebay... i cant wait to see the bids sky rocket with other members who plan on doing the same thing...

now my only question is: do i bundle the engine with an extra power functions set i have laying around(never used) or post it alone?

[Legoist]

The BNSF engine 10133 was available separately without an additional locomotive being part of the same set. And now set 10219 is available and there's also only one engine in the set. However, the passionate train lover knows that American diesel engines are often used in pairs or in units of even more than two engines. So I sometimes ask myself if TLC does this on purpose: They release sets with only one American diesel engine to make the customer buy more than one of that set. And the follow-up question is: Is the fact that American diesel engines aren't normally used seperately responsible for making TLC produce them? This question comes up because TLC can be sure that real train lovers are going to buy more than one copy since they want to depict real life - i.e. waggons being pulled by more than one engine - on their layouts. In the recent past, three American engines have been produced: 10020, 10133, 10219.

Not really the case. They sell one engine per set because most people want to use only one per train, and those who want two per train inevitably build longer train and have no problems buying 2 copies of the set... If the put 2 in each set, everyone who is fine with just one might actually not buy the set at all.

[greenmtvince]

Unfortunately, there was only one Maersk painted SD40-2 (the other Maersk painted loco was an SDF40-2 which looks very disimilar to the set released,) so it actually isn't very realistic to lash up two of these together unlike BNSF which operated several GP38's and similar looking EMD and GE locomotives or the ATSF Super Chief locomotives.

Something like this or this would be a better match to the Maersk loco since it was operated by Norfolk Southern and you'll see several photos online of NS 3329 lashed up with other NS locomotives. There's a photo of it in between some Canadian National units too.

[Cale]

While it's true that in North American practice you'll often find diesel units in multiple locomotive sets, that's not always the case. If a railroad can efficiently move a train using only one locomotive then they will only use a single locomotive. If they need more then they will add units as needed. You'll most often find on the major North American routes though the multiple unit consists. Single locomotives operating by themselves are more common on short lines and local deliveries.

Cale

[peterab]

The BNSF engine 10133 was available separately without an additional locomotive being part of the same set. And now set 10219 is available and there's also only one engine in the set. However, the passionate train lover knows that American diesel engines are often used in pairs or in units of even more than two engines. So I sometimes ask myself if TLC does this on purpose: They release sets with only one American diesel engine to make the customer buy more than one of that set. And the follow-up question is: Is the fact that American diesel engines aren't normally used seperately responsible for making TLC produce them? This question comes up because TLC can be sure that real train lovers are going to buy more than one copy since they want to depict real life - i.e. waggons being pulled by more than one engine - on their layouts. In the recent past, three American engines have been produced: 10020, 10133, 10219.

I can't really see any logic in your argument. 10020 and 10133 were both available alone, so I can't see any disadvantage to someone who wanted two; they could just buy two. Had they had two in the set, that would have been a much bigger disadvantage to those (probably the vast majority) who only wanted one.

The 10219 set is a bit different because it is a set with wagons, so you might argue that you get a bunch of unwanted wagons if you want two engines, but that goes counter to your argument again since those who want realism want more cars too. In fact exactly the reverse was argued about the Emerald Night, that it should have had more carriages.

I'm pretty sure the reason we got the BNSF and the Santa Fe was because Jake McKee was championing Lego trains within TLG at the time, and he was targeting the American market. The Maersk train is clearly a promotional set so probably has all sorts of other factors in TLG's choice to produce it. The fact that it is a European company, a US style engine, and it will have appeal to collectors, will mean the set will have broad appeal across many niches.

If your argument were valid it could just as easily be made for steam engines since they were also commonly run double headed, in fact it is not unknown that European electrics and diesels are run in multiples when moving around excess or faulty engines.

The final point is you have been very selective in your choice of supporting sets, in the same time period we've had 4 city sets, at least one Hogwarts Express, a toy story train, and the Emerald night. Thats seven trains, only one of which is American, and none of which is diesel, so the data actually suggests TLG would rather not choose a US diesel.

There's no doubt that we get train sets rather than individual engines and carriages (this was stated by Jamie Berard in his interview with Cpt Zuloo) because that is more profitable, but it's hardly a conspiracy against train lovers, but more trying to appeal to the broadest audience and maximize sales, something any business should be expected to do.

Edited April 7, 2011 by peterab

[Tearloch33]

Unfortunately, there was only one Maersk painted SD40-2 (the other Maersk painted loco was an SDF40-2 which looks very disimilar to the set released,) so it actually isn't very realistic to lash up two of these together unlike BNSF which operated several GP38's and similar looking EMD and GE locomotives or the ATSF Super Chief locomotives.

Something like this or this would be a better match to the Maersk loco since it was operated by Norfolk Southern and you'll see several photos online of NS 3329 lashed up with other NS locomotives. There's a photo of it in between some Canadian National units too.

Here is a perfect (and real) example of what your talking about. picture Since really only one of the Maersk trains really existed, the realism based fans would not want a second one if making a longer train.

[Legoist]

One more consideration about "realism".

Just check how many carriages the average train has (here in Italy it's easily more than 10, particularly for cargo trains), and tell me how many times you've seen Lego enthusiasts really build train that long. It doesn't happen that often... should we conclude that the VAST majority of Lego Trains AFOLs simply forgo realism for reasons of cost and space? I would say that within the context of Lego, "realism" is achieved much earlier than that!

[mostlytechnic]

10 carriages counts as a train? Here in the US (where trains are mostly used for cargo, little passenger service outside certain runs) trains of 100 cars are not at all uncommon. I live near a hump sort facility and sometimes have to wait at crossings while trains of 50-100 cars go by... and that's in central Ohio, not even out west where the distances to travel are greater.

[Legoist]

10 carriages counts as a train? Here in the US (where trains are mostly used for cargo, little passenger service outside certain runs) trains of 100 cars are not at all uncommon. I live near a hump sort facility and sometimes have to wait at crossings while trains of 50-100 cars go by... and that's in central Ohio, not even out west where the distances to travel are greater.

There's not enough space in Italy (where I'm from), and the distances between towns are much shorter. Plus the railways are used mostly for passengers trains, which I think 10 carriages is a reasonable size for intercity trains for example. Cargo trains are longer, perhaps in the 20-25 range.

In Finland (where I'm now) there is less people, and passenger trains are usually more like 5-6 carriages.

[greenmtvince]

In Finland (where I'm now) there is less people, and passenger trains are usually more like 5-6 carriages.

VR! Yay.

Riding from Helsinki to Kokkola was the first time I'd been on a train outside of the US. Growing up, I loved LEGO trains but the models didn't look like anything I recognized. Then seeing the designs of frieght carriages and the architecture of train stations, it all made sense to me.

[fred67]

Not really the case. They sell one engine per set because most people want to use only one per train, and those who want two per train inevitably build longer train and have no problems buying 2 copies of the set... If the put 2 in each set, everyone who is fine with just one might actually not buy the set at all.

In this case I agree with you - I only got one, but am mulling over the possibility of getting another one, but only because of the cars. The cars are relatively simple, and you could probably use BL and make them substantially cheaper than even buying the set and selling the engine, but in this case you can use the engine, too.

This makes buying a second set a lot more worthwhile than the Emerald Night. Now that is one I had a problem with because they don't sell rolling stock separately, and the cars are significantly more complicated and will cost a lot more to buy pieces on BL.

[hoeij]

One more consideration about "realism".

Just check how many carriages the average train has (here in Italy it's easily more than 10, particularly for cargo trains), and tell me how many times you've seen Lego enthusiasts really build train that long.

I do have a cargo train with about 15 cars, but it runs only once per year (when I have a layout at our local train show). At home there's no room for a layout where you can run this train. Even my passenger trains (most of them are 5 feet long) are too long to be practical in a typical layout.

I'm currently building a new cargo train. I bought 3 copies of the Maersk train. One of the engines will be parked at the train shed (with its engine exposed, and a minifig trying to repair it). The other two engines, plus the 6 cargo cars from the 3 sets, plus another 3 MOC cargo cars, will make a cargo train of about 11 feet long. This new cargo train can also only run during the train show, for the other 364 days out of the year it'll be parked because I don't have room for a layout that can run that train.

Edited April 7, 2011 by hoeij

[Legoist]

This makes buying a second set a lot more worthwhile than the Emerald Night. Now that is one I had a problem with because they don't sell rolling stock separately, and the cars are significantly more complicated and will cost a lot more to buy pieces on BL.

I agree with you. The Maersk train set is IMHO much more "balanced" in content than the Emerald Night. 1 engine + 2 cars is not a "realistic" train, but it is already good enough for the average household diorama. The E.N. had 1 car, with the engine twice as long (if you count the tender also), that really doesn't look much like a train - and that's the reason why I myself only bought the E.N. engine rather than the whole set. I'm undecided whether I should do the same for the Maersk or buy the whole set, but the indecision in this case is because I don't like the cars that much.

[city boy]

I would love to have a pair of csx engines. the other day I saw one of there trains with 5 engines and at least 1 mile of cars.

[locoworks]

The BNSF engine 10133 was available separately without an additional locomotive being part of the same set. And now set 10219 is available and there's also only one engine in the set. However, the passionate train lover knows that American diesel engines are often used in pairs or in units of even more than two engines. So I sometimes ask myself if TLC does this on purpose: They release sets with only one American diesel engine to make the customer buy more than one of that set. And the follow-up question is: Is the fact that American diesel engines aren't normally used seperately responsible for making TLC produce them? This question comes up because TLC can be sure that real train lovers are going to buy more than one copy since they want to depict real life - i.e. waggons being pulled by more than one engine - on their layouts. In the recent past, three American engines have been produced: 10020, 10133, 10219.

to be honest there is not enough stock for one engine to pull in the set anyway. if you want two loco's to double head a train then it will look even more ridiculous with just two cars to pull.

[legotrainfan]

to be honest there is not enough stock for one engine to pull in the set anyway. if you want two loco's to double head a train then it will look even more ridiculous with just two cars to pull.

My question was aimed at discussing the number of engines and nothing else. It's clear that there are far too few waggons for a realistic setup.

By the way, thanks for all replies. I have found this discussion highly interesting and informative.