Official vs MOC

[Brickviller]

Hi everyone,

Recently I've begun a new project, which involves a train and a large train station. However I came across various problems in the proces.

One of them is that I'm torn between making a choice. This is between choosing for the Horizon express as the passenger train, or using my own skills to create a new self build train.

I already own one horizon express, but I still need another one, the PF equipment and rails to make it look decent. Also the HE is an intercity train, while my space is very limited at the moment. A small oval with a large train just doesn't look really good to me. Also the cost make it outragesly expensive. But the train itself is so well build that it's almost too tempting.

The other choice is the cheaper one. Build my own train, using parts from the HE and buying the new High speed train (60051) for rails, PF components and the front. Ofcourse this will look less impressive/professional, but it's cheaper, and a three car train suits the layout better.

I would like to know what you guys would do if you were in my position.

[vampyre78]

Having just come out of my dark ages, i'd have to say it is hard to resist the pressure of 'catching up' to all the things you want.

I'd take the HE and use it for experimenting with your own train designs, and focus on the next waves that will inevitably come along (if you're not happy with the '14 range that is).

Going all out is always VERY tempting though :)

[doink]

I built a very simple two car multiple unit recently - it was fairly easy to do, the front being a basic design but it looked effective. I'd say doing it as a self build is very worth it. Plus you can always show it off and inspire others!

[Jorrith]

A double HE is really long, so if you have a small track, this might not be the best set to run on it. My first passenger train is the 7938, it's kinda small, but looks alot like the train that is on the Leeuwarden-Groningen track. For a small track, it's really a nice train.

That said, i still need to get a HE, x2. :)

[Hrw-Amen]

Well, I have collected the actual LEGO train sets including the HE, but when it comes to running them I always choose my MOCs. Mainly though because I have a whole load of matching coaches or wagons to go with each from large express diesels to tiny little shunters.

I like to get the official sets simply because they are official and when I have enough space to set up a loop I do like to run the HE, but I agree it is very long.

If I were you and you have the HE, I would leave it built and look at getting PF stuff direct from TLG and consider building a smaller shunter which will use a lot less brick and look a lot better on a small track. I would get the bricks to build it though and keep it simple to start with. The main cost with this is going to be getting the PF stuff. The actual bricks you need can be quite cheap.

There is plenty of threads here or pictures in the gallery of all sorts of engines from main line down to small yard and of every type steam to electric, so use that as a starting point for your MOC and you will not go far wrong.

[dr_spock]

I think a railcar may fit better for your limit space. You could MOC it or build one out of HE.

[-Horizon-]

Maybe get a second one, and then use the two engines and one coach to make a good looking short train.

Hope this helps.

[AgentRick]

If you don't have that much space, why not try making a Branch Line passenger train? A small tank engine with 2-3 20 or so brick long cars would work well.

[zephyr1934]

I'd suggest either the current red passenger train (more appropriate for a branch line and it has all the pf components already) or a copy of the lone ranger train and redo the cars to your liking. Then whichever set you go with, slowly over time add your own touches to improve upon the design and turn it into a MOC.

Your post also mentioned that you were building a large station. If so, park the existing HE on one of the other tracks for decoration.

[cgarison]

I have to agree on the size of the HE in relation to the size of the display that you are building. Here is our display at Philly BrickFest with the Horizon Express (minus the two of the 4 middle cars) and this is about 128 studs long. Adding the two additional cars pushed us out to approximately 6 baseplates or 12 straight pieces of track in length. Note the HE was a last minute addition after I had a high speed derailment issue with the MOC train that had been designed to run at the event. It was not a pretty sight when I saw that locomotive fly off the edge of the table and crash to the floor below. I am glad we had this for our show backup.

[v6TransAM]

Run what'cha brung

Nothing wrong with building the HE and using for display or a "waiting" train, it is a beautiful set.

7938 or 7939 offer lots of possibilities for small spaces, especially with some switches and maybe a few small industries thrown in for good measure.

Look around, this place is crazy on the amount of idea's from people all over the world, something will work for you if you look long enough.

[cgarison]

Run what'cha brung

Just not off the table... I was getting tired of being asked by my friends "How do you make a flying train?"

[v6TransAM]

Just not off the table... I was getting tired of being asked by my friends "How do you make a flying train?"

It may have met its demise early in the show, but it had a much more glorious life than any static display.

Do all this with a 4 yr old, I'll gladly take floor crashes as the only thing I have to worry about(even with him being pretty decent with them for the most part).

Course we are talking Lego here, crash, smash and try again.

[zephyr1934]

Note the HE was a last minute addition after I had a high speed derailment issue with the MOC train that had been designed to run at the event. It was not a pretty sight when I saw that locomotive fly off the edge of the table and crash to the floor below. I am glad we had this for our show backup.

I hate table dives when you are at a show. First you have to find all of the pieces (since of course you did not bring any spares) and then you have to remember how in the heck you built the model in the first place. So far I've been lucky, found all of the parts and they went back together in under half an hour (including a couple of steam engines). Only one broken piece in one dive- a bogie plate lost its pin. Still, a lot better than when a conventional model train goes over... it usually never comes back.

[Redimus]

I've decided to do both, one official train (in my case the current freight set), and the second train will be some form of MOC steam passenger train (once I've designed something I'm suitably happy enough with to buy the bits and build).

Not entirely convinced own design trains are a lot cheaper mind, especially if you're building a whole train, likely to be a lot (if not all) of the bits you'll need to order in.