Horizon Express?

[Fish777]

I can't decide if I should buy the horizon express, and if I did, I have a few questions.

1. When will it retire and not be available anymore?

2. If I bought two sets, what is the best motor configuration?

3. If I bought two sets, would I be able to change one of the diner cars into a different car type (e.g a sleeper car)

Cheers,

Fish777

[Rail Co]

Im not sure the exact date it will retire, as we do not know when the next train will be released. So on that a broad late spring is my estimate

I only have 1 train right now so I do not know the best way to control 2.

You could easily stripp out one of the cars and make some other types of cars, you may need to use your own bricks though

Good Luck, Hope I helped!

-RailCo

[cgarison]

I have two HE trains and I run two power functions train motors on lead engine and I am very care not to get the train too fast when going into the turns when the batteries are fully charged. I have run this train with a single power functions motor and it worked fine on a 10' x 8' layout, but on anything smaller than 5' in length you will want two motors for the train to run nicely.

I have seen the train with 9V train motors with a power unit in the first and last engine and this works nicely and is much easier to control than the power functions train. Sadly, I do not have any 9V track so this is not an option for me.

[dr_spock]

1. Don't know exactly when LEGO will retire it. It'll probably show up as retiring soon on S@H Lego.com when that's about to happen.

2. I have two sets. I have one PF train motor. I replaced the technic axle wheel boogies with train wheel boogies which roll with much less friction.

3. I converted one of the diners to a high capacity economy class car.

Edited August 26, 2014 by dr_spock

[Fish777]

Thanks for the answers guys, I think I will try and get it, th I will have the Emerald Night, Maersk Traim, Cargo Train (7939) and Horizon Express.

[legofan1978]

I have 2 HE too. One alone is simply not enough. Like a pot without a lid. 2 trainmotors in each railcar. But I have modified the HEs to make it look more realistic. Railcars and wagons have been extended by 8 studs. The length of the train is now about 1,70 meters.

You look here

Edited August 26, 2014 by legofan1978

[Fish777]

so legofan1978, you have two motors in each end?

[antsiranean]

I have two HE trains and I run two power functions train motors on lead engine and I am very care not to get the train too fast when going into the turns when the batteries are fully charged. I have run this train with a single power functions motor and it worked fine on a 10' x 8' layout, but on anything smaller than 5' in length you will want two motors for the train to run nicely.

I have seen the train with 9V train motors with a power unit in the first and last engine and this works nicely and is much easier to control than the power functions train. Sadly, I do not have any 9V track so this is not an option for me.

So, you have two engines drawing power from one battery pack?

I have 2 HE too. One alone is simply not enough. Like a pot without a lid. 2 trainmotors in each railcar. But I have modified the HEs to make it look more realistic. Railcars and wagons have been extended by 8 studs. The length of the train is now about 1,70 meters.

You look here

I just got my second HE and am planning to modify it the way you have - it's looking great. Far better than two sets in the original configuration. I won't change the arrows into TGV though, but that's a matter of taste. Have you done your modification with parts from the two sets only, or did you have to complete with other bricks as well? If that's the case, I'd be most happy if you told me what extra pieces you needed .

Are you running PF or 9V?

[legofan1978]

I have 1xbattery pack, 1xIR-reciever, 2x train motors, 1x PF switch and 1x PF-LED in each end. I run my trains on PF.

Unfortunately, the two sets are not enough to realize the changes made. I had use some parts (black windows, Orange Wedge Plate 2x4, Orange Tiles 2x4 and a lot of other orange parts) out of my stash and additionally purchase (bricklink).

A list of the required extra parts I have not created.

Edited August 27, 2014 by legofan1978

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I have 2 HE too. One alone is simply not enough. Like a pot without a lid. 2 trainmotors in each railcar. But I have modified the HEs to make it look more realistic. Railcars and wagons have been extended by 8 studs. The length of the train is now about 1,70 meters.

You look here

This is the best solution!

Great MOD and beautiful logo!

[antsiranean]

Thank you Legofan1978! I guess I'll start with just two extended wagons then. And promise myself that that's enough. And then break that promise and get the parts needed for that third wagon...

With all those motors I guess your train is ridiculously fast?

[cgarison]

Yes, I am running two train motors from a single AAA battery pack with no issues. The train easily runs 3 hours on a single charge using the AAA battery pack. The only quirky part of this is that the rear motor has to be turned 180 degrees opposite of the other motor so they move in the same direction. (Note that I am not any LED lights at this time but they should have minimum current draw.) This setup ran for 2 public days at Brickfair VA with no issues. I brought the train home and have had minimal maintenance and only had to wipe it down and clean the ABS dust from the train. It is a very nice setup. Speed with this train is the scariest factor when running it on a display because it can easily override the rails in the corners and slide into the floor.

I did not get a chance to talk to the person who runs 9V motors on their HE on the WaMu LTC layout because I noticed they had them on each end of the train. I am not sure how that works for them, but I would like to try power functions on each end myself. That might come sometime next year.

[Skystorm87]

I don't think a sleeper car is appropriate for a train such as the Horizon express. The TGV is operating only at day time so no need for sleepers.

However lego means freedom so if you want a night high speed train go for it

[Fish777]

i was just giving an example, because it was the only one i could think of

[ust60]

Hello Fish777

a look here.

http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=94234 Horizon Express Lego - Set / TGV

Are the images and the video interesant for you?

Best regards Udo

Edited August 30, 2014 by ust60

[Paperballpark]

I was told earlier in the year that both the Horizon Express and the Maersk Triple-E Ship will retire at the end of this year.

[BricksMcgee]

I have 2 HE too. One alone is simply not enough. Like a pot without a lid. 2 trainmotors in each railcar. But I have modified the HEs to make it look more realistic. Railcars and wagons have been extended by 8 studs. The length of the train is now about 1,70 meters.

Wow, nice work. Did you manage to expand the HEs from one extra set, or did you just have a lot of spare bricks around?

[Fish777]

Pleased to say I just ordered 2 Horizon Expresses, can't wait to build them soon after they arrive

I still have to build Shuttle Adventure first :)

[Fish777]

Woohoo it's arriving on Wednesday!

Although I just realised that if I want to run all my trains, I will need a lot more PF than I have :/

I'll count it tomorrow.

[dr_spock]

Woohoo it's arriving on Wednesday!

Although I just realised that if I want to run all my trains, I will need a lot more PF than I have :/

I'll count it tomorrow.

Better start building your space shuttle.

[Fish777]

Yep!

Just need to find a few last pieces then I can build it... The problem is, the pieces left are he ones that I have no idea where to find them :P

[Fish777]

Woo it arrived today, hoping to build at the weekend, after I have finished Shuttle Adventure which has 2 pieces missing :/