Review - 60052 Cargo Train

[KlodsBrik]

Review - 60052 Cargo Train

Lately I've been watching the "Train Tech forum" here on Eurobrick's after I came across the "weirdest/silliest train MOC's or ideas" post in the forum.

Since then Iv'e been haunted by the idea of making a TARDIS train, and a CMF series 14 hotdog guy train MOC.

To get started, I offcourse had to get the basic stuff needed to make a fully functioning locomotive.

I came across the 60052 Cargo train with a 25% discount and found that this would have what I needed to make these MOC's a reality.

To begin with i didn't have high expectations from the set itself, as the different builds look blend compared to all the MOC's Iv'e seen in the train forum. It was "just" one of those set's one get to expand ones brick collection with useful parts.

Lets se if the set changes my mind during the build.

As i couldn't find a review of it here on Eurobricks, I decided to make a review as well.

Now, im all new with trains, so please comment on all my mistakes and errors, as the terminology is new to me.

Here we go!

An overview of the locomotive and all the wagons included in the Cargo Train set.

Year: 2014

Theme: City

Set name: Cargo Train

Set number: 60052

Pieces: 888

Minifigures: 4

Stickers: 39 on one sheet

price: 199.99,- US$ / 1699,- DKr

LEGO Wikia Brickset LEGOShop

LEGO Shop wrote:

Move heavy goods across LEGO® City with the Cargo Train!

Move heavy goods – and animals! – around the city with the super-powerful LEGO® City Cargo Train! This awesome motorized train with 4-channel, 7-speed, infrared remote control can transport almost anything. So it’s your job to make sure the cargo is in the right place at the right time to keep the city running smoothly. Attach the cattle wagon and 2 cargo wagons together and pull them aroundthe circular rail track with the locomotive. Operate the forklift to move the pallets safely between the wagons and truck. Keep track of all the cargo leaving and arriving in the office at theimpressive cargo train station. There you can use the sliding overhead crane with hook to move heavy cargo between vehicles or onto the ground. With so many play functions and cool features, thisreally is the ultimate set for train enthusiasts! Includes 4 minifigures: forklift driver, train driver, farmer and a truck driver.

Includes 4 minifigures: forklift driver, train driver, farmer and a truck driver

Cargo Train features a motorized locomotive with 8-channel, 7-speed infrared remote control, driver’s cabin with opening doors and dashboard, plus a cattle wagon and 2 cargo wagons

Cattle wagon features a cow, trough, bales of straw, bucket of milk and a strong fence with 2 gates

Fuel wagon features a fuel tank with chain, pallet with wheelbarrow and a forklift

Cable drum wagon features 2 large cable drums in holders and a lifting chain

Truck features a driver’s cab with cup and a large flatbed for the fuel tank

Cargo train station features a sliding overhead crane with hook to load and unload heavy-duty cargo, office with computer and cup, sack barrow, trash bin and a fire extinguisher

Includes a full circular track with 20 curved rail tracks and 8 straight rail tracks

Also includes a forklift

Operate the Cargo Train with the 7-speed infrared remote control

Attach the wagons and drive the train around the curved track

Load and unload the cargo with the powerful forklift

Move cargo from the train wagons to the truck at the cargo train station

Front of the Box: Click for larger image.

The box is huge for a set containing only 888 pieces. The boxart makes it look very promising with lot's of stuff going on everywhere.

The usual minifig representation in one of the lower corners that's almost always present, have been scrapped, and instead wer'e showen that the box contain's the LEGO powerfunction speed controller and all the different tracks included in the set.

There is also an overview of the track layout you can put together with all the track pieces included in the set, and it's measurement.

Box size comparison:

Before moving on to the back of the box I'd like to do a comparison with other sets,that most people are familiar with ( im guessing). A box this size containing "only" 888 pieces might sound like overkill.

Here's the Tower of Orthanc (10237 - 2359 pieces), and The Millennium Falcon (7965 - 1254 pieces) lined up together with the Cargo train box. Tower of Orthanc being the same size. The Millinium falcom is somewhat smaller.

Back of the Box: Click for larger image.

The back of the box shows all kind of different scenarioes. It also reveals that the box will contain 8 bags og LEGO, and the rest of the power function part's included.

Also, it presents you with possible set's one might want to get, to expand and upgrade one's train layout, this being the train sets: 60051, 60050 and track set's 7895 and 7499.

For a box of this size containing "only" 888 pieces seem's redicioulus, and the box doesn't even weight that much, but opening the box reveales that it's stuffed. And it really is!

( I hadn't expected this as Iv'e read another review. That person claimed that their was lots of extra space in his box. It must have been really compressed, because I had problems packing all the bags, boxes, tracks and the manual pack back into the box after I had first gotten it all out.

But here look look look !

The content:

Yes, first of all 8 bag's of LEGO for the building instructions. These bags might not look like much, but seriously. Each one of them are barely the size of a baseplate.

I first tried to fit everything from the box in my light room. But gave up. It wasn't possible without making it look like a mess.

So the box content will take up some four images.

More content:

Here´s another bag with additional tracks, and parts for the Cargo train station. Also two other boxes and additional tracks.

Still doesn't look like much. Lets open the boxes to get more LEGO revealed. They are stuffed !

Opening the boxes:

Opening the boxes reveals all the baseplates for the trains as well as wagons, and the baseplates for the Cargo train station as well.

The big white box also contains 20 corner tracks, and the brown box holds all the power function parts.

888 part's might not sound like a lot but considering how many big part's this set holds, im already convinced by its value !

This made me extremely excited indeed. It's really overwhelming trying to fit all these parts around ones "work space".

(Note: I didn't discover that i had left the Power function battery pack in the box until during the build as it was well hidden. Well, it's sort of visible in the picture however).

Bag containing building instructions and sticker sheet:

Last of all, the bag containing all the building instruction booklet's (6 books. Yes, there is 6 building instructions included ) , and the sticker sheet.

Time to start building !

Everything needed to build the first instruction booklet's content:

The pieces in bag 1: Click for larger image.

So this will build the Cargo truck. From the boxart, I wasn't to excited about it.

Lots of pieces that will come in handy for other builds however.

Cargo truck finished:

Afterall it was a fun build and it's looking more fantastic and smooth than from the boxart I think.

Also the weight and feel of it is marvelous.

Im once again surprised by this set already, as this truck is really awesome!

Everything needed to build the second instruction booklet's content:

So all this will let one build the Cargo Train locomotive.

Beside's bag 2 and 3, the power function battery part and the power function IR reciever is needed, as well as the power function train motor, the baseplate for the train, and for some reason the two splitting tracks, though the only instruction given for those, is to put the yellow bricks on them and your'e not able put them together yet.

Here's a look at all the pieces in bag 2 and bag 3!

Pieces from bag 2: Click for larger image.

Lots of usefull parts, to me at least, as this is my first train set. so this whole experience is to me like stepping into a candyshop for the first time ever.

But on top of it, the diversity is really nice and I can se all these pieces used in a lot of MOC's in the future.

Lets build. Lets Build, lets BUILD !!

Bag 2 emptied:

Having emptied bag 2 and builded what the instructions suggested, this is what we are left with.

Im assuming those are sparepart's. Time will tell.

Moving on to Bag 3.

Pieces from bag 3: Click for larger image.

Once again lot's of usefull pieces.

And woohoo. A printed tile. I was almost certain that their weren't any printed bricks in this set, but that everything had to be "sticky arted":

Adding the powerfunction battery pack:

Now during this build its time to add the power function's IR reciever and Battery pack. It swallows 6 AAA type batterie's ( and just a note, the controller takes up 3 AAA type batterie's as well ).

You will need a small screwdriver to acces the battery pack.

As train set's are new to me im loving this build so far. Many techniques are offcorse familiar, but a lot is quite different from what im used to. It might just be all these part's that it's the first time Im introduced to.

Battery pack and IR reciever addded:

Easy task. Though, the instructions make's their wires look as they are lined up very smoothly with the build. Im not to sure mine are !

Lets finish this train. Been awesome so far !

Cargo locomotive finished: Click for larger image.

This was an awesome build, and the finished result is to me just stunning !

Looking at pictures and the boxart, they just doesn't do it justice. It looks way smaller than it actually is and the detailing just really dont get justified by the pictures.

Besides, the unstickered version to me, looks very very good.

Also, this might not in any way be new to all you guys and gal's that already own a power function train set, but I was really astounded by the technique that is used to turn the power on and off for the battery pack.

Just two sparepart's left from bag 3, however the finished build justifies it. Now im convinced that the price one have to pay for this set, is really worth it !

Moving on to bag 4, and instruction booklet 3. This let's you build the Cattle transport.

Everything needed to build the third instruction booklet's content:

This will let you build the cattle transport wagon. From the look of it, the bag doesn't contain a lot of parts.

Here's what's in this bag.

Pieces from bag 4: Click for larger image.

Again surprised. Not that many parts, but most of them usefull for every MOC enthusiast. The bull is a must. I dont own one, and have never seen it in any other set. It's really quite beautifull, and I will be using it a lot in future MOC's, im pretty sure.

Cattle transport wagon finished:

An easy and not that satisfying build. Nothing unexpected, and no nice new building techniques introduced. Overall a bland build that looks ok, and BEWARE its getting worse from here on, however

YOU have to read the conclusion as Iv'e figured TLG out with this set !

Now moving on to the Cable drum wagon.

Everything needed to build the fourth instruction booklet's content:

Time to build the Cable drum wagon. Not much else to say about this. Seems like Its just a fill in to expand the otherwise lovely set to make it look bigger.

Pieces from bag 5: Click for larger image.

Again again, lots of useful parts. However once again a way to easy build with no big surprises, and it ( once again ) doesn't really deliver the "building experience" that I love LEGO for. At this point im afraid that all the fun with this set is over !

The Cable drum wagon finished:

Do i have to say anything about this ?

It look's as it does. Nothing to roll around those cable holders, and "only" one chain included that really doenst have any function as well. Its not even connected to the wagon in any way.

Indeed lot's of useful parts but it just looks like a rushed build.

Next build, the fuel wagon.

Everything needed to build the fifth instruction booklet's content:

All these pieces will turn into a fuel wagon, and a cargo truck, along with a wheelbarrow.

Pieces from bag 6: Click for larger image.

All the pieces.

The color of the wheelbarrow is nice and again the parts for the build is usefull for any MOC enthusiast.

The Fuel wagon finished: Click for larger image.

However the build experience once again doesnt deliver any fun and just feels like a repetition from the Cable drum wagon build.

Also the lift look's awefull in my oppinion. Something's wrong with the roof of it. Besides the way everything is organised onto the wagon looks weird, and off.

But, the pieces are all usefull and that's what plusses i have to say about this.

Moving on to build the Cargo train station, the last instruction book from this set.

Everything needed to build the sixth and last instruction booklet:

Pieces from bag 7: Click for larger image.

First, the content from bag 7. Lateron bag 8 which is the last bag for this whole set.

The content of these bags let's one build the Cargo train station.

Do I have to say again, more usefull parts, but also some not that interesting for once. However the usefull once, wins the battle as all the pieces Iv'e seen in this set is mostly not to common pieces, and not pieces that I personally would never expect to make use of.

Two more printed pieces in this bag ( but these are common pieces ) the keyboard and the computerscreen. So overall the whole set delivers three printed pieces.

Lets begin to build the Cargo train station!

Build from bag 7 finished:

So far so good. It's looking better than expected and was a fun build so far ( much needed from the last three NOT funny and blend looking wagon's).

Lets move on to the last bag of LEGO for this set.

Pieces from bag 8: Click for larger image.

More rather usefull pieces, and rather special one's indeed, but not the diversity that we have seen from the prior bags.

Iv'e become curious as to wether it's possible to use the "old school" LEGO track's to make larger train lanes with ?

Haven't tried it out, but my instinct is that it's not possible. Surely one of you train expert's will tell me all about it in a comment (please !!).

The Cargo train station finished: Click for larger image.

I somewhat likes the Cargo train station. It is taking me back to my chilhood where LEGO set's weren't that complex, yet had that feeling of delivering a setup for your mind to play with it, and let your imagination make everything possible. Playing with it surely delivered exactly that feeling.

Now the MOC nerd in me see's tons of stuff that can be done with this, and i surely will. But the overall feeling is great.

This last build somewhat corrected the experiences from the last two wagon set's.

Only negative i have to say about this is that the heavy lift seem's to be a stud of in width, as it will all collaps if you aren't carefull when lifting cargo. However the moving of the whole lift is working gorgeous and it's fun to push it in one end and seeing it speed towards the other hoping it will fall of. But it doesn't, unless you are really putting some strengt into it.

So this ended with a good experience after all.

Are we finished ?

No, there is still all this left:

Minifigures and bull, frontview:

I have no clue as to how common these minifigures are, but i kind of like all of them. My only issue should be that all wears cap´s. Now, im not supressing womans at all. But find it funny that the only female in the set is the one who get's to wear hearing protection. ( It should be the other way around ).

In fact, all personel working close to machinery, shoud wear those. That's personal experience !

I love the bull. Might be cause it's new in my collection. But its a cool animal to have and the horns could be used for lot's of useful organic building techniques.

Minifigures and bull, backview:

Well, a few backprints. Still some nice ones. Glad to have all these figs in my collection.

All the builds lined up: Click for larger image.

Last ( not really ) but not least. Lining all the builds up around the Cargo station build. It looks somewhat a mess. But this is not how LEGO intended it to be im sure.

In fact, were not quite done yet.

Remaining tracks and the Power function controller:

Offcourse i dont have a lightroom huge enough to layout the whole of this track.

Conclusion:

My first thought about this set was that it was a set like most others. Here, build these trains and make them roll around the track endlessly.

However there is a lot of hidden bricks in the set that suggest something else.

I have always been removing usefull parts from set's that's not visible after the set have been put together. Most of the time LEGO have included these parts ( changes of colors, tiled bricks ) to make it easier for people to read the instructions. Mostly the colored pieces are ordinary ones, and tiled pieces the same.

But, with this set its so very different. Dark grey plates that you will never see. Tan bricks hidden away for no reason. Jumpers where plates would have been obvious to use.

3 blend wagons that didnt even deliver the building experience, but however was packed with usefull parts.

This set to me, is screaming for AFOL's to mod and MOC it !

Im guessing offcourse, but it seems that LEGO wanted to make a set that would make it possible for everyone to start building train sets, but offcourse couldnt sell it as a creator set.

So to make it reach an audience that weren't only FOL's, they decided to do it this way, and at the same time be able to justify the price of it.

Follow me. All the tracks, the power function parts. The parts for the wagons, which is much needed to make trains for oneself.

In fact, buying two train motors from LEGO( IR recievers and battery pack as well offcourse), and you will be able to make two additional locomotives with this set!

At first, the playability value I would have given this set was aimed at kids.

LEGO turned the table 180 degrees.

This does have playability value for kids as well. That's to me why LEGO decided to make it this way. But the way I look at it, they really aimed for the adult market with this set and they hit point blank !

In case your in doubt, im loving this set despite the blend builds. So many usefull parts, so many things a MOC dude can do with it. Ton's of different large pieces and to top it, all the power function parts needed to start making one's own collection of LEGO trains.

Scores are based on my personal experince with the set.

Parts: 10/10 So many useful parts, even when considering the price of the set. Cant give it less than max.

Design: 7/10 The Locomotive and the Cargo station is awesome. The score is based on my assumption that LEGO had AFOL's in mind putting this set together.

Playability: 7/10 It's a train that can run on track's. For kids the score might have to be a 9, but for FOL's it cant be more than 7. But will score it all again having modified everything.

Minifigures: 6/10 I have no clue as to how rare these are. They are nice, but thats about it.

Price: 8/10 I got it 25% off, so that was a nice price. But honestly. I cant wait to get the funds to buy yet another one of these sets. It's so much worth it. Honestly !

Overall: 9/10 Cant give it less. This sets Screams for all FOL's to get it and start MOCcing it ! .. You should get one too !

I hope you enjoyed the review, and do give me input on where im wrong and why. As said many times already: This is my first train set. So teach the n00b please !

Please do comment and ask questions, or come with suggestions if any.

KlodsBrik.

Edited May 6, 2016 by KlodsBrik

[xboxtravis7992]

This set was my fifth train set (sixth if I count that Hogwarts Express on weird wheels...). However this was my first "power functions included" set as my previous sets were Creator Expert and the Lone Ranger train.

The locomotive is great. I prefer the Maersk Train, but both capture the look of a GP or SD series locomotive. The color choice reminds me of the CSX Dark Future paint.

The Achilles heel here is those three train cars as you said. While I love the cow, the car it comes in looks silly. To short, open roof, etc. The fact it comes with the farmer makes me think farmers in Lego City ride open top stock cars at 70 mph through Lego City...

The two longer flat cars aren't to bad, they have a prototypical length and look the part. I just wish Lego had given us a boxcar, tank car, or a hopper car instead. Or even an intermodal well car like the Maersk Train.

[legoguy1984]

A great review of a set I have looked at with interest but I am holding out for Lego to do something similar with a steam train.

[Vorkosigan]

I enjoyed this set, it is my first and only power functions train so far. The only thing I regret is that I have had multiple chances to buy it on a discount and wish I'd waited instead of paying full price.

[bricks n bolts]

Excellent review! I don't own the whole set as have no use for PF battery or receiver/controller with 12v but I did get the cargo station section very cheaply from Ebay and used the idea here to extend it to twice it's normal size.

Also if you are a fan of the cow wagon you can get the lovely Blokbricks Wagon, although they seem to revamping their website at the moment, I already had one before 60052 came out.

Sorry for the grainy picture, quickly taken with my phone :

[gotoAndLego]

You can easily convert this engine in to a Maersk level MOC.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=108434&hl=conrail

[LoneBrickerSG]

You can easily convert this engine in to a Maersk level MOC.

http://www.eurobrick...8434&hl=conrail

Yup. The biggest draw for me was the locomotive. I fell in love with it at first sight, but once I finished building it, I realized the design was not hard to mod for detail to make it really pop

I keep forgetting mine's not actually finished... those doors and grey L-plates need to be replaced!

Edited May 2, 2016 by LoneBrickerSG

[KlodsBrik]

A great review of a set I have looked at with interest but I am holding out for Lego to do something similar with a steam train.

Excellent review! I don't own the whole set as have no use for PF battery or receiver/controller with 12v but I did get the cargo station section very cheaply from Ebay and used the idea here to extend it to twice it's normal size.

Also if you are a fan of the cow wagon you can get the lovely Blokbricks Wagon, although they seem to revamping their website at the moment, I already had one before 60052 came out.

Sorry for the grainy picture, quickly taken with my phone :

Thanks, both of you.

bricks n bolts' ... Wooow , thats a great mod. I own that big yellow piece in red.I want to make the overhead cran a big taller to have space enough to lift the Maesk 1651 container. I had to look through for it wishing it was taller than the original set. And it is. Now thats a MOD I have to incorporate in my set indeed. Thanks for the picture. Much helpfull.

The locomotive is great. I prefer the Maersk Train, but both capture the look of a GP or SD series locomotive. The color choice reminds me of the CSX Dark Future paint.

The Achilles heel here is those three train cars as you said. While I love the cow, the car it comes in looks silly. To short, open roof, etc. The fact it comes with the farmer makes me think farmers in Lego City ride open top stock cars at 70 mph through Lego City...

Yeah, that farmer duesnt make sense. Atl east not when the pictures show him along with the cattle in the train wagon. If it was only to have him pick up the cow at the station it would have been fine.

I enjoyed this set, it is my first and only power functions train so far. The only thing I regret is that I have had multiple chances to buy it on a discount and wish I'd waited instead of paying full price.

Im also hoping to get it with discount the next time I have a chance to pick it up. However i might have to pick up some of the older train sets first. However they seem quite hard to get at a resonable price in Denmark these days.

You can easily convert this engine in to a Maersk level MOC.

http://www.eurobrick...8434&hl=conrail

Thats not a bad idea at all.

Yup. The biggest draw for me was the locomotive. I fell in love with it at first sight, but once I finished building it, I realized the design was not hard to mod for detail to make it really pop

I keep forgetting mine's not actually finished... those doors and grey L-plates need to be replaced!

It's not like the grey plates thakes anything from it. Looking great I think. I soo have to MOD mine as well, have a thousand ideas, but going forward slowly. The whole train Tech is new to me. Which is kind of lovely. As I have to think much diffrerent and use other pieces than im used to.

Its great building trains indeed.

Thanks for getting me involved with this !

[cgarison]

Very nice review.

I agree the Lego did a great job making an American style locomotive that could be easily modified to suit any builders taste. The only less than optimum spot was the cattle car that struggles to make the tight Lego turns. Other than that, great set.

[dr_spock]

Thanks for the review. It's my first PF train set. I modified my loco with PF ditch lights and a bit GP38'ish looks. Everything is now parted for other train MOCs. It's a great starter set nonetheless.

[KlodsBrik]

Very nice review.

I agree the Lego did a great job making an American style locomotive that could be easily modified to suit any builders taste. The only less than optimum spot was the cattle car that struggles to make the tight Lego turns. Other than that, great set.

Thanks.

The set is great even though some of the wagons are blend. The part selection is overwhelming, even the price considered. I totally agree.

But It's quite easy to mod it all for the better if one have a lot of spareparts offcourse.

Thanks for the review. It's my first PF train set. I modified my loco with PF ditch lights and a bit GP38'ish looks. Everything is now parted for other train MOCs. It's a great starter set nonetheless.

Youre welcome. As there weren't any review of it here on EB I could just as well make one.

That's a pretty nice mod as well.

Mine is not gonna last to long. Making a mod of it just for the cause of this review, then take it apart for new moc's to come.

The cargo station is alredy gone as you might have worked out.

Edited May 8, 2016 by KlodsBrik

[lomis]

Great review!

I've been out of my dark ages for a few years now and was looking around at LEGO cargo trains.
60052 really piqued my interests as I'm in the U.S. and the engine looks more like the type used in U.S.

I wanted to wait a bit to see what was offered in 2018.
However, I decided 60198 wasn't for me after seeing the confidential box image and thankfully Amazon had 60052 for 25% off.
So, I've made the jump and received it yesterday.
I am really excited to put it together but a bit worried about going down the LEGO train rabbit hole.

At any rate, one minor gripe I'd like to resolve is the non-angled gap between the corner bricks below the main windows:

As far as I can tell, this would be best rectified like so with a Plate 2x2, Corner, 45 Deg.:

Unfortunately, TLG does not make it in Flame Yellowish Orange.

Any other easy suggestions?

[ColletArrow]

45 minutes ago, lomis said:

I am really excited to put it together but a bit worried about going down the LEGO train rabbit hole.

Welcome to the world of LEGO trains, the best money rabbit hole! Honestly, if you've got one train set, your doing better than I am. I think 60052 is a really good set, even though I'm not as much a fan of American locomotives; the set as a whole looks really good, and I love the yard crane in the set.

47 minutes ago, lomis said:

As far as I can tell, this would be best rectified like so with a Plate 2x2, Corner, 45 Deg.:

That being such a new part, it didn't exist when the set was released! I can't think of any other plates that have that exact 45 degree cutout. You could try 2x2 round tiles, they exist in the right colour, and might be close to the shape.