MarkV

Probably already mentioned, but it would 'be nice' if Lego had a train car builder set. Include a bunch of the necessities for hooking up train cars and let us build our own. Today, I have to buy extra train sets (okay, I do that) or find the parts on ebay/bricklink. Yea, I know - completely unmarketable... If there was a version that was a cheap car, I'd buy a bunch just for the parts.

Has 9398 been spotted in US retail stores?

If you have pictionary around, you could do a lego version ... might be too slow... Team based contests - someone said pinewood derby... could also do bridge building with increasing loads (any engineers in the crowd?l Lego Jenga - build upwards until it falls over... Let us know what worked vs didnt!

I'm definitely interested in compatibility between IR V1 and IR V2. Is it backwards compatible? Do we need new remotes? Etc...

Yea, I figured one would just stockpile the flexi-track. It does come with 8 straight pieces and a bunch o' flexi. Anyway, my reference was really about Bricklinking Lego track pieces. It seems just easier to get 7499 than bricklink it for the same price. The non-flexi curved pieces are another story. They can be acquired in some of the train sets and I think the only other spot I saw them was in the Switching Tracks (7895) and there are only 4 per set. That makes them about $4/each if you don't need the switches. Probably cheaper on Bricklink in that case. On e-bay, someone has been selling 9 packs of ... I think it was 4520 for about $11/box (8 curves per box). I went this route. Figured I'm in good shape for a little while on curved track... Anyway, good luck with your search!

Looking at decent quantities (>10) - in the USA - it's not far north of $2.50/piece for straight track (53401). I guess one could acquire a piece or two at a time for $1.90 to $2.00/piece, but the shipping would end up killing much (all) of a savings. Given that puts 8 pieces at $20, why not just buy 7499? I'm asking because I'm new... please educate me and save me some money along the way. Also, when pricing out sets that have track in them, it's always nice to use the 'savings' from the track you get to 'justify' the purchase :) Mark

Thanks Mike! Hadn't planned on Pet Shop until after FB and GE, but at $100 with the only downside the box was no longer sealed, I couldn't pass it up.

Purchasing a Pet Shop (10218) tomorrow. It's "new", but opened. How many bags should I expect? The reviews that I read stated four sets of bags, but not how many bags per set. Thanks, Mark

Thanks! That's a great layout. I bit the bullet on a bunch of 4520 sets today so I should be good on curves for a while.

I've did electric trains as a kid and got interested in Lego sets after getting one of my old Lionel trains out of storage from my parents. I'm completely new to Lego trains, but I am now the proud owner of a Maersk set and Emerald Night set. Both are still MISB and will remain that way until I get some time this summer. I plan to "PF" both of them and have various parts already for this purpose. I have other Lego sets, but nothing in the way of train gear - specifically track. I'm looking to set something up that wouldn't be larger than a 4' x 8' - at least I can't see that for some time. My basic lego math says that a 8' straight would require 19 lego straight tracks. So, that's about 57 straight track pieces ignoring curves to cover the outside of a 4'x8' area. That's about 7 boxes of 7499. That seems about where I should start for a single train. What's the best option for doing track? I see buying at least two 7895 (switching tracks), maybe 4 initially - obviously will need more track... I was considering some 4520s since there are complaints about flexitrack and they still seem to be available although I don't see 9v in my future. Are curved 9v sections a better option than the flexitrack? I am cheap to some extent, but constant derailings eliminate any sense of fun for me. Is a better way to do this than straight up track purchasing? Many of the sets include track, but I'm paying more for the additional engines and PF parts than the track that is included. Are there any really good values on sets for current shipping product? Is it a good idea to look at baseplates under the track area? I noted some threads about ballasting track. Still going through those... Thanks, Mark

Which one first - Diagon Alley or MMV? I have one MMV, but yearn for a second. Which one will disappear from stock first?

Agreed, but I bought the sets in 2 lots and 7187 wasn't included :( I'll have to circle around and try to get this separately.

Okay, on the acquisition piece of the thread - Picked up a couple 2010 (7946, 7947, 7948) and 2011 (6918, 7188, 7189) Kingdoms Sets (some 2x - a boxed and a no-boxed) and a MMV. On to my question that is a bit off topic (but someone brought it up)... Given that MMV is available and I'm starting out with a mostly blank canvas and given that the price/brick of MMV is so good, should I be looking at a second (or third) MMV? $99 for 1600 mostly useful pieces is better than many sets available today. I'll pick up a Kingdoms Joust eventually, but it should be available for some time. I'm not so sure about how much longer MMV will be available. Kingdoms is probably my favorite theme and MMV seems perfect for building out different areas of a medieval town... The other side is that while I have to think TLG sold a TON of MMV, that if I fail to end up using the extra sets, I'll be able to recoup my money without much of an issue.

I'm coming into this discussion a little late and with little experience in Lego Trains, so maybe I'm a good guinea pig (or not) for an opinion from the masses. Background - we have 3 kids - 8 and under. We haven't Lego'd much until they started showing a recent interest and the bug from my childhood is back with a vengeance. I see LEGO trains as an opportunity to build layouts with my kids, but with the added bonus of getting them interested in building the train stations, the train yard, a loading dock, terrain, etc. This is either through sets or through imaginitive building. My current tact is to get them geared up so we're ready for a holiday building spree at the end of the year - trains around the tree, buildings, shops, etc. I'd much rather spend money on Lego than have my wife waste it on holiday decorations. :) I don't care if a set comes with PF and tracks. I'm willing to invest in PF and tracks separately - I do want trains that the electronics can be swapped in and out of (PF is nice for this). I do want variety and realistic looking trains and cars. I can't see us building a holiday setting around a big Toy Story train, although there may be some themes where it would work out. Buildings are a nice to have, but not critical, although they do have a certain draw...

Thanks for the help, all. Picked up a unimog as my first. Now just a matter of having some time to build it.