andythenorth

The container truck in the 7994 Harbour (big blue boat edition) was not the highlight of the set. Not terrible, but not great. I had a go at improving it. Not the most earth-shattering MOC ever, but I like to do simple tweaks. Highlights include: - third cab step - doors - better mirrors - twistlock mounts for containers (container lengths match yellow cargo train) - fuel tanks - tow hitch (might build a trailer) Pictures aided in places by two toddlers. Bit grainy, sorry. [

Yeah it's totally rubbish. I've seen it at least 9000 times before. There is no way that I am going to buy this. My kids would love it, and there's no way I'm letting them treat Lego as an entertaining and creative construction toy. It's a serious collectors system for Very Serious Collectors who have very Valued Opinions. Lego will be out of business by 2015. I predict that with 128% confidence (it's a signed byte for those who get wtf I mean).

+1

Colours look inspired by Dutch railways, I would guess the loco is invented to suit available parts. http://www.spoorwegmaterieel.nl/Treinen-1277.jpg

Yair, my kids get super-excited about buildings. Absolutely they'd always choose a house or a shop over (yet another) police helicopter, fire truck, cargo lorry, bus, forklift or monster truck. Oh wait, no they don't. Every time, they choose the vehicles. Can't help you with this. Have you heard that Lego sell Creator and modular buildings? Or gosh, you can even build your own (I think I've seen some nice things you built actually). ;) Also buses, my kids find buses surprisingly interesting. Dunno why. I hate buses. But when I was a kid I used to try and build a 6 or 8 wide bus quite often. Kind of harder in 1989, fewer nice parts to use.

Smaller sets are fun.

B-model dozer could be another Morooka http://www.morooka.co.jp/en/ Morooka was B-model for red + white excavator, and TLG aren't scared to repeat a model. Guess is based on the tracks (obviously) and the panels from the dozer blade forming the dump bed. Otherwise B model could be yet another excavator, but there's no turntable present so I doubt it. Sideboom dozer unlikely - no string included. Miltary vehicles have never featured in Technic, so not a tank. Could be a pistenbully or a nodwell.

http://www.philohome.com/tech.htm

It looks good, but the crane is slow, and not very fun to play with. The truck is overall 'meh' - too big for too little interest. I don't rate it much compared to 8285 tow truck, or 8043. But you are not me of course, maybe you'd love it Also you can resell it if you regret the decision....

Two of these went past my house 3 times a day for years, and there were 228 of them built, so not that uncommon. Ok so it's a small number compared to 3000 SD40s

It's a classic. Also benefits from lighting, although you need a soldering iron to do it right. https://www.flickr.com/photos/andythenorth/sets/72157624355112320/with/4733357342/ I ditched the rippers, they aren't going to rip anything. I though a winch was better for play.

I've tested a bit more. Without the rear (unpowered) power car, performance is better. So the biggest factor is likely weight + the dragging bogie with technic axles (this is a tight oval of track). Mostly I've added second motors to the other 6 or so trains we have, this results in much better performance, especially the ones with the RC train motor. As does ensuring the wheels are the latest ones with thicker O-ring. I'll add the second motor to HE. That said the red passenger train will lift 6 coaches from stopped at a good speed with a single PF motor. But those red coaches are much lighter. The technic-axle bogies are an interesting design choice. I get that it allows easy motorisation and matches the wheelbase of the bogie sideframes. The downside is that the wheels are connected by a solid axle, and they have thick grippy o-rings (removing them does help), and there's no conical profile. So in curves the outer wheel wants to travel faster but can't. The technic axles are not particularly friction free either. I've tried swapping them out for non-friction technic pin-with-axles, but they don't run smoothly either. Conclusion? Rebuild with those bogies with standard train axles. [/whining]. I started the topic because TLG are pushing the HE with two units and PF. Which could cause disappointment, a thing TLG usually try and avoid. I wonder if they'd bite the bullet, and recommend a second motor, with a dedicated polarity reverser plate or wire (the switch is a clunky solution)?

Yeah, I agree, it's pretty shocking that the Maersk and the Horizon Express only come with one car each. I wish TLG would pay attention and learn from this stuff. I think they're going out of business tbh.

So 2x Horizon Express sets, one power car has PF. Pretty gutless, barely moves, mostly wheelspin. I'm not 100% surprised, it's a heavy train, and there's no weight over the driving wheels. I'll fix it with a second PF motor, with a switch to reverse polarity. I might also add weight to the power car, and rebuild the unpowered car bogie so that it doesn't use technic axles (binds in corners). Twin PF motors in the yellow cargo train gives it significantly more pulling power, at the cost of battery life. Curious - do you have a Horizon Express with this problem? I don't see many people complaining about it, but it's pretty underwhelming on performance (the train itself is awesome).

Is it April Fools' already?

Didn't you just answer your own question?

If you want universal sets, vote with your wallets, and buy Lego Education stuff. E.g. Simple Machines + Pneumatic add-on is a good equivalent of old Universal sets: https://education.lego.com/en-gb/lego-education-product-database/machines-and-mechanisms/9686-simple-and-powered-machines-set https://education.le...tics-add-on-set It may not be available to public buyers in every territory, but there are definitely resellers serving UK and EU. http://www.active-ro.../lego-education Definitely easier to just not bother though, and you get bonus internet points for complaining, right?

+1. Inspired by this thread I dug that set out of a cupboard and built the B model with my kids. The 4 year old loves it and has taken it to bed with him. Thanks to those who suggested this one

That's an awesome description of an AFOL's permanent state. You should add it as a dictionary definition.

I don't understand the issue. The Dozer looks exactly like a D9 or D10 with the engine covers removed. Covering the engine would be stupid. Some people here whine on about realism, we get a realistic looking model, still whining. http://upload.wikime...D10N-pic001.jpg But eh, the functions do look pretty lame, so let's whine about those.

Honestly, I worry that the TLG designers have run out of ideas. They are trying to fob us serious collectors off with random new themes like Arctic and Mining because they have run out of ideas for Police and Fire - which is the true spirit of City. What's missing from this year is more Fire and Police sets. My collection is now worthless. Also Coastguard. What a joke. Everyone knows that Cities aren't in the ocean.

'They' don't want anyone to see the longer pneumatic pumps and the power functions auto-valve in the new bulldozer of course.

I just look at whether I like a set as a toy, and/or whether my kids will like it. YMMV

Hard not to troll this thread I am waiting for the 'longer pneumatics' bot to turn up and post