beyondtool

Gold Coast Australia based. I've had a chance to do some more digging and have built all carriages now and the train station, except missing three bogie plates, a few magnets, 6 wheels and a couple of other minor pieces. I haven' finished all the minifigs, but not too worried about them as they can be readily replaced. I was actually surprised how much I did find. With a small investment I could get the set 100% complete sans motor and working track. I think the motor is only going to be good for parts as it's missing a wheel. Since I don't have the transformer and need to buy a few missing track pieces it's basically going to cost the same to upgrade to the new PF system as it is to repair it to original 12v status. I'm tempted to sell the mail van and old track because it would pretty much fund a new train set complete with track and the few missing pieces. I need to do a full inventory still but it's been a fun project so far.

Thanks for the help everyone, given me something to think about. I should be able to build at least one more carriage but I know there are a few damaged pieces (1x boogie plate) which will prevent a 100% complete set unfortunately. I was very happy I found all the pieces for the postal carriage though. Once I complete with a full inventory I may look at the replacement costs for the missing pieces and see if it is worth investing to fix. I would most likely be looking to remove the conducting rails and selling them with the old motor and replacing it will new RF kit. I'm sure it could all fit where the engine is if I remove it and the two weight blocks (or are they essential to keep the train on the track). And there are no issues with the new engines on old tracks? Even when the new the original motor had issues connecting to the conducting rails properly and/or getting stuck on them. Is there a way to test the motor still works without a Lego transformer?

I just discovered my stash of Lego from when I was a kid and the first rebuild project I'm working on with my 5 year old son is Lego Train 7740 (rebuild in progress) and the Postal Carriage 7819 (100% complete). I'm missing one metal conductive rail and two curved rails and two sleepers from the 7740 set (see image). I do have the original motor but it's missing one wheel and I don't have the transformer so I can't even test out what works. I am thinking of selling all the track and motor and investing in newer Lego rails, engine, battery, RF system and controller as this old set isn't compatible with the newer battery powered stuff, and it looks like my son is going to be as nuts as me for Lego trains. Are there any issues converting this train to run with the new train system? My son is interested in set 60052 and Christmas is around the corner.. I'm rather out of the loop with the value of these older sets and it's not in A1 condition as I played with it as a kid. I'd say it's it pretty good nick for it's age though and only signs of yellowing are on the locomotive clear windows, and a few tracks rails are slightly damaged, no box or instructions. Is it possible to source the missing track pieces for a reasonable cost (I did manage to find a transformer on ebay that was pretty cheap). Or am I better trying to build as much of the set as I can, then sell it to a collector and invest in a newer train setup? Any help from those in the know would be most appreciated. Cheers.