WesternOutlaw

Okay - Thanks for the additional clarification. I pretty much understood what you were getting at but wanted to make sure I was understanding you correctly. For me, LEGO Town got me into LEGO Trains. As a kid, I had a small LEGO Town set up on the floor (pictured below). After seeing LEGO Trains during a visit to Germany, I thought they looked awesome and had to have one. Unfortunately, 12V LEGO Train transformers weren't made for the US market with our power difference. The result was an exchange for the Yellow Castle. Great set, but not a train. It wasn't until the release of the MOT series that I would have a LEGO Train helping me come out of many years in the dark ages. I did; however, play with HO-scale trains as a kid, but it was really LEGO Town that sucked me in. I also like G-scale trains and have an LGB and a Playmobil Train that I just love, usually setting up the Playmobil Train for Christmas (although i never got around to it this year). A few pictures: 1978 A train never made it to this town. Nor this one: 2001 But a train did find my Western Town. And there's been many others since:

I'm not sure about Smith_sam's question, but in looking at Typo's review of Red Cargo 3677, he provides a nice comparison shot of the two engines side-by-side:

Paul: when I first saw this topic "Selling a Train", I was tempted to move this into the Buy, Sell, Trade, and Finds forum. After reading, it appears you are trying to determine which is a better engine, the Yellow Cargo or the new Red Cargo (but had to look up as I don't generally remember set numbers - pictures would help). While I usually frown on "What set should I buy" or similar-type questions, I'll go ahead and leave this if our members want to share their opinions of the two sets or engines. If it gets into selling, the topic doesn't belong here. I suggest you check out the reviews of each set and how each was rated to better answer your question. I've changed the title of this topic to help provide a better description of the subject matter.

Let's make sure we keep this topic on the question rather than what is better, 9V or PF.

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. Are you asking what scale trains got us into LEGO? -or- Are we interested in seeing LEGO Trains in a larger or other size scale? or perhaps both? Also, your post seems to be missing a few letters and spaces.

Great story!

Hi RB. 2 Maersk Trains - sweet! Looks like you're off to a nice LEGO Train start. I must admit that the Super Chief is one of my favorites but I have a number of trains that I've always wanted as well (way outside of my price range now). Enjoy our LEGO Train community.

Absolutely! These guys help make LEGO Trains "real" model trains. That's a really good point. What do most people know about LEGO Trains? - not a whole lot. Many see them (a very limited supply of them) in the toy stores. The more detailed sets (targeted for AFOL), like City Modulars, are sold on-line or in a LEGO stores. Limited availability certainly impacts the perception. Against popular opinion, I'm afraid I agree with you (from a modeling perspective). I don't personally feel this way, but modelers may certainly view LEGO differently. I think you're correct in regard to the age interest. I've been to a few non-LEGO hobby train shows, and with no disrespective intended, the average age seemed to be 65+. A real plus about LEGO is that it draws a younger audience to a traditionally older hobby. This is a really good discussion with great points. I think intelligent discussions like this draw fans to EB and to Train Tech; and as mentioned above, this topic really goes beyond just trains.

This is really an interesting discussion with some good points made on the subject. Front-paged discussion!

Are LEGO Trains Classed as "Real" Model Trains? LEGO Train fan Paul B asks the most interesting question in EB's Train Tech forum. While the answer is most probably "yes" to most LEGO Train builders, some HO and other non-LEGO Train hobbyists might answer otherwise. Read what EB members are saying in this thought-provoking LEGO Train discussion and share your thoughts on the subject.

I find this to be a really interesting topic/question. I can see the rational of answering Yes and No. I think some HO and other scale model train hobbyists might discount LEGO for being more along the line of a toy without a better understanding of the elaborate layouts and trains that expert builders create (as Mikka mentioned above). Train fans have always been looking for life-like appearance and realistic display; to a point that taking a photograph provides a visual as if one were looking at a real picture/scene. Due to the obvious limitations of working with LEGO pieces in a limited variety of colors, this can certainly be a challenge and extremely difficult to obtain the same result as molded/model-built trains. At the same time, working within these limitations create a much higher degree of complexity compared to purchasing an expensive HO or other model scale train. I don't think that many model train hobbyists (non-LEGO train fans) build their own trains, but rather focus on creating life-like layouts with custom landscaping and scenery. So being a LEGO Train fan, I would tend to answer your question with a "yes" and pointing out that the LEGO Train hobby has grown over the years with elaborate LEGO Train displays that are popping up in public places throughout the world. L-gauge train popularity has grown, at least in my opinion. I would consider LEGO Trains to be "Real Model" trains, especially those from expert or advanced LEGO Train builders, some of which are members here.

Hi Andre. Welcome to EB and to Train Tech. I've moved your post to our Train Tech Registry that we use as a place for new members to introduce themselves. That's an awesome layout with a lot of fun activity. I'm going to have to watch your video. Feel free to share your MOCs within the forum as stand-alone topics. Hope you enjoy our LEGO Train community. EDIT: just watched the video. That's great and very enjoyable to watch. Love your Thomas. How many trains can you run at the same time? I notice all 9V track. How are you powering the layout (although I understand that your Thomas is PF). Amazing display! Hi Legochief - with a name like that (reminding me of the Super Chief), you are most welcome. I own the yellow cargo train but still haven't got around to opening it - one day. I've been looking at the newer red cargo train now. It's never ending but I like the fact that LEGO is offering a variety of trains to chosse from. Don't be too upset about not purchasing an Emerald Night. It's a fantastic train but there will always be more. You might check Ebay and other sources from time-to-time to check pricing if you really have to have it. Good luck if you do. Welcome and enjoy the forum.

The Emerald was/still is a "must buy" for any LEGO Train fan. I have mine prominently displayed on a series of train shelves. However, the Maersk is just a few shelves above and I consider it a very special train as well.

Interesting data ML. Thanks for taking the time to do this and sharing the results.

Neat topic. Fossil watches always come in these really neat retro tin boxes. I think the new Robot from Series 6 resembles the robot pictured on this Fossil box. What do you think?

Hi Maurice. Welcome. I'm glad you introduced yourself and shared your train interest here in the registry. It sounds like you've got a nice little classic collection of trains. The old push trains certainly go way back. Your attic project sounds like a neat idea. Trains and towns certainly go hand-in-hand. You could always incorporate a few of your castles in building a classic castle-style town like the old Town sets from the Yellow Castle era. I too like the Castle-related themes as well. It's just so difficult to blend all these themes in a very limited space. If I had a huge room, a layout going through many themes would be awesome. Enjoy the forum and feel free to share an image review of your push-trains. I wouldn't mind seeing them up-close.

Isn't this topic from you about the same thing? Can anyone identify this plane set?

This topic was really intended as a live discussion on Sunday morning, but since a few have responded, I'll go ahead and keep it open to any that want to loosely talk about LEGO Trains and/or other topics. Hey Fred. Sorry to hear that you're laid up. I'm back to work tomorrow. On the topic of the new Monster Quest theme: I know that it's a kiddie theme but I love the spooky stuff. Over the past few years, I've seen a number of LEGO creations that have blended in nicely with my personal builds. I was building a Mexican Village, and behold, LEGO offered a Mexican minifig in Series 2 a few months later: I had thought about creating a little sub-theme related to LEGO Studio Monsters, X-Files, and Supernatural. Monster Quest is just perfect. Creature from the Black Lagoon: You know that Swamp Creature has my name written all over it. Can't wait for that set. Perhaps I will be expanding my Creature sub-theme. And the Ghost Train. It may be a little kiddie, but Trains + Ghosts have my interest.

Interesting comparison. I own both ships but I think the QA beats BB. What does it for me is the colors of the QA. The sails are beautiful with the dark red/crimson color. I also like the rear of the QA with its large lantern and other smaller lanterns. For me, it's not so much about playability but collectibility. I've got my QA on the fireplace mantle and really enjoy looking at it often.

WhiteFang: I just picked up a set of Series 6 today and I love the entire collection. I appreciate your reviews a lot more when I actually get my hands on the sets, so had to drop a note at this time. As always, this is a fine review. I love how you picture each figure in a similar set. This makes me want to dig out my figs and start combining as you did for this review. Among my favorites: Bandito - goes without saying Robot - love the retro look of this guy, In fact, he reminds me of some tin toy from the 60s. Genie - outstanding figure. I also liked how you pictured with the Egyptian figures. Great pairing! Minotaur - Greek mythology is just awesome. This is another fine set and a great review. Keep 'em coming WF. Now I just have to decide if I'm going to purchase an entire box.

Hey Ricecracker - thanks for dropping in. How are things in Town? (knows that it's really busy on the other side of the tracks) Oh, so you were the caller that hung up. Lucky you. I'm fortunately off Monday for MLK Day (Federal holiday here in the States). Replace me? Shhhhh! Loud voice can be heard from ceiling. Unfortunately, we have to pause our regularly scheduled program for these words from our sponsor. Jimmy Jean sausages. Do you like sausages? Well I do. There's nut'n like a smokey grilled Jimmy Jean mesquite sausage in the morn'n. I like to fry up mine in the skillet with a little scrambled egg. Jimmy Jean sausages. Turn Mondays into Sundays with Jimmy Jean sausages. Now with brown sugar and maple flavor'n! We now resume our regularly scheduled program. EDIT: Well I'm pausing for a pancake break. I'll be back in a short while... Okay. I'm back for part two of our program. Talk to TheBrickster on Sunday Morning (Monday if you live in Australia). EDIT: Now I know what it feels like to sit in a mall dressed up like a train conductor as people walk by the train exhibit. (sneakily blows the a train whistle after the mall security guard passes the exhibit). EDIT: okay, I know what this show needs, some controversial topics. So, has LEGO's new Friends theme adversely affected your Train Layouts? EDIT: or maybe some scandle: You didn't hear it here but Siegfried is really a tricycle riding walrus for the circus. When kids throw him fish, he speeds up his pedaling. EDIT: interesting topics: World's smallest train Q) How do I know that it's the world's smallest train? A) just look at it. EDIT: maybe a little humor: Funny train EDIT: or drama and excitement: FINAL EDIT: well, before I resort to painting a little face and placing my conductor's hat on a basketball, I'm going to end this Sunday morning program. Until next time (hope there's no next time), this is your friendly EB Train Tech moderator, TheBrickster, signing off.

Thanks for dropping in. Have a great day! This is going to take off now (begins bringing more fold-out chairs into the room). EDIT: Yeppers, that should be enough. EDIT: Might as well refill my coffee in case it gets busy. EDIT: Yep, maybe I'll turn on the oldies station while I'm waiting... EDIT: Looks like they're still playing Christian music. EDIT: I guess I could check my FlickR images.