Kaila

To the OP - I really hope you ignored the naysayers and bought 10 of the Maersk and went with what obviously was your gut feeling when you posted this.. 2 years on and you would have what.. almost tripled your investment.. I could kick myself for only buying 2 (recently payed $250 AU for the second).

Yep thanks again and you guys were totally right, after a metho clean and a few laps it ran reasonably well. I found it odd that after testing my Australia transformer I plugged in and tested a Euro one I recently bought off BL and it ran the motor around the track around 15% faster (this is a rough estimation). That kind of surprised me a bit.. Just wondering - I have 9v sets in storage but am yet to try them, do they require the same level of cleaning/maintenance of the 12v stuff or are they easier to deal with?

Yeah lol guess we do Funny thing for me is I picked that moster train set up locally thanks to a stocking error for only $59 Au.. posted about it on our local forum and heaps of people then bought it for the same price and started running 9v conversions

Nicely said Toastie. Perhaps Lego could compromise and produce a 'fire fighter train'

I can't help but wonder what Lego's reaction would have been if the 'mobilization' that the internet facilitates had been available back in 1991, in regard to people's collective annoyance at the company killing 12v would surely have fueled some kind of much larger backlash than convectional means available back then would have provided...

Stumbled on this theme a month ago (usually I'm a train buff) and seriously after being to Japan a few times and checking out real castles (Kumamoto Castle) this theme is a very good rendition! Sorry but I personally think Ninjago is a joke, don't get me wrong - I have about 6 Ninjago sets but compared to this original ninja theme I just think this is much more authentic and downright sweet Currently I'm waiting on a large order of around 8 Ninja sets including this castle, it should turn up tomorrow hopefully!

Sorry if this is a little off topic but has Lego retained the Shell licence? I mean in the 80's a few trains had Shell components and separate to that 12 odd years ago they were still bringing out Shell sets.. Would love to see a Shell themed cargo train etc

Thanks Alainneke and Hoeij I didn't think about this since my track always looked clean on the surface but it must be tricky to know. Methylated spirits should be fine to use I guess right? (I have a large bottle of it downstairs from when we painted)

Had this train since 6 years old, got it as a Christmas present all those years ago and then bought a boxed PC version a few months back off BL. What can I say? It's a fantastic little set and gave me many fun times. Bought the electric rails, motor and transformer back then to electrify it.. Too bad the transformer started going haywire after a very short time and completely spoiled all the fun. I tested the same transformer just the other day and it's very strange in that it powers the lights ok but it 's output is not constant (it goes really flickery) when increasing/decreasing power. When putting the motor on a track it will stutter and jolt then just stop. If I'm lucky it will travel half a circular track then just stop dead - very annoying.

Spot on, can't agree more with your sentiments.

Have to agree with Zephyr on this issue, straight track is like gold... Recently been collecting so many train sets from the 80's and 90's and I have a mountain of circular track but hardly any straight. For that matter I wonder which 80's set included the most straight lengths?? Could it be 7740 with 6? Anyways I'll still be buying at least one 10233

My fav colours I'm so buying 2 of these!

This is a very nice creation, well done. I love the smoothness of the platform. Also Selander, that Shell tanker in your sig - is it moc? It looks wonderful.

What I'd love to see- 1. A CROSSTRACK, I still cant figure out why they haven't.. 2. Like the thread starter wanted - ramp system/elevated track system. Also something raised incorporating a train-bridge. 3. Straight rail only packs. 4. Bring back the licensed Shell themed set's! 5. Bring back the entire 80's rail theme capabilities for that matter lol (I know it won't happen). (Thought this was nice)

Just got this, was quite cheap @ $199 (considering it's Australia). The amount of track you get is nice and overall I'm feeling very happy. Call me strange but I especially love the Flatbed wagon and repair vehicle carriage. Would like to even pick up another separately ^^ Nice review btw, too bad your instruction books were a bit squashed.