Matt Dawson

@LegoMonorailFan I could see that working if you modified the track and fitted modified 0 gauge fishplates to the sleepers and threaded rail through them. Someone did something similar to make their own custom radius track. Doing overhead centenary would probably be a lot easier though (less parts to modify).

@M_slug357 I think the knuckles vs magnets debate would rely on a lot of factors - wagon/coach/train weight and wheel set friction being just two of them. I'd would say they'd be at least fairly similar to each other, although the more modern (and easily replaced) knuckle coupler will win people over eventually. The biggest issue for me at the moment is their lack of uncoupling capability, although as a test model I'm sure that it'll be added much later.

From my minor experience, it's a nice piece of hardware but the UI for trains is awful. Cale (of Brick Model Railroader) has said similar things and I think a better train UI is on the "to do" list. PFx is great, but the steam sound profile is more suited to smaller engines (max small 2-8-0). My phone (Samsung S7) didn't pick it up via Bluetooth until the firmware update in November last year, despite having it over a year by that point. Best for a MOC with a lot of lighting. S-Brick has the best UI IMHO - very customisable, easy to connect multiple motors together and unlike the PFX occupies a 'logically' sized floor space (4x4 studs instead of 4x5, 4x7 w/ light board).

The LNUR layout uses a plate/tile height above regular base plates and many, many tubs of 1x1 round tiles in bley for ballasting one the track is in place. Must be a pain to clear up after shows though!

@treczoks That does actually make sense. It could be that there is only one UART interface (I don't recall any documentation saying it supports more than one input device either!) but I'd harbour the suggestion it crashes when the second device initiates a connection/feeds it info, and as it's not expecting input from this new device it causes the shutdown. The one thing to test would be if there is a differentiation between output A and B (i.e. one prefers sensors, the other motors), although I would think Lego would simply make them both the same with only the output reference changing.

They look to have been designed for combining with 3176 and the older, 9V era buffer beam parts - which is why the mounting point is 1/2 a technic pin end before the main body. Although I should point out there might be swivel room issues for them on the older buffer beams, and they also may conflict with the body on some mocs.

I wasn't there but I remember them being there. It turns out a Brick Model Railroader post has the answer. And even better photo's on Cale's Flickr

Considering trans clear ones were shown off at Cantigny Park, that wouldn't surprise me... ;)

Nice! Just needs numbers and a nameplate...

I ordered a load of 9V compatible track (R104 and R88 half curves, straight tracks and adapter pieces) on the 1st and emailed them on the 26th after no update (they did say 2-4 weeks on their website) and still haven't got a response. Paypal gives 180 days to file a claim so if I get no answer within the next couple of weeks I'd say they've gone bust and I'll be asking Paypal for a refund and sourcing some BrickTracks instead and copper tape...

At top speed, the trains will "tip" round curves, due to the fact that curves are extremely tight.

I agree, Joebot, that a roadplate would have been the icing on the cake. Unfortunately, that would increase cost of the set, not to mention the size of the box.

OP edited. And frontpaged? *faint* Well, those pieces are new to me. And I've had the "big cheese" in last years City Corner (it's in black as the bus drivers display) but I haven't had it in yellow. And it;s great that we've ensnared another to buy Trains equipment!

In actual fact, it's the 1x8 plates that hold it together; look at this shot: The 1x8 stickered plates "front" the gate while another row of 1 stud wide plates (1x8, 1x10 and a modded 1x2) strengthens and adds longer length to the barrier. And while I agree that printed tiles are much better, stickers do not seem to fade as badly.

Thank you all for your comments. @ LightningTiger- I agree, not having tools looks odd. But it makes a differance to not have any. And regarding motorisation - it wouldn't be too hard. swap the 1x2 technic brick (and technic pin) and 2x1 modified "bumper" plate and swap them for a 1x2 technic brick with x axle hole, and it would be easy to motorise. And I'm suprised no-one has said anything about the 0-4-4 tank engine in the background...

My apologies for a little bit of self gratification, but my review of set 7936 "Level Crossing" is up in the Trains section.

WRITER'S NOTE: Due to a clean-up of my Flickr account a lot of the images in this review no longer exist, and therefore what appears before you is a restructed and less image-heavy review. Welcome to one of the most anticipated reviews of the year! (well, if you don't say so, it isn't)... My order of Lego arrived today, and I only ordered it Saturday - Well Done Lego! My further order of PAB pieces must be coming later....anyway... Brickset page Statistics: UK Price/per piece: £14.99 (10.556p) US Price/per piece: $19.99 (14.077c) Pieces: 142 Range: City (sub: Trains) Released: 2010 Under starters orders, box images and instructions. The front of the instruction booklet, like most releases, mimics the front box art. Box front (from Brickset): One comment on the image is that it shows the level crossing spanning 2 pieces of RC track, instead on one in the instructions. The instruction manual also carries an advert of the current city trains line, with a City Corner in the background. The back of the box showing it's functions: Incidentily, the box has two "tabs" for the opening end, though is well secured with a good spread of glue. The contents of the box are as follows: > bag 1 containing the pieces for the digger/crane unimog vehicle. > bag 2 containing the pieces for the level crossing parts > 4 pieces of RC straight track > 1 instruction leaflet > 1 sticker sheet (please note that apart from the minifig head, there are no printed pieces) And this handy instrucxtion page shows you that.... Bag 1 build notes - the crane/digger Unimog From the small parts pack within Bag 1, the only part left over was the trans-red cheese slope. And also note the 1x2 cheese slopes in yellow. Yes, you read that correct. The completed undeframe is eactly the same one end/side to the other. Bag 2 build - rail crossing & barriers When you are going to start the barriers/warning towers, you need to open the small bag inside bag 2 containing the detailing/small pieces. This yielded 2 spares (1 standard technic pin, with resistance; and a 1x1 round plate in trans-red): The barriers are quite simple, really: Lances! Are the knights coming to help, I wonder? Also, I noted the ramp parts, although exactly the same number, use a modified/new mould as some of the numbering is missing and what remains re-arranged. The 1x4 green plate rests on 2 sleepers on the track to secure the barrier/light tower to the track. It's sortof alright, but it's flimsy, and prone to knocks and easily comes loose unless you are moutning the set on baseplates. The barrier in part form. Note that the barrier pattern is done from stickers; probably the only time I've ever got stickers near perfectly straight and inm position was for this set review! Now then....the final images....the one's you've all been waiting for.... The unimog-type vehicle is quite stable on the tack when lifting the "spare" piece of track: Conclusion The set itself is, in my opinion, excellent value. 4 pieces of straight track, a small vehicle, and a level crossing for £15? Bargain... The digger/crane vehicle is probably the main let-down of the set. Although it's been nicely done, in my eyes, it doesn't seem tp have appropiate shape/dimensions, leading to an "unheavy" look. Compare it to the real thing... The level crossing itself, i.e. the barriers, infil and ramps, are very likable, and stay upright, without the slightest hint of movement. My only minor niggle is that they look unbalanced, which would be solved by moving the actual barrier along one stud. The minifig is a compilation of other figures, but looks nice in my eyes - certainly, he makes a change from either "Engineer Max" or "Scruffy Joe". Lastly, the only other fault with the set is the lack of an equipment cabinet for the electrics for the barriers and towers. EDIT: I forgot to mention that the set comes with no tools. Not even a hammer/screwdriver or wrench; extremely odd considering most previous sets of level crossing type contain at least some tool(s) Comparing the set with it's cousins The most appropiate comparison is with set 10128, released in 2003 for the "World City" range. While the current set is approx. 1/3 of the price, this set is actually better balanced, containing 4 pieces of track instead of 3.

Here's my entry, a modern take on the Emerald Night coach. Items to note: > Opening doors. Almost exact copy of EN coach doors. > Bogies. Modified EN design, 9 studs long to accomodate suspension, to try and alleviate the bogie "overhang" due to the steps. Link to file

It's too much like the Emerald Night to be done. the Trains range would be more profitable if Lego advertised it more, reduced/rearranged the sizes of the sets a little (e.g. the crane and truck from the freight set in their own set).

It was released in 2009.

Both of those, technically, are not "train" sets, though they contain rail transport. A few special LDD designs as "Offiicial" sets would do quite good, as voted by the community. Rotated every month, they could share the same code with a different letter afterwards, e.g. January xxx10a, Febuary xxx10b, etc.

I've put in an order at Lego for a level crossing and a few other bits. Yes, it's RC and I use 9V but the track will come in useful for the ends of sidings. EDIT: 14th June: Order has been dispatched. Can't wait to review for you lovely lot

1.No - I've never bought a single one, not becuase they're not good, but becuase I have no "need" for them. 2. Definately individual. I'd sooner buy a set based on it's usefulness/uniquness than just becuase it completes buying a theme. 3. Buckingham Palace. 4. I'd like a non-powered train set for a change, like Emerald Night but more intune with the city range. 5. Make the train range more acceptable. Spare chassis kits like this one, individual locos, coaches and wagons available, but more to the point, make the train range available in shops. Apart from 2010's cargo train in John Lewis, I've never seen a train set in a non-lego shop.

Regarding the "Pam" figure, why didn't they use a yellow torso printed with red? Or at least use some side printing? It looks quite odd...

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