pinioncorp

Set Name: Passenger Train Set Number: 7938 Year: 2010 Pieces: 658 Minifigs: 3 Price: EUR 120 USD 130 DDK 950 AUD 230 NZD 300 Peeron | Brickset | Bricklink | Lego S@H Seems no one else wants to do a review of this, so I'll give it a shot. My first review, so any pointers on the review are welcome. According to the Lego Website: After the disaster that was the RC train system, The Lego Group (hereon "TLG") has consolidated the Trains line to use Power Functions (PF). It seems like they'll be sticking with this system for a while, so I hope they've done their research. Comes in the oversized box TLG loves to do. It's to make sure it gets the most shelf space instore it can, but it makes carrying and storing it troublesome. Pretty standard for a train box, with a glory shot of the train, and an illustration to point out its size on the side. Power Functions inclusions are displayed to the right. Also includes a layout of the track included. Back of the box has the now standard minifig in the corner shouting for attention, as if to say "I'm slightly slow!" Lots of smaller boxes show the features of the train, its control system, and a quick plug for the other train related products on sale. Inside is six numbered bags, one bag of the flexi track (more on that later), four bundles of four curved track, three train bases, one cardboard box, four crushed instruction manuals and an also crushed sticker sheet. The four instruction manuals are for each carriage of the consist plus one for the platform and signal. The track included is one circle of track plus 16 flexi track pieces. Personally, I hate the flexi track. It’s too bumpy to be useful. Why there wasn't straight track included instead is beyond me, seeing it needs to be straight to attach the platform. The sticker sheet. A few large and small train logos, a map for the platform and Lego City displays for the front of the locos. The sheet is left loose inside the box, getting it crushed with all the movement of the parts on top. They really need to fix that. In this review I will not be applying the stickers. Inside the cardboard box is the power functions items, along with the wheels for the motor and the couplers. Also loose inside the box is the three white train bases measuring 6 × 24. They have the new large holes in the centre. Inside polybag one: Nothing unusual here really. Interesting idea for a rubbish bin though. Two minifigs are in this bag: Both have double sided printed torsos – looks like they’re going on holidays. Interesting that the female fig only has her handbag while the male has a suitcase. Where are all her clothes? Oooh, makes sense now. Construction of the platform is very simple. While simple, it does its job of holding impatient minifigs waiting for a train. Mind you, it is a fair way away from the track and not the right height. Poor ol' Hawaiian shirt guy will have to jump. The steps are also too steep for my liking, ⅔ per step is my preferred. Also included is this nice little signal. It can't be animated without mutilating the parts but it looks nice. Now, onto the locomotive. As with all electronic devices, a whole host of warnings are in the first spread of the instructions, as well as steps on installing the 9 AAA batteries required to get the train to move. Interesting to note the way the train is constructed: First the body, then both the undercarriage and the roof is added. They are separated into numbered bags. Parts listing for bag number two. We have our third minifig, a train driver. One thing that irritates is the different coloured glass in the frame. A 3 high panel in transparent black would have been better. Some nice red ladders here too. The one printed part is the drivers controls, on a black 45° slope. Minifig we get is the train driver. Generic looking guy really. I'm a fan of the two dots and smile faces, they didn't require a separate face for everyone. I've grown tired of seeing this one's face already. Comes with a dark red hat, no back printing on the torso. Random instructions shot. No piece callouts, but the piece count is very small and they really only place one part type at a time. It's hard to miss a step. Finished the build from the first bag. Again, very simple build. Note the black panels to hide the internal components. I'm not sure what the red ladders are supposed to be. Small shelves? Please, enlighten me in a reply. Parts from bag three: used to finish the roof and undercarriage of the loco. Also uses the power functions items (not pictured). Nice big window. The locomotive front piece is unique too. The cog will come into play as a power button. The battery box requires six AAA batteries. I needed a pair of pliers to grip the screwdriver, the screws were very tight. Batteries are from Bunnings (my local hardware store). They're cheap, but you can put in some rechargeable AAAs and make yourself an easy rechargeable battery box. Don’t forget to put 3 AAAs into the controller while you’re at it. The finished Loco. The little technic stalk sticking out acts as the power button. It doesn't work as well as the Cargo train button, and it’s harder to tell if it is on or not, but the roof parts leave little choice. The wires are a bit of a squeeze as well. I do not like the black panels. It's as if it is supposed to be another fully fledged passenger car, but then its not. I would have preferred a diesel style loco with two identical passenger cars, like 7740. One of the cons of the PF system is that a commuter train like this cannot exist as there needs to be a lot of space used for batteries and the receiver. I don't like the transition to the curved roof either. The front is rather square head on, the curvature doesn't fit. A coupler on the front would be nice too. I do like the fact that it is approximately the same length as the passenger car. The lack of doors is also a disappointment. Here, Mr. Traindriver needs to clamber in from the front. Parts bag four is for the passenger car. Similar list of items here. The only printed part is a round tile with a grill pattern on it. The passenger car looks really nice. Simple but stylish. Has an aisle down one side. The ends are a bit small for a minifig to pass through however. The minifigs like it, but how do they get in? Well of course. By crane. Just watch your step, there's a hole in the floor. Polybag number five is very similar to number two. It's used to make the second car. Real windows replace the black panels from the loco though, as well as some more tables and chairs. The assembled bricks looks strikingly similar to the first carriage, except with chairs and tables. Bag six finished the wheels and roof of the second car. Note the rounded brick to emulate the look of the IR receiver. Without a motor on this car, we make a brick built bogie. The finished carriage. This time with red tail lamps. It looks so nice to be able to see inside at that interior. This is how it would have been for both front and back carriages had 9V continued, as then there would be no need for a battery pack. Again, there is a driver’s compartment. The Driving and tail cars look very different due to their windows. The completed train. The distance between the cars is just perfect - one stud. Looks about in proportion with the Cargo train - same height, except that the tiles along the top make the passenger car a little taller. With the Emerald Night. Brick built looks so much better. May have looked better with grey wheel sets though. Spare parts. Mmm, cheese. Is it better than the 4558 Metroliner (aka Everyone's favourite Lego train)? Um, no. But definitely one of the best in a while. Power functions will definitely change the game. It certainly stifles the creativity of the locomotive - no more storage space inside the loco, but we'll have to get used to it. The motor is very powerful and is helped along by the rubber o-rings on the wheels for grip, but it does have the weight of the battery pack to carry. So my verdict? Parts: Very basic pieces. But to me that's a good thing - allows you to do more with it. I like the fact that the front is brick built – it’s not perfect but it’s a great start at what brick built can achieve. Lots of nice big trans-black panels too. 8 / 10 Build: Very simple here too. But it is for children so it does what it needs to. 8 / 10 Price: Its expensive, yes. Not as cheap as we were hoping for with PF. But a good way to start your train collection with some PF parts. Some straight track would have helped here though. 7 / 10 Design: Love it. Simple and very smart. Would not be dissimilar to anything around the world, so appeals to many. 9 / 10 Playability: A little shorter than it could be. Some more minifigs would have been nice. If you've got the money for the upgrade, get the Cargo Train instead, comes with more things to do. But this does go very well with the train station. Also pairs with the Hobby train in colours, so it'd be a good way to add to it. 7 / 10 Total: A great little pack. If you can get it discounted, you won't regret it. 8 / 10.

Love it. Looks very nice in your colour combination, and definitely like that it is an enclosed model, making it fit with both the play sets and the larger modulars. My only comment would be to maybe add a couple of drainpipes down the side to hide the hinge block that sticks out.

I have to agree, the screwdriver alone wasn't enough for me. Had to get a pair of pliers to firmly hold the screwdriver while I twisted the battery box. They really needn't be that tight. Maybe its a way to tell the kids that they need adult help?

Personally I think TLG has quite a few smaller sets, however their larger sets are becoming too modular, ie. they are a collection of smaller sets instead of a larger item. It may come down to that sets now are seperated into numbered bags, stifling the options. The artificial limit on yearly releases really puts a dampen on the risk they can take with their sets.

Personally a bit disappointed in the gate. It has two large 1 × 8 tiles (with stickers no less, yuck!) where a series of 2 × 1 tiles in red and white would have looked far better. Should still have been sturdy enough.

I don't understand why they don't add rolling stock to the station or level crossing set. They instead include vehicles I really have no need for. It makes perfect sense: If you're buying a level crossing or station then you already have a train, why not add to that? A carriage included with the passenger station would be great. I have no need for more track maintenence vehicles, I need more carriages!

Forgive me, I was not out to advertise, but rather continue the discussion. I don't own the store, I have no affiliation to the store or its owner in any way. Any similarity in my name is coincidence only. However I did buy 3 of said carriages from that store. They're $60 USD each, which is expensive, but living in Australia, it was ~40% of the purchase price here. Seeing people searching for these items, I thought it would be helpful to inform them that they are available, and at less than £50. This store has them too: Bricklink - Louis' Land of Loot I too, was irritated that it only came with one car, its such a large locomotive, it looks out of proportion to the load that is supplied. I understand that TLG needs to keep its costs down and not overcomplicate its catalogue, but I wanted something nice to sit on the shelf. The theory is that some of the parts for the car can only be sourced from that one set, namely the tan windows. The roof is also hard to aquire, so the most straightforward way to get more is to buy them as the whole carriage.

Bricklink - Pinball Surplus Expensive, yes, but worth it all the same. Saves you the hassle of selling your excess parts.

Amazing model, really makes you appreciate how big they really are, even in minifig scale! Loved what was happening behind the curtain too ;)