Help Needed to upgrade 4.5V Train to RC

[unimog]

I have an old 7720 set. It has been laying in the box for about 20 years. As it is still valuable for me I want to upgrade it and use it with my Lego city items.

I do not have a city layout, so if played the tracks will be laid temporarily. I do not expect long run-hours until my kid grows enough to play with lego. Also with RC I can still use my old tracks as is.

Now the question;

- What do I need to upgrade my train set ? Would the following items be enough ?

RC Engine Assembly

Remote control

Battery Box

Wire from battery box to engine

I did not see any Lego remote controller receiver units is it built in the Engine ?

Thanks in advance,

[JopieK]

Well, RC is not a good choice. You should have a look at Power Functions instead. RC was a prototype that mistakingly made it to the market I guess.

[AussieJimbo]

Hi unimog,

No, you don't have a solution with just those parts.

The RC system (as opposed to Power Functions) relies on an integrated battery pack and IR receivers in a long train base. The battery box you've shown has no IR receiver.

With RC you have to integrate this locomotive base piece somehow; as the locomotive, as a motorised tender or wagon that pushes the unpowered loco, or as an undriven a battery/control trailer with wires running to a motorized loco in front.

I reckon you would be better off going for a Power Functions mod.

:classic:

[JopieK]

Yups so search at LEGO.com for Power Functions or buy the items at bricklink

You need a PF remote 8879 and receiver 8884

A battery solution for that with a cable 8886 if using the RC motor 8866

(or the AAA box and/or the motor from sets 7939 or 7938)

Sincerly Johan

[AussieJimbo]

Well, RC is not a good choice. You should have a look at Power Functions instead. RC was a prototype that mistakingly made it to the market I guess.

Snap.

Interesting what you say about it being a prototype, perhaps it was a precursor technology to power functions that otherwise wouldn't have got a commercial release.

Maybe this was a case of Train providing a platform to help Lego recoup some of their R&D. ;-)

I started with RC, have a mix of RC and PF and enjoy them both. RC has it's pros and cons, the most significant con being as outlined above.

A positive is the extra loco weight of the 6 x AA batteries compared to the AAAs of the power functions sets.

The child side of me also likes the horn in the controller. I've got a few with slightly different tones that sound even better all at once. :-D

:classic:

Edited December 23, 2010 by AussieJimbo

[unimog]

Thanks for the replies. Best way seems to go on with power functions using the buy-list from Johan.