Getting the location of the theme 'Right'

[stu808]

I'm trying to think of a general theme for the train set, I have so far set 7722 and awaiting on set 7939. With both of these trains being the of cargo/frieght types, the theme is going to be a industrial nature. But I'm bit wary of the location.

So correct me if I'm wrong here in my thinking, those trains and rolling stock are more European in style/design rather then American? And if I'm bold enough, the colouring of the 7722 loco puts it in Germany....

Stu

Sorry! Just scored and own goal here

I've just spotted that the 7722 loco has 'DB' stickers on it...

...that just leaves the 7939.

Stu

[Spitfire2865]

Yes. Most Lego trains are of a European design. An exception is the maersk(sp?), the Super Chief, BNSF and I think one more I can't pinpoint. But most train mocs span a global scheme of railroading. Very popular I've seen are American locomotives, followed by German, and then UK, and then misc. though I'm not saying American locos are more popular, it's just what I see the most.

[DaveBey]

I'd venture a guess the majority, if not all, of the 4.5V/12V trains are European in style. Any electric train/locomotive is also European in style.

The steam locomotives in the 'My Own Train' line from 2001-2002 are ambiguous in styling and could easily be either American or European.

As Spitfire2865 mentioned, the American-styled LEGO train sets include:

4549: Road N'Rail Hauler

10020: Santa Fe Super Chief

10022: Santa Fe Cars - Set II

10025: Santa Fe Cars - Set I

10133: Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Locomotive

10170: TTX Intermodal Double-Stack Car

10219: Maersk Train

I'll also include 4558/10001: Metro Liner as the styling may be European but the colors are decidedly Amtrak.

The great thing about rolling stock is its international nature. Hopefully this helps you with your plans for your layout.

Cheers from Claremore, Oklahoma USA!

Dave

[Spitfire2865]

If youre going for a layout, you always could moc everything and make it wherever you want. Or just not care and run anything. All up to your preference.

[xboxtravis7992]

Well if you wanted to go for an American look I will shamelessly self promote this Bricklist I made a while back, http://www.brickset.com/brickLists/?8482 .

If you want to go European choose basically the train sets not on that list!

Also remember some sets can double for multiple locations, for example The Emerald Night is based of the British Flying Scotsman train, however the headlight arrangement and snowplow/cowcatcher make the train resemble when the Flying Scotsman visited the U.S. in the 1970's. Not to mention the Flying Scotsman has also visited Austraila in its long career. That means the Emerald Night can be used in no less than THREE countries!

[stu808]

Cool thanks for answers, it makes sense now.

The other thought of consideration came to me the other day; the question of scale...

From what I've seen there are two options, going actual scale; meaning that the trains, buildings, etc are exact as the available bricks allow it. Or Minifigure scale; as-in the trains, buildings, etc look close enough but designed around the Lego figures (like the current City sets).

I'm going MF.

Stu

[zephyr1934]

After you build a few moc's you'll settle in to the scale that works for you. As you experiment you might want to deliberately wander beyond your comfort zone and try something that is a little beyond your tastes to see if there are elements to the experiment that you find you like. I've built dozens of passenger cars to the scale of the super chief cars (32 studs long), more recently I've tried 52 studs long, but I am settling towards 42 studs as a balance between operating on lego curves and looking good to my eye.