Hey Joe

Well, I've certainly poked and prodded a lot in my day, and struggled with batteries as well, but never had issues with Lego battery boxes like that. I'm always very careful when I take the batteries out of the case (with a small screwdriver) as I don't want to damage anything. If it's not going to work maybe it's time for either a new battery box and/or batteries? I know what we're discussing here is small, but perhaps photos would help us help you? Joe

I've been using Eneloops in my trains for a couple months now, and have been very happy with them. Maybe the charger is your problem? I got an awesome one from a company named 'La Crosse' off Amazon for less than $30. It's a huge step up from the basic chargers I've had. I'd never ever use another charger again, it's that good. Joe

Hey, NICE blue engine! Probably as close to Mopac livery as Lego'll ever get. The white one? It looks better than the previous white ones IMO, but I'm glad I picked up two of the current red one. Joe

A Lego exec said in an interview that initially they were hoping to bring 'real' ABS into China to make the CMFs, but they weren't allowed to, so they had to settle for local stuff. Interestingly; Lego says that the bricks made in their new Chinese factory will be the same quality as other plants, so I guess they've worked out how to get the good ABS in China? Joe

Hey, thanks so much for sharing that with us. Love the 'Pig Snout'. Lord Business has to wait in line? No wonder he looks pissed off. Joe

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning“ Lt. Colonel Bill Kilgore I lived in China for a long time, and bought a number of pretty smelly locally-made sets while there. The absolute worst is unforgettable; the forklift tires in Enlighten's train boxcar. They still reek. The CMFs couldn't be that bad, could they? Joe

Hi Mike; sorry for the confusion. The children's book merely depicts some sets that have already been put out in years past. Joe

The sets in the “All Aboard“ book are; 7898, 7936, 37, 38 & 39 Brickset train page: www.brickset.com/browse/themes/?theme=City&subtheme=Trains Joe

Thanks so much to all the entrants. 'A' for effort all around! 4. majorna - 1 27. Galatek - 1 29. sdrnet - 1 46. laka - 1 48. rodiziorobs - 1

Hey, looks great! I especially like those large storage bricks doubling as what must be a station. Joe

There's a Scholastic Lego book titled “All Aboard“ that I bought to read to my young son. It's very true to the sets we have gotten recently (yellow cargo and red passenger trains, station and crossing gate with yellow 'tractor'). It has a boxcar carrying horses, and a flat car with logs in it. Could be a spoiler? On a related note; children's books are great inspiration for sets. I'm sure the Lego designers have a nice library to browse in Billund. Joe

Many thanks for sharing with us, it's a beauty. That's a shame that none of the engines were saved. Joe

Hey, I really like that a lot. It doesn't look cluttered to me. It's great to see those sets combined into an excellent MOC. Joe

Hey, thanks for sharing. Awesome tankers! Joe

Amazon (not a third party) had some good sales on both the yellow cargo and red passenger trains in the months leading up to Xmas. The yellow one went as low as US$ 150 and I think I paid $100 for the red one. It's really hard to say if we'll see those prices again on those sets. Brickset.com has a handy page that lists sets on sale at Amazon. If you check it on a regular basis it will help you get some worthwhile discounts. Joe

This thread has reminded me that I'd been hoping for a train-related offering in the Lego Movie line. We get a 2,000+ piece floating cow, but no train Oh well, there's always the possibility of a second wave. Benny's Flying Taco Stand / subway car 2-in-1 anyone? Joe

I also have a very strong hunch that we'll get a WV station sometime soon. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Hey, you may very well be on to something there! They are doing cargo in City this year. That would be awesome as the cargo truck I bought has nowhere to go! Joe

Hey, thanks again for the great review. This is a very cool set IMO, and if I could only buy one from the movie line it would be this one. I'm thinking of leaving on the layout in the chomping version. Joe

Thanks and Happy New Year! Hope everyone gets all the sets that they want (need is a different story) this year. Peace on earth would be nice too. It's only 9.15pm in the U.S. Midwest presently. Joe

Hey, very cool! Thanks for the heads up. 400-some odd pieces for the station is a disappointment. I was really hoping for some big 3,000 piece modular-type deal. Well, I've been threatening to replicate my hometown's station, so I guess this is my opportunity. Joe

Hey thanks! Awesome car! Joe

Hey, great review, thanks! The plane looks fun to play with, and that van is a keeper! $30 is a tad high, but maybe it'll go on sale sometime. Joe

Hey, thanks for the review. What a bizarre set! I'm a little flabbergasted, and suspect you are as well? Joe

Hey, nice review, thanks! $50? Ouch! Joe

Thanks for the great review! Nice set, dunno if I need another camper though. Joe