I've always been into the Technic theme and in that forum, but recently got the bug with Lego Trains. I have a questions before I put out the cash for either the 60051 Passenger and/or the 60052 Cargo sets.

#1 - Are both sets compatible as far as the track, car couplings? I see the cargo set has a lot more track which would help.

#2 - Can you run 2 trains consecutively on different tracks. What I mean is, and I used to be into non-Lego model HO scale trains, is using switches be able to run 2 locos at the same time. Obviously with the controller, it looks like they both would have to be going the same speed I'm guessing. Using a series of switches and different runs (all interconnected), I used to be able to run 2 different trains w/ the same controller with my model trains. Additionally, can you back trains down deadend switches for parking freight or passenger cars, and what I mean here is, does the track layout have to be totally connected rail to rail to complete the circuit?

#3 - Probably a dumb question here, but do the locos on both sets have working headlights? Being into Technic for so many years, I have tons of models that have LED light kits (item# 8870) I have either put on or came with a set. I am guessing each loco has a separate motor inside along with some sort of IR Receiver (also used on Technic for RC models). There's nothing like seeing a locomotive coming slowly down the track with its headlights piercing at you. I'd like to be able to turn the lights off in the room and be able to see this. It used to be light bricks with old Electric trains, now I'm guessing if their is headlights they are LED lights that somehow go back to a motor and battery box inside the locomotives (both passenger and freight for each respective set).

Thanks for any answers to my questions,

Eric

Hi Eric,

Both sets will come with enough track to make a loop, but the cargo train will come with more.

The power function controller can run up to 8 different trains at different speeds. There are 4 different frequencies with two dials.

Both sets are compatible with lights, but you will have to buy them separately. ~$7 USD

The tracks are plastic and the trains run on motors so any track layout you want will work... Even something as simple as a straight line.

Normally, you would put the lights on a different conrol knob so that you can power the light and motor separately.

Cheers

Jonathan

I do not think that you should get one of these new city trains. The passenger train has many problems such as its horrible nose mold and derailing back bogie. It has a dissapointing platform as well. The cargo train is not so bad but the truck is tiny and the locomotive has to many big parts,The whole set does. If you want a city train get the 7938 passenger train which is much better and comes with more pieces and has no big nose mold. There is also the 7939. It has a beautiful locomotive as well as a bigger truck that can fit large containers. You are better of with the older city sets.

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I wasn't crazy looking at the 60051 set as it was. Its pretty bare bones, however the cargo train is nice looking and like Scheuejp said I can see a lot of extra track. I will look into the 7938 and 39. I see the 4561 from 1999 I had possibly wanted from a Bricklink seller has sold, that figures, that one is an electric 9V system that has a transformer to plug into an outlet and a handheld speed control, being so much older, no PF back then, but it is a nice set.

One question about the 7938 and 39, as Scheuejp said, you have to manually put lights on the train rather than the light brick the 4561 set had in the loco. Are you talking about the PF #8870 LED light kit. Those are fairly common on Technic vehicles or can be added easily. Is that what you are talking of? Why would I need 1 control knob for the light. The kit has a 2x2 wired plate that snaps right onto a 2x2 input on the battery box, and given the room shouldn't it just come on with the battery box switch? Please be patient with me as I have no clue if Lego trains use the same PF standard elements (i.e.: motors, battery box, light kits, etc). I know the remote is entirely different than the smaller one used on RC Technic models.

Thanks for any further advice on how PF trains work, and I will look into the 7938 and 39 that Legoboy22 pointed out.

EDIT: I do see that the PF elements are totally different for trains as they are for Technic items, different batt box, motors that just power the wheels of the locos, and the remote (which I already knew about) after I checked inventory on Bricklink of the 7939 set. So, that being said, is there a way to add a light kit to the batt box which sits in the loco? I have a few #8870 light kits as said before.

Edited January 15, 201510 yr by DarkShadow73

The 60052 cargo train is outstanding. Chipping in for balance, because there are always people who think yesterday is better.

7939 is also outstanding, you wouldn't regret buying either or both. But I bought two 60052 sets on pre-christmas discount (thinking fewer arguments for my 2 kids, who actually in the end put them together in one big circuit and collaborated quite nicely, they are 3 and 5 so this was a bit surprising).

I considered buying two 7939 sets, but somehow, for the price it never seemed worth it. Good set though.

All the PF elements are on the same plugs and protocols. The PF lights fit some of the trains by default, others you'll have to be creative with some extra bricks. The train remote will also act as a variable (7 speed) controller for your technic PF models. The IR receiver is the same. You can also control trains with the bang-bang (two-stick) PF remote, but the resulting zero-top speed transition is...not good The AAA battery box is useful in some technic models too.

Edited January 15, 201510 yr by andythenorth

EDIT: I do see that the PF elements are totally different for trains as they are for Technic items, different batt box, motors that just power the wheels of the locos, and the remote (which I already knew about) after I checked inventory on Bricklink of the 7939 set. So, that being said, is there a way to add a light kit to the batt box which sits in the loco? I have a few #8870 light kits as said before.

You can piggyback the PF lights on the battery box, such that the lights turn on and off with the train. Putting them on the second input for the IR eeceiver allows you turn the lights off and on independent from the motor. Your choice.

I will pipe in to also recommend the current Cargo train, and the prior (red) passenger train. f

I have both of the cargo trains, and I much prefer the new one (60052). I extended mine so that it's longer, as it looked a bit short to me.

The passenger train has many problems such as its horrible nose mold and derailing back bogie

I've not had any problems with the derailing back bogie on the passenger train. Nose mold isn't ideal but looks OK running around a track!

Cargo train is pretty good (although is a bit shorter than ideal). Both good sets as a start to get you in to Lego trains (welcome to a lifetime of addiction ;) ) though you may find the build simplistic if you're from a Lego background! Maersk and Horizon Express worth getting a hold of for a more involved build.

Edited January 16, 201510 yr by BricksMcgee

I've not had any problems with the derailing back bogie on the passenger train. Nose mold isn't ideal but looks OK running around a track!

Cargo train is pretty good (although is a bit shorter than ideal). Both good sets as a start to get you in to Lego trains (welcome to a lifetime of addiction ;) ) though you may find the build simplistic if you're from a Lego background! Maersk and Horizon Express worth getting a hold of for a more involved build.

I completely agree with BricksMcgee, especially about the addiction part. I have both 60051 and 60052 and have not had any problems. I also have the Horizon Express and 7939. Just enjoy them, you really can't go wrong.

The passenger train has many problems such as its horrible nose mold and derailing back bogie.

Bah. The nose mold is a personal preference. Aesthetically it looks great, it's just not a brick-build like some might want.

As for the derailing back bogie, that is a SIMPLE fix. Replace the two 1x3 tiles with a single round 2x2 tile. Problem solved. (One of the youtube reviews on the set demonstrates).

I bought 60052, built it, and ended up parting it into a passenger train.

I received 60051 as a Christmas present from my wife. While the playability is reduced given the small loop you get and the tiny platform, it has potential to be added on to. I have had no issues with the train derailing (unless you count my wife running another train into it

I'm not as big of a fan of 7939 as everyone else, at least when it comes to the engine. I think it's quite ugly and that the engine in 60052 is much better looking. The cargo in 7939 is top notch though.

60052 is a great set. I'm just waiting for toys r us to do one of their "buy-one-get-one-50%-off" deals.

Bah. The nose mold is a personal preference. Aesthetically it looks great, it's just not a brick-build like some might want.

As for the derailing back bogie, that is a SIMPLE fix. Replace the two 1x3 tiles with a single round 2x2 tile. Problem solved. (One of the youtube reviews on the set demonstrates).

Yes but for kids who want it working straight out of the box it might be disappointing. I personally like brick built because it makes Lego look like playmobil, but it is not that bad in looks. Everyone has their own opinions.

I'm not as big of a fan of 7939 as everyone else, at least when it comes to the engine. I think it's quite ugly and that the engine in 60052 is much better looking. The cargo in 7939 is top notch though.

If you live in the U.S. you will see less of these types of trains. 60052 is modeled after american cargo trains. Cargo trains like 7939 are more common in Europe so you might not be used to it. I certainly agree that the cargo is great. :)

Both sets are compatible with lights, but you will have to buy them separately. ~$7 USD

Is the 60052 also compatible with the power function LEDs?

I've installed them in my 60051, it looks great. Beautiful head lights and the there is some light spread in the cabin so you can clearly see the driver behind the windscreen.

However, I don't see how to install them in the 60052 without modding parts...

Is the 60052 also compatible with the power function LEDs?

I've installed them in my 60051, it looks great. Beautiful head lights and the there is some light spread in the cabin so you can clearly see the driver behind the windscreen.

However, I don't see how to install them in the 60052 without modding parts...

You would have to make some MOD for the PF LEDs. I added them for ditch lights on mine. You basically have to MOD the nose and front floor to make a gap for the wires to feed through.

60052 Cargo Train MOD by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

There's a similar thread at the moment. If you want to start building your own trains then the current freight train is a good starter parts pack.

You don't have to use the train motor to power a train. Many steam and other engines have been created that use the M, L and XL motors. Have a look at the models in the Flickr LEGO Train MOCs and LEGO Train ideas groups for inspiration.

Any City train is good to start. Super set are even better : more tracks, two points and a station. If you want a decent layout, you will have to buy a lot of tracks and a few points. Finally, you will discover that you will add so much than the first set can be any train... So, buy the train you like, not the one people tells you to buy. Yours trains, your fun.

The coupling work for all Lego train. Each IR receptor an handle 2 functions. One is of course train engine and you can use the second one for lights. Technic LED work fine withe Lego train. Sometimes, it's very easy to add them, and other times not.

I do not think that you should get one of these new city trains. The passenger train has many problems such as its horrible nose mold and derailing back bogie. It has a dissapointing platform as well. The cargo train is not so bad but the truck is tiny and the locomotive has to many big parts,The whole set does. If you want a city train get the 7938 passenger train which is much better and comes with more pieces and has no big nose mold. There is also the 7939. It has a beautiful locomotive as well as a bigger truck that can fit large containers. You are better of with the older city sets.

I got two 60051, none of them have ever derail for this *issue*. And if it happens, it's just about removing two 3x1 tiles. Very hard fix ! Now about platform, any train with a long nose will hurt a platform placed outside near a curve due to cantilevered.

Edited January 19, 201510 yr by Exa

I'm new to this forum and Lego trains but talk about addictive! The guy in the big red suit brought the Cargo Train (60052) to my son. He (we) love it! I think the engine unit is class and the cargo rolling stock are not bad. But I would have like the older (bigger) Octan units and maybe a box car. But it's its a good set for playability. A few days after Christmas we bought the passenger train (60051) and some flexible track. Then we came across how to make a X section on youtube and the fun really began.

For now my biggest issues are:

1) At the moment there just aren't enough sets currently available. Horizon Exp and Maersk are no longer available.

2) It's hard to get more track. Especially straight pieces.

Welcome to the addicts forum ;)

I built a box car just a week ago. It's quite easy.

Have you discovered bricklink yet?

Order some wheels, bogie plate, and couplers, then you the lego you have and build what his and your mind desires :)

Welcome to the addicts forum ;)

I built a box car just a week ago. It's quite easy.

Have you discovered bricklink yet?

Order some wheels, bogie plate, and couplers, then you the lego you have and build what his and your mind desires :)

Thanks! Yes I've discovered bricklink and I've already sprung for a Maersk and a Horizon Express! Wont be long now till the divorce papers arrive!

Build your own stuff with Bricklink parts. It's fun to make nice designs that fit with the style of the Lego boxed sets and are playable for kids. Box vans especially are an easy build.

https://www.flickr.c...57644406618728/

https://www.flickr.c...57624931837766/

https://www.flickr.c...57624815865731/

I did a step-by-step on these tanker wagons. They're not the cheapest on parts, but look good. https://www.flickr.c...57624453772117/

I also find Das Steinkopf's stuff very inspiring: https://www.flickr.c...david_stannard/

Edited January 20, 201510 yr by andythenorth

I love your tanker wagons. Thanks for the pictures and the link to Davids stuff as well. Yes creativity is the way to go. Ordinarily I wouldn't buy trains as quickly as this but with the way the prices of these sets are going I thought it best to just get them. I wont actually open the Maersk or H.E. until I see if our interest is sustained.