4841 Hogwarts Express Train Discussion

[Locutis]

I like this train and the set in general (not a Harry Potter fan, though). However, how many kids will be upset on Christmas morning when they open up this set to find that there are NO TRACKS inside?

The biggest problem is that these are being sold at Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R Us. These are places that either aren't allowed to, or just don't carry track. The box for this set doesn't clearly advise the purchaser that track is required. Lego should have done one of:

- include a simple oval track inside, even if it meant raising the price $20

- offer to sell track to customers wherever this set is sold

- clearly marked on the box that no track is included, and that if you want some you need to go online to order

I shudder whenever I see parents buying this set in the store, and I feel so sorry for them, and their kids.

[MojoLego]

I shudder whenever I see parents buying this set in the store, and I feel so sorry for them, and their kids.

On another thread (how should track be sold) I've been remarking that Lego needs to make the train buying experience simpler for parents. The web site should, for example, include a single-click option for buying an oval of track. Similarly, there needs to be a one click option for buying all of the parts to motorize. Lego does not need to come up with a dedicated oval or motorization set, just do the leg work for all those parents that don't have time to figure out how to get all the right parts.

What many people may not realize is just how many Lego trains are being sold. Of all the Toys and Games on Amazon, Hogwarts Express was #152 today, and #12 among building sets. It is the Harry Potter effect, but Amazon is selling more trains right now than Lego police stations. The Western Train Chase, by the way, is at #427 in Toys and Games and #47 in building sets. I really don't expect Target and TRU to carry all the track and motor options, so it is important that parents be able to quickly find what they need from Lego.com.

[Locutis]

On another thread (how should track be sold) I've been remarking that Lego needs to make the train buying experience simpler for parents. The web site should, for example, include a single-click option for buying an oval of track. Similarly, there needs to be a one click option for buying all of the parts to motorize. Lego does not need to come up with a dedicated oval or motorization set, just do the leg work for all those parents that don't have time to figure out how to get all the right parts.

What many people may not realize is just how many Lego trains are being sold. Of all the Toys and Games on Amazon, Hogwarts Express was #152 today, and #12 among building sets. It is the Harry Potter effect, but Amazon is selling more trains right now than Lego police stations. The Western Train Chase, by the way, is at #427 in Toys and Games and #47 in building sets. I really don't expect Target and TRU to carry all the track and motor options, so it is important that parents be able to quickly find what they need from Lego.com.

Many people I meet and talk to in the store when they are buying Lego don't even know about ordering from Lego.com. Obviously this is the reason they go to ToysRUs to buy their Lego for Christmas, they don't realize you can actually order it from Lego for less and get it with 1 less tax that way. The big problem is the box doesn't say it doesn't come with tracks, and they don't offer any tracks for sale in the stores. What train set that you buy DOESN'T come with any tracks? I know it's bad to assume, so I'll use the other word, but parents obviously presume that tracks come in the box. Everytime I mention to someone that it doesn't come with any tracks, they are like "oh, really, oh that's no good, where do I get tracks...". Like I said, all of these kids will be sad on Christmas morning, and really it's all Lego's fault.

[Chromeknight]

What train set that you buy DOESN'T come with any tracks? I know it's bad to assume, so I'll use the other word, but parents obviously presume that tracks come in the box. Everytime I mention to someone that it doesn't come with any tracks, they are like "oh, really, oh that's no good, where do I get tracks...". Like I said, all of these kids will be sad on Christmas morning, and really it's all Lego's fault.

I understand where you're coming from, but I think you over represent the size of the problem and (like the adults you speak to) want to play with trains 'properly'. Watching nephews of mine, with assorted Chuggington, Thomas, Brio and other trains they couldn't care less about the tracks, even when included.For them a train is just a differently shaped car and can go anywhere.

Just like LEGO doesn't include a road baseplate in every set that is a car or truck, they rightly figure that that's not how kids play with these, especially the licensed trains that are more about playing an telling stories than racing around slot-car style.If you're still dubious, go back and watch the intro sequence to Toy Story3, where the western train comes from. Sure the train is there, but... where's the track?I bet you didn't even notice its not there.Also, look at the designs and instructions for 4841 and 7597, neither includes places for battery boxes or receivers or wires, although a motor clips on easy enough to the hogwarts engine base, the same is not true with the Toy Story train. And you'd be surprised how many people only follow the instructions (my sister in law calls them rules!) and couldn't modify the train without detailed instructions. LEGO doesn't expect kids to want motors or track for these sets. Hence not marking the boxes as if something is missing, which isn't needed anyway.

That said, I'm with you, LEGO could benefit from making accessories like motors and track easier to purchase, (<grumble/>especially in countries other than US/EU<grumble/>). I suspect this thread is merging with the thread about how LEGO packages tracks, which has been an issue since 9v. Surprisingly I never had in issue with 12v track availability.

[Locutis]

I understand where you're coming from, but I think you over represent the size of the problem and (like the adults you speak to) want to play with trains 'properly'. Watching nephews of mine, with assorted Chuggington, Thomas, Brio and other trains they couldn't care less about the tracks, even when included.For them a train is just a differently shaped car and can go anywhere.

Just like LEGO doesn't include a road baseplate in every set that is a car or truck, they rightly figure that that's not how kids play with these, especially the licensed trains that are more about playing an telling stories than racing around slot-car style.If you're still dubious, go back and watch the intro sequence to Toy Story3, where the western train comes from. Sure the train is there, but... where's the track?I bet you didn't even notice its not there.Also, look at the designs and instructions for 4841 and 7597, neither includes places for battery boxes or receivers or wires, although a motor clips on easy enough to the hogwarts engine base, the same is not true with the Toy Story train. And you'd be surprised how many people only follow the instructions (my sister in law calls them rules!) and couldn't modify the train without detailed instructions. LEGO doesn't expect kids to want motors or track for these sets. Hence not marking the boxes as if something is missing, which isn't needed anyway.

That said, I'm with you, LEGO could benefit from making accessories like motors and track easier to purchase, (<grumble/>especially in countries other than US/EU<grumble/>). I suspect this thread is merging with the thread about how LEGO packages tracks, which has been an issue since 9v. Surprisingly I never had in issue with 12v track availability.

Okay, I see your point. Like you said, though, they should make it easier to order tracks. My son hasn't opened his yet (it's for Christmas), so I don't know if inside there's something from Lego mentioning the track options and how to order track. Is there a flyer inside the box?