Diesel Dilemma

[kyphur]

I have all three. I voted for the Super Chief.

I agree wholeheartedly on all points.

[Freddie]

Being the lucky owner of them all, my vote goes for the Maersk. The prime reason being the level of detail it has, compared to the others - it is an unfair advantage it has yes, the others being far older and showing their age. That, and better proportions.

[Duq]

It has to be the Maersk for me. The Santa Fe was an amazing set when it was released, but the shape never really did it for me.

The Maersk engine is an evolution of the BNSF and wins hands down. The proportions look better (though still way too small for a minifig), the colour scheme is more interesting (not because it's Maersk blue; any light blue would do) and it's got more details.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I don't own the diesel Super Chef Santa FE but I've just voted this train!

I own the amazing BNSF and I've just bought the new (beautiful) Maersk train, but the Super Chef Santa FE is an american icon like Coca-Cola!

The Super Chef is a symbol for the 9 volts era as the 7740 train set is "THE TRAIN" for all 12 volts lovers!

Maersk train is produced after years of beautiful MOC and innovative superb building technique: I love my Maersk locomotive but this model is very similar to the BNSF or the model n. 4 and n. 12 of the Hobby Train set.

[WesternOutlaw]

...but the Super Chef Santa FE is an american icon like Coca-Cola!

The Super Chef is a symbol for the 9 volts era as the 7740 train set is "THE TRAIN" for all 12 volts lovers!

Ya buddy! Well said LT12V. I tend to agree. Believe it or not, it's also the most "playable" engine. There's actually an interior with a roof that lifts completely off; not just a small section.

I do enjoy seeing that the Chief and the BNSF have numerous votes giving the Blue Maersk a run for its money.

[Churchill]

And why can't you?

Time, and resources...

[WesternOutlaw]

Almost forgot to share an image of some of these beauties I've place on wall shelves:

[Churchill]

Almost forgot to share an image of some of these beauties I've place on wall shelves:

That's a great way to display those. I might have to think about that, since I don't have room for a permanent layout.

[WesternOutlaw]

I'm getting off topic, but I took down my Train Table today - gets dusty and makes the room tight. I did leave the wall shelves and have a few more trains on book shelves. I like highlighting my favorites, like these three fine diesel engines on the wall.

[Piranha]

why no stickers? want to sell some to me?

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

why no stickers? want to sell some to me?

Acute observer Macoco! Where are the stickers?

[WesternOutlaw]

I don't like using stickers - but I've got them.

Now back on topic...

[Pingles]

I don't like using stickers - but I've got them.

Now back on topic...

Same boat. Just can't bring myself to muddy up the beautiful Legos with stickers. Stickers archived but no interest in using them.

I am re-doing my Office and you've inspired me with your shelf design. Although I will have to add bumpers because it's earthquake country here. :)

[domboy]

To continue this thread and poll...

I don't really care for the look of the locomotive the 10020 Santa Fe Super Chief is modeled after... maybe it's before my time, not sure (though I love steam engines so that probably isn't the case), so it's an easy elimination leaving the two more modern diesels in the running. Probably for the best as I can't afford it anyway (as in a complete train). However, looking over the building instructions it is a nice model. I like that the prime-mover is included as part of the model, and due to the nature of the 9V system it doesn't get get removed when the model is powered unlike the Maersk engine.

10219 Maersk Train is what convinced me to take the plunge into Lego trains, so it will always be high on my list of favorite sets. Very nicely detailed and interesting build, more so than the either of the other two. This is the engine type I see hauling freight on the line that goes by near my house, so I probably partial to it for that reason. The only downside is the lack of a powered headlight option like the other two have. But all in all a great set!

But my vote has to go to 10133 Burlington Northern Santa Fe. I wasn't planning on getting any 9V trains, but I accidentally got smitten with the Orange and Dark Green color scheme. Love it! Makes the other two look bland in comparison (from a color scheme perspective only). I've managed to piece together via Bricklink a complete copy (except for the gray 9V motor decorative side pieces), so that probably makes it more special due to the effort required to obtain it - I've discovered that trains seem to be the worst when it comes to rare and exclusive pieces! Anyway, after building both I think it's still a interesting build, just not to the level of the Maersk.

Edited July 15, 2011 by domboy

[LEGO Guy Bri]

From these three, I rank Maersk 1st, BNSF 2nd, and SFSC 3rd. It is very close for all but, I compared based on the look as well as the personal potential for each of the engines. I was fortunate enough to acquire each. Unfortunately I was a bit late for getting enough cars for the SFSC to make it a more realistically, complete, train. Having only two cars I had removed its 9V for my larger freight trains. Rightfully so, as freight seems to be the biggest subtheme or sub-subtheme of Lego city from classic to modern in number of related sets, IMO. I chose the Maersk as 1st for it's larger more detailed build. I love having a Lego engine even though the BNSF didn't.

[Toastie]

From these three, I rank Maersk 1st, BNSF 2nd, and SFSC 3rd. It is very close for all but, I compared based on the look as well as the personal potential for each of the engines.

Hi LGG,

I pretty much go along with your ranking, see above.

But what if you'd include the time of build? Would that change anything? The Maersk train had the chance of incorporating all the myriads of ingenious ideas before it was released. Both form TLC folks and from the free world.

As you, I was as fortunate to get hold of all of them, even at the time the were released. My heart was really pounding though when opening the box of the SFSC. And the BNSF, it wasn't that much time in between. I was thrilled. Back then, it seemed so radically different - for me. Colors, extension of train base plates, and what not.

The Maersk is way cool. But there were many more pieces at hand ... I guess I am just getting too old.

Best regards,

Thorsten

[22kane]

Lego has never been a prototypical design company when it comes to their trains. Most of their engines are based on actual designs but fall short on some serious details. Don't get me wrong, I love Lego trains and they just get better and better as the years roll by. It can be difficult to get certain details with legos but the newer designs are quite astonishing.

The Santa Fe loco is based on an EMD FT. The BNSF is based on an EMD GP-38 and the Maersk is based on an EMD SD40 perhaps a -2 series but it's missing two axles. Comparatively the Maesrk blows the others away with overall detail and scale size. I wasn't too happy about the road name at first but it grew on me. I plan on getting a fleet together of the Maersk loco's and maybe changing the road names on a couple. If Lego were to revisit the Santa Fe and reconstruct it plus make it larger I would definitely change my mind. Hopefully with the growing popularity of the Lego trains we may just see that happen. I appreciate the sets but the loco's are generally based on European models. American railroading has many more options and in my opinion better designs. I'd really like to see Lego push out 2 to 3 American based loco's each year. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Maybe try a GE model next?

[CarrollFilms]

I love the Santa Fe train, back when they were selling them I should've bought one, now I feel guilty for never buying one. But any day I would take the Santa Fe over any train.

[DetroitBricks]

Lego has never been a prototypical design company when it comes to their trains. Most of their engines are based on actual designs but fall short on some serious details. Don't get me wrong, I love Lego trains and they just get better and better as the years roll by. It can be difficult to get certain details with legos but the newer designs are quite astonishing.

The Santa Fe loco is based on an EMD FT. The BNSF is based on an EMD GP-38 and the Maersk is based on an EMD SD40 perhaps a -2 series but it's missing two axles. Comparatively the Maesrk blows the others away with overall detail and scale size. I wasn't too happy about the road name at first but it grew on me. I plan on getting a fleet together of the Maersk loco's and maybe changing the road names on a couple. If Lego were to revisit the Santa Fe and reconstruct it plus make it larger I would definitely change my mind. Hopefully with the growing popularity of the Lego trains we may just see that happen. I appreciate the sets but the loco's are generally based on European models. American railroading has many more options and in my opinion better designs. I'd really like to see Lego push out 2 to 3 American based loco's each year. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Maybe try a GE model next?

The prototype Maersk locomotive was an SD40-2, but the Lego model only has 4 axles (most likely due to curve restrictions) and the vents on the hood make it look more like an SD45.

I own both the Santa Fe FT and the BNSF GP38 but love the Maersk locomotive.

[Piranha]

I think now having both BNSF and Super Chief (yet to get Maersk Train) I can rate them based on building fun and overall look:

1. Super Chief

2. Maersk Train

3. BNSF

The Super Chief in person is brilliant, I have not seen something so gaudy so beautiful to look at since the Emerald Night.