Frank STENGEL Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 Did anyone else who placed an order for this set, see that their order status, says backordered, even though the set is showing 'now available'. I ordered three star wars sets and this and my whole order says it is backordered. Is anyone else having this problem, It has never happened to me before. Same here. Being an optimist, I think LegoSjaak's explanation is the most likely one. It would be a shame if Lego had underestimated the volume of orders... Quote
cei Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) Picked up three copies today at the Westfield Stratford (London) store as they opened. Apparently they have "quite a few" in the stock room, but they are severely short on PF items - no LED lights, no power wall bricks, no IR receivers, no train motors...basically they have the switches and rechargeable boxes. Building starts now! EDIT: Okay, so there are minor issues with trying to build like this. Firstly, you simply don't have enough parts to build the Jacobs' bogies out of spares unfortunately. My triple set should have 2 locos and 6 passenger carriages, but as supplied, I only have 3 Jacobs' out of a needed 5. They aren't a complex build, but you'll need to order the parts. Secondly, I don't know what Lego have done, but the magnets between the loco and carriages are incredibly weak unless perfectly centered. I haven't run the full set yet (only built 1/3) but I am seriously worried that it's going to separate constantly. Will report back with results! PF installation is fine. Not dual-motoring yet as I'm waiting to switch my second to backwards running, but cabling will fit. Edited January 1, 2013 by cei Quote
jardeon Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 Secondly, I don't know what Lego have done, but the magnets between the loco and carriages are incredibly weak unless perfectly centered. I haven't run the full set yet (only built 1/3) but I am seriously worried that it's going to separate constantly. Will report back with results! This is going to sound a little silly, but I've noticed this in older sets (Emerald Night, Maersk Train) and it seems that what's happening is the small magnets are moving around in the plastic housing. If you join together the two magnets and notice that they are weak, simply shift the magnets against each other vertically... grab one carriage and slide it upwards against the connection while sliding the other downwards. You should be rewarded with a very satisfying CLUNK sound, and you'll notice that the magnets are much more strongly engaged. Quote
cei Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 (edited) Jardeon, I've literally just noticed that - I tried hooking one of the HE carriages to my red cargo train and it made a very satisfying clunk and connected solidly. Now the HE carriages seem to be a lot stronger, so it looks like a magnet has shifted. Not overly impressed, but I can deal! I've also bodged together a Jacobs' with the spares from not having to fill the engine with a fake IR receiver etc. It isn't the same as the proper one, but looks pretty decent. Only downside is that you need 4x 3176 per bogie that aren't in the set and have to be acquired elsewhere. I'll put pictures up tomorrow Edited January 1, 2013 by cei Quote
Phoxtane Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 This is going to sound a little silly, but I've noticed this in older sets (Emerald Night, Maersk Train) and it seems that what's happening is the small magnets are moving around in the plastic housing. If you join together the two magnets and notice that they are weak, simply shift the magnets against each other vertically... grab one carriage and slide it upwards against the connection while sliding the other downwards. You should be rewarded with a very satisfying CLUNK sound, and you'll notice that the magnets are much more strongly engaged. Thank you so much! I've been wondering about this issue, and now I know how to fix it! Quote
Sjuip Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 For those of you who want to have a look at the digital version of the Horizon Express, have a look here for this amazing set built in LEGO Digital Designer. Easy to change colours and even easier to extend into a large multicarriage train. And yes, of course I have also ordered the real stuff when it became available in the webshop! Quote
OneDragon Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Hmmmm...back ordered. I wonder how long til I get my two in my impatient hands in Australia? Quote
kungpo Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 I ordered two online (+ power functions IR receiver and lights) and mine is showing up as backorder as well. But, rang up the Lego shop in Westfield Shepherds Bush and they've got stock and put two aside for me! Can't wait! Quote
donut2k Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 mine were backordered yesterday, today are: "In Process", hopefully will get to spain before friday Quote
kungpo Posted January 2, 2013 Posted January 2, 2013 Started putting mine together shortly after getting home. What a really great build - quite a few new techniques (for me anyway) and a really enjoyable process. Completed the loco and the first carriage so far. Contemplating using 9V (one at each end) to power it rather than PF as I think it will go faster, although will probably use PF for lighting. Very good value at £160 for a 6 unit train (it just wouldn't work with one set). Quote
PeteM Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 (it just wouldn't work with one set). Oh no, don't say that - my willpower to resist buying two was already waning! :) Glad to hear it's a good set, can't wait to get it... Quote
Brickus Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Has anyone else had their order status changed to 'in process' yet. Mine hasn't. Edited January 3, 2013 by Brickus Quote
paul_delahaye Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 I'm rather disappointed in shop at home, I knew they should have offered people the opportunity to pre-order and they would have known the demand! Maybe they are processing the Christmas sale item backlogs? Quote
Vindicare Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Oh no, don't say that - my willpower to resist buying two was already waning! :) Glad to hear it's a good set, can't wait to get it... I'm with you on this. I'm not even into trains that much, but I really want to get 2 of these as I think they'll look perfect together. Quote
Brickus Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 I just got confirmation that my order has shipped. I can't wait to build this bad boy. Quote
LegoSjaak Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Has anyone else had their order status changed to 'in process' yet. Mine hasn't. My two sets are stil backordered....hmpff.... I could better have ordered them at an other shop which has 'm available.....strange!! Quote
donut2k Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Has anyone else had their order status changed to 'in process' yet. Mine hasn't. Mine shipped last evening and showed up in Barcelona this morning, so it's already in delivery! Quote
kungpo Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 The guy in the shop said the retail stores get preference over S@H - and they said the set was selling very quickly! My S@H order is still showing as backordered so I'm glad I went and got them at the shop! Quote
LegoSjaak Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 The guy in the shop said the retail stores get preference over S@H - and they said the set was selling very quickly! My S@H order is still showing as backordered so I'm glad I went and got them at the shop! That is so weird... why does it show 'available' in S@H when it actually isn't....Maybe my payment later is also 'backordered' haha.. Let them wait too! Quote
krystalKING Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Started putting mine together shortly after getting home. What a really great build - quite a few new techniques (for me anyway) and a really enjoyable process. Completed the loco and the first carriage so far. Contemplating using 9V (one at each end) to power it rather than PF as I think it will go faster, although will probably use PF for lighting. Very good value at £160 for a 6 unit train (it just wouldn't work with one set). Oh no, don't do that, without modifacaion to the skirting, the motor will tend to straighten out, and cause derails and loss of speed on curves. while it does give a look of momentum, I think the motors are being worn down at an extreme rate. I removed them as I only have one, and can't afford another. Quote
cei Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Okay, so running notes... My HE is currently 6 cars, all with Jacobs, as I'm awaiting some Bricklink orders to customise my final 2 and a few bits and bobs (ie: rear red lights). It also only has a single motor currently, running off the rechargeable battery box (so PF motor and PF LED front lights), which is unfortunately simply not enough to haul the train at anything approaching speed. On straight she'll run decently, but as soon as you hit a curve it slows right down due to the increased friction - and starting up involves quite a lot of wheel spin! As such, I think dual motor is essential if you're running anything more than a single set of carriages. Beyond that, she looks beautiful. Lego really have hit the ball out the park with this one - the black stripe down the side of the windows, the white stripe underneath running the entire length of the train, and then the gloss black roof. Pictures shortly! http://imageshack.us/a/img829/4813/dsc01243nb.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img29/1647/dsc01244ae.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img541/5292/dsc01239ay.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img521/1711/dsc01242m.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img267/2913/dsc01238xj.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img42/4465/dsc01237ud.jpg http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/404/dsc01246ah.jpg/ - official Jacobs http://imageshack.us/a/img41/1122/dsc01245jp.jpg - My custom, using spares from the set Edited January 3, 2013 by cei Quote
kungpo Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Oh no, don't do that, without modifacaion to the skirting, the motor will tend to straighten out, and cause derails and loss of speed on curves. while it does give a look of momentum, I think the motors are being worn down at an extreme rate. I removed them as I only have one, and can't afford another. I'm not sure what you mean? The 9V motor is pretty much the same (physical) size as the PF motor so I can't see why it would cause issues? Quote
RoxYourBlox Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Jardeon, I've literally just noticed that - I tried hooking one of the HE carriages to my red cargo train and it made a very satisfying clunk and connected solidly. Now the HE carriages seem to be a lot stronger, so it looks like a magnet has shifted. Not overly impressed, but I can deal! I think the issue is that the magnets can rotate within the buffers and frequently need to be reset when rearrangning cars. In the event of a weak connection, first separate the buffers. Next, lift the end of car 2 while car 1 remains on the track. Finally, lower buffer 2 directly down, lightly scraping buffer 1. The click you'll hear is likely the magnets rotating to an ideal configuration. Quote
tbroyd Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Managed to get a couple of sets at the Milton Keynes shop on Tuesday. Have been building the coaches to all run on Jacobs. The photo below shows progress, the jacobs on the left is from the set, the one on the right I have managed to bodge together. Some of the colours are slightly different but not really noticable in real life. The other mod is to the valance between the bogies. The coaches are supplied with a couple of 2x2 orange tiles to fill the holes in the baseplate which I used together with some 2x1 grills. Quote
cei Posted January 3, 2013 Posted January 3, 2013 Nice modification on the valances, that was my next step once I've finished my final pair of passenger cars. Did you just extend by 2 studs? Quote
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