What is the best 9v train to start with? So far I have tons of PF and the old R/C trains and want to start somewhere.

This is my first topic so might as well tell some things about myself. I'm a huge fan of LEGO (especially trains). And have made a few MOCs.

My favorite trains of that era are the 4558/10001 Metroliner and the 4559 Cargo Railway. The Cargo Railway is a relatively common 9V train up for sale on ebay or Bricklink for not much over what it originally cost back in '96. The Metroliner is a bit more expensive on the secondary market, usually

And if you want a bit more "modern" style 9V train which looks more like the PF trains, you could look at the 4512 cargo train

Why would you like to go for 9V if you've already got plenty of PF and RC. You need 9V track for that.

If you like the models of 9V instead, I would definitely recommend the BNSF. I've modded by BNSF to work with PF, so I can still enjoy the model and operate it on PF track.

It's not a starters kit though, doesn't come with track or motor.

Super Chief Santa Fe!!!

Welcome to EB and Train Tech Wolfcraft! Depends on what you want and like of course! Tell us more about your LEGO history, collection and thinks you like, so we have a better idea.

1. Maersk! Easily add a 9V motor and it flies on the track.

2. ronenson's big, bad Union Pacific SD70 (his avatar). Heavier but still a yellow blur on 9V. I know it's not a set, but it might be cheaper than the other 9V sets that are retired and it looks great.

3. BNSF, if you can find it for a reasonable price.

I personally was a big fan of the 1994, 9V train 4564. I think it added lots of playability, lots of moving parts, things to load and unload, but probably one of the more less seen Lego 9v train sets as it was after the 1991/2 hayday of 9v.

All of my ideas have already been taken, but at least I can add a little context. If you like historic US trains, then definitely the Super Chief (that is if you have deep pockets). If you are more into US freight, then BNSF and TTX. If you like European trains better, 4564 the rail runner can't be beat. Or somewhat location ambiguous, the metroliner is a great set (4558 or 10001)

I'd say passenger train wise: Metroliner. Freight train: 4564. I'd go for the yellow cargo train first, since the metroliner does not have a regulator in the set to power the rails. Also it might be a good idea to get some 9V points, that way you can mix your existing PF track with 9V. At first you won't have much 9V rails, so you could make a small loop, that connects to a bigger PF loop via those 9V points.

I have started collecting trains just like you, in the PF era. But i soon realised that there is a limited amount of sets to collect if you only focus on PF. Going 9V is a logical step, since RC trains can run on these tracks, and it's rails are compatible.

Thanks for all of the responses! I've been wanting the Santa Fe Super Chief and all of the cars for a while. But at $200 or more for just one car, it is insanely expensive! I was also thinking of getting the metroliner but since it does not come with the regulator, it is a bit annoying when you haven't bought any of 9v trains. I'm guessing LEGO did that because they probably thought that people who were buying the metroliner already bought a speed regulator for another 9v set. So they did not include it. But that is just a guess, so it is probably not right :P.

Why would you like to go for 9V if you've already got plenty of PF and RC. You need 9V track for that.

If you like the models of 9V instead, I would definitely recommend the BNSF. I've modded by BNSF to work with PF, so I can still enjoy the model and operate it on PF track.

It's not a starters kit though, doesn't come with track or motor.

Oh, I want to have 9v because I'm a huge fan of diesel switchers and it is annoying and impractical to use PF for that.

Thanks for all of the responses! I've been wanting the Santa Fe Super Chief and all of the cars for a while. But at $200 or more for just one car, it is insanely expensive! I was also thinking of getting the metroliner but since it does not come with the regulator, it is a bit annoying when you haven't bought any of 9v trains. I'm guessing LEGO did that because they probably thought that people who were buying the metroliner already bought a speed regulator for another 9v set. So they did not include it. But that is just a guess, so it is probably not right :P.

The rerelease of the metroliner, 10001, was aimed at AFOLs, who typically already had several power supplies. At the time the only way to get train parts was to buy train sets and most train sets had a power supply. As a result, you can still buy all of the parts for the power supply in new condition for less than the MSRP. In fact even the power supply set is averaging for about MSRP on bricklink right now. So if the power supply standing between you and a metroliner, I'd say take the jump. If you are not in a hurry you can probably find a used power supply cheap (e.g., via ebay).

The super chief is a fantastic set. The one thing that has always struck me about it is how few people have made repaints. You can do so for a heck of a lot less than the sets are going for and make it in the livery of your favorite railroad. There are a few spots where you will have to update or pay a lot, e.g., the port hole windows on the engine (easy enough to replace with 2x2 radar dishes, 2x2 round tiles, or stickers) and the transparent macaroni bricks on the observation car (easy enough to replace with a more rounded observation car), but nothing too severe.

Oh, I want to have 9v because I'm a huge fan of diesel switchers and it is annoying and impractical to use PF for that.

As long as you do not care about side doors on the hood, you should be able to hide a PF battery box and maybe even IR receiver in a design like this or this with a 5 wide hood. Though in my case I filled up the hood doing the snot to make the doors.

Well, about the switchers. I'm a bit like JANGBRICKS because I want to have the switcher be as small as this:

And that is a bit impossible to do with PF :P

I personally was a big fan of the 1994, 9V train 4564. I think it added lots of playability, lots of moving parts, things to load and unload, but probably one of the more less seen Lego 9v train sets as it was after the 1991/2 hayday of 9v.

I agree, this is actually the set I was going to post. It may not be as iconic as the super chief or as visually slick as the metroliner, but it is a great set with a ton of really good features and very well designed. This was the first 9v set I picked up, and only about a year ago at that, and it blew me away. The other upside is that this set isn't quite as subjected to the massive price gouging of the Super Chief or the BNSF- as nice as they are, they are not worth $200+ for just the engine.

Well, about the switchers. I'm a bit like JANGBRICKS because I want to have the switcher be as small as this:

And that is a bit impossible to do with PF :P

Difficult yes, but you can get close...

(click here for more inspiration)