As kids continue to build their LEGO sets and expand their LEGO City, they are sure to find that the town is quickly becoming a metropolis full of districts and citizens and it is therefore in need of a reliable public transport system. The best option for the city is to build a modern train station when residents and workers can find easy access to the city or the beach and cargo trains can transport goods to other town.
LEGO trains sets come in different forms and there is plenty to entertain players, from the remote controlled, mechanized LEGO City sets and track pieces to static models that replicate popular models from history and film. When it all comes together, players can create a fantastic rail hub for their mini-figures.
LEGO Creator Expert Train Set
LEGO Winter Holiday Train Set 10254
LEGO train sets have become a popular sub-theme for collectors for two reasons – they provide great building projects for railway enthusiasts and there is a diverse range of kits. This 2106 release, LEGO Winter Holiday Train Set 10254 is a great example of how LEGO can run with a theme without detracting from the main focus, which has to be the train. This LEGO expert creator set is designed around a Christmas scene with a family waiting for the train to take on their holiday.
The Christmas-themed locomotive and carriages have elements like toys to deliver, wreaths and mugs of cocoa. However, the focus still lies with the building project and the quality of that train. There are three different types of carriage to build, new brick types for the locomotive and there is also the ability to add Power Functions elements to motorize it. There are also 16 pieces of track for a circular set-up.
LEGO City Train Sets
LEGO City Trains Train Station 60050 Building Set
Before players can get any sort of train on a track, they need to build a station. The LEGO City Trains Train Station building set provides a great starting point because it focuses on the main terminal and platforms and provides four connecting track pieces. These are mostly decorative here, but they can be added to with additional sets. The station is a modern building with all the user conveniences that travelers need.
It has glass doors, an ATM, a bicycle stand, security cameras and a map of the possible routes. The two travelers should find it easy enough to find the right the right platform – which has a cross-track roof, seats and a clock – but the conductor is around if they need help. The set also comes with a yellow taxi and driver that can wait outside to take arriving passengers to their next destination.
LEGO City Trains High-speed Passenger Train 60051 Building Set
Once the passengers find the right platform at the train station they will be ready to board the LEGO City Trains High Speed Passenger Train. This set is the perfect addition to the station because not only does it provide the mini figures with a mode of transportation, there are 3 new mini-figures, 20 pieces of track to extend the railway and lots of additional features. The figures include the driver, an additional traveler and a cyclist, complete with bike.
These passengers can either board the train at the main terminal in the city or at the way station that builders can place in another part of town. This station has a crossing with warning lights, two seats and a map of the route and provides a great destination for the train once the new track has been built. The train is motorized and can be operated using the infrared remote control.
LEGO City Passenger Train 7938 Set
The 60051 passenger train is essentially an updated version of the earlier 7938 model and while some may see this as the older, lesser model, it can be a great addition to bigger collection because of the extra track pieces and parts – including 16 flexible track pieces and 16 curved pieces. This older set uses the same 7-speed infrared remote and Power Functions pieces so is compatible with the new City models.
Buyers should also note that while these new motorized trains can run on the old 9V tracks, the old electric trains don’t run on these new track pieces. Th Passenger Train has an opening roof and control room – for easy access for the driver and two passengers – as well as two engines, a small station area. The raised station has seats, a clock, train map, trash can and a signal to guide the oncoming trains.
LEGO City Trains Cargo Train 60052 Building Set
Another of the 2015 LEGO City building sets is the LEGO City Trains Cargo Train. This building kit includes another motorized locomotive with the 7-speed infrared remote control and extra pieces of curved and straight track. The cargo train and wagons are the main build here, but there is plenty more going on in this set, with the additional vehicles and systems for loading the cargo onto the train.
There is a cable drum wagon and lifting chain that loads these large cables onto the train, a cattle wagon from the local dairy farm – complete with cow, straw and a bucket of milk – and a fuel wagon with fuel tank. Also included are a forklift with driver, a truck with driver, a train driver and a farmer to help with the cattle. This detailed set gives players a lot of different options for creative play and helps to bring different aspects of LEGO City together.
LEGO City Cargo Train 7939 Set
The 60052 cargo train can be seen as an updated version of the 7939 cargo train. Like the older Passenger Train this model is compatible with the familiar power function and has plenty of new flexible straight track pieces and curves, but the track is not compatible with 9V trains. In this version of the cargo train there is a completely different element to the goods being transported, which means that this set complements the 2015 model nicely.
The three freight yard workers have three different wagons to fill – the fuel tank wagon, the flat bed container for good of the player’s choice and the auto carrier wagon. The set also come with two small cars for the workers to carefully lift onto the wagon via the large crane and winch systems. Once everything is loaded, the train driver can transport it into the city or off to another town.
Lego City 60098 Heavy-Haul Train Set
The final new addition to the LEGO City range for 2015 is the LEGO City Trains Heavy-Haul Train building set. This kit provides a lot of new track pieces to add to the city’s rail network, with 16 curved pieces and 12 straight pieces. The train is a motorized diesel-style locomotive than again makes use of 7-speed infrared remote control and it has a hopper wagon and 2 flatbed wagons behind it to transport the necessary goods.
The other star of the show here is the large crane that works on sliding tracks and has a rotating structure and working winch to carefully lift all the goods onto the wagons. The set comes with five mini-figures to make sure everything runs smoothly, the train driver, crane operator, an engineer, a welder and a driver for the backhoe. The scene is completed with accessories such as the tools and a ladder.
Other Model Train Sets for LEGO Fans to Enjoy
LEGO Creator Maersk Train 10219 Set
One of the great things about LEGO trains is that they allow builders to create a range of interesting models and there are a number of static trains that are available for players to enjoy. One of the most popular is the LEGO Creator Maersk Train building kit, which recreates a classic model with an attractive colour scheme of light blue, grey and black and some interesting features.
The train is distinctive with its branding and the side panel can be removed to reveal the 16-cylinder engine. The set also comes with a matching shunter truck and containers for the two wagons, one of which is a refrigeration unit. The set is static, but it can be adapted with the right power functions – 8878 Rechargeable Battery Box, 8887 Transformer 10V DC, 8884 IR Receiver, 8879 IR Speed Remote Control and 88002 Train Motor.
LEGO Creator Emerald Night Train 10194 Set
Another model train that makes use of these LEGO Power Functions – providing buyers are prepared to buy them separately and make the right adjustments – is the LEGO Creator Emerald Night Train. This is designed more as a detailed building project than a working model, however, as there are 1085 different pieces to fit together.
Train enthusiasts will love this 68cm long model because it offer plenty of authentic features to recreate the look of this old stream train, such as the furnace and dining car, while keen LEGO builders will love the fact that this model comes with rare colours and elements. This is great is a display piece but it does also come with three minifigures to add a sense of extra creativity. They can climb aboard the engine to drive the train, or enter via the removable roof to enjoy a meal as the train travels towards LEGO City.
LEGO The Lone Ranger Constitution Train Chase 79111 Set
The final model to consider in this guide to LEGO train sets is one that has a completely different focus. If the last two models are for older builders that want realism, the LEGO The Lone Ranger Constitution Train Chase building kit is for kids that want some fun and adventure. This model is less about the steam train locomotive and more about recreating scenes from the film.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto have to help Rebecca and Danny Reid escape from the prison wagon and defeat Butch Cavendish. There are three train cars to negotiate, including the coal wagon, but there are plenty of additional threats, such as the gatling gun. The aim to the use the dynamite to blow open the cell door and topple the water tower before running away on Silver, but that is easier said than done. Again, this model can be powered with LEGO Power Functions.
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