Lego Trains

[BigB]

I'm just getting back into Lego building again after many years away and I figured what better way to jump in than to join Toysnbricks. I'm looking into buying a couple of train sets and have a few questions.

I'm looking at buying the Red Cargo train set. Now, I had a Lego train set from the early 90's. I believe its one of the 9V sets - it has the plug-in speed controller that is black with the yellow dial. Can the track from my old set be used to expand the new set? I know the new set doesn't need metal rails because of the new design, but do the metal rails and the new style rails interchange so that the new style train can still work on the old style track?

Along with the Red Cargo train set, I'm also thinking of buying the Emerald Night train. Is it possible to run the Emerald Night instead of the engine from the Red Cargo train set?

Are there any other questions I should be asking before I start spending a few hundred dollars to get up and running?

[drtabo]

The 9V sets are not compatible with the new sets. But the Emerald Night and Red train are compatible with each other. There is also a new orange training shipping near the first of the year. (It's already on the lego site)

[BigB]

I had seen on a couple of websites that the new track is the same size as the old 9V track, it just doesn't have the ability to conduct electricity. So wouldn't the newer trains run on the old track without a problem?

[Tyrant01]

That's the way it was explained to me, but I haven't tried it. I also have an older 9V train but I don't have any of the newer track or trains to test it.

[dr_spock]

Your old track should work with PF. It is the same width. Do you plan to install PF motor in your Emerald Night?

[BigB]

OK, so I guess now I'm considering another way to build my layout. If I buy the Emerald Night and track, what set numbers do I need to add power and control? One website shows 8870, 8878, 8879, 8882, and 8884. Are the rechargeable batteries better than the replaceable ones?

[tekron]

BigB, I have the Emerald Night and this is the configuration I use to power it -

http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... Motor-8882" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... eiver-8884" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... ntrol-8879" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... -Box-88000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I like to use the AAA box with rechargeable batteries over the rechargeable lego box. While the downside is that it takes a bit more work to change batteries, this route is much cheaper and flexible! When I don't use the train for a while I get to use those batteries with other electronics.

If you prefer the rechargeable box route, don't forget to you'll need the charger too:
http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... y-Box-8878" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... 10VDC-8887" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you end up getting the Red Cargo train, you won't have to buy an extra controller (8879) since it can control up to 4 different PF IR receivers.

The add on lights make it look great. It doesn't affect any functions so its an optional buy:
http://shop.lego.com/en-US/LEGO-Power-F ... Light-8870" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As a side note, when you do end up getting the Emerald Night, there's some modifications to make it run alot smoother. The improvements can be found in Railbricks Issue #7, page 31. You can download the PDF at the website. Enjoy!

[BigB]

Everybody has been so helpful - I'm glad I found this forum!

Thanks for the list and links Tekron. Looking farther through lego.com, what is the difference between all of the motors? I see the following:

88002 - PF Train Motor
8882 - PF XL Motor
8883 - PF M-Motor

Is it primarily a difference in power each one provides? It looks like the Red Cargo train comes with the Train Motor. I'm assuming the Emerald Night requires the extra power of the XL Motor?

Thanks again, everyone!

[tekron]

Your welcome! I too have just joined up after being a casual browser for a while now. Glad we could be of help!

As far as the motors, regular PF motors are commonly used and paired with Technics sets so other than the Emerald Night, the rest of the newer trains are powered by the new PF train motor. In my opinion, it's quick and powerful.

The Emerald Night doesn't use the train motor because it has a fancy internal gear design. The XL motor output is positioned in the center to connect the gear drive of the train wheels. I haven't tried, but there may be a way to retrofit the Emerald Night with the PF train motor.

Here's a helpful link that explains the different power function items -
http://www.philohome.com/pf/pf.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;