All Aboard!
After something of a break, I'm back with another set review...
Despite being a LEGO/Block builder most of my life, one area of the hobby I haven't previously delved into was the trains. Since starting construction on my very own city though, this particular corner of LEGO collecting has been at the forefront of my mind.
In this instance, I decided against going with one of the clone brands or third parties like Ausini (Who have a great reputation for their own train sets) Mainly because I wanted a powered train, and LEGO recently switched their power functions over to bluetooth standard so I knew this would be a more reliable option.
After some deliberation, I finally settled on this entry level set. 60197. Originally released in 2018 at a RRP of £120, at the time of writing this set is being retired and I managed to pick one up for £58.39 on black Friday. An absolute steal at less than half price.
For that price we get a 900 piece set, which includes enough track to make a full oval (albeit a very small one) 4 minifigs and a pretty puny effort of a train platform.
We get numbered bags of course, as well as 5(!) Instruction manuals and a sticker sheet.
Book 1 builds the aforementioned platform, this simple build features 2 seats for waiting passengers, a map sticker on a 4x4 trans clear panel, atop which sets an angled piece with a LEGO CITY station stickered sign.
The train itself consists of 3 cars, one electric styled engine which holds the motorized wheels and battery box and 2 additional carriages. Book 2 and 3 build the engine.
Being my first train build this was a fairly involved process, the battery box/motorized wheels are something I haven't previously messed with and I was curious to see how it all worked.
I really like the colour scheme of the finished engine, the pixely decals are stickers of course, but they do look good once placed. there is a power button built into the top of the carriage for powering off the battery box.
The motor has 10 speeds, and is stupidly fast at the highest setting!
As well as speed controls, the app also has ambient sound effects for your selected set that play via your smart devices speaker, It's a neat play feature, but I'm more happy about not having to burn through AAA's in the dedicated controller! Being as it's app controlled, I expect to see newer powered up sets added via updates.
The next minifig we get to is naturally the train driver. He sports a grey beard on a single sided smiling face, a red cap and dark blue uniform featuring the familiar LEGO transportation logo.
I'll cover the next 2 carriages together as they are identical looking from the outside and built pretty much the same apart from the interiors.
What we basically get here is a food carriage along with a passenger carriage with room for up to 4 minifigs.
The carriages all connect via magnetic couplings, the 'doorways' on either end of the cars are purely cosmetic.
She is decked in a green and white hoodie, with cream legs. and carries a lime green travel case which actually opens up, to reveal...
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| This is a huuuge box! |
For that price we get a 900 piece set, which includes enough track to make a full oval (albeit a very small one) 4 minifigs and a pretty puny effort of a train platform.
We get numbered bags of course, as well as 5(!) Instruction manuals and a sticker sheet.
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| Really not a fan of stickers |
Book 1 builds the aforementioned platform, this simple build features 2 seats for waiting passengers, a map sticker on a 4x4 trans clear panel, atop which sets an angled piece with a LEGO CITY station stickered sign.
The platform connects to the rail piece by way of a black sloped piece. on the opposite side of the track is a signal light, again nothing too complicated here, although the white studs behind the signal lights adds some nice detail. It's a simple enough design that would be easy to mass replicate for a larger train set-up.
Also contained in bag 1 is the first of our minifigs... this bespectacled chap is a very 'classic' feeling fig. He features a single sided head print with a red cap. Red and white torso with a delightful spaceman sweater... A shoulder bag in light tan and plain blue legs complete his look.
The train itself consists of 3 cars, one electric styled engine which holds the motorized wheels and battery box and 2 additional carriages. Book 2 and 3 build the engine.
Being my first train build this was a fairly involved process, the battery box/motorized wheels are something I haven't previously messed with and I was curious to see how it all worked.
There is a considerable amount of unused space behind the drivers seat before the area where the battery box is located, this engine would be a good base for a MOC build.
The front canopy where the driver is located is one large piece with an additional lift up window for easy access to the driver
Once the engine carriage is assembled, access to the battery box is via the detachable middle section. It's a simple matter of removing 4 of the dark blue 1x4's from the roof and sliding the battery section out.
Seeing as how it uses the bluetooth standard, the newer powered up sets can be controlled using the included controller or from a compatible smart device via the powered up app. It's nice to have different options for control.
As well as speed controls, the app also has ambient sound effects for your selected set that play via your smart devices speaker, It's a neat play feature, but I'm more happy about not having to burn through AAA's in the dedicated controller! Being as it's app controlled, I expect to see newer powered up sets added via updates.
The next minifig we get to is naturally the train driver. He sports a grey beard on a single sided smiling face, a red cap and dark blue uniform featuring the familiar LEGO transportation logo.
What we basically get here is a food carriage along with a passenger carriage with room for up to 4 minifigs.
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| The only difference from the outside of the carriages is the sticker... mug for the refreshment car, chair for the passenger car. |
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| Construction on the refreshment car. The serving area features a hot dog, cupcakes and a coffee machine. |
The refreshments car is standing room only!, aside from the small counter. we get 2 tables protruding from the inside walls on either side of the carriage. The 6 stud width doesn't leave much room for a detailed interior.
The refreshment car is staffed by a female minifig with blonde hair and glasses, her white and brown uniform is one I've seen before in other sets.
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| The passenger looks the same from the exterior. |
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The passenger car interior features 4 seats and 2 tables, in between them is a small baggage compartment. There is also a narrow walkway running parallel to the entire side of the carriage.
The 4th and final minifig is the other passenger. Another female minifig, this time with brown hair, she has a double sided head with happy/sleeping expressions.
She is decked in a green and white hoodie, with cream legs. and carries a lime green travel case which actually opens up, to reveal...
A lego set! This is actually a 2x1 printed tile featuring an image of 2 cars and a minifig. It's a nice extra detail that gives a bit more character to this minifig.
There is enough included track here to make a closed circuit, we got 4 straight track sections and 16 curved. Not the biggest run, but LEGO will happily sell you additional track packs!
Despite the finished train being only 3 cars long, this is a pretty big vehicle, once I get some additional track and do my homework regarding track ballasting, the train will be a big feature of Block City.
And speaking of the City, I've been working away on it and this has been the main reason for the lack of updates on here, as my free time has consisted of rebuilding older sets and moving my collection to the attic.
I'll leave you with a couple of city snaps, but please like the facebook page for additional updates, block sets news and pics. See you all in the new year.
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