JThunder
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JThunder's Stats
JThunder's Stats
- 4Average Rating
- 16Helpfulness Votes
- 0Featured Reviews
- 3Review Count
- September 25, 2010First Review
- July 14, 2020Last Review
JThunder's Reviews
Posted:July 14, 2020
JThunder
Age:
25-34
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
An excellent display and play piece!
" I've been a big LEGO train fan in the past, so it's also been heartbreaking to see the theme being neglected in recent years. I don't have a large layout at all, but I collect the trains because of their rarity and fun-factor in LEGO terms.
This new crocodile train is - fingers crossed - the beginning of a new train era. It's exactly what the brand has need for a long time, a product that appeals to big (adult!) kids, collectors and those who just want a display piece to appreciate the design. And everything about the product justifies this.
The inclusion of a display stand is marvellous. I keep it on my bookshelf, which means that when I'm not running the train on a layout as a maintenance vehicle (Yes, I have the story weighed off!), I can look at it within a different space and just admire the train. The info panel is a nice touch and makes the piece look more professional.
In fact, I'm going to now use the design to make more stands for my other trains, like the Maersk and Emerald Night.
I also really like the colour scheme. It is true to the original train and has a very industrial-look about it, though I do admit there are similar European trains that look wonderful in bright blues and reds.
The packaging and instruction booklet are very nice and are definitely keepers. If I wasn't living with the significant other, I'd have them on show! Don't think I could trust the cat either...
There are couple of niggles however.
I would have liked to have seen the gaps between the three sections reduced and feel this could be achieved easily, so I'm not sure why this was overlooked - particularly given the price of this set. The fan community has already demonstrated very easy solutions.
And I can't for the life of me understand why the instruction pages have a black background. There isn't enough contrast with the images of the model itself, which makes it difficult to see where the required parts are for that step. I have some colour blindness, and the clashing of these colours has the (comparable) effect of turning brown into green.
But I'm willing to overlook these purely because I'm so happy LEGO has made a new advanced train. Please to continue to do so, and to take the above observations into account.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
My Product Recommendations
Construction Loader
(10)
Road Worker
From:
United Kingdom
Age:
25-34
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Advanced LEGO builder
Purchased For:
Self
Build Time:
04
hrs
Play Experience (Optional):
4
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
3
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Easy
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
+3points
3of 3found this review helpful.
LEGO Creator: Emerald Night(10194)
With piston-powered wheels, this train is an all-new LEGO classic!
Posted:November 20, 2010
JThunder
Age:
19-24
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Overall:
5
/
5
Emeralds speak volumes!
" Possibly the most beautiful LEGO model I've bought. Period.
When I suggest 'beauty', I am talking in terms of detail and authenticity, for this locomotive literally stands out from all my other LEGO models. LEGO Trains have always been great sets and the level of authenticity is possibly what keeps fans coming back, but the Emerald Night is truly something different.
As with any LEGO set however, there are caveats, though luckily these are more subjective.
1. The carriage included in this set is not available for purchase separately.
2. The big boo-boo in my books is that there isn't an option in the building instructions for 9V functionality! Like many others I still use 9V tracks, and using the 'Power Functions' compromises the model since it removes detail inside the cabin. You can make this train 9V compatible by applying the motor to the tender and adding weight to it, but I'm surprised LEGO didn't think this out during the development phase.
"
I would recommend this to a friend!
From: North West, England
From:
United Kingdom
Age:
19-24
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
5
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
4
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Challenging
Very Easy
Very Challenging
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
0points
0of 0found this review helpful.
Train Motor
Train Motor
Posted:September 25, 2010
JThunder
Age:
19-24
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Overall:
2
/
5
Simply not good enough
" I can only agree with the previous reviewer - Torque is very much the number one problem with this motor. For many of the more mature LEGO audience members, we no doubt grew up with 9V systems which meant that the wheels and track, both lined with metal, safely created a circuit that would allow you to control the train from a sturdy control deck and mains electrical output.
Not only was the power produced from this set-up better, but it meant that the 9V motor itself was the only appliance within the Train. With these new 'Power Function's products, you are required to have a large battery pack as well as this motor in the Train, so not only does it remove detail/space from the locomotive (see Emerald Night), but it increases weight.
Its saddening that LEGO no longer support the huge fan-base that still believe in the 9V set-up, but like others, I will continue to forgo the 'Power Functions' in favour of the former technology. Should LEGO re-instate 9V products, then I'm almost certain they wouldn't regret it.
"
From: North West, England
From:
United Kingdom
Age:
19-24
years old
Customer Type:
LEGO Fan
Building Experience:
Expert LEGO builder
Play Experience (Optional):
1
/
5
Value for Money (Optional):
3
/
5
Level of Difficulty:
Easy
Very Easy
Very Challenging
Share:
+12points
13of 14found this review helpful.