My Cargo Train Review

Below are my comments about the new LEGO trains.

I Received the new trains at the last of the month of June.

The first night I assembled the Passenger train (7938).

The next night I started the Cargo train (7939). It comes with 8 numbered bags, a bag of bumpers, a bag of Flex track, 2 train base plates, 4 packs of curved track, 2 packs of straight track, 2 overhead crane frames, a box with the motor, IR unit and controller battery box and drive wheels, 2 switches, a bag of wheels and 6 numbered instruction booklets. There are 839 pieces.
It took me over an hour to assemble the engine which required bags 1 and 2 using instruction booklet 1. Bag 1 along with the motor , a base plate, the 8 drive wheels, and 2 bumpers are used to make the bottom portion of the engine. Bag 2, the IR unit and the battery box are used to assemble the top half of the engine. This includes a very innovative switch pusher to turn on and off the battery.

Booklet 2 and Bag 3 are used build the Octan car along with 2 bumpers. It is based on an automobile frame and is easy to assemble if you have worked with the cylinder construction before. It uses standard train trucks with steel axles that snap in after putting the wheels on the ends.

Booklet 3, Bag 4, and 2 bumpers are used to build the container car and container. Some very interesting pieces are used to construct the base. The container is large but simple to assemble.

Booklet 4, Bag 5, The other train base and 2 bumpers are used to build an auto transporter and 2 little cars. Simple and easy to assemble.

Booklet 5, Bag 6, and the 2 frames are used to construct an overhead crane. It includes a crane with windows and a place for the operator that slides across the frame.

This is where I finished the first night as it was after midnight and I had to be up in the morning.


Booklet 6 and Bags 7 & 8 are used to build the Container Truck. This is a Semi with Bag 7 being used to assemble the cab while Bag 8 is used to assemble the trailer and a short container. The trailer is long enough to carry the large container on the train container car.

The set contains 4 minifigs, 2 for the train, 1 for the crane and the truck driver.

To me both of these trains are of the European electric style and I too would like to see the cabs of the engines to be brick built.

Since I am going to BrickCon in Seattle at the last of September and it is in a wide open area I have modified the Cargo train engine IR assembly. I put 2 1x4 bricks under the IR unit to raise the receptor above the top of the engine. In a home the IR signals bonce off the walls and ceiling where in an open area you need line of sight. I think that my modification does not detract from the design of the train. The Passenger train uses a dummy dome on the last car that matches the IR receptor.

The cost of the cargo Train at $180 is not out of line compared with the Emerald express as it includes the IR unit, the battery box, a controller, and a motor which were separate with it Emerald Night.
Since I have 2 rechargeable and have ordered 2 more I will be using them at BrickCon as it will be easier than replacing AAA batteries in rhe boxes. I will take the AAA battery boxes with me as backup.

I had not noticed before that the IR units are color coded and can be used to control 8 units. I say units and not trains because when used with the Emerald Night the second unit are the lights. I have been wondering how I could put lights on these new trains.

I set up a rectangle of track with the switches along the long sides and made a loop between them. This ment that I had to have a straicht at each end since this is not an oval. As it worked out the ends do not complete so I used s Flex tack at each end. If you are not looking for them they are no that visible.

I wish that LEGO would sell straights separately as I already have too many 9V curves.