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Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
I am looking for some advice.
Which is the best?
What are the pros & cons of each type?
4.5v, 9v, & 12v.
------------------
This is what I already have:
107 - 4.5v Motor & Battery Box
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/107_1
7864 - 12v Transformer, leads & track connection
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7864
1/3 of a circle of 12v track (in used condition)
------------------
------------------
This is what I have available to me (I'm in Australia)
1) I know someone that is selling lots of 12v stuff.
Trains, tracks, transformer's, cariages..
It's all in imaculate condition & reasonable prices.
For example:
7755 - Electric Diesel Locomotive
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7755
US$27 - Complete almost never used, with instructions like new.
Is this good value?
2) I could buy some of the current 9v sets US$130+
This would only get me started & is quite expensive.
3) Buy a 4.5v battery cariage (5075) for US$20 from BrickBay
http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5075
I could use it with my 4.5v motor & use any track I like.
------------------
What should I do?
Should I buy the 12v stuff?
Or should I buy the 12v stuff & sell it on eBay & BrickBay?
I could then use the proceeds from this to buy a 9v set.
In Australia the Soccer sets are half the price of those in the US.
The team busses are great for windows.
Which is the best color, red, blue, white, black?
What would be most popular to buy second hand?
(I'm thinking of setting up a BrickBay shop)
Thanks for reading.
I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.
Carl Watson
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Carl Watson wrote:
>
> Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
> I am looking for some advice.
>
> Which is the best?
> What are the pros & cons of each type?
> 4.5v, 9v, & 12v.
>
> ------------------
> This is what I already have:
> 107 - 4.5v Motor & Battery Box
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/107_1
> 7864 - 12v Transformer, leads & track connection
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7864
> 1/3 of a circle of 12v track (in used condition)
> ------------------
>
> ------------------
> This is what I have available to me (I'm in Australia)
>
> 1) I know someone that is selling lots of 12v stuff.
> Trains, tracks, transformer's, cariages..
> It's all in imaculate condition & reasonable prices.
> For example:
> 7755 - Electric Diesel Locomotive
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7755
> US$27 - Complete almost never used, with instructions like new.
> Is this good value?
>
> 2) I could buy some of the current 9v sets US$130+
> This would only get me started & is quite expensive.
>
> 3) Buy a 4.5v battery cariage (5075) for US$20 from BrickBay
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5075
> I could use it with my 4.5v motor & use any track I like.
> ------------------
>
> What should I do?
> Should I buy the 12v stuff?
> Or should I buy the 12v stuff & sell it on eBay & BrickBay?
> I could then use the proceeds from this to buy a 9v set.
>
> In Australia the Soccer sets are half the price of those in the US.
> The team busses are great for windows.
> Which is the best color, red, blue, white, black?
> What would be most popular to buy second hand?
> (I'm thinking of setting up a BrickBay shop)
>
> Thanks for reading.
> I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.
>
> Carl Watson
My thinking is collect all of them, 4.5, 9, and 12v. Buy the ones you like and
skip the ones you don't. If you do collect different types of trains you may
want to run them on the same track. If that is the case, and for me it is, then
you may want to convert all the motors to the 9v type since 9v track is the most
available track.
Enjoy,
Chris
--
PGP public key available upon request.
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In lugnet.trains, Carl Watson writes:
> Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
> I am looking for some advice.
Advice about collecting? Are you a collector or a builder or both?
> Which is the best?
Depends on personal preference. Some like 9V some 12, some 4.5
My advice is decide what you like and focus on that. Don't ask others for what
you ought to like, that is personal. As to what to BUY, buy every 12v set you
come across if it's at all reasonably priced, check eBay recent sales or some
of the info available around here for pricing. That 7755 you mentioned is a
factor of 3-8 under what market on it is depending on condition so you ought
to buy it asap.
That will be a great source of funds to pay for completing a 9V collection if
you go that way. But watch out, the train bug spreads, you may soon want to be
complete in all three lines and regret any 12V that you sold.
As to buying buses and parting them out, probably a good market for that. I've
bought 150 complete buses so far although not all of them are here yet. I used
up just about all of the white windows from the first 30 whites I got on my
PCC model which is selling briskly, so I am getting more white windowed buses.
That bus is a good source of parts including some that SHOULD sell well (not
to me, of course, I have loads).
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In lugnet.trains, Carl Watson writes:
> Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
> I am looking for some advice.
>
> Which is the best?
> What are the pros & cons of each type?
> 4.5v, 9v, & 12v.
>
> ------------------
> This is what I already have:
> 107 - 4.5v Motor & Battery Box
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/107_1
> 7864 - 12v Transformer, leads & track connection
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7864
> 1/3 of a circle of 12v track (in used condition)
> ------------------
>
> ------------------
> This is what I have available to me (I'm in Aust
>
> 1) I know someone that is selling lots of 12v stuff.
> Trains, tracks, transformer's, cariages..
> It's all in imaculate condition & reasonable prices.
> For example:
> 7755 - Electric Diesel Locomotive
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7755
> US$27 - Complete almost never used, with instructions like new.
> Is this good value?
>
> 2) I could buy some of the current 9v sets US$130+
> This would only get me started & is quite expensive.
>
> 3) Buy a 4.5v battery cariage (5075) for US$20 from BrickBay
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5075
> I could use it with my 4.5v motor & use any track I like.
> ------------------
>
> What should I do?
> Should I buy the 12v stuff?
> Or should I buy the 12v stuff & sell it on eBay & BrickBay?
> I could then use the proceeds from this to buy a 9v set.
>
> In Australia the Soccer sets are half the price of those in the US.
> The team busses are great for windows.
> Which is the best color, red, blue, white, black?
> What would be most popular to buy second hand?
> (I'm thinking of setting up a BrickBay shop)
>
> Thanks for reading.
> I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.
>
> Carl Watson
Mr. Watson,
As you may well know, the 4.5 and 12V sets are no longer offered by LEGO.
9V sets are by far the most reliable, but LEGO could have been more
imaginative in designing these sets (the popular notion is that
LEGO 'juniorized' the 9V series and simplified these for a younger crowd). It
is my belief that most LEGO train enthusiasts are adults who grew up with the
first generations of LEGO train sets (i.e. the 1970's and 80's). Good luck on
whatever you decide. One idea is to combine some the old sets and bring them
up to the current 9V standards.
Get back to us with your decision.
Harvey Henkelman
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In lugnet.trains, Harvey Henkelman writes:
> In lugnet.trains, Carl Watson writes:
> > Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
> > I am looking for some advice.
> >
> > Which is the best?
> > What are the pros & cons of each type?
> > 4.5v, 9v, & 12v.
> >
> > ------------------
> > This is what I already have:
> > 107 - 4.5v Motor & Battery Box
> > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/107_1
> > 7864 - 12v Transformer, leads & track connection
> > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7864
> > 1/3 of a circle of 12v track (in used condition)
> > ------------------
> >
> > ------------------
> > This is what I have available to me (I'm in Aust
> >
> > 1) I know someone that is selling lots of 12v stuff.
> > Trains, tracks, transformer's, cariages..
> > It's all in imaculate condition & reasonable prices.
> > For example:
> > 7755 - Electric Diesel Locomotive
> > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7755
> > US$27 - Complete almost never used, with instructions like new.
> > Is this good value?
> >
> > 2) I could buy some of the current 9v sets US$130+
> > This would only get me started & is quite expensive.
> >
> > 3) Buy a 4.5v battery cariage (5075) for US$20 from BrickBay
> > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5075
> > I could use it with my 4.5v motor & use any track I like.
> > ------------------
> >
> > What should I do?
> > Should I buy the 12v stuff?
> > Or should I buy the 12v stuff & sell it on eBay & BrickBay?
> > I could then use the proceeds from this to buy a 9v set.
> >
> > In Australia the Soccer sets are half the price of those in the US.
> > The team busses are great for windows.
> > Which is the best color, red, blue, white, black?
> > What would be most popular to buy second hand?
> > (I'm thinking of setting up a BrickBay shop)
> >
> > Thanks for reading.
> > I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.
> >
> > Carl Watson
>
> Mr. Watson,
>
> As you may well know, the 4.5 and 12V sets are no longer offered by LEGO.
> 9V sets are by far the most reliable, but LEGO could have been more
> imaginative in designing these sets (the popular notion is that
> LEGO 'juniorized' the 9V series and simplified these for a younger crowd). It
> is my belief that most LEGO train enthusiasts are adults who grew up with the
> first generations of LEGO train sets (i.e. the 1970's and 80's). Good luck on
> whatever you decide. One idea is to combine some the old sets and bring them
> up to the current 9V standards.
>
> Get back to us with your decision.
> Harvey Henkelman
Aren't all the 9v sets discontinued also?
KL
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Kevin Loch wrote:
>
> In lugnet.trains, Harvey Henkelman writes:
> > In lugnet.trains, Carl Watson writes:
> > > Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
> > > I am looking for some advice.
> > >
> > > Which is the best?
> > > What are the pros & cons of each type?
> > > 4.5v, 9v, & 12v.
> > >
> > > ------------------
> > > This is what I already have:
> > > 107 - 4.5v Motor & Battery Box
> > > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/107_1
> > > 7864 - 12v Transformer, leads & track connection
> > > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7864
> > > 1/3 of a circle of 12v track (in used condition)
> > > ------------------
> > >
> > > ------------------
> > > This is what I have available to me (I'm in Aust
> > >
> > > 1) I know someone that is selling lots of 12v stuff.
> > > Trains, tracks, transformer's, cariages..
> > > It's all in imaculate condition & reasonable prices.
> > > For example:
> > > 7755 - Electric Diesel Locomotive
> > > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7755
> > > US$27 - Complete almost never used, with instructions like new.
> > > Is this good value?
> > >
> > > 2) I could buy some of the current 9v sets US$130+
> > > This would only get me started & is quite expensive.
> > >
> > > 3) Buy a 4.5v battery cariage (5075) for US$20 from BrickBay
> > > http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5075
> > > I could use it with my 4.5v motor & use any track I like.
> > > ------------------
> > >
> > > What should I do?
> > > Should I buy the 12v stuff?
> > > Or should I buy the 12v stuff & sell it on eBay & BrickBay?
> > > I could then use the proceeds from this to buy a 9v set.
> > >
> > > In Australia the Soccer sets are half the price of those in the US.
> > > The team busses are great for windows.
> > > Which is the best color, red, blue, white, black?
> > > What would be most popular to buy second hand?
> > > (I'm thinking of setting up a BrickBay shop)
> > >
> > > Thanks for reading.
> > > I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.
> > >
> > > Carl Watson
> >
> > Mr. Watson,
> >
> > As you may well know, the 4.5 and 12V sets are no longer offered by LEGO.
> > 9V sets are by far the most reliable, but LEGO could have been more
> > imaginative in designing these sets (the popular notion is that
> > LEGO 'juniorized' the 9V series and simplified these for a younger crowd). It
> > is my belief that most LEGO train enthusiasts are adults who grew up with the
> > first generations of LEGO train sets (i.e. the 1970's and 80's). Good luck on
> > whatever you decide. One idea is to combine some the old sets and bring them
> > up to the current 9V standards.
> >
> > Get back to us with your decision.
> > Harvey Henkelman
>
> Aren't all the 9v sets discontinued also?
>
> KL
You can still buy 4561 and 4565 in regular retail stores (for 4561 only I
think), or through the Shop at Home catalog. Since you can still get them, and
since LEGO has not publicly stated that they are no longer making 9v trains (or
did I miss something) I would say that the 9v trains are not yet discontinued.
Chris
--
PGP public key available upon request.
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Thanks for everybody's input.
I have made a decision.
I am going to buy as many of the 12V trains as I can afford. (I might even buy
some to sell on eBay so I can afford more!)
I can then always convert to 9V later on (if they are still available?).
&
I am a train builder rather than a collector (I still need to collect pieces
to build with).
I am going to be buying some football team busses next week (for the train
windows)
I will be selling 'White Train windows, with blue glass' at my Brickbay site.
They will be US$1.50 each.
What do you think of this price.
Carl Watson
In lugnet.trains, Harvey Henkelman writes:
> Mr. Watson,
>
> As you may well know, the 4.5 and 12V sets are no longer offered by LEGO.
> 9V sets are by far the most reliable, but LEGO could have been more
> imaginative in designing these sets (the popular notion is that
> LEGO 'juniorized' the 9V series and simplified these for a younger crowd). It
> is my belief that most LEGO train enthusiasts are adults who grew up with the
> first generations of LEGO train sets (i.e. the 1970's and 80's). Good luck on
> whatever you decide. One idea is to combine some the old sets and bring them
> up to the current 9V standards.
>
> Get back to us with your decision.
> Harvey Henkelman
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I think 9v is most useful and popular, so you can combine train sets
with RCX or any new coming electric or electronic sets.
Zhengrong
Carl Watson wrote:
> Hello everyone, I am wanting to start collecting trains.
> I am looking for some advice.
>
> Which is the best?
> What are the pros & cons of each type?
> 4.5v, 9v, & 12v.
>
> ------------------
> This is what I already have:
> 107 - 4.5v Motor & Battery Box
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/107_1
> 7864 - 12v Transformer, leads & track connection
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7864
> 1/3 of a circle of 12v track (in used condition)
> ------------------
>
> ------------------
> This is what I have available to me (I'm in Australia)
>
> 1) I know someone that is selling lots of 12v stuff.
> Trains, tracks, transformer's, cariages..
> It's all in imaculate condition & reasonable prices.
> For example:
> 7755 - Electric Diesel Locomotive
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7755
> US$27 - Complete almost never used, with instructions like new.
> Is this good value?
>
> 2) I could buy some of the current 9v sets US$130+
> This would only get me started & is quite expensive.
>
> 3) Buy a 4.5v battery cariage (5075) for US$20 from BrickBay
> http://guide.lugnet.com/set/5075
> I could use it with my 4.5v motor & use any track I like.
> ------------------
>
> What should I do?
> Should I buy the 12v stuff?
> Or should I buy the 12v stuff & sell it on eBay & BrickBay?
> I could then use the proceeds from this to buy a 9v set.
>
> In Australia the Soccer sets are half the price of those in the US.
> The team busses are great for windows.
> Which is the best color, red, blue, white, black?
> What would be most popular to buy second hand?
> (I'm thinking of setting up a BrickBay shop)
>
> Thanks for reading.
> I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.
>
> Carl Watson
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