LEGO City Set #7938 Passenger Train Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are comparing the various Lego trains out there, you may have noticed that I am the same nut-job parent reviewing some of the other trains. So yes, I am partial to Lego trains. But I'll still try to give you a good review.
This is Lego's lower priced starter set introduced in June of 2010. The train is a red and white, three-car, double-ended electric passenger train with three mini-figures and a small station platform. The passenger sections are modestly furnished and can be accessed via removable tops. The train is attractively designed and represents a good improvement over the set it replaces (7897). The set is more "brick-built" with fewer specialized moldings than the prior set. And it incorporates Lego's latest remote control and motor offerings. The set includes 16 pieces of curved track (which makes a circle) and 16 pieces of flex track (turning the circle into a small oval). It also has the necessary Power Functions accessories (motor, infrared control, and battery box). The battery box is a new part and holds six AAA batteries; the remote holds three more. If you don't like changing out AAAs, you can opt for the more expensive lithium-ion battery and DC charger available directly from Lego (this is what we have done, and we exchange the battery among different engines). The build is not terribly difficult, but younger children (e.g., 5 or 6 years old may need assistance).
This is a very good set, and it does come with everything you need (except for the AAA batteries), but it is still a tad spartan. Some additional track (#7896) and perhaps a set of points (switches, #7895) would be helpful. If your child or children already have a Lego city, then this will go beautifully with it and greatly enhance the whole build-and-play experience. As you can see, however, once you add the extra items, you start closing in on the price of the Cargo train (7939). But it is all good, and given the flexibility of Lego and kids' ability to remake the train into something else, it really is a fantastic toy.
For those of you who have earlier Lego train sets, this is a new generation that uses Power Function motors and infrared signaling. The prior "RC" sets (7897 and 7898) use a different motor and different infrared control unit. The prior 9 volt sets used electrified track. This newest generation has the same gauge track as the 9 volt, but the track is plastic (and is exactly the same track as the RC sets).
If you are interested in some of the extra items, Amazon sometimes carries some of them. I have only ever seen the rechargeable battery available directly from Lego. So check them out as well. And if you want to get more of a feel for the train (since many toy stores don't stock these -- they don't move as fast as, say, Star Wars Lego), search for "Lego 7938" on Youtube.
Best wishes

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