New LEGO Disney Train and Station Set Announced

Power functions or not, the price point is rather high.  I do like some of the Disney character minifigs. 

Gots to pay for the LICENSING! But, to be FAIR, that is one highly-detailed set! My wife has previously built their Eifel Tower and London Bridge, also costly, but well executed models! You pay for quality, and I predict these sets will 100% sell out. The old adage, "if you have to ask...." applies here.

Could be a neat destination for someone running the MTH Amtrak AutoTrain gear on their layout.

Once you see the detail in the STATION you will understand the price tag. Amazing! Cool, too.

That was pretty impressive, particularly the inclusion of the Lilly Belle model in the station lobby as well as the Lilly Belle lounge car.

It's cute, but the change of "Disneyland" to just "Disney" on both the train and the station is sort of a big negative, IMO.

I'm fairly sure (though could be wrong) all the Parks' stations are unique enough that you can tell which park it is from just based on the design, anyway.  I know it's certainly true for the FL and CA parks.  No one would confuse this station for the one in WDW if they've seen both (live or just pictures).

Maybe one of the international ones is close enough to DL's version that this change makes sense.

-Dave

Release date for this set is September 1, 2019 according to the LEGO website. Should be available on Amazon as well.

A nice homage to the Disney steam engine history. The mini engines on display in the station are very cool. I wonder why the side rods on the engine were so poorly done though.

Overall, with some minor missteps, this looks like a great kit. My wife is our LEGO Builder-in-Chief and will be ordering this set. Her previous major LEGO projects were the Eifel Tower and the London Bridge. She also built most of the architectural series.

Looks like a fun build and it’s Disney themed too!   I built the current Passenger Train set with the PowerUP system earlier this year, during a bout of O Gauge withdrawal.  

Enjoyable half day building and the train actually runs well.  The set I bought has a handheld remote and works with the mobile app.  Biggest disappointment for me was the use of “stickers” for all the train graphics.  I was expecting the graphics to be permanently stamped on the bricks, like LEGO does for the people figures.

Looked up the MSRP for this set, $329.   

Should be cheaper from Amazon.

Tinplate Art posted:

Should be cheaper from Amazon.

Being an exclusive set, it will only be available through LEGO.  

Still, not a bad price for such an elaborate set.

I agree, Art. Given the ten cents per piece theory with the addition of a "train motor" and power hub, this set is priced within those standards. LEGO VIP members can place their orders this upcoming Wednesday. 

My wife really loves to build their models. That Eifel Tower was quite a challenge!

Do the VIP members get special pricing?

I predict this set will sell out since it has the dual appeal of LEGO and Disney!

LEGO VIP members do not receive discounts beyond those available to all enthusiast. However, members do receive "points" for every purchase that later translate into dollars that can be spent on future purchases, given enough points. Members also receive product and event updates and often early buying rights. Memberships are free of cost. If you're a LEGO nut, it's silly not to be a member. 

The set will do well. I see three crossovers, LEGO fan, Disney fan, and train fan. 

A triple threat!

Problems:

Buried among a pile of favorable reviews, one guy posted that

1) The set does not include a remote control.

2) All the axles, including those on the locomotive, are plastic.

3) Actually, the motor and batteries are in the tender, which pushes the unpowered locomotive. The axles on the tender are also plastic.

4) The chimney and light tend to fall off easily.

Vincent Massi posted:

Problems:

Buried among a pile of favorable reviews, one guy posted that

1) The set does not include a remote control.

From LEGO: Train and sound effects can be controlled via a smart device. Connect via Bluetooth from the LEGO® Powered Up app.  

2) All the axles, including those on the locomotive, are plastic.

No surprise since it's a plastic building toy

3) Actually, the motor and batteries are in the tender, which pushes the unpowered locomotive. The axles on the tender are also plastic.

I noticed that too, but understand why. Again with plastic axels, it's a plastic toy, not a diecast model. 

4) The chimney and light tend to fall off easily.

Well, so what! Either stick it back on and forget it, or glue it on if it bothers one that much. I rather have it look right. 

Plastic axles on LEGO trains is a recent innovation, and not all L gauge folks like it.

As for the control:  not everyone possesses--or desires to possess--a "smart device."  A lack of an alternative is a poor decision.  Frankly, I'd want to give LEGOs to a kid to keep the OFF the d@#^ phone.

I get all that, and don't disagree. True, I will not be able to control this train remotely with my rotary dial flip phone. I'll get over that. For as often as I would run this train, I'm good with simply pressing a button.

I have several LEGO trains, but certainly don't consider myself an L gauge guy, so I can't speak to those demands. It's just LEGO to me. 

RE: Plastic axles: LEGO plastic seems to be a fairly high grade, and the torque required to move a relatively light weight engine plus the cars would not be very high. We are not talking diecast here! It follows that the axle wear would be minimal, and maybe a lot less than metal on metal or metal on plastic!

The big turnoff for me are the excessive stick-ons (52)! They could have done more brick printing allbeit at greater cost. 😐

I think everyone prefers printed elements over stickers. My solutions is to not use them. 

AGREED!  ☺

I appreciate and enjoy the courtesy of the posters on this thread. Friendly disagreements help us understand issues a lot better.

The fellow with the critical review also claimed that when you ran it in reverse, the locomotive kept separating from the train. (Remember that the motor, battery, and receiver are all in the tender. The locomotive is unpowered).

I wonder if the "steam" locomotive's wheels are having problems turning in sync.

Even if it is never run, it will make a very nice display piece. ☺

It's coming to my house! I pulled the 'VIP early buy' trigger on this set this morning and it should be here within a week. 

JON: Keep us posted! ☺

Update: Received this notice from the fine folks at FedEx...

Should be a winner!  ☺

Just a few miles east...

Arrived at FedEx location

SAINT PAUL, MN

A-n-t-i-ci-p-a-t-i-o-n.....

$329.99 steep price but Disney and Lego are in the wheel house for kids off all ages. Nice review

Almost here...

On FedEx vehicle for delivery

ROGERS, MN

It will not be long!

I think I hard some rumbling at the front door... Yes! Santa has been here...

Was that a Freudian slip?

Oops...lol. No, just the dyslexia kicking in again...

The LEGO Saturn V model is really nice and it is big, over 39 inches tall.  We have the Disney Castle which is very impressive with a lot of detail.  I am on the fence over the Disney station - don't tempt me.  I notice the trains have European style buffers.   I wouldn't mind a station only set.  I do have a pair of unbuilt LEGO special edition Sante Fe diesels.

The breakdown is Saturn $120 / 1969 pieces, roughly $0.06 a piece.  Castle is $350 / 4080 pieces or $0.09 per piece.  The station is $330 / 2925 or $0.11 a piece but has the power functions.

One problem with the big sets is they take up a lot of space, yet you don't really want to dismantle them.

LEGO just revamped the VIP program and it doesn't seem to be as generous as before.  But it is still a good deal and free to sign up.

Here is a photo of the Saturn.  It is approximately 1:110.  Imagine a 1:48 model!

WHOA! Is that Saturn 5 still available? VERY impressive!

penn station posted:

One problem with the big sets is they take up a lot of space, yet you don't really want to dismantle them.

LEGO just revamped the VIP program and it doesn't seem to be as generous as before.  But it is still a good deal and free to sign up.

I had not intended to build this until I had room to display it, but feel almost obligated to do so after all the teasing. 

The space issue especially rang true with the latest issue of the Millennium Falco. It's huge. With it's 7541 pieces and a gross weight of 40lbs, the finished model measures 33" L, 22"W, 8"H. It requires days to assemble and would not be inclined to disassemble anytime soon. So the question is, what to do with it? It's remains sealed...as do many other LEGO sets...

I not all that keen with the changes made to the VIP program. Rewards are convoluted and difficult to redeem now. Oh well...

The Saturn is available on the LEGO online store.  There is also a very nice Empire State Building for $130, 1767 pieces and 21 inches tall with a 7 inch by 4 inch footprint.

The Saturn was a must-have, but as one may guess, it remains sealed. Thanks for posting the pic, as I really gives an indication as to size. I'm envious of your atmospheric particulate remediation chamber. 

My reemergence into LEGO I blame entirely on my brother who gifted Falling Water. One of the nice things about the Architecture series is they require little space, until you have fifty-some of these little jewels. Curse my brother... 

Your construction progress please. ☺

Jon: Have you had a chance to start on this set?

Tinplate Art posted:

Jon: Have you had a chance to start on this set?

Sorry, but not yet. I'm leaving town tomorrow for a week or so. It's going to be at least a couple of weeks before I get to it. 

Jon: THANKS for the update!  ☺

In depth review posted at Brick Model Railroader.

jhz563 posted:

In depth review posted at Brick Model Railroader.

Jhz, you're my hero. I just signed up with them.

Good, bad, or ugly we're heading for Guadalajara (Mexico's second-largest city) to buy one tomorrow. On the phone a toy dealer explained that he had 20 of them and sold 6 yesterday.

I am unhappy about the plastic axles. I am also concerned that the wheels on the "steam" locomotive have problems turning.

Lego replied to my question that YOU CAN operate this train with the remote controls from its two "City" Lego train sets. However these controls can only operate one train at a time. An online reviewer confirmed to me that this is true.

In my opinion, the oval contains far too few tracks. However, it is compatible with the "City" tracks and I had already bought two packages of them.

One reviewer spent seven hours assembling the entire set. Knowing me, this will keep me busy through much of September.

VM: GOOD LUCK and have FUN!  ☺

Glad to see that Lego still has them available at $ 329.00 each; Amazon prices start at $ 487.00 and eBay buy it now is $ 444.00 plus shipping.

I just bought it for $350.44 in Mexico at a Lego store.

Here's the pre-review:

1) They had one already assembled, and I am surprised at how small it actually is.

2) It does NOT contain a remote, and you cannot buy a separate remote. The separate remote they sell works on some of their trucks but not on these trains.

3) Opening the box, I found no damaged pieces.

4) They had an excellent sales presentation. They showed the parts, and the motor and battery set-up is identical to their previous two "City" trains. The remotes on those trains will run the Disney train but they can only run one train at a time

5) $20 for a box of extra tracks. The tracks are compatible with the tracks from the two previous "City" sets.

6) I had concerns about the wheels on the unpowered locomotive (The motor is in the tender). But when I inspected the completed model, they seem to be sturdy and well-made.

7) $4 apiece for a variety of Disney figures that are about the right size for the train and station.

Fair price, and at least you got to see an assembled one and you supported an almost-local (?) dealer. HAVE FUN!  ☺

Here's Bag 1! 

I put on some good Christian music, made a big pot of coffee (I drank six cups) and spent three enjoyable hours assembling the first bag.

As with my other two Lego trains, I kept thinking that parts were missing. If that happens, just start sorting everything, and the part will turn up. I have never bought a Lego set yet that was missing any parts.

As they often do, Lego included a few extra tiny parts. Because I was careful during assembly, I know that I didn't miss anything.

                                          17 bags to go!

NICE WORK and Mickey apparently approves, as he is smiling! If Walt were alive, I feel that he would also approve! ☺

Six and a half hours after I started (not counting breaks) and here it is!                                             And now for the review:

1) There were no pieces missing from Bag 2 (which is actually 2 bags)

2) The driving rods are attached only to the last set of wheels and the body of the loco. They do not touch the third set of wheels. For the record, this loco is a 4-4-0.

3) The train rolls smoothly but the third set of wheels often does not turn.

4) No matter how many times I disassembled it and studied the directions, I could not get the chimney and headlamp to fit. I finally added a square Lego block from another set, and it fits fine. They are stable and do not fall off.

5) I did have a problem with parts falling off, but it was because I had not snapped them tightly into place. Snapping them properly gets difficult for certain areas, but if you're careful, you can do it.

6) There were some small extra parts, along with two large wheels.

VERY NICE review of your progress!

It took me three hours to assemble the motorized tender because after I was done I had to disassemble the whole thing to install the two pieces I missed. The directions for using the remote from another train set were hard to find, but I had figured it out anyway.

It runs well enough, but the third set of wheels often get stuck while taking curves.

No parts were missing.

Bags 4 and 5 took me three hours, but the first passenger car is a beauty!

I was worried that the decorations would make the car too heavy, but it runs well with the loco and tender.

Horrors! One part was missing! It's a tiny red square with only one peg. Actually, two were missing, but one was in the small pile of extra parts from previous bags. I supplied the missing block from my other Lego supplies.

"Dale," the chipmunk brother with the pink nose, fit easily into the railcar.

Bags 6 and 7!

It took me 2 3/4 hours to assemble the last railcar. It's a beautiful passenger car that offers the option of removing one side to display the elite and confortable seating arrangement.

No pieces were missing AND the missing piece from a previous bag was inside.

It's pretty heavy, but it rolls well and runs well with the train.

I spent a pleasant two hours assembling two (out of 11) bags for the Disney railroad station. There were no missing parts.

GREAT REVIEW and THANKS! ☺ I will pass but my wife seems interested! 

Here's how the train station looks after three bags:

Vincent , I have really enjoyed tracking your progress through this build.  Thanks for posting it.

I assembled the fourth bag of station parts, and the inside is BEAUTIFUL! The entire bottom half of the front is also complete. And photo #4? Those are the excess parts so far.

Fascinating interior detail!

Most of bag 12 (bag 5 for the station) consisted of the roof.

Some of the largest pieces were warped (I haven't stored them in sunlight or near heat) and I had some trouble snapping them into place.

And don't be alarmed that  I am spending between one and two hours per bag. I'm going slow, drinking coffee, listening to music, and enjoying myself.                                        One reviewer put the entire thing together in seven hours.

I've put in 19 hours and I'm 2/3 of the way through.

Successfully assembling bag 13 was difficult. The bag contains three different types of pyramid-shaped pieces, two of which are hard to tell apart. And even the illustrations in the manual made it difficult. After carefully disassembling my work several times, and using the photo on the front of the manual to help, I got a nice-looking room  on the second floor.

There were three extra pieces.                                                   There were also slight problems with the large pieces being warped.

Looks great, I can't wait to pick this up along with the new Star Wars UCS Star Destroyer. 

Bag 14 (bag 7 for the station) went pleasantly well. Except for the explosion.

I assembled a window section and pressed too hard while snapping it into place. It took a lot of searching and cleaning to find the three missing pieces, but there was no permanent damage.                                                After recharging the batteries (6 for the train and four for the remote control), the train ran like a champ. So I got courageous and ran it backwards for a while. There were no problems with the (unpowered) locomotive separating from the (powered) tender.

BRAVO, NICE WORK! ☺

Bag 15 provided a pleasant, easy hour assembling an observation balcony on the right top of the station.

There were two small, extra pieces.

FINISHED!

It took me about 28 hours (One reviewer did it in seven hours) of mostly pleasant, leisurely work to assemble the entire train and train station. Because my cheap camera can't take good photos indoors, pictures will have to wait until tomorrow. But here's some points:

1) The train station is not a good doll house. The flowers on the desk are too easily knocked loose, and after you add all the decorations, there is very little room inside.

2) The two model trains and model castle (all scaled down to fit inside the station) are separately installed and easily removed. If you buy other figures for the station, these three "models" don't look that good anyway.

3) The station is sturdy and easily moved without pieces breaking off.

4) The only missing piece was in the next bag. They included a pile of extra pieces.

5) Add-ons? Lego buildings are best built from the ground up, with the entire building being constructed at the same time. But there are a couple of places where you could easily attach a separately-built add-on. Legomaniacs are going to love that.

6) Bizarre problem: The entire building is beautiful. You might have a problem locating it where both front and back are visible.

7) Overall review: The train station is a beautiful, fun-to-build addition to your lay-out.

                Cloudy weather today, but here are some photos:                                            Okay now did anybody else assemble the train and station How did it go?

Hey, it ran great all through the Christmas season!

But didn't anyone else build this thing? How did it work out?

Vincent,

I didn't yet, but it still may call to me one day.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading your progress as you went through the build, so thanks for documenting your journey. 

One day back then I did wander into the Lego store at the local mall while on a dinner break to check it out.

Thanks for sharing your journey, it was informative and entertaining!

-Dave