Set #10194-1: Emerald Night

[Legodac]

    Hey everyone, here it is, my review on the Emerald Night ( no K ).
The model is fun to build of course, just be carefull with the colors.
With power functions the train moves great in all speeds, even real slow, which is also much quieter.

However, here's the big con, it has to do with the large wheels and the track you use.
My 30 meter layout is all conductive track, you know, metal on the rails to allow the 9 volt train motors to operate.
I decided to go to power functions because cleaning the tracks was becoming a little to much. I used to spend 3 or 4 hours vaccuuming and dusting and blowing the trees with compressed air. The next step was to use an alcohol soaked rag and wipe the rails to clear them of the carbon buildup. Depending on use, this process was done every other week.
    Now you understand why Power Functions is a better way to go. Here in lies the problem, the 4 large drive wheels on the Night have a groove into which you wrap elastic bands around to improve traction. These bands increase the Diameter Guage whereby making a rough ride for the Night in the corners when it meats a rail joint.
    My temporary solution was to remove the bands, the train runs smoother, but the cool slow speed is no longer effective because we have hard plastic trying to push and drive on metal.
    IMPORTANT, remember, this is about the conductive tracks, The metal free tracks and the new single piece pivoting, metal free tracks are you're best bet if you're just starting out.

    This next tidbit is about size, The Emerald Night is much wider than all the trains that preceeded it. It won't fit inside Lego's red train shed, However it does fit in my lime green Train Shed. Another note on size, when you are ready to layout and mount your tracks with screws, leave yourself lots room, especially on corners, I'll give some examples later in my Night's topic along with a few pics.

     One final point of interest, In the last few days I've been conversing, by mail and telephone with Daniel at LEGO Shop@Home discussing the wheel options. He's the great guy that is in Customer relations and the one who writes back to you when you have a problem. This process is ongoing, I'll keep you apprised in my own EN topic, where you will find this post as well, soon as someone else posts.

    The Emerald Night is a whole new era in Lego Train Modelling, I highly recomend it.

 

[FIR£PRØØF]

    Hey everyone, here it is, my review on the Emerald Night ( no K ).
The model is fun to build of course, just be carefull with the colors.
With power functions the train moves great in all speeds, even real slow, which is also much quieter.

However, here's the big con, it has to do with the large wheels and the track you use.
My 30 meter layout is all conductive track, you know, metal on the rails to allow the 9 volt train motors to operate.
I decided to go to power functions because cleaning the tracks was becoming a little to much. I used to spend 3 or 4 hours vaccuuming and dusting and blowing the trees with compressed air. The next step was to use an alcohol soaked rag and wipe the rails to clear them of the carbon buildup. Depending on use, this process was done every other week.
    Now you understand why Power Functions is a better way to go. Here in lies the problem, the 4 large drive wheels on the Night have a groove into which you wrap elastic bands around to improve traction. These bands increase the Diameter Guage whereby making a rough ride for the Night in the corners when it meats a rail joint.
    My temporary solution was to remove the bands, the train runs smoother, but the cool slow speed is no longer effective because we have hard plastic trying to push and drive on metal.
    IMPORTANT, remember, this is about the conductive tracks, The metal free tracks and the new single piece pivoting, metal free tracks are you're best bet if you're just starting out.

    This next tidbit is about size, The Emerald Night is much wider than all the trains that preceeded it. It won't fit inside Lego's red train shed, However it does fit in my lime green Train Shed. Another note on size, when you are ready to layout and mount your tracks with screws, leave yourself lots room, especially on corners, I'll give some examples later in my Night's topic along with a few pics.

     One final point of interest, In the last few days I've been conversing, by mail and telephone with Daniel at LEGO Shop@Home discussing the wheel options. He's the great guy that is in Customer relations and the one who writes back to you when you have a problem. This process is ongoing, I'll keep you apprised in my own EN topic, where you will find this post as well, soon as someone else posts.

    The Emerald Night is a whole new era in Lego Train Modelling, I highly recomend it.

 

Whoe thats increadable, .

[Empire981]

i want that emerald express, mostly cause it comes with those droors (spelling)
i want the republic gunship and the drop ship, sadly i only get about 5 sets a year they are small, but im a few years off from a job so then i will buy alot of sets.

[Legodac]

i want that emerald express, mostly cause it comes with those droors (spelling)
i want the republic gunship and the drop ship, sadly i only get about 5 sets a year they are small, but im a few years off from a job so then i will buy alot of sets.

I understand, I'm hurtin' for some new constuction stuff like the new dozer and I'm still waiting for Lego to keep their promise and make the tower crane available in Canada.

[Master X: Neo Black]

Legodac, That was very impressive! I really enjoyed reading your review and cant wait to read more.

[Legodac]

Legodac, That was very impressive! I really enjoyed reading your review and cant wait to read more.

Thanks for the kind words MX, may we call you that? Here's a little update on the Emerald night. I belong to another Lego related site that only deals with Trains. I read that another enthusiast discovered that a cause for the train bouncing had to do with the forward bogeys, I'm currently researching this by running the train. I think he's right. Now I just need to figure out how to fix it. Maybe, if I do, I could put the elastic bands back on the large bogeys.

[Master X: Neo Black]

Sure, I don't mind if you call me that at all! Wow! you are very good at trains! I almost bought the freight train but I got the police station instead. My favorite set ever was probably, the ones I have designed my self.  especially my recreation of the chase scene in Indiana jones and the Las Crusade, when Indy is fighting on the tank.

[Legodac]

Sure, I don't mind if you call me that at all! Wow! you are very good at trains! I almost bought the freight train but I got the police station instead. My favorite set ever was probably, the ones I have designed my self.  especially my recreation of the chase scene in Indiana jones and the Las Crusade, when Indy is fighting on the tank.

Is that on your LU creations? Post a link, I'd love to see it

[Master X: Neo Black]

Haven't posted it yet, just finished it yesterday. 

[lionytai]

I would like to see it!