Horizon Express: which motor?

Comments

• The_Mack Member Posts: 239

  May 2013 edited May 2013

  I don't think you need two 9V motors for the Horizon Express. One should be enough to pull both trains. And the PF train motors have almost the same footprint as the 9V train motors. It should be an easy swap out. (The Emerald Night is an exception to this rule, it's uses a different motor). Trying to put a PF with receiver and battery box in a older 9V train is harder. So one of the tricks is to build yourself an extra car, or coal tender with that hardware in it, a pusher car. Converting PF to 9V is easy.. 9V to PF is harder. Also keep in my 9V motors aren't made anymore neither is the 9V track.

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• The_Mack Member Posts: 239

  May 2013

  You can also use a #8886 to connect to your 9V motor if you want to use PF lights #8870.

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• Philippe84 Member Posts: 8

  May 2013

  Thank you for your advice! :-)

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• Philippe84 Member Posts: 8

  May 2013

  One more question: if I buy the train 7939, which parts I would need to use the PF system on the Horizon Express? Thank you! :-)

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• Jenni Member Posts: 1,390

  May 2013

  They're selling it as a bundle
  
  http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=5001925-1
  
  I would assume those are the things you need.
  
  We haven't done it yet, the set is only partially built as my husband is savoring it, but we intend to put a 9V motor in our HE. It may not happen for a while but I can let you know how it goes.

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• The_Mack Member Posts: 239

  May 2013

  Philippe84 said:

  One more question: if I buy the train 7939, which parts I would need to use the PF system on the Horizon Express? Thank you! :-)

  Well, if you want to run both Trains you need the Motor, the IR receiver, and a battery box. You only need one transmitter.
  If you don't want to run both trains. You can just use the PF parts from #7939, which has everything you need.
  
  

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• The_Mack Member Posts: 239

  May 2013

  The advantage of Power Function trains is that their power source is independent. So if you have a complicated layout you can run more than one train at a time. You can also do loop backs, which isn't possible on 9V track, because the loop ends up creating a short.
  PF does have those advantages. You can also set up PF and 9V track together as long as your 9V creates a completed loop. The PF train can go on the 9V and PF track, where the 9V trains have to stay to the 9V track. I have both types, and while I don't like the format of the PF pieces (too big), it's probably the better way to design a train set. They make for how real trains actually function, (the power source is in the train) and if you want to create crazy layouts you can do that with PF trains.

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• Philippe84 Member Posts: 8

  May 2013

  OK, thank you for your comments!

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• beegeedee Member Posts: 380

  May 2013

  It costs around 54 euro for the non-rechargeable parts directly from lego, more if you want the lights (about 6.99 euro). The Horizon Express kit includes a rechargeable battery box but if you buy the PF stuff separately and use a standard box it is about 60 euro cheaper than the non-sale price mainly because the battery box and mains comes to over 75 euro, shocking if you ask me.

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