Random set of the day: Container Crane Depot
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 7823 Container Crane Depot, released in 1986. It's one of 3 Trains sets produced that year. It contains 487 pieces and 2 minifigs.
It's owned by 718 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
53 likes
19 comments on this article
The golden age of lego trains
Interesting set. These machines are some of my favourite, and I have no idea why. I'm actually very surprised I have only built like 3 in Lego before.
I just can't put my finger on it, nice metal structure that goes over the tracks-and-or-road, with wheels, and a crane. I'm a weird person what can I say?
More than anything, I love how there's an actual ladder, the workers can climb, to actually get into the crane cabin. Ah, these beautifully-designed old train sets. There are few things, in the Lego kingdom, that make me happier than these.
I like how in that era of trains, you could buy individual components and not have to buy an entire set.
That crane cab looks like so much fun!
The 4.5/12V era is distinctive in some ways: the color schemes are muted, the designs are extremely angular (see 7813), and there is a massive variety of cars and support structures/vehicles as separate to choose from. 1986 marked the end of the line: Trains would go on hiatus after that year until the 9V era in 1991. While 7740 is a classic, 7823 just doesn't resonate with me the same way. It just looks rougher than most of Lego's offerings, even in that era. The exposed tiles on the vertical supports of the crane would really benefit from some SNOT.
We so need a new real Trains theme like we had in those days. In the meantime I will have to make do with the BlueBrixx offerings which, while great designs, just aren't real LEGO.
This works for me. Most classics do.
I would love a Train theme where there are not only motorized trains, but also just fun buildings, carriages and a few non-motorized trains!
Basically, the old train theme
It's funny how gray and blocky it is, yet it still looks interesting.
@TransNeonOrangeSpaceman: it looks realistic, that's probably why.
Modern City sets look kind of realistic (some more than others), but everything is so overly colourful. These old sets often looked far more subdued and realistic.
I agree. I've never dug into LEGO trains as I got a "real" Märklin train for my birthday instead and build a massive layout for that one but as a kid I was always fascinated by LEGO trains. Once the 9 volt era started I liked the trains but the rest of the scenery not so much. This one however would look spectacular anywhere.
Love this set - can still remember how happy I was when my mum and dad bought me this! Golden age indeed!
Cool. I recently downloaded the instructions for this.
I recently bricklinked this for my classic town - great 1980s set!
I remember gazing at this in the catalogues of the time and loved the look - suitably industrial and interesting use of Technic bricks which I wasn’t familiar with at that point. Sadly I never got it then and I’ve been unable to find one for a reasonable price since exiting dark ages, but one day...!
Looks perfect. Accurate to the subject matter; and not a single huge, very specialized piece (which is especially common with today's container cranes in sets).
I'm another who needs to try my hand at building this. Personally, to me, the best winch design LEGO ever used was the old one--except it's just not that compact compared to later designs. And neither can it be placed deep within a build.
As someone who got this as a kid, and still has it, I do love it. Even though I secretly wanted 7839 more. And didn't have a cargo train. Nevermind that.
if there's a flaw, it's that the track position relative to the roadway makes it awkward to include both this and 7866 in a layout with connecting road baseplates (I think the same would go for 7835).