Review: 40518 High Speed Train
Posted by Huw,
40518 High-Speed Train belongs to the odd category of sets that are branded Creator rather than Creator 3-in-1 which has recently encompassed souvenir-type sets that are only available in brand stores and at LEGO.com.
The initial blurry pictures of this one were greeted with much excitement, but that was soon dashed once it became clear that it was only 4-wide, incompatible with previous LEGO train systems, and intended purely for display.
Nevertheless, it does look like an attractive model.
Summary
40518 High-Speed Train, 284 pieces.
£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 6.3p / 7.0c / 7.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A competent microscale model but with limited appeal.
- Well-designed
- Two sets needed for whole train
- No playability
- Not 6-wide
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The train comprises two passenger coaches, the front half of an electric multiple unit, and overall it's about 36cm long.
It's hard to get a sense of scale from the picture above, particularly as we've become accustomed to LEGO trains being a particular size, so here it is with a minifig and goat:
The fronts of trains at any scale are always the hardest part to get looking right but designer George Gilliatt has done a commendable job with just four studs of width to work with, using techniques that could be scaled up to 6- or 8-wide. The key to the geometry working is the new-ish 35464 ROOF TILE 1X1, DEG. 45, W/O KNOBS, used right at the front.
The fact that George is the designer, and what I presume is the year his of birth, is made quite clear on the sticker on the side of the unit, which also features the classic LEGO train double-arrow motif.
The sticker at the back has three-letter codes for the service's source and destination: LCC - HLC: LEGO City to Heartlake City, presumably.
A surprising level of detail has been crammed into the model's diminutive size, including corridor connections at the ends and doors formed using ingots.
The bogies are fixed, so even if one was to fashion compatible track out of something the train would not traverse curves or turnouts.
An additional ball joint has been provided to enable two sets to be connected back-to-back, thus acknowledging that the train would look better as a complete unit, double the length with a cab at each end. The sticker street also includes the numbers 3 and 4 with which to label the other two coaches.
My only complaint about the design is the position of the pantograph, which is unrealistically situated above the corridor connection. I'd have moved it four studs towards the front.
It's a very well-designed and attractive model, but I wonder who it will appeal to. Unlike the other Creator souvenir sets such as 40468 Yellow Taxi and 40469 Tuk Tuk, it's not clear to me what this is a souvenir of. A train journey, presumably.
A push-along train without track is not much fun, and for it work as a display model you really need two copies, and at the price for a pair of them you're likely to start looking elsewhere in LEGO's assortment for one.
It's currently available at LEGO.com in Europe and the UK, but is still 'coming soon' in North America.
124 likes
78 comments on this article
I love Lego trains! But not at this scale.
Now if it would’ve come with the goat…
The only train set I have is 4855 Spiderman's Train Rescue, but it's pretty lame that this isn't a 6-wide train on rails.
For some reason that train reminds me 4511. I wish they made it in the same scale as 10233...
I hate this set. Feels like a tease. We haven't had a decent electric train since that orange one a hundred years ago.
Really solid build!
I like it! As a decorative piece, that is.
The bright pink and teal (?) pieces inside are showing through some narrow gaps. Seems avoidable.
I would love a line of mini- or midi-scale trains like this (and related buildings/scenery) - if the trains were capable of actually running on tracks.
@lippidp I believe there will be a passenger train released in Summer (764 parts, set no. 60337).
Love the summary table by the way
Looks great until you see the scale of it against the minifig and goat and the issue of it being 4-wide instead of the standard 6 just screams out.
(Also, bad Bricksetter here as I don't read too many Set Reviews in case it triggers my purse into buying things I can't afford, but I really like that summary section towards the top of the review. Not sure how long it's been there but it's a great addition)
I'd say all the Hogwarts Expresses we've had without rails suggest that there is a market for trains without tracks. I'm a bit torn. I really like this one, it looks really good, but it's a bit pointless. Would have made a nice display piece with a display base, maybe some track and a 'tunnel' at the end for it to have come out of.
It looks like it would fit nicely on Hornby railway or Brio tracks.
I'm still hoping for another train to display similarly alongside my 10277 Crocodile Locomotive.
Already available in Europe & the UK?! That figures... trains in the US have a bad track record, we can probably expect further delays. ??
@mojomarm said:
"Looks great until you see the scale of it against the minifig and goat and the issue of it being 4-wide instead of the standard 6 just screams out.
(Also, bad Bricksetter here as I don't read too many Set Reviews in case it triggers my purse into buying things I can't afford, but I really like that summary section towards the top of the review. Not sure how long it's been there but it's a great addition)"
It's a very new feature! I like it too, although I think it's a bit rich to say this set has *no* playability.
The fact that it uses 4925370 as a train wheel, on fixed bogies, suggests that it is meant to be a similar scale to the polybag train 30575, which does the same thing. if so, then the scale makes a bit more sense.
It is disappointing that the set only builds the engine OR the car, and this is not clear from the image or box. Even the 14 inch dimension on the box is for engine and car.
The review is spot on, and I continue to appreciate the call-out box up front.
@mojomarm, that call-out box/summary is new as of this week. I agree that it's a great addition!
@MisterBrickster, regarding the Hogwarts Express . . . maybe? Our family purchased and then motorized and added cars to the most recent HE version, and it runs on our track just fine. It doesn't come WITH track, but it is compatible. I don't think that we'd have bought it otherwise. FWIW, I've read that other folks have had a problem with that HE version navigating curves, but we haven't noticed it.
@tne328 said:
"The fact that it uses 4925370 as a train wheel, on fixed bogies, suggests that it is meant to be a similar scale to the polybag train 30575, which does the same thing. if so, then the scale makes a bit more sense.
It is disappointing that the set only builds the engine OR the car, and this is not clear from the image or box. Even the 14 inch dimension on the box is for engine and car."
The set includes parts to build one engine and one car.
The design is very catchy and a 4-stud wide train subtheme would actually be welcome, but those stiff bogeys will certainly cause playability problems.
So, even though I really enjoy LEGO trains unfortunately this set doesn't do much for me. Yeah, maybe for display, but I'd rather stick to my 10277 for that purpose.
That's great but why hasn't this released in America?
The new summary box is a great improvement in these reviews. Previously I just scrolled to the bottom to find the Conclusions section...
I mainly want this as a nice little display model, but I really wish they'd give use a proper release date for North America already.
Thanks for the review, well done. This could a great little display piece for my office. 6-stud trains such as the Crocodile might be a bit too much.
However, I do hope that this is not the only train set we get this year!
@ForestMenOfEndor said:
"The review is spot on, and I continue to appreciate the call-out box up front.
@mojomarm , that call-out box/summary is new as of this week. I agree that it's a great addition!
@MisterBrickster , regarding the Hogwarts Express . . . maybe? Our family purchased and then motorized and added cars to the most recent HE version, and it runs on our track just fine. It doesn't come WITH track, but it is compatible. I don't think that we'd have bought it otherwise. FWIW, I've read that other folks have had a problem with that HE version navigating curves, but we haven't noticed it."
I've done exactly the same. If you replaced the technic beam couplings with magnetic ones, you're likely to have missed the problem, which is that the train can't curve sharply enough. The front wheels are a problem as well, I just gave them a bit more wiggle room. But if it works for you, I won't jinx it!
Next on the list is a better carriage.
@kaosconman said:
"Already available in Europe & the UK?! That figures... trains in the US have a bad track record, we can probably expect further delays. ??"
“Bad track record”— please tell me that was intentional.
Lazy of lego to not give it some display tracks, now people will have to demolish their 7036 or BL some.
Luckily it's quite cheap and you can also use the old blue tracks.
Only way to ake it interesting would be some building in the same scale now it's just a lonely useless train.
@merman said:
"Now if it would’ve come with the goat…"
Maybe it is goat scaled
Nice review. First one I've seen the summary box on, and tbh I'd prefer it at the bottom of the review, as when it's at the top it feels like I've read the summary and almost don't need to keep reading!
Yet another useless souvenir set. I wonder who the target audience for these type of sets is. The Taxi was weird as it has no room for figures, even though the scale would have sufficed. The Tuk-Tuk is too big for minifigures and looks awful with the tiny wheels and this half train is neither pretty for display nor does it have any play value.
Nice and different.
Rather than try and find room for joining two together, build a tunnel-mouth and hillside for it to be appearing out of.
The very limited appeal seems to be someone that wants a train (likely a kid) but doesn’t have track or it’s too cost prohibitive to start collecting trains. But even then, I think most people, knowing Lego train track exists, would want something compatible with that.
Kind of sad that we went from 4558 Metroliner in '91 to this crapola: so much for 31 years of progress
It's not even suitable as a display model: there are no tracks, it's too big for Architecture sets and about the right size for the Taj Mahal, so I guess you can have half of a train sitting in front of the Taj, if you are on drugs.
I like it! The scale reminds me of the ride-on train that runs around Paradise Park in East Sussex!
Not quite micro so maybe midi scale? It seems too much like a GWP to help sales of a new L-gauge train set, we can but live in hope!
Please move the summary to the end of the article.
@dingbat591 said:
"...but those stiff bogeys will certainly cause playability problems..."
Coupling seems to be utterly useless too. One ball joint is not getting you anywhere.
It's just display piece.
The summary at the top is useful for those that want a quick overview, and also the 'industry standard' place to position it. For example,
https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/lenses/sigma-18-50mm-f2-8-dc-dn-c-review-a-fine-fast-zoom-for-aps-c
https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/msi-summit-e16-flip-2-in-1-laptop
This is a Creator ½-in-1 set
I feel like a lot of people just forgot kids existed. I can 100% guarantee you that the vast majority of youngins would not look at this and say "well it doesn't have tracks and the bogies are fixed so I'm not interested, mother." They'd look at it and see a cool train, and such a clean design at pocket money costs is a shoe-in for parent interest.
Just weird to see so many people ask who the market is for this. Anyone under 15? College kids who don't have much money or display space? People constantly moan about too many 18+ sets and not enough small ones, you can't then turn around and forget why you wanted the small ones
"The bogies are fixed, so even if one was to fashion compatible track out of something the train would not traverse curves or turnouts."
The way you phrase this makes it seem like the older roller coaster pieces don't exist
@Zeoxzy said:
"Love the summary table by the way"
Love this as well. The only thing I would add is: notable new(ish) parts. In this case part 35464 in earth blue. Thanks Huw!
As for the set, I'm not the target audience; It's nice enough I suppose but not for me.
Maybe "no playability" could be changed for "limited playability"
Would it run on rollercoaster track?
@HOBBES said:
" @Zeoxzy said:
"Love the summary table by the way"
Love this as well. The only thing I would add is: notable new(ish) parts. In this case part 35464 in earth blue. Thanks Huw! "
Is that part in the set? I see where they use the white version of 35464, at the nose where Huw pointed it out, but I don't see the earth blue
@CarolinaOnMyMind said:
" @kaosconman said:
"Already available in Europe & the UK?! That figures... trains in the US have a bad track record, we can probably expect further delays."
“Bad track record”— please tell me that was intentional. "
Yup! Anyone who chew chews on my comment will want to ticket me for bad humor.
Therre are no particularly rare parts in it: https://brickset.com/inventories/40518-1/rare, and the 1x1 ridge slopes are white, not dark blue.
Can it run on IKEA wooden tracks? https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lillabo-50-piece-track-set-10320077/
I think the target audience for this is probably more casual builders than the typical Brickset reader. I think there's probably quite a lot of people who would enjoy building an affordable, small, fairly detailed train model and not care about compatibility with track or minifigs.
I like it, I think it's kind of cute, so I might get it if I wanted to add something else to meet up a GWP threshold for example.
This is on my list, but it was a bit of a downer to find out on January 1st that it was another set I couldn't just walk into a regular shop and buy.
Particularly with the notion of buying 2+ to complete the train, I could see myself buying one at regular price, then one at discount on a whim from Sainsbury or the like when they dropped the price. As is, being a lego shop exclusive, it'll be full price or nothing.
I also wish that there was an alternative build, at least for the engine. Then you could chain more than two without having spare engines. Creator has done more with less, and carriage variants seem like an obvious option.
@MrNobody said:
"Can it run on IKEA wooden tracks? https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/lillabo-50-piece-track-set-10320077/"
you mean Brio :P which is also Swedish (well, was. now owned by Ravensburger) https://www.brio.net/our-company/
likely won't work as brio/ikea cars are very short
summary box is great! (Maybe consider moving to the bottom, as a way to sum up and finish the review?).
I like it- it looks really good on display and that's all my standard Lego trains do most of the time anyway.
I'm getting a second one to make a 4-long train.
Not that I'm saying "no" to another "proper" loco like the Krokodil, of course.
I just don't get this set. It's not much of a display model, and in my opinion fails as a souvenir set because it's just way too generic looking. But I don't think it's much of a play set either, even disregarding the lack of track, does it even roll (and turn) properly when pushed around? And considering this is a 7+ set, aren't kids that age well beyond that? And the fact it's not a 3-in-1 set limits its appeal even more. This should have either been a 4+ set (and a better toy) or 18+ (and a better display model), there's just not much room inbetween.
In itself I do like the idea of a train this size. Make a whole bunch of those based on real trains. Like how Nanoblock has a series of shinkansen and other (mostly) Japanese trains. Something like Speed Champions but aimed at train fanatics. It would be fun to collect them all.
@NotProfessorWhymzi said:
"AFOLs: but i don’t want this Lego train set!
Lego: then why did you ask for it!?"
Because this is the train set AFOLs deserve, but not the one we need right now. So we’ll criticize it. Because it can take it.
@CarolinaOnMyMind said:
"Because this is the train set AFOLs deserve, but not the one we need right now. So we’ll criticize it. Because it can take it. "
Somehow I suddenly expect a recolor of this set. All black....with a DC license :-)
Good review; the new review summary offers brevity to me and enhances the clarity of the review. From my perspective, the price of $20 represents undesirable value due to a Minifigure scale vehicle with compendious designs and reasonable playability and display value could be obtained.
@Huw the reviews could do with a thorough proof-reading pass before getting published:
"The fact that George is the designer, and what I presume is the year his of birth, ..."
maybe you meant "year of his birth"
"The sticker street also includes the numbers 3 and 4 ..."
sticker sheet
In any case, thanks for doing the review!
In the same way the sets with boats have a disclaimer whether they float or not, does this have on on the box about it not working with other train sets. Parents will pick this up thinking it adds to existing train sets.
Feels like this one shouldn't of gotten past the internal idea stages.
@fakespacesquid said:
"I feel like a lot of people just forgot kids existed. I can 100% guarantee you that the vast majority of youngins would not look at this and say "well it doesn't have tracks and the bogies are fixed so I'm not interested, mother." They'd look at it and see a cool train, and such a clean design at pocket money costs is a shoe-in for parent interest.
Just weird to see so many people ask who the market is for this. Anyone under 15? College kids who don't have much money or display space? People constantly moan about too many 18+ sets and not enough small ones, you can't then turn around and forget why you wanted the small ones"
I don’t think people have really forgotten kids exist (in many cases people do here), but even with kids in mind it’s an unusual set. Being a train, it’s natural to associate it with tracks. Other than preschool type train toys, most all train sets of some kind come with tracks. No, you don’t need tracks to play with this, but I know when I was a young kid at the proper age I would want track to go along with it.
Parents may not care, and that’s likely who might see this and is most likely to buy it. But aside from that it doesn’t seem to fit any one category.
@tm76 said:
"In the same way the sets with boats have a disclaimer whether they float or not, does this have on on the box about it not working with other train sets. Parents will pick this up thinking it adds to existing train sets.
Feels like this one shouldn't of gotten past the internal idea stages."
The average parent isn't super informed but I doubt they'd look at this and instantly think it's compatible with the Crocodile
Which existing sets do you think they would think this adds to? And why would they think that given that there is no indication to that anywhere on the box?
Its interesting to see just how good this 4 wide passenger train looks with some clever use of bricks for the front section. Its a real shame that so many 8 wide passenger trains have defaulted to large custom pieces to make up the front section. I wish Lego would steer away from that practice and place more confidence in actual Lego pieces.
Pro: Is 4-wide
Pro: Cars can be bought in pairs instead having to get 4 cars all at once.
Pro: Small enough to zoom around.
What are the cons again? I don't see any in your review.
I’ll buy 2 for my boys narrow gauge collection: we just need some old rails :)
@guachi
Con: AFOLs will hate it and relentlessly complain about what a useless set it is.
Pro: the above con might ensure it is readily available to those who want it instead of being perpetually out of stock.
@darkstonegrey said:
" @Huw the reviews could do with a thorough proof-reading pass before getting published:
"The fact that George is the designer, and what I presume is the year his of birth, ..."
maybe you meant "year of his birth"
"The sticker street also includes the numbers 3 and 4 ..."
sticker sheet
In any case, thanks for doing the review!"
Now I want a LEGO xtra street sign sticker that says "Sticker St."...
Love the Summary Box, and the positioning at the start of the review is not only industry standard but also commonsense.
@kaosconman said:
" @CarolinaOnMyMind said:
" @kaosconman said:
"Already available in Europe & the UK?! That figures... trains in the US have a bad track record, we can probably expect further delays."
“Bad track record”— please tell me that was intentional. "
Yup! Anyone who chew chews on my comment will want to ticket me for bad humor."
You lost steam and have gone off the rails. So I’m uncoupling you.
I had some questions when this set was revealed, but after this review I have more questions. :-)
Why is 'Not 6-wide' a con? It's not mentioned in the article, so I can't tell if this is a valid point.
When the set was revealed I thought it was a display piece. Is 'No playability' a valid con for a display piece? And later the article says 'A push-along train without track is not much fun...'. So the train runs smoothly? And if so, doesn't that make the set playable?
'Two sets needed for whole train': a bit of a grey one as reflected in other comments.
I've looked up the sticker sheet on BrickLink and I guess the times where you had all those train logo's and destination stickers is way in the past. A real shame.
In the Netherlands 1 and 2 indicate the seating class in the train. I guess class 3 would mean 'standing only' and class 4 would mean 'stand between the livestock'. ;-)
@Feroz said:
"Why is 'Not 6-wide' a con? It's not mentioned in the article, so I can't tell if this is a valid point."
I mention it in the start. It's a 'con' because we all want 6-wide trains to make a return, and if one of this quality did so it would be very well received.
"When the set was revealed I thought it was a display piece. Is 'No playability' a valid con for a display piece? And later the article says 'A push-along train without track is not much fun...'. So the train runs smoothly? And if so, doesn't that make the set playable?"
It runs smoothly, yes, but I don't consider pushing it along a flat surface to be 'playability'. Maybe others do.
"'Two sets needed for whole train': a bit of a grey one as reflected in other comments."
Two sets needed for a decent length multiple unit with a cab at each end.
"In the Netherlands 1 and 2 indicate the seating class in the train. I guess class 3 would mean 'standing only' and class 4 would mean 'stand between the livestock'. ;-)"
In this case they are numbering the coaches, of course, which is often done, but usually with electronic signage here in the UK.
what a miserable lot commenting on here as well as the review itself, yes it doesnt fit normal lego train track (boo hoo) but it was never meant to and at the bargain £17.99 its perfect for what it is!! i cant wait to build my copy of this and have it on display and even buy a 2nd copy. yes we are overdue new trains but i believe that will change later this year
I already love the summary box. <3
I don't think kids will find this set fun. It has no play features, no minifigs, no tracks, and you can't build a lot of stuff with the pieces. 60314 is a fun set for kids: they can come up with names and storylines for the minifigs, have a car chase, crash the police car into the ice cream truck and rebuild them, etc.
I would say it has definite play value for children, it's an ideal size for smaller hands and for taking out and about.
Maybe Lego are testing the water for 4-wide trains? It would be OK to sit next to 4002016: 50 Years on Track, also fairly easy to create a track for it like those models
I won't be rushing to buy it though, it will probably be an add-on to reach a qualifying spend amount, or wait until it's on sale somewhere. It may have been better as a GWP, as it is, for adults it's only value is for display as a curio.
I can't help thinking we're being really ungrateful, we demanded a new train for ages, only to throw it back because it's not the one we wanted!
Lego have a 'track record' (sorry for plagiarising the pun) for doing the unexpected and for giving things a new twist, it's what keeps them fresh and why we love them!
This set is for me. Having traveled for years by train. Mostly for work, but also to go to events.
It's a nice display/conversation piece that doesn't take up too much space.
I just need to decide if I want one or two sets and maybe replace the stickers with custom stickers or prints.
I love trains, I build MOC engines and carriages, but I will not buy this set, for sure. Reason is simple. There is no train without tracks. I don't know who could buy its?
Its a great looking set, but why? All I see in this set is a designer who was told to make a tiny, useless four wide train, so he did his best, and it turned out well, but the set is still a tiny, useless four wide train.
I guess, this train could serve nicely for a starter collection. Let's say, a kid grew up a bit and the parents want something other than Duplo. In 1970s there were plenty of such sets.
@Naylus said:
"I guess, this train could serve nicely for a starter collection. Let's say, a kid grew up a bit and the parents want something other than Duplo."
It's a 7+ set, with almost 300 pieces. That's quite a step up from Duplo...
I feel the same here as with the new "big" pull-back Technic sets: the intended age group doesn't match the play options offered by the set.
@Reinier said:
" @lippidp I believe there will be a passenger train released in Summer (764 parts, set no. 60337)."
If it's another kids train I'll pass. I'm looking for a Creator Expert (or whatever they're calling that now). The recent crocodile is good, but has no wagons.