This is my favorite 12v set. I had the 7745 express train first so it didn't really tie in well to my collection. But having purchased 2 x 7735 freight train it goes well now.

The wagons are easy to buy individual pieces and build multiple copies, hence I have 5 and 10 containers for this set!

The colours are great and it is multi-directional move wise. There is nothing I would have changed.

10 out of 10

The container crane is moveable in all directions and is fully functional. It even has a cabin and an operator. The set also has a truck, a wagon and containers. A very complete set and a great addition for any railway station or port.

Overview
Year of release: 1986
Last year in catalog: 1990
Set type: building
Generation (within grey era): 3.5
Predecessor (within grey era): 7838
Successor (within grey era): none

Description
This is a huge container crane, alongside with a special wagon and a container truck. The model looks and works like a real crane, to improve stability some technic bricks are used. After 7838, it is the second of three sets that came with a special wagon. And there is a new-styled baseplate with additional cycle track, as it has been introduced in 1986 for classic town sets.

Variants and alternate parts
Early versions of the set use hinge plates with solid studs, and 1x1 plates with thin rings. Later versions use hinge plates with hollow studs, and 1x1 plates with thick rings.
Moreover, there are different versions of the conducting rails: Either with or without holes, but always with additional reinforcements at the bottom.

Personal opinion
With more than 400 pieces, this is one of the bigger sets. It works great, it looks great, it is great. And as a big surprise, it is equipped with conducting rails.
For a better integration into a pre-1986 town layout, I prefer to use an old road baseplate without cycle track.