Lego Christmas Train Sets: Lego Train Videos, Sets and Christmas Gift Ideas

I've written before about the Hornby Santa's Express Christmas Train Set, and I actually took the step last year of buying it! However, I've also been drawn to the Lego Winter Holiday Train, also known as the Lego Christmas Train Set, which offers an opportunity to create as well as display.

This is illustrated in the designer video shown on the right.

Particular points to note are the minifigs that are included as well as the festive elements such as the tree, presents, and toys (themselves mini copies of Lego creations!)

Like all Lego Expert builds, it is a challenge for children to put together, but if they are Lego-adepts, not impossible. The age rating of 12+ is perhaps a little cautious.

However, it is important to note that this set is un-powered.

Powering the Lego Creator Holiday Train 10254

For a set that costs around £85, it may come as a surprise to learn that it has no battery, remote, motor or lights.

It's interesting to note that the Lego battery operated train set 60051 City High-Speed Passenger Train is only slightly more expensive, and yet comes with motor and remote control.

On the other hand, the Holiday Train set comes with a lot more interesting festive elements, even if it will only get a 'proper' outing once a year! And, as an ongoing project, you could add powered features as extra presents on the day, or even into the future.

Since the individual powered items are also compatible with multiple kits, they will also be useful additions to future Lego creations projects. Here's a list of what's needed to turn the Holiday Train set into a Lego remote control train:

• Remote Control 8879 (£20)
• Remote Control IR Receiver 8884 (£20)
• Battery Box 88000 (£20)
• Lego Motor 88002 (£20)

A word of warning: on the box, there is the Power Functions logo. On the back, however, the box lists the above elements. Do not be tempted to buy the much cheaper "Lego Technic Power Functions Set 8293" as it is not compatible.

Should I Buy The Lego High Speed Passenger Train 60051?

Here's the thing: the 60051 set is powered. And I've checked the back of the box, and the battery box, remote, motor and receiver look suspiciously like the ones in the above list.

So, I turned to BrickLink.com, the reference for all things Lego, and the Lego site (for the instructions and all-important parts list), and made a few discoveries.

The first is that the 88002 set comes with axles and wheels. The axles are the standard Lego Technic ones, but the wheels are custom. However, the instructions for the Holiday Train clearly show using the supplied wheels with the powered or un-powered version, so that's a tick in the right box.

The second discovery was that the other parts appear in the parts lists for the City train, other powered sets, and crucially, in the parts lists for the kits mentioned above. So, they all look to be compatible.

The upgrade items will cost around £80, and the High Speed Passenger Train 60051 kit around £10 more. For the extra money you get a whole new train to play with, as long as you can be bothered to swap the motors around once a year.

If not, then at least the remote control with work with either, and you only need to buy it once.

Lego Christmas Stocking Fillers

If all that seems a bit expensive, never fear.

I've got two items which won't break the bank, and will make excellent presents to have under the tree, or, if you're of an extravagant nature, in a stocking.

The first is The Lego Trains Book, a hardback, illustrated guide to all the Lego train kits through the years.

It goes right back to 1966, and covers the kits, their power sources and building styles and methods right up to the present day.

The book also has a section on Lego geometry, and a useful guide to building your own train variations. From here, it also goes into designing layouts and track plans using various bits of track and items of rolling stock and scenery.

The last two sections round out the discussion with a set of design case studies and a set of building instructions.

It's a very well-rounded book, and something that apprentice master builders will appreciate, as well as armchair enthusiasts.

Finally, let's not forget the younger generation with the rail-less but nonetheless amusing Christmas Train Ride 4062 kit.

It's a great seasonal item, isn't terribly expensive (around the £15 mark), and can be combined with the Christmas Town Square for future gift opportunities.

The box contains pieces for a push along train, a small tree (un-decorated) and a collection of Christmas-themed market stalls and signage.

All in all, Lego has Christmas pretty much covered, and there's something for everyone. Happy Holidays!