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Posted: Oct 28th, 2009 at 04:28 pm
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Enlighten's a decent enough clone brand. Elements have a dull sheen (and feel just a little bit heavier than Megabloks) and terrific clutch. Some of this Asian brand models are direct replicas of official Lego models (and even a couple of Megablok designs). My previous experiences with Enlighten have been a tank model, one of the large pirate ships and the transforming robots.
When it was noised that Enlighten had released trains I had to jump on it. My wife has long wanted a train under the Christmas tree but I've always been worried about kids and visitors kicking and breaking the models (if not also for the concern about a 'live' tree dripping sap on anything below). Welcome, then, to the less expensive option of an Enlighten holiday train!!
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/626/626-01.jpg
The 626 Happy Christmas Car arrived in a very solid cardboard box (standard for the brand). It makes a passenger train car decked out in holiday decorations with a large present, a monkey & parrot (?!), and two assistants. One end of the car has an entry door for access to an adjoining car. Each side/wall of the car has a double-door boarding entry and one side of the carriage has walls that completely slide off to be able to arrange passengers inside the car.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/626/626-05.jpg
One design note: I'm not a regular train enthusiast and it's been awhile since I've built any kind of train model but this particular car seemed extra tall to me.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/626/626-03.jpg
All decorated elements are preprinted (and fairly well-done). For the most part, the elements are standard Lego parts but I was surprised to find 2x2 double-sided plates (usually found in Megablok sets) and some odd 1x6 'sliding' plates. These are comprised of a top and bottom piece that together match a 1x6 brick. The bottom acts as a stable 'base' while the top part can slide in and out of the base horizontally (the sliding gap is a snug fit).
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/626/626-08.jpg
The only aspect of the set that was a little disappointing was the figures. Each is decked out in a red Santa Claus suit including an ill-fitting beard. Figure heads almost sit on top of the beard and mustache instead of sitting inside the piece itself (as it is, the mustache looks odd sitting under the fig chin). I'd love to see a comparison of a Lego beard next to the Enlighten to see where the flaw is, but I don't have anything readily available.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/626/626-07.jpg
Set comes with 257 pieces, no stickers and no catalog (though there are pictures of other train sets on the back of the box and instructions).
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/626/626-02.jpg
Come to think of it, I've yet to see an official catalog for almost any of the Asian brands. Enlighten in particular keeps a pretty low profile on the internet (no doubt due to copyright infringement on set designs). To find them on ebay I usually have to do a search of "building block bricks" or some similar variation.
I enjoyed this set and think it was worth the money (particularly to building block train fans). None of these designs looks like anything that Lego has already come out with, except maybe the Super Chief locomotive.
As of October 2009, ebay seller tonyw008 has a deal where any two sets can be purchased for about $45.00 (that includes shipping), then any additional sets can be purchased for $16 (no shipping on any extra sets). For my order I got eight sets for just over $140 bucks. Seller is reliable and ships promptly.
One quick follow-up note is that the Enlighten tracks are completely compatible with Lego 9v/radio controlled tracks. A quick comparison shows that they're direct copies and snap easily together.
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/tracks-01.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss65/burrito-breath/enlighten/tracks-02.jpg
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Posted: Oct 28th, 2009 at 05:23 pm
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My order is at the Post Office waiting for me to pick up tomorrow. I want the Christmas locomotive!
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Russell Clark
Past-President, BayLUG/BayLTC
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Posted: Oct 28th, 2009 at 05:48 pm
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Oct 28th, 2009 at 05:23 pm, Russell844 wrote:
My order is at the Post Office waiting for me to pick up tomorrow. I want the Christmas locomotive!
hey russell, i'm psyched for ya!
since you're a train enthusiast, i'll be very interested to hear your comments. have you purchased any other train clones? if so, opinions?
..joseph g
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Posted: Oct 28th, 2009 at 05:59 pm
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Nope, this is my first clone train purchase. I ordered the Christmas car, the UP locomotive, and one box of each of the two track types. I wanted to check compatibility, but you have already done that. I need to email Tony to see if the Christmas locomotive is available, because it was not on his original list. I need to save some more money up fast! I want to order a Sluban set, but that is a future purchase as well.
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Russell Clark
Past-President, BayLUG/BayLTC
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Posted: Oct 29th, 2009 at 07:36 am
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the green/christmas locomotive IS available, it is item 625 (check this listing).
i asked tony about it after i had already made my first order, so i made a second order to include 625. now i'm waiting for that.
i haven't asked about the different railroad buildings pictured but i'm a bit curious about those.
i hope you're not too disappointed by the sets. keep in mind they AREN'T lego, but of the various clone companies i've tried, enlighten is among the better for quality and compatability (and PRICE!!).
again, i'll be looking forward to your comments.
..jg
« Last Edited by
Gonzilla
Oct 29th, 2009 at 07:51 am »
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Posted: Oct 29th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
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Your issues with the figures are completely unfounded! Those are obviously based on the ubiquitous alcoholic bum Santas. Look - the one guy hasn't shaved for a week and has already thrown off his beard to better get at the eggnog! Just compare these guys to a pic of Dan Akroyd in trading places.
Honestly, though, they do look like realistic fake Santas in cheap beards. I think it's a nice touch. Now the parrot and monkey... 
On the other hand, a pink elephant or two would have been hilarious 
Mike
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"Holy mackeral, Andy - that there looks like it might have some MOC-ability to it!"
Feel the wrath of my hand-cranked runcible gun...
"Boredom, was how it started."
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Posted: Oct 29th, 2009 at 02:02 pm
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mike
your insight as to what these figure are REALLY up to is hilarious!
..jg
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Posted: Oct 29th, 2009 at 02:09 pm
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What can I say - I know people 
Mike
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"Holy mackeral, Andy - that there looks like it might have some MOC-ability to it!"
Feel the wrath of my hand-cranked runcible gun...
"Boredom, was how it started."
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Posted: Oct 29th, 2009 at 04:50 pm
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Oct 29th, 2009 at 07:36 am, Gonzilla wrote:
the green/christmas locomotive IS available, it is item 625 (check this listing).
i asked tony about it after i had already made my first order, so i made a second order to include 625. now i'm waiting for that.
i haven't asked about the different railroad buildings pictured but i'm a bit curious about those.
i hope you're not too disappointed by the sets. keep in mind they AREN'T lego, but of the various clone companies i've tried, enlighten is among the better for quality and compatability (and PRICE!!).
again, i'll be looking forward to your comments.
..jg
Dang! Now I really need to save my money so I can get that loco and another box of track. I picked my package up today and these are awesome! I can't wait to build them.
« Last Edited by
Russell844
Oct 30th, 2009 at 08:55 am »
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Russell Clark
Past-President, BayLUG/BayLTC
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Posted: Oct 30th, 2009 at 07:43 am
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Joe and Russell, did Homeland Security open your shipping boxes and sets too to check out the magnets? No wonder Lego changed out the coupling system. Considering what a 6x28 train base costs on bricklink now, the locomotives are a real bargain :-}.
« Last Edited by
larrymarak
Oct 30th, 2009 at 08:15 am »
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Just finished an awesome BumbleBee Moc using the Knex Mechwarrior set Sunder and using the panels and wheels from a yellow street mods set as fairings on the mecha.
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Posted: Oct 30th, 2009 at 08:57 am
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It did not look like my package had been open. Some of the boxes inside were open but it looked like the tape had come unstuck. Unless Tony does not use blue tape...
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Russell Clark
Past-President, BayLUG/BayLTC
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Posted: Oct 30th, 2009 at 09:05 am
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My box was resealed with inspection tape by BC&Homeland security. This now makes 3 of us blokheads who have ordered from Tony. Have fun motorizing and running your Enlighten trains at the next LegoTrain group function :-}.
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Just finished an awesome BumbleBee Moc using the Knex Mechwarrior set Sunder and using the panels and wheels from a yellow street mods set as fairings on the mecha.
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Posted: Oct 30th, 2009 at 01:35 pm
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my packages were unopened also..the magnet issue vs. homeland is very interesting.
..jg
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Posted: Nov 2nd, 2009 at 02:25 pm
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Russell Clark
Past-President, BayLUG/BayLTC
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Enlighten trains - 626 Happy Christmas Car: ..and a parrot in a pear tree? - (Read 198 Times)
