BrickTrainShop reviews the Classic Lego 7750 "Steam Engine with Tender"

No discussion of LEGO steam locomotives woulda fireman. Like other sets from the 12V era, it
be complete without mention of the 7750 Steamincluded a decal sheet that permitted the set to
Engine with Tender. Arguably the greatest andbe customized with logos from most major
most beloved of all steam engines ever made bynational railways in Europe. No track or additional
LEGO, number 7750 is unique as the only steamaccessories were included; however, the set did
engine to include large driver wheels. Thoseinclude functional lighting elements. Two lighting
wheels give the locomotive its massive, powerfulbricks illuminate the marker lights at the front of
stance and evoke images from the height of thethe engine and the red lights at the rear of the
steam era. Today 7750 stands as the largesttender.
steam engine set ever produced by LEGO.Building a 7750 clone from parts is difficult due to
Like many LEGO trains from the 12V era, 7750 isthe rarity of several parts found in the set. The
based on prototypes from the German railwayslarge train wheels were featured only in this set
and wears their traditional black and red livery.and a subsequent service pack. The red train
The locomotive resembles an actual Deutschemotor shows up only in one other set, the 7730
Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft Class 64 locomotive,Goods Train, which features a smaller steam
which is a large German tank engine with a 2-6-2engine of a similar livery to 7750. The black
wheel configuration. The LEGO rendition uses awindows used in the cab of the engine are hard
different wheel arrangement: two trucks, eachto find in quantity, and the steam cylinders and
with a pair of tandem axles. This change isred buffers have always been difficult to find in
probably due to the difficulty of constructing aquantity. Red bogey plates were featured in 7750
realistic three-axle truck that can negotiate tightexclusively. As a result, clones of 7750 are rare,
curves without the use of blind (flange-less) driverbut builders have designed many excellent replicas
wheels. In the modern era, Big Benof German locomotives that remain more faithful
Bricksproduces blind wheels for this exactto the original prototypes.
purpose. However, this set from the year 1980Some view the 7750 steam engine as being
predates BBB wheels by nearly two decades, andsimplistic and lacking in authenticity; however, it is
LEGO evidently decided to pursue a solution thatworth noting that this set predates the
would not require separate molds for the flangedwidespread use of SNOT techniques by many
and blind driver wheels.Locomotive 7750 featuresyears. Despite its compromises in realism, 7750 is
another subtle compromise of realism in its design:a classic among LEGO train sets and a particularly
it includes a tender. On a real tank locomotive, theunique LEGO locomotive. As a result, the set
water and fuel are carried on the engineitself;fetches handsome amounts on eBay, typically into
hence, a tender is not used.the hundreds of US dollars for copies in good
The LEGO version of the engine utilizes its tendercondition. It is certain to remain a favorite of
as a means of propulsion; the 12V train motor isLEGO train fans, and it holds a place in history as
located beneath the tender. This arrangement isone of the greatest steam locomotives LEGO has
familiar to LEGO steam fans, who frequently useever produced.
powered tenders as a straightforward means ofShould you decide to build a 7750 of your own
powering a locomotive.you will find all the parts you need in our shop
The tender also gives 7750 a more impressiveunder Lego Train Parts.  We also have the actual
look, like that of a mainline passenger locomotive.original set for sale under Lego Train Sets.  If our
Consistent with other 12V-powered sets, weightsBrickTrainShop does not have the parts you need
are included to ensure good electrical contactplease check our other stores and we guarantee
between the rails and the train motor. Theall of our parts are genuine Lego Parts not fake
weights also help to prevent slippage of the drivefraudulent versions, that have popped up all over
wheels.the web in deceptive advertisements.
Set 7750 came with two minifigures: a driver and