Saturday, March 1, 2014

Enlighten 627 Not Lego Train Locomotive set review



its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

After waiting like what seems forever, my Enlighten train finally arrived from AliExpress.  It's based on a Derwent Grange steam locomotive.

I wasn't expecting the seller to ship the box, but here it is albeit slightly crumpled.  I also got 2 duplicate instruction booklets.   

I'm a big fan of these Lego style train sets, especially as they are so hard to come by.  Enlighten makes a number of trains but most of them have been discontinued, so I figured I better grab this one before it was retired also.  It cost me just under $20 USD with free shipping from AliExpress.

This set has 168 pieces and is about 80% similar to Lego's Hogwart's Express set 4708 released back in 2001.  This set has both the locomotive and the tender, whereas the Lego set had the locomotive and a train car.  The set comes with a single minifigure.   As with most Enlighten train sets, this one did not come with any track, unlike  Ausini brand train sets which come with six or seven pieces.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

The build was pretty straightforward and the Enlighten bricks are completely compatible with Lego bricks.  This non-powered train set is molded in red and black with word printing on the locomotive and tender, not stickers.  It should be noted that the red bricks have a slightly metallic sheen to them.


its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

Pictured above is the front of the locomotive.  Unfortunately it doesn't come with a front coupler.  Derwent Grange is printed on the side and 3688 towards the rear.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

Note to self: add some small round black pieces to the hopper to simulate coal.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

The engine cover opens up to reveal the steam engine inside.  

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

There's some nicely detailed tiles inside the cab.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

Both trucks under the locomotive's carriage swivel making turns on the track a breeze.  


its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

Above is the coal car with Enlighten brand on the side of it.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

Here is the undercarriage for the coal car.  The magnets on all of the couplers are quite strong.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

A ladder adorns the back of the coal car.

its-not-lego.blogspot.com, enlighten 627 train set

Here is the steam locomotive pulling an Ausini brand tanker car and an Enlighten brand caboose.   Now I just need to get some more train tracks.  Do you have any Lego or clone brick train sets?

Brand: Enlighten
Set: 627
Model:  Derwent Grange Steam Locomotive
Number of Brick Pieces: 168


If you are looking for different Lego compatible train sets, you can find them on Aliexpress.

As always, thanks for visiting Its Not Lego and See you next time!