On the LEGO Shop: The new LEGO CITY trains are available

If you like trains, know that the two new LEGO CITY trains 60197 Passenger Train (139.99 €) and 60198 Freight Train (199.99 €) are now available on the LEGO Shop with a slew of new BrickHeadz figures...

The new rail packs are also available with the references 60205 Train Tracks & Curves (18.99 €) and 60238 Switch Tracks (19.99 €).

I got to play around with the train from set 60197 a bit and if we forget that you will need two copies to get a real full passenger train, it's quite successful.

I am not going to give you the usual verse here on the contents of the set, you already know it and there is not much to say about it. You get 16 rails and a half train, plus a few minifigs and a stretch of platform. not enough to make a diorama in itself.

Bluetooth synchronization between the new hub Powered Up and the supplied remote control works perfectly, but it is mostly with the available application on iOS et on Android that you will be able to make the most of the elements that replace those of the system Power Functions.

The latter makes it possible to manage even more efficiently (and more visually) the speed of travel (10 speeds available), reverse gear or stop the train. As a bonus, some sounds, obviously broadcast via the speaker of your smartphone, contribute to the railway atmosphere.

Forget your accessories Power Functions usual, the connectors used on the new ecosystem Powered Up are different. Please note, the motor supplied in the set LEGO Boost 17101 Creative Toolbox has a connector compatible with the new hub but does not react to indications of change of rotational speed, it can only be switched on / off.

Provide AAA batteries for the hub and the remote control (10 in total), they are not included ...

For those who are wondering, the two notched wheels on the remote control have no function. The notches are just used to orient the two sets of buttons for a better grip.

This is the same application that will be used to control the Batmobile in the set 76112 App-Controlled Batmobile (99.99 €) expected for August 1st.

The application is rather well designed, it is very didactic and guides you through the various steps essential to the connection between the hub and your smartphone. Bluetooth sync is performed directly in the application, it is not necessary to pair the smartphone and the hub in the smartphone settings. The range in Bluetooth is around ten meters indoors.