LEGO Powered Up was introduced with two new LEGO City Trains; the #60197 LEGO City Passenger Train, and the #60198 LEGO City Cargo Train. Both trains include the new train engine, the new battery box (which also includes the Bluetooth receiver) and the new remote (the trains can be operated either with the remote or via the LEGO Powered Up App). In addition, the #65112 LEGO App-Controlled Batmobile includes two new motors and the same battery box as the trains (this set does not come with a remote, but is fully app controlled).
The new LEGO Powered Up motors available individually include the #88011 LEGO Powered Up Train Motor for $13.99 (while the new train motor looks very similar to the old one, it was upgraded with the new LEGO Powered Up connector), the #88008 LEGO Powered Up Medium Linear Motor for $16.99, and the #45303 LEGO Powered Up Simple Medium Linear Motor for $24.99. (I’m not entirely sure what is the difference between the two medium motors, other than the shape.) Note that the original #8883 LEGO Power Functions Medium Motor is only $7.99, so this is a pretty hefty price increase for a medium-size motor. But it is necessary if you want to upgrade to the new LEGO Powered Up system. You can find it at the LEGO Power Functions section of the Online LEGO Shop.
The #88006 LEGO Powered Up Move Hub is basically a power source for robotics, and features a hub with 2 input/output ports, 2 integrated position motors, an integrated tilt sensor, connecting wire and a connection point for other LEGO Powered Up components. The price is $79.99. The #88009 LEGO Powered Up Hub is a replacement for the LEGO Power Functions Battery Box and LEGO Power Functions IR Receiver in one unit (note that the new system works with Bluetooth not IR). It is the same size as the LEGO Power Functions Battery Box and features 2 input/output ports. The price is $49.99. Sadly, here again we see a significant price increase. The original #88000 LEGO Power Functions AAA Battery Box is still available for $12.99, and the #8884 LEGO Power Functions IR Receiver is $14.99. I’m worried about what the price of a rechargeable Powered Up unit is going to be, as the #8878 LEGO Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box is already considered very expensive at $49.99.
The #88010 LEGO Powered Up Remote Control is an alternate way to control the #88006 LEGO Powered Up Move Hub or the #88009 LEGO Powered Up Hub, instead of using the LEGO Powered Up App. The app has some extra functionality, but if you prefer to control your LEGO trains and other vehicles in the traditional way, the remote control is very handy. The price of the remote is $22.99, which is again an increase compared to the price of the #8879 LEGO Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control for $12.99.
There is also a new color and distance sensor for robotics. The #88007 LEGO Powered Up Color & Distance Sensor can detect six colors and moving objects within a 5-10 cm range. The price is $13.99, and it is available at the LEGO Power Functions section of the Online LEGO Shop.
Personally, I haven’t invested in the new LEGO Powered Up system just yet. I have been happy with LEGO Power Functions 1.0, which is enough for my minimal needs (running a few trains and motorized contraptions). And seeing the high prices of the new components doesn’t make me particularly enthusiastic. However, moving to a Bluetooth-based system is an upgrade, so if you haven’t invested in the LEGO Power Functions system, it might be a good idea to start with LEGO Powered Up. It is also worth checking out the various tutorials and comparison videos on YouTube to make an educated decision. I’m including four excellent informational videos below, comparing the LEGO Power Functions and LEGO Powered Up systems, as well as testing out the capabilities of the new system.
Whether you plan to upgrade to the LEGO Powered Up system, or stay with the LEGO Power Functions 1.0 system, it is great to see that LEGO is making the different components available individually. This way, you can get the exact parts you need without having to invest in whole sets. If you do want to stay with the original LEGO Power Functions system, I recommend that you get yourself some extra components before they become unavailable. The train motor, various other motors, battery box, remote, IR receiver, and various connecting cables are still available at the LEGO Power Function section of the Online LEGO Shop.
I would love to upgrade. Not excited to spend all that money on it, of course. My other concern is: how long until the next system is introduced? I don’t want to spend $100 upgrading–only for it to become obsolete in a few years.
Me too. I would love to upgrade but I’m concerned that Lego is not fully committed to the new system or finalized it yet. Even after Powered Up was introduced they still made sets with PF, and we don’t know if the and how the new systems are compatible.
I already decided I’m going to wait. PF is perfectly fine for my purposes. I don’t need some fancy app to run my trains. I like that Powered Up can be used with either a remote or an app, and that it eliminates having a separate receiver, but I don’t feel the urgency to change.
a) if I wanted to add the new power system to an existing non-powered train, what would I need to purchase?
power-functions train, what would I need to purchase?
c) If I wanted to add the new power system to an nine volt train, what would I need to purchase?
d) If I wanted to add build a new locomotive from scratch, what would I need to purchase?
Any added guidance would be appreciated.
a) If you want to use the new Powered Up system, you will need the 88011 Train Motor, the 88009 Hub and the 88010 Remote (or you could just download the Powered Up app for free to your phone or tablet). You will have to rebuild the train engine (or one of the cars) for the train motor to fit. You can plop the Hub into the next car from the engine, or both the Hub and the engine into the same car. Some of the trains already come with instructions on how to motorize them and for others, you can find instructions or videos online.
b) You will need the exact same three parts as above, but this will be much easier to do, as the engine and the Hub are the same size as in the old system. So all you need to to is swap them out.
c) You will need the same three parts as above; engine, hub and remote. Note that you can run the train on the old tracks with the metal rails, but the train won’t be powered through the old rails.
d) If you want to have the train motorized you will need the same three parts as above, and you will also need train car bases, couplers, tracks, etc. It is much easier and cheaper to purchase an existing train instead and customize it based on your needs.
e) You can probably find some stats on this from Sariel or at Eurobricks, but I believe the strongest system is the old 9-volt because it gets constant and consistent power. But Power Functions and Powered Up are not far behind. Many train shows now use Power Functions because the old system is hard to find and expensive. They either use normal rechargeable batteries in the PF battery box or use the PF rechargeable battery box (it’s expensive but very good). For very long trains, you can hook up two powered engines behind each other, or place one at the front and one at the back. You can find instructional videos on youtube.
You can mix the systems also. Run your longest and most important trains on the old 9-volt system (if you already have it). These are the trains you want to run all the time. Then, for your smaller loops or trains that don’t run all the time, use PF or Powered Up.
Keep in mind that you can’t mix the systems. So each train should have either 9-volt or PF, or Powered Up. PF and Powered Up can run on old and new tracks, but 9-volt can only run on metal tracks. I would not invest in 9-volt if you don’t have it already. It’s too expensive. PF is currently still available and cheap. Powered Up is fine too, but as admin said the parts are more expensive than PF. For a typical home setup, either PF or Powered Up should be fine.
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