4546

Road N' Rail Maintenance (us) Draisine (fr) Schienen- und Straßenfahrzeug (de) Rail and Road Combi-Vehicle (uk) Spoorbaan Inspektie-auto (nl)

Trains / 9v

Ages 8-12 / 74 Pcs
1 page manual, leaflet: 1 model, 13 steps. ©1991,1993
Price Range: (trade) $8.99 US / Toys R Us
(Traded for three Canadian catalogs: 1985-87)

Review Written: 18 February 1996 by Calum Tsang

Special Features / Compatibility 9v Trains. Runs on 4.5v and 12v track as well Magnets

Extra Elements Control Stick Grey 1x1 Round Plate Transparent-Yellow 1x1 Round Plate

Decals: Yes Scale: Mini-Figure Errors: Extra Decals

Ratings:

Set: Must-Have

Models: Must-Have

Playability: Must-Have

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Conclusion
I would have bought both [it and 4525] last summer, if they had [had] the 4546 :)

Description

4546 is a high rail (or landrail), which is a vehicle with both tires for land and wheels for rail. These are found in the real world: CN (Canadian National) actually has a few of these in our area, where the main tracks and passenger platform merge in a station with the Toronto subway. The 4546 is much like these vehicles, it's a little yellow pickup truck mounted onto a special red chassis that includes a pair of bulbous medium sized tires with yellow hubs, and a pair of reduced sized train wheels. It also has a magnet coupler to be dragged along by a train or to tow the 4525 Road and Rail Repair digger, which fits in nicely.

The chassis is well done, with a spring suspension that adds to play value, and makes the truck easier to get off the track without actually lifting the thing off the rails. Other cute bits include a trashcan, shovel and brush broom, which sit in the back. 4546 also has one minifigure, a man with blue pants, blue shirt with warning strips in white and red and train company logo printed on the front. He has brown hair. It's more or less the same as the 4525 person, except that one has a white (!) hard hat (loaders are more dangerous I suppose)

The box was very interesting, it had subtle differences which struck me as extremely odd when I got it in the mail. For instance, there was no piece count on the front, but instead on the bottom. It was listed as made in Denmark and the entire package had more blank space (silver/grey) than the 4525 had. Oh well. No big deal, we don't buy for the package anyways. Or do we? :) I have my 4558 Metroliner box propped up on my other desk as a monument to gross overindulgence.

Impression

I'm certainly glad that I did, because 4546 is another one of those nifty sets. It's proof that not every LEGO set has to be expensive to be good. Perhaps I'm being overly critical of my past reviews, but I've felt that I rate smaller sets worse than bigger sets. Maybe this is because I spend more time selecting larger sets than the quick purchases of little ones. Or maybe I'm just biased to spending more money :) Whatever, I'm at least confident that if you're a Train fan, you'll want a 4546. And that I can rate a set good even if it's under $15.

Ratings

Set Rating:Must-Have

Model Rating:Must-Have

The 4546 has solid design, and looks nice. The colour scheme is cute and the chosen pieces add good detail. I've actually had a chance to look at one of these highrail vehicles up close, and chat with the driver. The LEGO Group has done a pretty good job of modelling the features of these trucks. The rail wheel mechanism is done right, and the overall "look" is correct.

It fits in nicely with a Train layout, and adds a certain authenticity to a railroad. (those Metroliner tracks don't maintain themselves! :) Even without a freight train, the Road and Rail Maintenance works well. It also matches with the 4525, and they compliment each other, as if the 4546 tows the digger around.

Playability Rating:Must-Have

Likes/Dislikes

Elements