The Load N' Haul Railroad Set #4563

Growing up in the United States during the 1980s, Imini-tractor, plus a rather futuristic-looking forklift to
marveled at the 12V train sets pictured in my LEGOhandle such loads. The set included only three
catalogs. That was all I could do, since purchasing amini-figures, again a testament to the selective inclusion
train in the U.S. typically involved tearing out the orderof parts to keep costs in check. Even with these
form in the catalog and mailing it to LEGO Shop atmodest resources, the Load N' Haul Railroad managed
Home in Enfield, Connecticut. Mail-order goods were stillto encompass superb play value and a number of
a fairly new concept then, and my parents weren'trare parts. Each of the cars had some degree of
very excited by the idea of me sending off for anfunctionality: engine access panels in the locomotive,
expensive train set. Instead, I spent my childhoodsliding doors on the boxcar, folding sides on the
building LEGO towns and space stations, while mygondola, and folding "clips" on the flatcar. Rare parts
train set was of the common ‘HO' variety. To myinclude the blue hinged panels of the gondola (found in
delight, the 1992 catalog introduced the 9V system inonly one other set), the sliding doors of the flatcar
earnest and offered the ideal union of LEGO bricks(found in two other sets), red 1x2x3 train windows
with electric trains that picked up power from the rails(seen in hardly any sets since the early 1980s), and the
just like my ‘HO' trains. Moreover, these new trainsred locomotive front and red train doors with white
were available from local retailers. That winter, I had nostripe (seen only in the 4551 Crocodile Engine set of
problem deciding what to request at Christmas: thethe same era). It was not until the introduction of the
Load N' Haul Railroad. Also available was the fabledbattery-powered 7898 Cargo Train that the one-piece
4558 Metroliner2 passenger train, which in essencefaceted train front elements again become available,
was the flagship model for the first generation of 9Vthis time in green. The Load N' Haul Railroad included a
trains. However, this set carried a hefty price tag ($150track oval (two straight and 16 curved tracks) and
USD) and required the speed regulator as a separatespeed regulator. An extra box of straight tracks to go
purchase. At $120 USD for the complete set, the Loadwith the set made an excellent investment. Several
N' Haul Railroad was the most affordable entry intodecals were included that could be used to decorate
the world of 9V trains. This price was achieved byeach of the train cars, although the train also looked
keeping the rolling stock for the set small and fairlyquite respectable without decals. Most stickers were
simple. All cars in the set had 2 axles, in the style ofsmall and covered only one brick. One exception is the
older European stock. The locomotive, reminiscent of ablack-and-yellow safety stripes for the front and rear
German diesel shunter, could be adapted to use aof the locomotive, which cover two plates. The white
functional headlight even though this element wasdecals for the locomotive front never stayed on well
omitted, presumably to keep the cost of the set low.because of being applied across an angled surface.
The locomotive's paint scheme was also reminiscentThe Load N' Haul railroad was the only complete
of that worn by Austrian and German units. The newfreight train set offered until it was superseded by the
generation of 9V train sets also introduced the logosimilar 4564 Freight Rail Runner set in 1995. It has the
used by all subsequent LEGO trains and marked thesmallest diesel locomotive of any LEGO train set
retirement of the logos of Deutsche Bahn and otherexcept for perhaps the 7755 Diesel Locomotive set
national railroads. Perhaps it is a reflection of theirfrom the 12V era. Its $120 USD list price makes it the
relative popularity that the Metroliner was re-released3lowest-priced complete 9V freight train set released
as a LEGO Legend and the Load N' Haul Railroadby the LEGO Company (although this may no longer
was not. Even so, the Load N' Haul Railroadbe true if prices are adjusted for inflation). It was also
encompassed superb playability, with two containersthe only 9V train set to include a forklift; later sets
and three different styles of cars. There were alsoincluded trucks of various designs instead. As a unique
several sets that made excellent pairings with thebonus, the early LEGO train sets (4563, 4564 and
Load N' Haul railroad: the 4536 Blue Hopper Car and4558) included full instructions for an alternate model.
the 4543 Railroad Tractor Flatbed, as well as the 4537The early 9V train sets were accompanied by a
Twin Tank Transport, 4544 Car Transport Wagon,number of splendid sets in other themes.
and the 4549 Road and Rail Hauler, released slightlyContemporaries of these sets in other themes included
later. When combined, these additional setsthe introduction of Blacktron II in Space, in Town, the
compensated for the relative simplicity of the Load N'Nautica line of boatthemed sets and the
Haul Railroad's rolling stock and made it possible toOctan-themed gas station sets, the first of several
build a diverse and complete freight train. Most freightParadisa sets, and the first Wolfpack sets for Castle. It
containers of this era used the same 4-by-8 footprint,was also the height of the Pirate era, and in Technic, a
making it possible to carry containers from other setsnumber of sets featured sophisticated pneumatic
on the Load N' Haul Railroad and vice-versa. The Loadfunctions. The Load N' Haul Railroad will be
N' Haul railroad itself consisted of a locomotive, aremembered by many as the set which first sparked
boxcar, a blue gondola car, and a flatcar. The latteran interest in 9V trains. Designed for builders on a
two cars were each capable of accepting a standardbudget, its modest offerings still provided great
4x8 container or pallet. The set also included two loadsenjoyment and were complemented by the availability
- a pallet of barrels and a container holding aof several other individual freight car sets.