All aboard for adventure!
The classic Cargo Crane is back!

Relive the 9V train era with this iconic 1995 set. Featuring 282 pieces and 2 minifigs, it's perfect for collectors and LEGO train enthusiasts.

🏛 9V
Set #4552

Cargo Crane

The Cargo Crane is a classic LEGO 9V set that captures the essence of railway operations.

🏆 Best For: Great for LEGO train enthusiasts and collectors looking to add a vintage piece to their layout ⏱ 3 hr build 🧩 282 pcs
★★★★☆ 4.2

Fans appreciate the nostalgic value and functional crane mechanism, making it a fun addition to LEGO train layouts. Some find the 9V system outdated, but the set remains popular among collectors for its classic design and playability.

MSRP
$38.50
Best Price
$30.00
You Save
22% OFF
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📝 Our Take

The Cargo Crane is a classic LEGO 9V set that captures the essence of railway operations. Released in 1995, this set features a functional crane that can load and unload cargo from train cars, adding a realistic element to any LEGO train layout. The use of the 9V system gives it a special charm and makes it a nostalgic piece for many LEGO train enthusiasts.

This set is perfect for LEGO train collectors and those looking to expand their railway layouts. The build is straightforward, making it accessible for builders of various skill levels, and the play features offer hours of fun. Its vintage appeal and functional design make it a standout piece for display.

Skip this if you're primarily interested in modern LEGO sets or don't have a 9V train system. The set's reliance on the older 9V system might make it less appealing if you're not already invested in that ecosystem. Consider newer train sets like 60198-1 or 60336-1 for more contemporary features.

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How well does this set integrate with modern LEGO train systems? What are the common issues to look for when buying a used 4552-1 set? How does the value of this set compare to other LEGO 9V train sets? What's the best way to display this set to highlight its features?

🧱 Building Experience

🧩
282
Pieces
3h
Build Time
📊
Intermediate
Difficulty
Build Highlights:
  • Functional crane mechanism adds playability
  • Classic 9V train system integration
  • Simple yet effective design captures the essence of a cargo crane
  • Includes train workers minifigures to enhance the play experience

📈 Investment Analysis

↑ Trending up since release
B+
Investment Grade
⏳ Appreciating
The Cargo Crane (4552-1) presents a solid investment opportunity due to its age, rarity, and the enduring popularity of the LEGO train theme. As a retired set from 1995, its value has steadily increased over time, and this trend is likely to continue, especially among collectors seeking to complete their 9V train layouts. The set's condition, completeness, and the presence of the original box significantly impact its value. While the 9V system is somewhat outdated, its nostalgic appeal and the set's functionality make it a desirable addition to any serious LEGO collection. However, potential investors should be aware of the risks associated with older sets, such as yellowing of white pieces and potential fragility of the plastic.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

Compare Similar Sets

The Cargo Crane stands out as a specialized addition to a LEGO train layout, offering a unique play feature compared to standard train sets. While sets like the 60198-1 Cargo Train offer modern features and Power Functions, the 4552-1 provides a nostalgic and functional element that appeals to collectors. Consider the 4552-1 for its vintage charm and specific cargo handling capabilities, especially if you're invested in the 9V train system.

2 Minifigures Included

The set includes two classic train worker minifigures, one with a moustache and the other with sunglasses, adding to the vintage charm of the set. These minifigures are typical of LEGO train sets from the 90s.

📦 Full Parts Inventory - 105 unique parts • 274 total pieces

Sticker Sheet for Set 4552-1 Sticker Sheet for...
Part #: 169685 [No Color/Any Color]
Minifig Hose Nozzle Simple with 13L Black String Minifig Hose Nozz...
Part #: 194c04 Light Gray
Glass 2 x 3 for Hinge Car Roof 4 x 4 Sunroof with Ridges Glass 2 x 3 for H...
Part #: 2348b Trans-Dark Blue
Hinge Vehicle Roof 4 x 4 Sunroof with Ledges Hinge Vehicle Roo...
Part #: 2349b Yellow
Crane Arm Outside, Wide, 15 Studs, End Notch Crane Arm Outside...
Part #: 2350b Red
Crane Arm Centre, 16 x 2 x 1 Crane Arm Centre,...
Part #: 2351 Black
Tile Round 2 x 2 - Thin Lifting Ring Tile Round 2 x 2 ...
Part #: 2376 Black
Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2412b Yellow
Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2412b White
Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2412b Black
Plate 2 x 2 Corner Plate 2 x 2 Corner
Part #: 2420 Black
Plate 2 x 2 Corner Plate 2 x 2 Corner
Part #: 2420 Yellow
Tile 1 x 4 with Groove Tile 1 x 4 with G...
Part #: 2431 Black
Tile 1 x 4 with Groove Tile 1 x 4 with G...
Part #: 2431 Red
Tile 1 x 4 with Groove Tile 1 x 4 with G...
Part #: 2431 Yellow
Tile Special 1 x 2 with Handle Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2432 Black
Hinge Bar with 3 Fingers and End Stud (Control Lever) Hinge Bar with 3 ...
Part #: 2433 Red
Bracket 1 x 2 - 1 x 4 [Square Corners] Bracket 1 x 2 - 1...
Part #: 2436 Black
Plate Special 2 x 2 with 1 Pin Hole [Split Underside Ribs] Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 2444 Blue
Plate Special 2 x 2 with 1 Pin Hole [Split Underside Ribs] Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 2444 Red
Helmet, Standard Helmet, Standard
Part #: 2446 Dark Gray
Headwear Accessory Visor For Standard Helmet Headwear Accessor...
Part #: 2447 Black
Brick 1 x 2 x 5 with Blocked Open Studs and Bottom Stud Holder with Asymmetric Ridges Brick 1 x 2 x 5 w...
Part #: 2454a Green
Brick 2 x 6 Brick 2 x 6
Part #: 2456 Yellow
Brick Special 1 x 2 with Pin Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 2458 Yellow
Wheel Skateboard / Trolley Wheel Skateboard ...
Part #: 2496 Black
Plate Special 1 x 2 Side Handle [Free Ends] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 2540 Light Gray
Plate Special 1 x 2 Side Handle [Free Ends] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 2540 Yellow
Tile Special 1 x 1 with Clip and Straight Tips Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2555 Red
Tile Special 1 x 1 with Clip and Straight Tips Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2555 Black
Wheel Holder, Plate, Round 2 x 2 Thin with Clips Wheel Holder, Pla...
Part #: 2655 Light Gray
Technic Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Center Slots Technic Pin with ...
Part #: 2780 Black
Hinge Train Gate 2 x 4 Hinge Train Gate ...
Part #: 2873 Red
Brick Special 1 x 2 with Grille Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 2877 Green
Wheel Holder, Train with Wheels [Complete Assembly] Wheel Holder, Tra...
Part #: 2878c01 Black
Train Coupling New Train Coupling New
Part #: 2920 Black
Brick Special 1 x 1 with Handle Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 2921 Black
Plate Special 1 x 4 with Wheels Holder Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 2926 Black
Train Wheel Small Train Wheel Small
Part #: 2927 Black
Lever Small Base with Light Gray Lever Lever Small Base ...
Part #: 298c03 Black
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Blue
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 Yellow
Brick 1 x 1 Brick 1 x 1
Part #: 3005 Yellow
Brick 2 x 8 Brick 2 x 8
Part #: 3007 Black
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 Yellow
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 Black
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Black
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Red
Plate 2 x 4 Plate 2 x 4
Part #: 3020 Yellow
Plate 2 x 3 Plate 2 x 3
Part #: 3021 Red
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Black
Plate 2 x 2 Plate 2 x 2
Part #: 3022 Red
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Black
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Yellow
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Red
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 Blue
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 White
Plate 1 x 1 Plate 1 x 1
Part #: 3024 Black
Plate 6 x 16 Plate 6 x 16
Part #: 3027 Black
Plate 6 x 12 Plate 6 x 12
Part #: 3028 Yellow
Plate 4 x 6 Plate 4 x 6
Part #: 3032 Light Gray
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 Red
Plate 4 x 8 Plate 4 x 8
Part #: 3035 Black
Slope 45° 2 x 4 Slope 45° 2 x 4
Part #: 3037 Yellow
Slope 45° 2 x 1 with Bottom Pin Slope 45° 2 x 1 w...
Part #: 3040b Yellow
Brick Round 1 x 1 Open Stud Brick Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 3062b Red
Brick Round 1 x 1 Open Stud Brick Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 3062b Blue
Tile 2 x 2 with Groove Tile 2 x 2 with G...
Part #: 3068b Black
Tile 1 x 2 with Groove Tile 1 x 2 with G...
Part #: 3069b Yellow
Tile 1 x 2 with Groove Tile 1 x 2 with G...
Part #: 3069b Red
Tile 1 x 2 with Telemetry Panel Print Tile 1 x 2 with T...
Part #: 3069bpr0043 White
Hook, Plate 1 x 2 with Crane Hook Left Hook, Plate 1 x 2...
Part #: 3127 Light Gray
Slope 33° 3 x 4 Slope 33° 3 x 4
Part #: 3297 Yellow
Turntable 4 x 4 Square Base with Top, Complete Assembly Turntable 4 x 4 S...
Part #: 3403c01 Red
Plate 1 x 8 Plate 1 x 8
Part #: 3460 Yellow
Plate 1 x 8 Plate 1 x 8
Part #: 3460 Black
Brick 1 x 3 Brick 1 x 3
Part #: 3622 Black
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 Black
Plate 1 x 3 Plate 1 x 3
Part #: 3623 Yellow
Technic Axle and Pin Connector Technic Axle and ...
Part #: 3651 Light Gray
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 Yellow
Technic Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Pin witho...
Part #: 3673 Light Gray
Technic Axle 6 Technic Axle 6
Part #: 3706 Black
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 Yellow
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 Red
Plate Special 1 x 2 with 1 Stud without Groove (Jumper) Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 3794a Red
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 Red
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 Black
Plate 2 x 10 Plate 2 x 10
Part #: 3832 Black
Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Base Hinge Brick 1 x 2...
Part #: 3937 Red
Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Top Plate Thin Hinge Brick 1 x 2...
Part #: 3938 Red
Equipment Radio [Compact Handle] Equipment Radio [...
Part #: 3962a Black
Tool Screwdriver and Spanner / Wrench Tool Screwdriver ...
Part #: 4006 Black
Train Buffer Beam Train Buffer Beam
Part #: 4022 Black
Tile Special 6 x 4 with Beveled Edges and 5mm Pin (Train Bogie Plate) Tile Special 6 x ...
Part #: 4025 Black
Window 1 x 4 x 3 Train with All Studs Hollow Window 1 x 4 x 3 ...
Part #: 4033 White
Glass for Train Window 1 x 4 x 3 Glass for Train W...
Part #: 4034 Trans-Clear
Window 1 x 2 x 3 Train Window 1 x 2 x 3 ...
Part #: 4035 White
Glass for Train Window 1 x 2 x 3 Glass for Train W...
Part #: 4036 Trans-Clear
Seat / Chair 2 x 2 Seat / Chair 2 x 2
Part #: 4079 White
Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Vertical [Thick U Clip] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 4085c Red
Plate Special 1 x 2 with Ladder Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 4175 Red
Door 1 x 4 x 5 Train Left Door 1 x 4 x 5 Tr...
Part #: 4181 Green
Door 1 x 4 x 5 Train Right Door 1 x 4 x 5 Tr...
Part #: 4182 Green
Glass for Train Door Lip On Top and Bottom Glass for Train D...
Part #: 4183 Trans-Clear
Hinge Vehicle Roof Holder 1 x 4 x 2 Hinge Vehicle Roo...
Part #: 4214 Yellow
Technic Plate 1 x 6 with Toothed Ends Technic Plate 1 x...
Part #: 4262 Light Gray
Technic Plate 1 x 6 with Toothed Ends Technic Plate 1 x...
Part #: 4262 Black
Technic Plate 1 x 4 with Toothed Ends Technic Plate 1 x...
Part #: 4263 Red
Technic Bush 1/2 Toothed Type II [X Opening] Technic Bush 1/2 ...
Part #: 4265b Light Gray
Technic Pin 1/2 Technic Pin 1/2
Part #: 4274 Light Gray
Hinge Plate 1 x 2 with 2 Fingers and Hollow Studs Hinge Plate 1 x 2...
Part #: 4276b Black
Slope 33° 3 x 1 Slope 33° 3 x 1
Part #: 4286 Black
Slope 33° 3 x 1 Slope 33° 3 x 1
Part #: 4286 Yellow
Tool Hammer / Mallet Large Tool Hammer / Mal...
Part #: 4522 Black
Cone 1 x 1 [No Top Groove] Cone 1 x 1 [No To...
Part #: 4589 Yellow
Cone 1 x 1 [No Top Groove] Cone 1 x 1 [No To...
Part #: 4589 Blue
Cone 1 x 1 [No Top Groove] Cone 1 x 1 [No To...
Part #: 4589 Red
Plate Special 1 x 2 with Bar Up [Horizontal Arm 6mm] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 4623 Yellow
Hinge Tile 1 x 4 Hinge Tile 1 x 4
Part #: 4625 Red
Hinge Tile 1 x 4 Hinge Tile 1 x 4
Part #: 4625 Black
Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [Square Corners] Panel 1 x 2 x 1 [...
Part #: 4865a Red
Windscreen 3 x 4 x 4 Inverted Windscreen 3 x 4 ...
Part #: 4872 Trans-Light Blue
String Cord Thin (0.5mm) 75cm String Cord Thin ...
Part #: 56823c75 Black
Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Horizontal [Thick U Clip] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 6019 Black
Plate Special 1 x 1 with Clip Horizontal [Thick U Clip] Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 6019 Light Gray
Cone 2 x 2 x 1 2/3 Octagonal, Open Stud Cone 2 x 2 x 1 2/...
Part #: 6039 Black
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Trans-Yellow
Plate Round 1 x 1 with Solid Stud Plate Round 1 x 1...
Part #: 6141 Trans-Clear
Panel 1 x 1 x 1 Corner Panel 1 x 1 x 1 C...
Part #: 6231 Red
Plate Special 1 x 6 with Train Wagon End Fence Plate Special 1 x...
Part #: 6583 Yellow
Vehicle Base, Train 6 x 24 with Two 1 x 2 Cutouts and 3 Round Holes Each End Vehicle Base, Tra...
Part #: 6584 Black
String Reel Winch 2 x 4 x 2 (Light Gray Drum) String Reel Winch...
Part #: 73037 Yellow
Brick Special 2 x 6 x 2 Weight with Sealed Bottom and Dimples on Ends Brick Special 2 x...
Part #: 73090b Black
Magnet Cylindrical Magnet Cylindrical
Part #: 73092 Black
This set offers a good selection of basic bricks and plates in black, yellow, and red, useful for expanding train layouts and creating custom cargo cars. The inclusion of train-specific parts like wheel holders and couplings makes it a valuable source for train builders.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay
✓ In Stock
$30.00
Walmart
✓ In Stock
$36.57
Target
✓ In Stock
$38.50
LEGO (US)
✓ In Stock
$38.50
LEGO (CA)
✓ In Stock
$55.00
Amazon

💎 Notable Parts

Green Brick Special 1 x 2 with Grille (8x) $1.60
Black Wheel Holder, Train with Wheels [Complete Assembly] (6x) $6.00
Black Magnet Cylindrical (4x) $2.00
Black Train Coupling New (4x) $4.00
Yellow Tile 1 x 4 with Groove (6x) $1.80
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$15.40

💡 MOC Potential

🏙 Expand the crane into a larger dockside scene
🚗 Create a mobile crane vehicle
🏙 Design a railway maintenance depot

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Charts Inventory Statistics

105
Unique Parts
274
Total Pieces
2
Minifigures
Inventory Version: 1