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At the Lego store the other day they were talking about a "more powerful" train motor for the Maersk train (I was asking about adding a second motor to the red cargo train so it would go uphill). But I think it's the same motor that already comes with every other train out now. I bought an spare train motor (was on sale online) and I think THAT is the old version.

http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8866-1

http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=88002-1

What is the difference between the two (beside the power cable)?

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Well the power cable is the main difference, as one motor was made for the short-lived 9V RC system while the other is the current PF one.

However, that doesn't mean the internals are the same. From Philo 's motor comparison page, you'll see that the PF motor is better, and that fortunately the performances are much improved [over the RC one], with an efficiency and power even exceeding the old 9V train motors.

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Great link! Luckily the older motor isn't the REALLY OLD 9V Train version (seems to be a weaker RC Train version that was sold with only one set according to brinklink). All I know is this is very confusing. Even the new train motors are 9 volts, right? – tooshel Oct 22 '12 at 16:19
Yes, the LEGO company has been using 9V for a while now. The RC motor came with two train sets in 2006: 7897 and 7898, but that system was a transition between the old 9V-through-track trains and the new PF ones, the only thing they kept were the plastic-only rails. Note that due to the Technic nature of wheels, you can also use other Technic motors - such as they did for the Emerald Night. – Joubarc♦ Oct 22 '12 at 18:47
Oh, so to power the Emerald Night you didn't use a regular train motor? Interesting. – tooshel Oct 23 '12 at 16:32
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Indeed the official way (as in, there are instructions for how to do so) is with a PF XL motor which is lodged in the cabin and powers one set of the big wheels. I suppose how the wheels are arranged would make it difficult to use a regular motor (and I don't think the PF one existed at that time). That said, you could also modify the tender to put a regular motor or two in it, but then you have to push the locomotive itself and it's prone to derailing if the wheels aren't rearranged seriously. – Joubarc♦ Oct 24 '12 at 7:51

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