Lego train

Lego Train is a theme in the Lego Group products. The sets include locomotives, tracks, rolling stock, trackside buildings (such as stations, signal houses, etc).

History

The history of Lego trains can be divided in four distinct eras.

The blue era (1966–1979)

The blue era is named after the colour of the rails.

1966 saw the introduction of Lego trains with Lego set number [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/080_1 080] . The first train sets were push trains. Set number [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/115 115] introduced 4.5 Volt battery operated trains (a railcar carried the batteries to supply power to a motor in the locomotive), which are probably the most compatible to tracks of all LEGO trains, and train sets numbered [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/720 720] (1969) and up operated on 12 Volt electrified rails, introduced in 1969. All three kinds (push trains, 4.5 Volt battery operated trains and 12 Volt electric trains) existed next to each other and even allowed for upgrade. A push train could be updated to a battery operated train and a battery operated train could be updated to an electric train. Since 1969 the motor housings for 4.5 Volt and 12 Volt are equal and can be equipped with either a 4.5 Volt of 12 Volt Brühler motor unit. These motor units were sold separately as a replacement part until around 1990.

The gray era (1980–1990)

In 1980 the trains theme got a major overhaul. The color of the tracks changed to grey (hence the name) and the transformer changed to support utility functions as remotely-controlled points, signals, wagon de-couplers and crossings. This level of remote control has never been equalled since. Not just the tracks changed color - the models themselves changed to a much more realistic appearance. Models were offered with much longer carriage/wagon bodies (although still considerably short of true scale length), proper swivel bogies and [http://www.ldraw.org/jessiman/lego/4183.html special windows] which simulated having a pull-down glass section.For 4.5 Volt battery operated trains, which also existed in the gray era, a new battery box in the shape of a goods wagon was introduced. The motor was kept the same as during the blue era. Upgrading a battery operated train to a 12 Volt electric train required more changes to the train to fit the smaller new 12 Volt engine underneat.

The 1980 train catalog enticed Lego fans with nighttime dioramas featuring lampposts and lights inside the trains. Notable train sets include the [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7740 Electric Intercity (7740)] and [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/7750 Steam Locomotive (7750)] (for its large wheels). Many old 12 Volt models (such as 7740) are now highly-prized additions to some 9 Volt layouts as a change of motor is all that is required for compatibility.

Trains and tracks of the blue era are compatible with the gray era. Additionally, those blue era trains with internal batteries that do not take power from the tracks are compatible with all tracks.

Blue and gray era trains were never officially introduced to the United States - although there were sporadic offerings of 4.5 Volt sets such as 7720, plus the gray rails at Toys 'R' Us in the mid 1980s.

The 9 Volt era (1991–2007)

1991 saw again a major overhaul in the train line. Tracks gained a new realistic appearance with (9 Volt) power coming directly from the rails - in the blue and grey era electric trains were powered by an extra electrified (12 Volt) piece of track between the rails. The new line abandoned the 12 Volt power in favor of the 9 Volt system to make it compatible to the battery operated elements found in the Lego Light & Sound line of sets. The remote-controlled accessories from the 12 Volt system were also abandoned, with only manual point control available and no signaling capabilities. This effectively reduced the maximum practical size of the layout as well as the complexity of train operations that could be supported. This product re-design was formulated by The Lego Company thinking at the time, which promoted simplification in all product lines, but drew criticism for reducing the "playability" of Lego toys.

The 12 Volt locomotives were not compatible due to the change in voltage and means of powering the motor, but many can be retro-fitted with 9 Volt motors (the 9 Volt motorw were almost the same size as the 12 Volt motors from the gray era). The gauge did not change, therefore older rolling stock could still be used. However, the rails and wheels now have a different profile, and some users have found that 4.5 Volt/12 Volt wheels may have trouble passing through 9 Volt switches.

Currently, 9 Volt train sets are available through the Lego Shop at Home ordering service and to some degree through Lego Brand Retail stores. Custom sets can also be designed and ordered online using the [http://factory.lego.com LEGO Factory] system. The 9 Volt train line will be replaced, along with the RC train line, by a new type which uses Lego Power Functions systems for operation.

The RC LEGO Train era (2006–2008)

In 2006, Lego introduced a new line of remote control trains. In an effort to reduce the cost of the track and make it easier for newcomers to enter the Lego Train community, Lego started making track entirely made out of plastic (foregoing the metal rails), and introduced a new train motor that runs on batteries and is remotely controlled via infrared (IR) remote control. This move has proven to be controversial in the Lego Train community, as the system has proven to be unfavoured by the community.Because these RC trains carry their own batteries, these trains can also be used on the old gray and blue tracks.

As of March 2007, Lego only sells 9 Volt train hardware through its Shop at Home ordering service and to some degree through Lego brand retail stores. The 9 Volt line is now referred to as the Lego "Hobby Train" and is aimed at advanced, older train builders. Lego offers few 9 Volt train models at this point but compensates via the [http://factory.lego.com/ Lego Factory] system. Through this system, builders around the world design their own train models using [http://ldd.lego.com/ Lego Digital Designer] , a computer program distributed freely by Lego. These models can then be ordered from Lego or shared online. Through this system, hundreds of new Lego train models designed by fans are available.

Lego also released set 10183 Hobby Train Box in March 2007. This set, designed by ten well-known Lego train fans, includes over 1000 elements that can be used to build a variety of models. This set, in conjunction with Lego Factory, represent the future of the Lego Hobby Train.

The RC Train System versus the 9 Volt Trains System

The introduction of the RC train line has some benefits, notably:
* The decreased production costs have already resulted in a new track piece being added to the system for 2007 (the double cross-over).
* Remote control allows for the independent control of multiple trains simultaneously. The 9 Volt system allowed the speed of the train(s) to be controlled only by varying the voltage of the track, so any trains on the track would be controlled at the same time. The first released sets (2006) have 3 different InfraRed (IR) channels available allowing 3 three trains to be run at different speeds and in different directions.
* Remote control also allows for one train to be controlled by multiple controllers—-useful for a user at each end of a line, particularly when the line ends are out of IR range of each other.
* More complicated track layouts can be created without having to worry about the electrical polarity of the rails (both the 12 Volt system and 9 Volt system have this problem because one center conductor (12 Volt) or rail (9 Volt) was meant for the positive terminal and the other rail for the negative terminal).

However, the RC system also introduces some new issues:
* Infrared is not an ideal remote control system, as fluorescent lights and physical objects may interfere with it. The range is inferior to radio control.
* The trains use regular 1.5 Volt AA-cell batteries, instead of using a more powerful rechargeable system. Previous generations of (12 Volt and 9 Volt) LEGO trains were plugged into the wall, avoiding battery-charging issues completely. The remote control uses 3 AAs and the train power unit uses 6, for a total of 9 AA batteries in use at any given time.
* Initial anecdotal reports have raised concerns about the power output of RC motors, since they are now battery based, rather than picking up an almost infinite source of current from the tracks, as with the 9 Volt system.
* The RC Engine is weaker than the previous 9 Volt motor due to limited number of rolling stock recommended to pull as well as having trouble going up custom made slopes.

The "Power Functions" LEGO Train era (2009-)

On October 1st, 2007, [http://news.lugnet.com/announce/?n=3637 LEGO announced] that they would discontinue both the 9 Volt and the RC train formats in favour of the [Power Functions] system, recently introduced in other themes such as Creator and Technic. In this announcement and two subsequent press releases, the details of the new system were outlined.

The new system will retain the standard L-Gauge and will be as backwards-compatible as possible; basic dimensions will remain the same and rails will be interconnectable with both the 9 Volt and RC rail systems, and therefore also with 4.5 Volt era track. The rails will be entirely plastic, and power will be provided by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The train motor will be the same one found in the RC line of trains. The new trains will use the Power Functions infrared link protocol and will make use of the same receiver but a new transmitter.

The system will be introduced by the summer of 2009, replacing the current generation of trains. As of April 2008, it is anticipated that a new magnetic buffer design will supersede that used in previous LEGO trains as well.

Community

Lego trains are very popular amongst AFOLs (Adult fans of LEGO). Various Lego Train Clubs (LTCs) exist around the world. A worldwide Lego train organization [http://www.iltco.org/ ILTCO] was founded to channel common LTC interests and to promote Lego railroading as model train standard (named "L gauge" similar to model railroad gauges such as "Z", "N" and "HO").

The relatively low popularity of LEGO trains largely due to their expense has seen the slow withdrawal of trains from many regular retail outlets; currently [http://shop.lego.com/ Lego Shop-at-home] (which only ships to a limited number of countries) and Lego retail stores are the only reliable source of LEGO train sets and accessories.

A number of LEGO train clubs around the world exhibit large model train layouts made of Lego bricks at various community functions, train shows, and Lego conventions, such as BrickFest. Some of the largest layouts in the United States have been the result of combined efforts by several train clubs at the 2005, 2006, and 2007 NMRA national conventions. Lego Direct has also introduced train sets designed by members of the Lego community (for example, model [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/10022 10022] by James Mathis), and more recently the Train Factory set (10183) in March 2007.

Some enterprising members of the community have also produced small runs of rolling stock or train sets of their own designs as well as custom 9 Volt track sold through BrickLink or personal websites.

"Railbricks" is a magazine about LEGO trains written by train fans from around the world. It was started in 2007 by Jeramy Spurgeon and is currently available in free electronic format from [http://www.railbricks.com railbricks.com] .

[http://www.trains-n-town.com "Trains-n-Town"] is a fan site dedicated to the LEGO Trains and Town themes. The site includes Forums, Image Gallery, and a user run Blog.

Models

The early Lego train series of sets were developed in Germany. Many of the sets in the grey era were modeled after or inspired by prototypes in use by the Deutsche Bahn (yellow/red for electric trains, black superstructures over red running gear for steam locomotives). A few sets have been based on other prototypes – for example the French TGV trains and Austrian "Krokodil" engine.

More recently, sets modeled after United States trains have been released, reflecting the introduction and subsequent popularity of LEGO Trains in the US: the Santa Fe "Super Chief" [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/10020 (10020)] and [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/10133 Burlington Northern Santa Fe (10133)] Locomotive.

Lego also modeled the fictional Hogwarts Express (4758) under the "Harry Potter" license, although the model is neither powered nor does it use the correct type of wheels to be a true LEGO Train model. In 2005, Lego offered a 9 Volt motorized Hogwarts Express, [http://guide.lugnet.com/set/10132 (10132)] , which was discontinued in 2006.

Track

There are six different track types: 4.5 Volt blue, 12 Volt blue, 4.5 Volt gray, 12 Volt gray, 9 Volt and RC.

Blue tracks are constructed of 2x8 plates as sleepers and pieces of rail. The rails are straight, inner curve and outer curve pieces. The straight pieces and outer curve pieces are grooved on the top to facilitate friction with the drive wheels of powered engines. The inner curve pieces have a smooth finish. The rails are only connected at each end on the sleeper with no intermediate sleepers. When laying out the track, this system is susceptible to distortion which can vary the gauge and lead to derailment.

The grey track introduced in 1980 was an improvement of the same design, with modifications to the rails and a new sleeper plate which included special clips to hold the track together more firmly. In addition, fixing points for intermediate sleepers were provided at the mid-point of each rail making the construction even more sturdy.

For both blue and grey tracks, electrical power (for 12 Volt trains) was provided by means of separate conductor rails placed in between the running rails. It was possible to upgrade from battery power to 12 Volt electrical power simply by purchasing an electric motor unit, transformer and sets of conductor rails (with the exception of special track pieces such as points and crossovers which were available in separate 12 Volt versions, with the electrical connections included).

9 Volt and RC tracks are one piece sections of straight and curved track. The sleepers are formed as one piece with the rails making for a more reliable gauge and turning radius. There are a number of intermediate sleepers which give strength to the piece, but also lend a more realistic appearance to the track. The attached sleepers are made to look like independent 2x8 plates, except for the end sleepers which are special. These end sleepers are shaped like 1x8 plates but have a connectors that allow the tracks to click together. When the end sleepers of two track pieces are together, the end sleepers combine to look like one 2x8 plate.

The track from all four eras are somewhat compatible. The gauge has remained the same throughout, as has the turning radius of the curved pieces. The points vary in configuration which may make laying out combined systems awkward. The end to end connection of the blue and grey track types with the 9 Volt and RC track types only requires some "Lego" ingenuity on the part of the user. Of course, the 9 Volt engines must be restricted to the 9 Volt rails to operate, but battery operated trains can run across different track systems.

Specialized pieces are available as points and track cross sections. Matt Bates created a program called "Track designer" to plan track layouts on the computer. [http://www.ngltc.org/train_depot/td.htm]

External links

* [http://www.lego.com/eng/trains Official site]
* [http://www.iltco.org/ ILTCO - the International LEGO Train Club Organization]
* [http://www.railbricks.com/ Railbricks - Brick Railroading Magazine]
* [http://www.brickwiki.org/index.php?title=Trains Trains on BrickWiki]
* [http://users.pandora.be/Patricks-legotreinensite/ more legotrains and buildings]
* [http://save.9vtrains.com/ Save 9V Trains]
* [http://www.brickpile.com/track-layout-geometry/ Bill Ward's Brickpile: Track Layout Geometry]
* [http://www.ngltc.org/train_depot LEGO Track Designer program]