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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 three distinct eras.
The blue era (1966-1979)
The blue era is named after the colour of the tracks.1969 saw the introduction of Lego trains with Lego set number 080. The first train sets were push trains. Set number 115 introduced battery operated trains (a railcar carried the batteries to supply power to a motor in the locomotive) and trainsets numbered 720 (1969) and up operated on 12 Volt electrified rails.
The grey era (1980-1990)
In 1980 the trains theme got a major overhaul. The colour of the tracks changed to grey (hence the name) and the transformer changed to support utility functions as remotely-controlled points, signals, wagon decouplers and crossings. Not just the tracks changed colour - 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 special windows which simulated having a pull-down glass section.The 1980 train catalog enticed Lego fans with nighttime dioramas featuring lampposts and lights inside the trains. Notable trainsets include the Electric Intercity (7740) and Steam Locomotive (7750) (for its large wheels). Many old 12V models (such as 7740) are now highly-prized additions to some 9V layouts as a change of motor is all that is required for compatibility.
Trains and tracks of the blue era are compatible with the grey era.
Blue and grey era trains were never officially introduced to the United States - the first train sets to go on sale were 9V models.
The 9V era (1990-present)
1990 saw again a major overhaul in the train line. Tracks got a new realistic appearance - in the blue and grey era the electric trains have an extra electrified piece of track between the rails. The new line abandoned the 12V power in favor of the 9 volt system to make it compatible to the battery operated elements found in the Lego Light and Sound line of sets. The remote-controlled accessories from the 12V system were also abandoned, with only manual point control available and no signalling capabilities. This effectively reduced the maximum practical size of the layout as well as the complexity of train operations that could be supported. This was in line with 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 old electric locomotives are not compatible due to the change in voltage and means of powering the motor. The gauge did not change, therefore older rolling stock can still be used. However, the rails and wheels now have a different profile, and 4.5V/12V wheels may have trouble passing through 9V switches.
The future of 9V trains is in limbo, which you can read about in the next section.
The Lego RC Train Era (2006-present)
In 2006, Lego introduced a new train format, the remote controlled train. In an effort to reduce the cost of track and make it easier for newcomers to enter the Lego Train community, Lego started making track entirely made out of plastic, and introduced a new train motor that runs on batteries and is remotely controlled via infrared (IR) remote control. This move is highly controversial, as the future of the 9V train system is in limbo. As of April 2006, The Lego Company has said that they will still offer 9V train pieces, but only at their online shopping service, Shop@Home, and in Lego retail outlets. They will rename that line to "Lego Hobby Train" and will make a final determination sometime in 2007 about whether to continue it or discontinue it completely.Some positive points about this change are:
- Cheaper track, since they don't need to have metal strips in them anymore.
- Remote control allows the independent control of multiple trains at once. The old 9V system allowed the speed of the train to be controlled only by varying the voltage of the track, so all trains on the track would be controlled at the same time. The first released sets have 3 different IR channels available.
- More complicated track layouts can be created without having to worry about the electrical polarity of the rails (both the 12V system and 9V system have this problem because one center conductor (12V) or rail (9V) was meant for the positive terminal and the other rail for the negative terminal).
However, the new system also introduces some problems:
- Infrared is not an ideal remote control system, as fluorescent lights interfere with it, as well as physical objects. The range is inferior to radio control.
- The trains use regular 1.5V AA-cell batteries, instead of using a more powerful rechargable system. Previous generations of LEGO trains were mains-powered, avoiding battery-charging issues completely. The remote takes 3 AAs and the train power unit takes 6, for a total of 9 AA batteries in use at any given time.
- There are concerns with how much power the RC motors can put out too, since they are now battery based and need to carry their power source on the train itself, rather than picking up an almost infinite source of current from the tracks, as with the 9V system.
Community
Lego trains are very popular amongst AFOLs (Adult fans of LEGO). Various Lego Train Clubs (LTCs) exist around the globe. A world wide Lego train organisation 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 expense and hence relatively-low popularity of LEGO trains has seen the slow withdrawal of trains from regular retail outlets, and Lego Shop-at-home is now the only reliable source of LEGO train elements.
Various LEGO® train clubs exhibit large model train layouts made of Lego bricks on NMRA events. Lego Direct introduced train sets built by members of the Lego community (for example, model 10022 by James Mathis).
Models
The early Lego train series of sets were developed in Germany. Many of the sets in the grey era are modelled after or inspired by real train models in use by the Deutsche Bahn (yellow/red for electric trains, black over red for steam locomotives). A few sets have been based on other prototypes - for example the French TGV trains and Swiss "Krokodil" engine.
Recent models are modelled after United States trains, reflecting the introduction and subsequent popularity of LEGO Trains in the US: the Santa Fe Super Chief (10020) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (10133) Locomotive.
Lego modelled the fictional Hogwarts Express (10132) 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.
Track
There are three different track types, blue, grey and 9V. Blue and grey tracks are constructed of 2x8 plates as sleepers and pieces of rail (straight, inner curve and outer curve pieces). 9V tracks are one piece sections of straight and curved track.
Specialised pieces are available as points and track cross sections. Matt Bates created a program called "Track designer" to plan track layouts on the computer *.
External links
"Lego train"