I would like to draw your attention to an internet based movement to save LEGO 9v trains. You may know that yes LEGO makes trains, the problem is LEGO will be deciding by the end of the year if they will continue to produce the electric 9v trains or switch completely to their new Battery Operated IR Trains.
Most would agree that there is a big difference between battery powered trains with plastic rails and an electric train with powered metal rails. If this change happens it will have huge ramifications within LEGO Train ranks. Prices for second hand track, motors, and regulators will quickly skyrocket putting the hobby out of reach for most fans and battery powered trains are just not practical for large layouts.
To that end we have set up a web site aimed at saving the line.
We are looking to get the word out on this, we are also looking for 3rd party testamonials from folks that have seen one of the many LEGO Train Club Layouts at shows across the country.
If you wi***o support us by adding a link to your personal web site we would appretiate it. We plan on having our first “Action” next week in order to raise our visibility within the LEGO Company.
Good luck with the compaign. From what I’ve seen the Lego 9v system has become increasingly difficult to get hold of - I’ve seen some stores with remaining stock but to get many items you either have to use their own website or ebay.
So yes the 9v trains are going to be harder to get. We just want to make sure they keep manufacturing it at this point and try and increase its availability later. Our main issue as LEGO Train Clubs is that we can’t do a 2 day show running on batteries, besides batteries have this negative perception as being a toy for 5-7 year olds. With electric rails we get respect as a legitimate adult hobbiests and the ability to show our layouts over a long period of time.
We are not trying to stop the Battery Powered IR train, just save the electric 9v train.
Prices for second hand track, motors, and regulators are already skyrocketing putting the hobby out of reach for most fans . . .
I’ve been trying to find reasonable switches for years now. I’ve paid less for EX+ Standard Gauge swtiches! I support your effort, but the simple fact of its necessity is going to very much disappoint my boys.
Now LEGO switch geometry is all wrong and the general way they manufacture track could probably be cheaper. It is very reliable however. As for secondary market prices, everything is expensive with the exception of regulators and curved track.
Almost all of us have more curved track than we know what to do with and because almost every set comes with a regulator we have more of those than we know what to do with as well. With that said the $40 retail price for a LEGO regulator is extremely expensive considering what you get.
The regulator is probably the least important part of what we need to save. You can use some train hobby regulators with LEGO track as long as you don’t mind a little soddering. The track and motor are the important parts that we don’t currently have an alternative for.
Sounds like a giant step sideways. The original Lego trains were 4.5 v battery powered. I still have some. The 9v system was nice, but the track configurations were limiting, due to polarity issues.
SInce my kids and I are currently building a 9v Hogwarts Express layout with all the lego HP buildings, we really want them to continue to manufacture this stuff. I don’t understand why they haven’t added remote switches etc, personally.
The interesting part is, they used to have remote switches, signals, and uncouplers back when it was the 12v system with the add-on centre rail (you could use either clockwork or battery on the basic track, or add the centre rail to run the 12v equipment). I have a loop of track, a throttle, a remote uncoupler and a power truck from this system but the power truck traction tyres have dried out - anyone know if you can still get spares? Was considering adding one of those little steam loco body kits they had on the website but they were withdrawn before I could get an order in.
I’m surprised they didn’t keep the remote uncoupler at least - the couplers were already fitted to work with it. They had little plastic droppers (not found on the 9v system couplers) that the uncoupler pushed on to move the magnets apart, so all they’d have had to do would be to make an uncoupler track section for the new 9v system.
I think my best bet will be to keep an eye open for suitable rubber bands. I had the chance to buy a complete 12v set but passed it up - wish I hadn’t!
SAVE LEGO TRAINS: Well, to do that it sounds like you better get online and order some stuff from their website - that’s what they are apparently watching! Sort of marketing by blackmail! Buy this stuff, or it’s gone. What they should do is market through the hobby shops and stuff more aggressively. Lego should also start making their “special” pieces and even just regular pieces more available for people who want to model instead of just put together a bunch of multi-colored bricks. As it is, you have to go to secondary sources like bricklink to get all the special or specific color pieces you need to complete a project like a water tower or sanding tower. I guess they do it to get folks to buy multiple copies of their sets and do breakdowns.
FYI - I got an email from Lego today and they have now released 2 RC toy train sets, plus some track pieces (curves, straights, and manual switches) which don’t have the metal tops. The remotes have 3 speeds and direction apparently. I’m not sure whether they have separate channels, which would seem to limit the ability to run multiple trains on the same layout.
My interest in collecting Lionel trains was sparked from Lego trains. [:)]
I remember that the original electric system introduced in the 1980s was 12 volt with live inner rails for current pick-up, and very much remiscent of the postwar Lionel days in terms of play value. They offered electric switches, electric signals, electric gates, uncouplers, electric lights in addition to train-related buildings complete with removable rooftops, opening doors, and people figures.
Lego would entice American children with pictures of these huge electric layouts on the instruction booklets of kits sold here in the US, but would not sell these electric trains or accessories in North America [:(!] (probably due to household current incompatibility 110 vs 220).
At least they solved that glitch. Good luck with your endeavor to save the 9V line[:)]
