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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). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (801x576, 154 KB) One section of a massive LEGO train layout at the National Train Show in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 9, 2005. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (801x576, 154 KB) One section of a massive LEGO train layout at the National Train Show in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 9, 2005. ...
The National Train Show or NTS, is held as part of the annual National Convention of the National Model Railroad Association. ...
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is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Lego Group is a family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark and best known for the manufacture of Lego-brand toys. ...
Great Western Railway No. ...
Rail tracks. ...
Rolling Stock banner Rolling Stock was a newspaper of ideas and a chronicle of the 1980s published in Boulder, Colorado by Ed Dorn and Jennifer Dunbar Dorn. ...
Passengers bustle around the typical grand edifice of Londons Broad Street station in 1865. ...
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History
The history of Lego trains can be divided in four distinct eras.
The blue era is named after the colour of the rails. 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ...
Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...
1969 saw the introduction of Lego trains with Lego set number 080. The first train sets were push trains. Set number 115 introduced 4.5V battery operated trains (a railcar carried the batteries to supply power to a motor in the locomotive) and train sets numbered 720 (1969) and up operated on 12 Volt electrified rails. A Pair of AA Energizer Alkaline Cells Symbols representing a single Cell (top) and Battery (bottom), used in circuit diagrams. ...
For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ...
Josephson junction array chip developed by NIST as a standard volt. ...
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. Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...
Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...
A right railroad switch (picture shows a model railway switch). ...
A signal is a mechanical or electrical device that indicates to train drivers or engineers information about the state of the line ahead, and therefore whether he or she must stop or may proceed, or instructions on what speed the train may go. ...
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. ...
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. A diorama is any of the two display devices mentioned below. ...
A roadway light in front of a red sky at night A street light or street lamp, also known as a light standard or lamp standard, is a raised light on the edge of a road, turned on or lit at a certain time every night. ...
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 gained a new realistic appearance with (9V) power coming directly from the rails - in the blue and grey era electric trains were powered by an extra electrified (12V) 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 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. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...
The 12V locomotives were not compatible due to the change in voltage and means of powering the motor, but many can be retro-fitted with 9V motors. 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 4.5V/12V wheels may have trouble passing through 9V switches. The dominant rail gauge in each country shown Rail gauge is the distance between the inner sides of the two parallel rails that make up a railway track. ...
The future of 9V trains is uncertain at the time of this writing. Presently, 9V 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 LEGO Factory system. The 9V train line may eventually be phased out in favor of RC train products, which have lower manufacturing costs, or they may be retained as a Hobby Train system available through LEGO Factory. As of late 2006, The LEGO Company was considering announcing a decision in the first half of 2007.
The Modern LEGO Train Era (2006-present)
Set 7897 - IR Remote control, 2006 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 future of the 9V train system, which Lego train hobbyists favor, is currently in limbo. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1080x750, 504 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Lego train User:Lar/GallerySelfTaken ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1080x750, 504 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Lego train User:Lar/GallerySelfTaken ...
As of March 2007, LEGO only sells 9V train hardware through its Shop at Home ordering service and to some degree through LEGO brand retail stores. The 9V line is now referred to as the LEGO "Hobby Train" and is aimed at advanced, older train builders. LEGO offers few 9V train models at this point but compensates via the LEGO Factory system. Through this system, builders around the world design their own train models using 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. At the time of this writing, LEGO has not made a determination on whether to retain 9V trains over the long term. This determination is expected sometime in 2007.
The RC Train System The introduction of the RC train line has some benefits, notably: - Less expensive track, as track sections do not have have metal strips on the rails.
- The decreased production costs have already resulted in a new track piece being added to the system for 2007 (the double flying cross-over).
- Remote control allows for the independent control of multiple trains simultaneously. The 9V 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 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 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 IR 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 1.5V AA-cell batteries, instead of using a more powerful rechargeable system. Previous generations of (12V and 9V) LEGO trains were mains-powered, 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 9V system.
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 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"). L gauge is the unofficial term for toy trains built from LEGO®. There are many different sizes within the nomenclature. ...
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 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 and 2006 NMRA national conventions. Lego Direct has also introduced train sets designed by members of the Lego community (for example, model 10022 by James Mathis), and more recently the Train Factory set (10183) in March 2007. The National Model Railroad Association or NMRA is a non-profit organization for those involved in the hobby or business of model railroading. ...
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 9V track sold through BrickLink or personal websites.
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 Swiss "Krokodil" engine. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 1604 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: InterCity Express Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 1604 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: InterCity Express Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ...
Germanys main train operator, the Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway Corporation, also known as DB or DBAG) provides passenger and freight service via federally owned tracks. ...
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 (10020) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (10133) Locomotive. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (AAR reporting marks ATSF), often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the largest railroads in the United States. ...
This article is about the DC Comics character, for the Major League Baseball pitcher nicknamed Superchief see Allie Reynolds Super-Chief is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe. ...
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 9V motorized Hogwarts Express, (10132), which was discontinued in 2006. Rubeus Hagrid meets the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade station in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. ...
This article is about the Harry Potter series of novels. ...
Rubeus Hagrid meets the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade station in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. ...
Track
 Lego Train track from the blue era connected to Lego Train track from the RC era. There are four different track types: blue, grey, 9V and RC. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 288 pixelsFull resolution (2518 × 907 pixel, file size: 634 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 288 pixelsFull resolution (2518 × 907 pixel, file size: 634 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
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. Ferroconcrete sleepers A variant fastening of rails to wooden sleepers A railroad tie, cross tie, or sleeper is a rectangular object used as a base for railroad tracks. ...
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 12v trains) was provided by means of separate conductor rails placed in between the running rails. It was possible to upgrade from battery power to 12v 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 12v versions, with the electrical connections included).
9V 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. Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...
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 9V and RC track types only requires some "Lego" ingenuity on the part of the user. Of course, the 9V engines must be restricted to the 9V rails to operate.
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 [1].
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