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In lugnet.announce, Steve Witt wrote:
> I'm posting this on behalf of Richard Stollery, head of LEGO Community
> Development:
>
> LEGO 9V Train Communication
<snip>
> Richard Stollery, Head of LEGO Community Development
Thank you for making a decision on this. Those 'in the know' have known this
was a decision that needed to be made for a while now and I'm pleased that a
decision and a course of direction are now set.
Over the years I've done a lot with the 9v metal rails. I know it's advantages
and disadvantages. Personally, I'm excited to see LEGO go in a new direction
and in a way that will hopefully be more profitable for them. I see it this
way, if LEGO were to continue the old system of metal rails there would never be
any reinvestment in it since it doesn't make any money. Now you could argue
that it doesn't make a profit because they don't invest in it. Perhaps so. But
the way I see it, LEGO is a plastic company - they are very good at making
things in plastic and outsource all electro-mechanical and metal components.
Thus it makes sense to me that they should keep as much as they can in house -
hence all plastic track. And the more profitable any line is the more support
there will be into the product line (example: Bionicle gets lots of new pieces
because it is a profitable product line)
The current 9v metal rails have many advantages and disadvantages. I feel that
the advantages of pursuing a new train system offers opportunities far beyond
sticking with the old.
A good many of us will be left speculating on what it will be while a select
number of AFOL train heads will contribute to LEGO on what the new system will
be. I don't know who they are, but I do expect they will be under a non
disclosure agreement and won't even be able to contribute to this dialog.
However, I do know the depth of talent and passion that exist with AFOL train
heads and whomever contributes will do their best to make the new system the
best that it can be.
I'm looking forward to the opportunities ahead.
Kind regards,
Ben Fleskes
Big Ben Bricks LLC
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In lugnet.lego, Ben Fleskes wrote:
> In lugnet.announce, Steve Witt wrote:
> <SNIPPY>
>
> A good many of us will be left speculating on what it will be while a select
> number of AFOL train heads will contribute to LEGO on what the new system will
> be. I don't know who they are, but I do expect they will be under a non
> disclosure agreement and won't even be able to contribute to this dialog.
> However, I do know the depth of talent and passion that exist with AFOL train
> heads and whomever contributes will do their best to make the new system the
> best that it can be.
>
> I'm looking forward to the opportunities ahead.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Ben Fleskes
> Big Ben Bricks LLC
Ben,
I couldn't agree more. We have to look at this not as the end of an era, but as
a new beginning and a chance to embrace new technology. I am thoroughly excited
about the possibilities that lie ahead for LEGO Trains. As you stated, this is
a decision that needed to be made and I'm glad we finally have an answer. Now
we can all move forward and help to make the new platform the best it can
possibly be. It's a brave new world...
-Dave
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In lugnet.lego, Ben Fleskes wrote:
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the way I see it, LEGO is a plastic company - they are very good at making
things in plastic and outsource all electro-mechanical and metal components.
|
I’m going to take this comment and take the idea one step further (and use you
as an example to boot:-)
I agree with you, Ben, and more importantly, I believe that is how TLG sees
themselves as well. Further, I believe TLG believes itself to be a toy company
that makes toys for children. Yes, I believe they see and understand that
adults can and do use them too, but for whatever reason, they cannot seem to
grasp the concept of marketing directly to them. I believe they will never
pursue a LEGO hobby train market.
Sure, they released the 10183 Hobby Train
Set, but with all due respect, that set is basically a train parts pack. There
seems to be this idea that TLG cannot make money by pursuing such a limited
market as adult LEGO trainheads. What’s funny is that there are all kinds of
companies that produce all kinds of things for small train markets: Z (Z!), N,
HO, S (S!!), O, G (G!!!). Don’t they all know that that can’t be done??
Ahem, and so my point: This is a seminal moment for me in my status as a LEGO
hobby train enthusiast. TLG has refused to cater to me and to those like me,
and if they won’t, somebody else will. And it’s already happened. Ben, you
took it upon yourself to produce your own driver wheels. Bully! The LEGO train
hobby is better for your efforts, as it will be better for the future efforts of
others as well-- and for the current efforts of others.
What I mean by that is that from now on, I will be using parts produced by
companies OTHER than TLG for my LEGO trains. The idea of “purity” is toast to
me. Sure, I’ll still have some personal guidelines, but really, hasn’t it
always been thusly? Stickers, BBB wheels, souped-up controllers, LEDs, metal
rods, a cut here and there-- those are just some of my “impurities”.
But now, the canard of purity has finally been dashed for good. Because it’s
either accepting that reality, or leave the hobby (with purity intact)
altogether. Some have already stated their intentions to do just that, and
that’s fine. Personally, I believe it will be liberating. So, I’ll find train
parts, electronics, etc, made by companies who were willing to produce them, and
not ask or rely on TLG to make versions which need to double as a child’s toy,
too.
It sounds heretical, I know, but one day we will all laugh. I’m laughing
already:-)
JOHN
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In lugnet.lego, Ben Fleskes wrote:
> Over the years I've done a lot with the 9v metal rails. I know it's advantages
> and disadvantages. Personally, I'm excited to see LEGO go in a new direction
> and in a way that will hopefully be more profitable for them. I see it this
> way, if LEGO were to continue the old system of metal rails there would never be
> any reinvestment in it since it doesn't make any money. Now you could argue
> that it doesn't make a profit because they don't invest in it. Perhaps so. But
> the way I see it, LEGO is a plastic company - they are very good at making
> things in plastic and outsource all electro-mechanical and metal components.
> Thus it makes sense to me that they should keep as much as they can in house -
> hence all plastic track. And the more profitable any line is the more support
> there will be into the product line (example: Bionicle gets lots of new pieces
> because it is a profitable product line)
>
> The current 9v metal rails have many advantages and disadvantages. I feel that
> the advantages of pursuing a new train system offers opportunities far beyond
> sticking with the old.
>
> A good many of us will be left speculating on what it will be while a select
> number of AFOL train heads will contribute to LEGO on what the new system will
> be. I don't know who they are, but I do expect they will be under a non
> disclosure agreement and won't even be able to contribute to this dialog.
> However, I do know the depth of talent and passion that exist with AFOL train
> heads and whomever contributes will do their best to make the new system the
> best that it can be.
>
> I'm looking forward to the opportunities ahead.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Ben Fleskes
> Big Ben Bricks LLC
Ben,
Well said! I couldn't have stated it any better. I too will wait, impatiently I
might add, for the reveal on the new system. I trust that if I lack the
creativity to make it work, I will do what I always do... Copy from the rest of
you.
This is not the end, but the growth and expansion of the train product line. If
TLG is right, and it sells, there will be plenty of garage sales in my future to
find train product. There will be plenty of growth in LEGO elements to keep the
trains going for years. It may mean thrid party track and motors, but it will go
on.
After all, essentially what is the train product line? A motor, a means of
supplying power to that motor, track, and finally bricks to hide the motor and
the power supply. As long as I don't spend more money on batteries than on the
bricks, and I can keep the train going around in circles for more than a few
mintues, and I can hide the motor and power with other elements, I am good to
go!
Todd
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