Subject:
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Re: The Future of Trains
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.lego
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Date:
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Tue, 2 Oct 2007 20:56:52 GMT
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Viewed:
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19973 times
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In lugnet.lego, David Laswell wrote:
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Now, add to this the fact that most current custom part manufacturers are
making parts that are small enough that they can save production costs by
setting up multi-part molds, whereas the only track geometries that I can see
being able to take advantage of that capability are stubbies (center of one
tie to the next, either curved or straight). And of course you have people
who wouldn’t buy them no matter how well they’re made for the simple reason
that they aren’t official LEGO, or because they wouldn’t even be aware that
custom track designs were even being made (essentially, anyone who isn’t aware
of ILTCO). It’s definitely possible, but the costs would be prohibitively high
for most people to even consider, and that’s just for all-plastic track, not
even getting into the application of sheet metal rail coverings (which require
both custom cutting dies and machines to attach them to the plastic bases).
Fans will probably love the idea of being able to buy new 9v track geometries,
but many will balk at the idea of paying even twice what The LEGO Company
would have likely charged for the same part, and that’s assuming a custom
manufacturer could even keep costs that low (I doubt it’s possible without
intentionally taking a loss on the project).
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Funny how we as AFOLs have a hard time thinking “outside the box”. We
automatically assume that new track geometry necessarily requires large
sectional track pieces. The old 4.5-volt/12-volt system had separate ties
(sleepers in Europe), track and power sections (12-volt). Personally, I liked
this way better, even if it required quite a bit of time to set up. When the
9-volt system initially came out, I saw the track as a “juniorization” of the
train system.
It would probably be rather easy to make moulded ties with the proper studs in
which we could slip in standard model railway track (just the metal part) of the
appropriate size. This track is sold in bulk. Special tools called rail
benders allow you to curve it to whatever radius you want, bringing about those
large-radius curves everyone has been waiting for for so long. Where it gets a
bit complicated is for the switches and crossovers. These would probably have
to be hand-crafted. However, there are several talented people that modify
LEGO’s standard track that would be up to the challenge. Heck, they could even
make transition pieces to match up this track with standard 9-volt track.
As for power trucks, check out what’s available for standard model train
hobbyists; http://nwsl.com/Catalog/pg025-cat4-06c-v0605.pdf I’m sure that
they would be more than happy to make a modified version for us if there’s
sufficient interest.
So the future isn’t as bleak as it would seem. If we want, we can continue with
our hobby for a long time. Hell, some people (mostly in Europe) still continue
on with their 12-volt trains almost 20 years after it was discontinued. It will
probably mean cutting a few strings with the LEGO company but that could help
the hobby grow.
DA
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: The Future of Trains
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| (...) Hehe, so I'm not alone on that one :-) (...) A guy in the Netherlands is just trying this, even before this message of discontinuation of the 9V line appeared. (...) About 5 years ago, I even started with Lego trains that were discontinued 23 (...) (17 years ago, 2-Oct-07, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: The Future of Trains
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| (...) Now that is kind of what I was advocating in my post. The whole LEGO system is a modular system--why not come up with modular way of creating tracks and motor housings or whatever using perhaps the system as the glue and outside parts as part (...) (17 years ago, 3-Oct-07, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
| | | Re: The Future of Trains
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| (...) Well, simple straights and curves could easily be made with flexible rails and individual ties, but many of the specialized track pieces that seem to be of real interest to the hobby are complex crossovers and points. Those would require (...) (17 years ago, 3-Oct-07, to lugnet.lego, FTX)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: The Future of Trains
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| (...) Writing programs or operating systems requires only three things. Knowledge, creativity, and time. The creativity clearly isn't an issue for the AFOL community, and any true hobbyist will find time when and where possible. Knowledge is the (...) (17 years ago, 2-Oct-07, to lugnet.lego)
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