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 21:22:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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20743 times
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In lugnet.lego, Rob Hendrix wrote:
> Snip
>
> > 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).
>
> So, what about taking another route and simply approach one of the many
> model railroad companies to see their interest in making something more like
> what THEY already make that *could* suit our needs? I'd love to see some
> unofficial brass L-Guage track. Heck, I might even be inclined to make that
> garden railway I always wanted. (hi John!)...
>
> -Rob
> www.brickmodder.net
> www.lifelites.com
Hm, I wonder if TLG would fight them on a patent/design methodology? That would
be the first issue I see. However, on that note, what I would really like to
see is some way to get just metal tracks that would fit over the plastic track.
That way, TLG would benefit from the sale of track (granted, it's not exactly
showing TLG that we're not happy with discontiuation of 9V, but there are some
other price/cost factors there). I know it would also physically raise the
track, so there would be something of a gap between the 9V track and "new"
cladding over the plastic track..but that's all still a dream at this point).
That said, I was working on building a list of metal rail train manufacturers:
-Ahearn
-Lionel
-Bachmann
-Marklin (I believe this company does a lot in Europe, and we should make sure
our colleagues outside North America can use 9V trains too...
I'm trying to remember what other companies there are.
Hm.. how much to make metal rails, and then have LEGO-compatible pieces that can
snap onto the bottom of the rail?
Scott
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Message has 1 Reply:
Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: The Future of Trains
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| Snip (...) So, what about taking another route and simply approach one of the many model railroad companies to see their interest in making something more like what THEY already make that *could* suit our needs? I'd love to see some unofficial brass (...) (17 years ago, 2-Oct-07, to lugnet.lego)
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