Subject:
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All plastic track
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Tue, 16 Aug 2005 21:47:45 GMT
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Viewed:
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1894 times
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(Sometimes I think that if TLC announced it was closing down, the first post on
LUGNET or elsewhere might be something like “Oh, no! That’s really terrible!
I’ve got to have 7 more 2x6 pink plates! Can’t they wait until I find some on
BrickLink?”)
Really!
For all the train folk who were reading the gloom and doom threads earlier this
month about a possible RC train, the news at BrickFest was: Sometimes the sky
really does fall. TLC announced it is going to focus on a new RC (where RC =
remote control, not Radio Control, BTW) train system to sell as a “play train”
for kids. The explanation is that electric rails are too expensive to
manufacture so TLC will switch to a battery powered, infrared controlled,
line-of-sight, all plastic rail system. They will create trains will less
detail and lower costs in order to be competitive in the kid train market.
In making the announcement, Jake pointed out that the new track will snap right
into existing track, And that for the moment, TLC will continue to sell the old
“hobby train” track via lego.com.
I was so astonished and depressed by the announcement that I didn’t ask any
questions at the end of Jake’s address. In fact, the whole audience was fairly
silent about the subject too.
Here’s some observations:
1. Just one month after L Gauge made its (splashy!) debut at NMRA, its sole
manufacturer announced the switch over to all plastic track.
2. After years of
waiting patiently for new track geometry and expansion and always being told
that it’s expensive and will take time, we get new track we don’t want: All
plastic.
3. It’s been hard enough to get track at retail outlets the past few
years, now it will (probably) be impossible.
4. Most of us get our bulk LEGO
from closeouts and/or BrickLink. Since track and 9V motors and 9V systems won’t
be in retail outlets, we aren’t going to get them for anything other than full
MSRP.
5. When asked (before Jake’s presentation) about plans for other 9V
track, the TLC guy in charge said no plans at present. That was surprisingly
worse than the standard “we can’t tell you” and it became clear why when Jake
announced the all plastic track.
Makes the end of old light grey seem trite.
-Ted
SCLTC
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Message has 4 Replies:
 | | Re: All plastic track
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| (...) Ted, I think you've read into this incorrectly. From my understanding, TLC's goal is to have TWO train lines - one for "adults", and one for "young kids" (to bridge the gap between DUPLO trains and 9V). TLC has (hopefully) learned from its (...) (19 years ago, 16-Aug-05, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
| | | Re: All plastic track
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| (...) I didn't attend that talk, but I did listen to it in MP3 form, and I didn't get that impression at all. I heard him say that they were introducing a new "play train" line, that would be in addition to the existing 9V and Duplo train lines. (...) (19 years ago, 16-Aug-05, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
| | | Re: All plastic track
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| (...) First, to be completely clear about a very very important distinction - we're not "switching", we're "including". Plastic rails will not kill the metal rails. Metal rails will continue into the future. We are working on production process that (...) (19 years ago, 16-Aug-05, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
| | | Re: All plastic track
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| (...) Personally I think the play train is a fantastic idea. It will be a great way to lower cost while providing opportunities for new parts, ideas and a new younger audience. Now some of you are worried about the death of the 9volt train set but (...) (19 years ago, 17-Aug-05, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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