Subject:
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Re: 12V to 9V - why the switch
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Tue, 17 May 2005 13:24:09 GMT
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Viewed:
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1397 times
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In lugnet.trains, Bryan Kinkel wrote:
> Can someone explain why LEGO made the switch from 12V to 9V ?
>
> There appears to be some discussion about the switch in these catalogs:
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> 1991 Netherlands
> http://library.brickshelf.com/scans/catalogs/1991/c91nl/c91nl-30.html
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> 1991 German
> http://library.brickshelf.com/scans/catalogs/1991/c91de/c91de-30.html
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> 1991 Europe
> http://library.brickshelf.com/scans/catalogs/1991/c91eu/c91eu-15.html
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> Was there any reaction in the LEGO community when this switch happened?
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> -- Bryan
Was there a Lego community in 1991?
I can see a lot of advantages in the change:
1. Better pick-up of power through the wheels on the inner edge of the track.
Sprung contacts like on 12V trains are prone to wear and spark damage.
2. One-piece track sections are cheaper to produce, and easier to stock and sell
than multi-piece track with optional extra power rails.
3. Unifying all Lego power systems (4.5V, 9V, 12V) to run at one voltage.
4. Better free-rolling wheels (this could have happened at any time, but the
metal caps to the rails do help).
I think it was all of these together that culminated in a completely fresh start
for trains.
I think the loss of cheap push-along and battery starter sets may have damaged
take-up of Lego trains in the long term though.
Jason Railton
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: 12V to 9V - why the switch
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| (...) The text at the first bullet says that the possibilities have increased due to the change to the Electric System of Lego. Without automatic switches and signals the possibilities have more decreased imho. (...) Juniorization...... (...) I've (...) (20 years ago, 17-May-05, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: 12V to 9V - why the switch
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| (...) Sort of, it was rec.toys newslist, I think there were about 50+ LEGO fans on the list at the time. In fact the fans in the SF Bay Area (now BAYLUG) had a privet Email list at the time that spun off the rec.toys list. (...) They big advantage (...) (20 years ago, 17-May-05, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
| | | push trains (was Re: 12V to 9V - why the switch)
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| (...) I think that producing a line of unpowered trains would be a GREAT move for TLC. Basicly, sell train sets that are pretty much the same as they are now but without the motor/speed regulator/etc. Include a circle or oval of track plus a (...) (20 years ago, 18-May-05, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | 12V to 9V - why the switch
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| Can someone explain why LEGO made the switch from 12V to 9V ? There appears to be some discussion about the switch in these catalogs: 1991 Netherlands (URL) German (URL) Europe (URL) there any reaction in the LEGO community when this switch (...) (20 years ago, 17-May-05, to lugnet.trains)
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