Subject:
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Re: Hobby Train
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:55:41 GMT
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Viewed:
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11897 times
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Jordan got it right, Thanks Jordan! :)
Recently I was made aware of some of the internal structure of LEGO and this
might offer some insights.
In most big companies there are typically more then one product group. There are
several in LEGO and there are at least two that release trains, The "City" group
who targets the 5 and up market and has internal design constraints that match
that target age group. And "Direct" group which targets an older, perhaps more
sophisticated builder; aka Adult or "hobbyists".
Power Functions (Pf) is a universal electrical system for all of LEGO, so it
logically follows that Pf will be used for all trains from all product groups.
But I don't know this as a fact.
As for the 8 wide and powerful enough motors questions. There is now more then 1
way to motorize a train.
1) There is the RC train motor, which is as powerful as the 9v train motor.
There is the issue with currently shipping motors is the gripping "o" ring on
the wheels don't grip enough; try white LEGO rubber bands or non LEGO
rubber bands or "O" rings.
2) Now that there are official LEGO train wheels that connect to "+" axles you
can use any LEGO motor to power the axles; including the new Pf motors. The
smaller Pf motor can pull a train a well as a single 9v motor, we tested it. And
then you can use the axle twisting large Pf motor which should be able to pull a
small child!
Oh yeah... I'm also wondering how to fit all the Pf into the engine.... maybe
stuff it all in a powered box car, batt, receiver and motor and have Dummy
engines.
SteveB
In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Ram Sreerangam wrote:
> > I am curious, does anyone have an update as to what happened to the Hobby Train?
> > Should we be looking for something new beginning of '09?
> >
> > -Ram
>
> I didn't work on the Hobby Train, though I'll try to give you my best answer.
> Those who did (such as Tim Gould) may want to add their comment as well.
>
> The Hobby Train was an effort to develop a fan-created train set, and that
> effort has now concluded - and the hobby train sets sold out at this point also.
>
> The next big thing for LEGO Trains will be the Power Functions train system.
> There are a few AFOLs providing input that may influence this new system.
> According to the press releases, this system should debut by Summer of 2009. We
> haven't received any recent information on the new system, other than that it
> will have some commonality with the current Power Functions system. It will use
> the current RC train motor, the PF IR receiver, a new IR speed controller, and a
> Li-Ion battery with a 4x8x4 stud form factor.
>
> Now, the following statements are purely my opinions and are in no way binding:
>
> My speculation is that the new sets, when released, will not resemble the "Hobby
> Train" system - that is to say, I do not expect a universal assortment of parts
> with instructions for dozens of fan-created models. I would expect that a
> freight train or passenger train, or perhaps both, will be released - with a
> target age group of 5-12. We may see a similar release to the RC trains, where
> there are two sets offered, at different price points and with different levels
> of sophistication. I don't know whether these will include any fan-designed
> models; my thinking is no, that the fan involvement is limited to development of
> the the new drive system for the trains.
>
> Of course, if you're interested in fan-designed trains, be sure to follow what
> shows up in Railbricks and on LEGO Factory.
>
> -Jordan Schwarz
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Hobby Train
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| (...) The problem with this is that it doesn't really work with a switching layout where the locomotive often needs to move on its own. I agree that its a good solution for a public display that runs in loops though. On the positive side for me, my (...) (16 years ago, 11-Oct-08, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Hobby Train
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| (...) I didn't work on the Hobby Train, though I'll try to give you my best answer. Those who did (such as Tim Gould) may want to add their comment as well. The Hobby Train was an effort to develop a fan-created train set, and that effort has now (...) (16 years ago, 9-Oct-08, to lugnet.trains)
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