Official Magnet Statement from TLG

[AgentRick]

Brickshelf user Impact1 brings us new pictures of the new train buffers, most likely for the Power Functions trains! The octagonal magnets look odd.

[Freddie]

I was just about to post about this in the embassy forum, since I am curious to know how the new couplers work, if they are backwards compatible (very likely, considering who's been involved in the project) and how they connect to each other (hopefully not of the BRIO-type couplers *shudder*) - hoping maybe an ambassador could shed some light on this, because it isn't very easy to make any conclusions from the CGI pictures elements we're yet to see "in the flesh".

Edit: Pick a brick; Category: Transportation -> "Train Buffer 1" and "Train Buffer 2"

Edited April 4, 2008 by Freddie

[Lasse D]

It does seem odd with a need for new couplers. I hope there's a surprise for us hidden in them, such as a little electro magnet or coil inside which could uncouple cars by "reversing the polarity" (where is the Star Trek smilie when you need it?)

Without power it will connect with a normal magnet coupler, but with power it decouples.

Wishful thinking, just like with the wheels that transfer power to 9V and PF functions.

[simonwillems]

Well, I am curious as to how this will work.

It seems the pieces are already available, anyone interested in buying a couple and show us in a thorough review?

There will be no more magnets I am afraid, so the system has to have some other capabilities.

[Dragonator]

These new couplings do seem... different. I would be interested to see how they work. |-/

No more magnets? X-O Is that all magnets or just train one?

[Shoc]

There will be no more magnets I am afraid, so the system has to have some other capabilities.

No more small piece magnets that is, probably because of problems there can be if one is swallowed. These buffers with magnets attached will be hard for a little kid to swallow.

*skull*

[simonwillems]

No more small piece magnets that is, probably because of problems there can be if one is swallowed. These buffers with magnets attached will be hard for a little kid to swallow.

*skull*

Well, I'm off to Bricklink then to buy some loose magnets, if I ever feel the urge to swallow some at least I'll be able to do so... :-|

Why would they suddenly want to change those magnets, they've been around for 28 years now? Can't hey just write on the box something like: 'use licorice for your swallowing needs and these magets for your train-connecting business'?

Never mind me, I'm just a little confused... ;-)

Edited April 5, 2008 by simonwillems

[legotrainfan]

Well, I'm off to Bricklink then to buy some loose magnets, if I ever feel the urge to swallow some at least I'll be able to do so... :-|

Why would they suddenly want to change those magnets, they've been around for 28 years now? Can't hey just write on the box something like: 'use licorice for your swallowing needs and these magets for your train-connecting business'?

Never mind me, I'm just a little confused... ;-)

I'm also of the opinion that a warning on the LEGO sets with magnets should be sufficient. But, of course, LEGO wants to be on the very safe side. So I can understand their way of dealing with this problem, and magnets are definitely dangerous if children swallow them.

Still, I'm quite surprised that new buffers are being released. I thought the new train system would be as much backwards-oriented as possible. Doesn't look like it's gonna be much backwards-compatible. >:-( Well, maybe "compatible" but I hoped that most elements like wheels and so on would remain the same.

Simonwillems, I checked Pick a Brick (USA) and the new buffers can't be bought yet though they are listed. So no one will be able to buy and test them now. :-( Instead of "add to bag" it says "not available".

EDIT: Just checked the Austrian Pick a Brick system. The new buffers are also listed there, but not yet available. Seems that the new buffers are a reaction to that magnets and safety debate. I couldn't find the old magnets and buffers on Pick a Brick anymore.

Edited April 5, 2008 by legotrainfan

[simonwillems]

EDIT: Just checked the Austrian Pick a Brick system. The new buffers are also listed there, but not yet available. Seems that the new buffers are a reaction to that magnets and safety debate. I couldn't find the old magnets and buffers on Pick a Brick anymore.

You are right, they are not available yet, not even here in Holland....

It seems like we are going back to the magnets used in the very first trains, a swivel magnet that could not be removed from the 2x4 plate it was attached to. They are compatible with the current magnets though.

[highlandcattle]

Ok, I get why Lego is doing this. Magnetix is already going to be banned in the EU. And I now of one toychain that is dropping mega brands completely because of this. This is the way things work these days. Sadly. But I look forward to the new magnets, because new pieces are always nice to have. I wonder if the current train sets will be updated?

read this on magents in toy in the EU:

http://www.eubusiness.com/Consumer/beuc.2008-02-29/

[Freddie]

I wonder if the current train sets will be updated?

To my understanding, there are no current train sets. Well, not in Europe. The RC Trains are sold out, so is the hobby train set and the christmas train was sold out a long time ago. I'm more curious to what will happen to all those factory creations, if everybody needs to update them with the new buffers before purchasing.

Edit: legotrainfan: I stand corrected. I doubt they'll update the sets, seeing as how they'll be replaced next year.

Edited April 7, 2008 by Freddie

[legotrainfan]

[...] The RC Trains are sold out [...]

I don't know what makes you think the RC trains are sold out. Some seconds ago I went to S@H Austria and set 7897 is still available. With set 7898 it says "backorders accepted, will ship in 14 days". I also checked S@H Germany and there it's the same.

[Freddie]

Small update: the new train buffers have now been added to LDD.

Now I'm curious to how they work, as there appears to be no pivoting function for the coupler itself, for other than horizontal movement. For modding purposes though, the piece appears to be easier to modify to collectors' taste - the couplers appear to be attached with a screw, so losening that will allow for other types of couplers to be attached.

[Siegfried]

I am dying to know how these will work. I hope they don't force you to pick a polarity like Thomas the Tank trains...

I don't know what makes you think the RC trains are sold out. Some seconds ago I went to S@H Austria and set 7897 is still available. With set 7898 it says "backorders accepted, will ship in 14 days". I also checked S@H Germany and there it's the same.

Well they have come and gone several times for Australians.

[Freddie]

Hi all,

Due to a safety accident with another toy producers product, the LEGO Group is expecting a ban of small parts that contain magnets in the USA and the EU from 2009. As a consequence the LEGO Group has decided to stop selling products which contain magnets in small parts to obey already now the new rules and make no compromise with product safety.

This affects mainly 2 products – the LEGO fridge magnets and the LEGO train magnet couplings.

The train magnets will be re-designed as you can see on the pictures and we expect the new magnets in the boxes from August. LEGO Train sets packaged before August will still contain the existing magnets. The new LEGO train magnet element will be visually different from the existing train magnet element but due to that the magnet can rotate in the plastic cover and the clutch power will be as strong as at the old element the function will be identical and fully compatible with the existing train magnet elements.

The LEGO fridge magnets will also be re-designed and the new version is expected to be available for sale end of 2008.

Jan Beyer, LEGO Community Development

Source

---

Nice to see a statement about this, and that the new buffers will be fully backwards-compatible. So functionality won't be limited, altough flexibility will be limited, as from now on every train-car and engine that the builder wishes to be able to decouple, needs to use the buffers. Unless you one uses the studs on the new couplers for what they're worth, though.

[Siegfried]

Wow! Thanks for posting this; it looks like Athos was right. Not that I'm too surprised; the fridge magnets have been "sold out" for months now...

[Lasse D]

I'm crossing fingers for a handle to rotate those coupling magnets manually.

Automatic coupling disengagement on!

[The Rancor]

Wow! Thanks for posting this; it looks like Athos was right. Not that I'm too surprised; the fridge magnets have been "sold out" for months now...

Looks like I feel the same way as you. Athos WAS right

[part 2]

how are the magnets going to be different

if there going to be glued outside the fig

that would be worthless to most people

[Derek]

I dont know if this is true or if this is being discussed (I couldnt find any topics) but according to this Brickshelf Gallery the magnet sets are cancelled. I never bought any of them myself, but I know quite a few of you here do. Its a shame if this is true.

Darthperson8

[Joey Lock]

I dont know if this is true or if this is being discussed (I couldnt find any topics) but according to this Brickshelf Gallery the magnet sets are cancelled. I never bought any of them myself, but I know quite a few of you here do. Its a shame if this is true.

Darthperson8

Being Discussed!

One person wrote it. I dont think its true...

[Faramir]

Sorry, misunderstanding

Edited June 4, 2008 by Faramir

[THE-FORCE]

Well there is a mechanism made for trains to replace magnets but I have no idea what's going on the moment.

[Flatfoot Thompsen]

I hope it's not true! I don't own any magnet sets, but I'm thinking about starting to collect them.

[Fluyt]

Don't think it's true, only the small loose magnets where replaced I think (to prevent them from being swallowed or something) like the old round magnets used in train coupling among others. Now there are still train couplings with magnets, but with a different housing (the magnet doesn't come off).

And since there are no small/loose magnets in the magnetic minifigs (I think?, I don't own any) it probably isn't true.