2016 Lego trains

[peterab]

The foundation of Super Mega Steam Power Train Builder was to build on basic running gear and tender structure.

I thought this was a great project. Probably my favourite train one so far. It would also have been a very welcome parts pack. For me this project proved that the LEGO train community is either too small or too fractured to ever get an ideas project up on its own.

Edited February 10, 2016 by peterab

[Lord Insanity]

I wish the best to everyone who seeks the magic formula for a train project at LEGO IDEAS.

I tried 3797...I tried.

I tried my hand at two LEGO IDEAS train projects. But, I didn't have a good enough design, promotional effort, a mass-appealing product, nor the requisite compelling presentation.

The first was "Super Mega Steam Power Train Builder".

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/86744

I think the SMSPTB concept may have spoken to your desire for a steam locomotive with dark green doors and train windows (but not 3-wide). I attempted to deliver a multiple-build creator-style vision reminiscent of the 10183 Hobby Train, and offer compatibility with legacy 9v and Power Functions. Alas, into oblivion at 660 supporters.

Not having regular internet access must be the reason I never saw this Ideas project. I would have voted for that in a heartbeat. This is exactly what I am hopping a new "Christmas train" would be. A black and red steamer with dark green cars. Something that screams Christmas but is generic enough to use year round and be highly desirable as a regular train as well. I can't believe that only got 660 supporters. No wonder we haven't seen a new Creator Expert train. Presuming that would have landed in the $100-$150 price range, I would have bought at least 3 or 4 of those.

Thank you very much for making the lxf files available. Though it is a bittersweet consolation prize.

[ncx]

Ugh, now I need the plans for that engine. I blame you

While I don't have instructions made for it, I did design it in LDD and used Bluerender to make the render

I based it on the Southern 4501 (the wheel arrangement is a little off because its using the same base that I did for my Class J 611 build (which I actually built in LEGO form but designed in LDD as well)

I can share more soon, I just need to set up the track a little, I haven't really tested the engine one a whole set of track yet.

I have thought about putting the 611 on the Ideas site but I already know it will require a license since last year they registered the engine to be protected by copyrights and trademarks to help pay for maintenance and running her.

Edited February 11, 2016 by ncx

[legonerd54321]

While I don't have instructions made for it, I did design it in LDD and used Bluerender to make the render

I based it on the Southern 4501 (the wheel arrangement is a little off because its using the same base that I did for my Class J 611 build (which I actually built in LEGO form but designed in LDD as well)

I can share more soon, I just need to set up the track a little, I haven't really tested the engine one a whole set of track yet.

I have thought about putting the 611 on the Ideas site but I already know it will require a license since last year they registered the engine to be protected by copyrights and trademarks to help pay for maintenance and running her.

Hehe, what a coincidence, I needed something based off of a 4501

Anyways, to get back on topic, I'm kinda disappointed that it's only 4W. I would of preferred a normal sized train.

[xboxtravis7992]

Is it official it is 4-wide or is that just rumored?

[ncx]

Hehe, what a coincidence, I needed something based off of a 4501

Anyways, to get back on topic, I'm kinda disappointed that it's only 4W. I would of preferred a normal sized train.

Is that the 4501 in your avatar?

Is it official it is 4-wide or is that just rumored?

rumored

probably because of the new Friends Coaster track that was released this year.

why would Nesquick say its a Creator Expert train if its 4 wide? i don't think its 4 wide.

They would end up doing what they did with the HE and EN. When the expert trains were designed they were made as slightly larger than the regular train sets.

jump backwards to the launch of the Holiday train with the electric motor and circle track what did that cost? i think it will be similar with an updated look. but use the train wheels from the EN

ahhh what a dream :D

I LOVE steam trains and especially decorated Christmas trains

Edited February 12, 2016 by ncx

[Railfan9]

No that's the Frisco 1522. He is talking about Southern Railway 4501. My profile picture is the Ms class of which 4501 is apart of.

Edited February 12, 2016 by Railfan9

[legonerd54321]

Is that the 4501 in your avatar?

No, it's the SLSF Frisco 1522

I'm quite glad that the 4W is just a rumor and isn't official.

Edited February 12, 2016 by legonerd54321

[3797]

I am intrigued. It's pretty rare for Lego to talk in public, outside of pure product marketing, and almost everything they say is positive, rather than complaining. I'm fascinated that you heard or read them complaining that train sets don't sell. Where did you find this?

I can't link you to an official quote but I've been a member of the German 1000Steine forums for more than 15 years now and I read conversations on LUGNET as well as elsewhere. The general consensus is (this is also true for other toy lines) that trains don't sell as well as they used to because kids these days simply don't seem to be interested anymore.

Hardly anyone liked the My Own Train sets back in the day and the Hobby Train, the now insanely expensive train shed, the Maersk and the HE only sold out after they were heavily marked down. I personally got my Hobby Train for 49€ and the Maersk for 59€.

[PeteM]

Is it official it is 4-wide or is that just rumored?

It's not even official that anything will be released at all! But fingers crossed...

[andythenorth]

The general consensus is (this is also true for other toy lines) that trains don't sell as well as they used to because kids these days simply don't seem to be interested anymore

Sure, trains don't sell, that is not controversial.

The thing that surprised me is that Lego would complain about this publicly. It's pretty weird for them to blame the customer, or lack of customer. If kids don't like trains, isn't it a bit bizarre for Lego to be angry at them for that? Were Lego doing this on 1000Steine and LUGNET? It's interesting that they would do this, as they don't often participate in AFOL forums.

Edited February 12, 2016 by andythenorth

[Paperballpark]

I don't think Lego officially say anything about the sales of trains. What is heard is often what is gleaned from speaking to designers about how well different ranges are doing. This is obviously completely off the record and unofficial, and some designers might know more than others, but it gives us a rough ballpark.

Edited February 12, 2016 by Paperballpark

[peterab]

Is it official it is 4-wide or is that just rumored?

Re-read 1974's post. This is his guess, though he admits to having no inside info.

[ncx]

No that's the Frisco 1522. He is talking about Southern Railway 4501. My profile picture is the Ms class of which 4501 is apart of.

Mine is the Southern Railway (US) 4501 and Norfolk and Western (US) Class J 611

just took this picture earlier today

[lostdriveway]

Mine is the Southern Railway (US) 4501 and Norfolk and Western (US) Class J 611

just took this picture earlier today

N&W J Class is one of my fav steamers!!

[Lyichir]

So it's not ACTUALLY a train set, but I figured some of you might be interested in one of the parts from

Ninjago set... specifically, this piece in Dark Brown. Might be useful in MOCs? Just thought I'd spread the word. Edited February 18, 2016 by Lyichir

[xboxtravis7992]

So it's not ACTUALLY a train set, but I figured some of you might be interested in one of the parts from

Ninjago set... specifically, this piece in Dark Brown. Might be useful in MOCs? Just thought I'd spread the word.

Heck yes! Now we can have rusty looking train bogies. And Ninjago, what a strange place for that piece to show up.

[M_slug357]

So it's not ACTUALLY a train set, but I figured some of you might be interested in one of the parts from

Ninjago set... specifically, this piece in Dark Brown. Might be useful in MOCs? Just thought I'd spread the word.

WOW, they probably are going to use train specific parts all year in other random themes. Not sure if it's to shake the dust off of the molds, or if they are 'field testing' the eagerness for train related pieces in 'unusual' color schemes...? Next we'll see the big driver wheels in some transparent color later this summer. (although trans-blu wouldn't be that bad...)

So, I guess thanks lego?

[dr_spock]

It could be they are trying to get their money's worth after spending so much on a mold. To the bean counters, a mold sitting idle is not making money. That would figure into the return on investment calculations for the train parts. Why spent x amount of money to make to mold that only generates y amount of revenue when you can spend the same x amount for a mold that will bring in twice the y revenue?

[zephyr1934]

If I had to guess, I would say that the motor sides is lego tossing a present out to the train heads. The black cow catcher first appeared on a ninjago set (or was it space police?) The classic train windshield keeps popping up in sets, etc.. I think they are deliberately including parts that can support train MOCs in other sets. They know that while there are not a ton of train builders, some of the ones that are out there spend lots of money.

[Rail Co]

Well basically I am buying that set for those I guess....

-RailCo

[Rail Co]

Also notice on the box that it is in the regular black color maybe they originally chose black and changed it?

-RailCo

[THERIZE]

I think that is normal for renders. I also see that commonly in the LEGO catalogs on like every page, there always are decals missing and colors that are not in final sets.

[JopieK]

So it's not ACTUALLY a train set, but I figured some of you might be interested in one of the parts from

Ninjago set... specifically, this piece in Dark Brown. Might be useful in MOCs? Just thought I'd spread the word.

That is great news indeed. But still hoping LEGO will release some train items this year but I'm afraid not.

[THERIZE]

Probably not. If so we would've already heard about it.