LEGO Trains 2024

[idlemarvel]

I've build a first prototype of a motorized version using one axle of a train motor in the middle car. The externals of the middle car are more or less the same but the internals are rather filled with the hub. The seat at one end is preserved. This is shown with 2L connectors. It slows down on the bends I think because of the long wheelbase. Replacing a wheelset with the motor increases the wheelbase by half a stud. Anyway seems to work. As mentioned before with 2L connectors it will derail on a thrown point.

Close-up of the middle car:

[Space78]

Hmmmm... that is a significant slowdown, and I think you are right about the long wheel base being the culprit.  Thanks for sharing this!

[jus1973]

1 hour ago, idlemarvel said:

I've build a first prototype of a motorized version using one axle of a train motor in the middle car. The externals of the middle car are more or less the same but the internals are rather filled with the hub. The seat at one end is preserved. This is shown with 2L connectors. It slows down on the bends I think because of the long wheelbase. Replacing a wheelset with the motor increases the wheelbase by half a stud.

That’s a good, all lego start, although the slowing down is a little odd.  I can only assume thats to do with some form of friction between the wheels and rails owing to the fixed wheels.  If the set on the car with the longest wheelbase were on some form of bogies, then it might be solvable.

[idlemarvel]

3 hours ago, Space78 said:

Hmmmm... that is a significant slowdown, and I think you are right about the long wheel base being the culprit.  Thanks for sharing this!

There was an uphill incline on the return curve which adds to the slowness.

A Jacobs bogie type solution would solve the wheelbase issue.

[zephyr1934]

On 7/31/2024 at 3:28 PM, idlemarvel said:

With a 2L coupling the sides of the cars just about touch on R40 but not enough to interfere with running I would have thought.

UPDATE: 2L connector is okay on straights and R40 curves but not R40 points where is causes derailment.



Edited Thursday at 10:55 AM by idlemarvel
correction

Stupid suggestion, what about removing the black tiles on the end of the car, would it clear switches then? I assume they are held on by bricks with a stud on the side, if so, perhaps replace those with normal bricks.

[idlemarvel]

Not a stupid suggestion, the black 1×8 tiles you refer to could be removed as they are purely cosmetic, but they barely touch and IMO don't impact the running. The problem with the 2L connector coupling running over thrown points is not caused by the sides touching, rather the length of the draw bar being fractionally too short.

[idlemarvel]

On 8/2/2024 at 6:37 PM, idlemarvel said:

There was an uphill incline on the return curve which adds to the slowness.

A Jacobs bogie type solution would solve the wheelbase issue.

I've looked at the powered bogie solution and it involves a major rebuilding of the tram set. It would be a good project for an "alternate build" but if you just want to motorize the existing set the "one powered axle" approach is much easier and it works fine. You only need a handful of replacement parts, all commonplace.

This YouTube video (not mine) shows a similar modified tram running and provides part list and instructions on motorization. In this case the front car is motorized rather than the middle, and the coupling is left at 4L as supplied.

 

Edited August 8, 2024 by idlemarvel

[Space78]

@citizen thanks for your efforts and posting that video.  It does look pretty simple to motorize the tram.  Will likely give that solution when I get a tram set.  The only improvement I can see is some kind of sticker or way to "hide" the big battery box seen in the windows.

[torvi]

I am going to try to fit classic magnet couplers (without buffer beam) on the train/tram. Technic beams for couplers look awfull in my opinon.

[zephyr1934]

According to the reliable insider in my club, the train station and freight train (60335 and 60336) are scheduled to be discontinued at the end of this calendar year and the passenger train (60337) and Orient Express (21344) are scheduled to be discontinued at the end of 2025. All rumors but I'd give them greater than 50% probability of being true.

[Space78]

8 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

According to the reliable insider in my club, the train station and freight train (60335 and 60336) are scheduled to be discontinued at the end of this calendar year and the passenger train (60337) and Orient Express (21344) are scheduled to be discontinued at the end of 2025. All rumors but I'd give them greater than 50% probability of being true.

Interesting, I was assuming Orient Express would retire at the end of this year (2024) given its high price and likely limited appeal to the mass market.  Do Ideals sets typically last 2 years?

[Murdoch17]

Hopefully when the passenger train / OE retire, they will get rid of the plastic axle wheels in favor of the reintroduced metal ones. After all, the 2023 Hogwarts Express and 2024 Downtown Streetcar have the metal ones!

I wonder how much it cost LEGO in lost sales / customer complaints because of this folly!

Edited October 14, 2024 by Murdoch17

[zephyr1934]

On 10/14/2024 at 8:55 AM, Space78 said:

Interesting, I was assuming Orient Express would retire at the end of this year (2024) given its high price and likely limited appeal to the mass market.  Do Ideals sets typically last 2 years?

Even if the rumors are accurate about Lego's current plans, Lego can change plans, e.g., I think the tree house was slated to be discontinued a few years ago but it is still in the Idea's line up. Some disappear quickly others stick around for years, presumably it all depends on how well they sell.

[Kalahari134]

The freight train and station are already listed as "retiring soon" online

[M_slug357]

Does that mean that it is time to open "Lego Trains 2025" as a topic?

[zephyr1934]

14 hours ago, M_slug357 said:

Does that mean that it is time to open "Lego Trains 2025" as a topic?

so far we are only talking about existing trains. I'd think the 2025 thread should start either at the hints of future trains or come Jan 1 if we are still talking existing trains.

[Space78]

Agree, I don't think we have an indication yet of what might be replacing the current freight train set or if there will be a replacement for the station, though Lego seems to always have one station set.  When anyone has information on new stuff for 2025, we should have a new thread.

[Vilhelm22]

On 10/14/2024 at 5:11 AM, zephyr1934 said:

According to the reliable insider in my club, the train station and freight train (60335 and 60336) are scheduled to be discontinued at the end of this calendar year and the passenger train (60337) and Orient Express (21344) are scheduled to be discontinued at the end of 2025. All rumors but I'd give them greater than 50% probability of being true.

Interesting to hear.  I just checked out LEGO Shop@home myself and both 60335 and 60336 say retiring soon, so we can be confident on those.  I seem to remember people in the US and Canada saying they did not, but we still have 60198 with no signs of imminent retirement despite 60336’s apparent imminence.

CITY-wise, I will say these things though:

1) The passenger train’s retirement would fit with relative consistency as we’re due another round in 2026

2) “Additional” sets have sometimes retired early in the past - take for example 7936 Level Crossing which retired 2 years early

3) Speaking from the perspective of someone in the UK for this one.  On both the 2010 lot and the 2014 lot, a new freight train came out a year later - in other words, there was a year when there was only one freight train.  With 60198 still available, is that happening now?

The OE is an anomaly and I’m both surprised and not surprised that it’s staying on until Dec 2025 unless rumours are false.

[Dav1d]

Has anybody fitted a 9V motor to the 60423 tram? 

[Klaus-Dieter]

Hopefully 2025 will see some train based set, e. g. a smaller exclusive train inside the City theme, such as a track repair train or a fire fighter's train. The last one I'm not able to relate to why Lego has not already released one - since adults (they would get for variety a specialized train) as well as kids (they like firefighters) would love one.

Edited October 28, 2024 by Klaus-Dieter

[Space78]

Agree it is unclear why Lego does not release more train-related items.  The train-related items on the Bricklink designer program have sold out each time in 24 hours.  At one point I thought that since the Lego train market is smaller than most of their other themes, that was the reason why Lego did not put much effort into trains.  But with Lego's ever expanding offerings into many "themes" that argument doesn't seem to apply anymore.  I really don't see why we can't get some train sets like those of the early 2000's that are designed to be motorized (Santa Fe, BNSF, Maersk, etc.) and a variety of individual cars.

[Murdoch17]

2025 NEWSFLASH:

We're getting tunnel and bridge sets, and two new trains - one of which has a wash rack! Pictures in spoiler!

Spoiler

 

10425

10426

10427

10428

 

Thoughts on this startling development?

[CastleRail]

31 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

2025 NEWSFLASH:

We're getting tunnel and bridge sets, and two new trains - one of which has a wash rack! Pictures in spoiler!

  Reveal hidden contents

 

10425

10426

10427

10428

 

Thoughts on this startling development?

Would you advise going 6, 7, 8 or 10 Duplo studs wide for best scaling?

The tunnel could be useful for strength and structure hidden behind a proper portal but will probably be expensive as a set and on PAB.

[M_slug357]

I wish they had gone with sand green instead of seasick green.

but yeah the tunnel portal is like 10-12 studs wide, and looks like they updated the red bridge elements (should’ve done a diff color imho)

[Murdoch17]

It looks like they changed the Duplo track color for a third time. First was black back in the early '80s, then dark gray, then dark blue gray, now light blue gray. Pick a color and stick with it LEGO! I also agree with @M_slug357 about the loco and bridge colors being odd choices.

Edited November 9, 2024 by Murdoch17