Ideas for trains in 2011

[Brickthus]

I think we need something that can fully utilise the other 6 functions on the remote control, I'm sure point controllers or an automated crossing must have been on the cards when they allowed us 8 channels on the remote, surely they were not just thinking of running 8 trains?

I'd like to see a freight loading station (not jut a crane), loose freight/car loading

A circus train could be fun?

TLG were made aware that 3 trains was not nearly enough for AFOLs.

8 functions is the most required for most MOCs. If you need more, add a gearbox (my rail crane has one so that it can use just 2 motors to do 4 functions and hence be a scale model. The grey bit slides between the function gears).

Freight loading is interesting. I've read a few model railway books on the subject, especially since we do similar stuff with a different modelling medium and method. A cattle loading dock for a 50-year-old station is good, as are coal bins. Some railway modellers think a mine with working wheel is a bit big for a model railway, though I have seen working coal chutes on some 4mm scale layouts. A miniature railway for a mine could be good - use Indy mine track and have an exchange platform?

TLG did do a car loading ramp in the 9V sets.

Did you see the circus train in the 7777 ideas book?

Mark

[Klaus-Dieter]

It bet that there won't be any regular train sets sold in 2011.

But I could well imagine that the 90 Euros set that appeared this and last year (10194 Emerald Night and 10213 Space Shuttle) could well be again a train set in 2011. Imo the most likely is a new engine shed - similar to the exclusive awesome 10027 from 2003 - but perhaps and hopefully this time in a modern architectual style.

Klaus-Dieter

[lightningtiger]

I agree with you 'Klaus' a new 10027 would be nice, as for time to time I have talked up that it's one of my favorite Lego sets ever !

Another idea would be a grain silo with loading equipment and grain hopper cars.

I'm a conformist! !

[jonwil]

Grain silo would be a perfect way to combine Trains and Farm, especially if there was a livestock car thrown in.

[hoeij]

A wagon included in the station set would be a great idea. Seperate sold wagons would be great too, however I don't think TLG will release them. They did in the past, but seperate cars and wagons never sold well.

I don't think I'll buy the passenger train unless there is some cost-effective way to get additional cars. I wonder how well this train will sell at $129 which is really quite a lot more than the previous passenger train.

More wagons would be great. Sets like the 10016 tanker and 4536 hopper wagon fetch high prices on eBay and Bricklink.

My 10016 is only $65 ...

As for the future of trains, as an ambassador I have been lobbying for lego to start to produce niche sets on demand using the DesignByMe pick lines, but with a few special parts not available in the PAB to round out the model (including a sticker sheet), different packaging, and the two most important features: an actual human build test, and an actual set number. That way they could have a whole line of train rolling stock aimed at the AFOLs available at S@H without the need to produce any more sets than the market will bare (and the market will do so at the premium DBM price).

I really like the idea of having key train pieces be available in PAB so that we can make additional cars for the passenger train without having to buy a second copy. Your lobbying efforts are appreciated!

[Dan-147]

As for the future of trains, as an ambassador I have been lobbying for lego to start to produce niche sets on demand using the DesignByMe pick lines, but with a few special parts not available in the PAB to round out the model (including a sticker sheet), different packaging, and the two most important features: an actual human build test, and an actual set number. That way they could have a whole line of train rolling stock aimed at the AFOLs available at S@H without the need to produce any more sets than the market will bare (and the market will do so at the premium DBM price).

I would imagine the rush of orders for a hand picked set any time such a new set is released would be a strain on the relatively constant DBM demand. But that could be modulated by limiting only a few pick lines to the sets and serving orders first come first serve. When the set demand is down, those lines could be fulfilling DBM/PAB orders and when set demand is high, they can crank out multiples of the niche set(s). Anything that does super well could even be migrated to normal production runs. If peaking is an issue, the sets could be timed to come out when DBM/PAB demand is expected to be low and released without fanfare so that orders trickle in more slowly.

Benn

I remember when LDD first came out, someone at LEGO would post the better designs in a special gallery according to subject (of course, there was a Trains folder). Anyone who cared to could then buy whatever designs appealed to them and have the parts delivered. I was in a creative high then and I regularly posted designs, several of which did make it to that gallery. I only ever bought one of my designs since I felt that the price mark-up was pretty steep, but I am aware that several of my designs that were bought by people I didn't know. One of them even ended up on Ebay.

Since then, DBM changed name, saw a major price increase and whoever picked the better designs stopped doing it. The DBM galleries are now filled with so-so designs.

The point of all this ranting is that we don't have to wait on LEGO for cool train designs. We can share our own designs and for those who are not inclined to hunt out parts in their collection and/or on Bricklink, we can make designs based on the current PAB pallet. It would be easier if we could post these designs on LEGO's website since it is a common location that we all know but even if we can't, we can surely find or create a site to host these designs. Eric Kingsley had done just that with his Save 9V Trains site until it outgrew its usefulness (LEGO announcing that it was discontinuing 9V trains). If there is any interest, I would be happy to update my designs to the current PAB pallet and maybe even come up with a few new ones. I'm sure others would also like to contribute.

Dan-147

[Brik-el]

ive just received my lego city cargo and passenger train (2010) and i was thinking what will lego be doing for 2011 with trains

maybe they will make extra coaches more train accessories ie: sheds and bridges. what do you think... ?

I wouldnt mind seeing some North American Diesel trains. Some track-side buildings, a new train shed, maybe even a track bed.(you know like how they use cork beds for N, HO, scale.)

[peterab]

The point of all this ranting is that we don't have to wait on LEGO for cool train designs. We can share our own designs and for those who are not inclined to hunt out parts in their collection and/or on Bricklink, we can make designs based on the current PAB pallet. It would be easier if we could post these designs on LEGO's website since it is a common location that we all know but even if we can't, we can surely find or create a site to host these designs. Eric Kingsley had done just that with his Save 9V Trains site until it outgrew its usefulness (LEGO announcing that it was discontinuing 9V trains). If there is any interest, I would be happy to update my designs to the current PAB pallet and maybe even come up with a few new ones. I'm sure others would also like to contribute.

Dan-147

There are a number of instructions for train designs on the Railbricks site, though they are not restricted to the PAB pallet. Due to the expense of design by me, and PAB I mostly prefer Bricklink anyway.

[zephyr1934]

Don't forget that there is the Public Transportation Center and a HP train also due out later this year.

Looks like the tram comes with flanged wheels! See the pictures in this thread.

[Night City Dream]

I am almost 100 % sure there would be no train sets in 2011. We'd better expect them by 2014, I guess.

[CarrollFilms]

I hope Lego comes out with some western trains, sure you can buy the toy story train but it's small. If they made western trains with robbers and stuff that would be cool. I wished they brought back western lego...

[Klaus-Dieter]

I hope Lego comes out with some western trains, sure you can buy the toy story train but it's small. If they made western trains with robbers and stuff that would be cool. I wished they brought back western lego...

Absolute agreement here, CarrollFilms!

A Western train - of course with a decent station (either as a seperate set or included) - would be a dream becoming real for me!

But it's very unrealistic to await it in 2011 since there's already that licensed one from the TS theme (although that one is of course not which we want).

Before we might get a Western train, firstly a new Western theme has to/would be released. And then the year after that maybe as an Exclusive (like it was within the Pirates theme: 2009: Pirates sets, 2010: exclusive Pirates set (10210 Imperial Flagship).

So let's hope!

Btw: Like it was already said, it could even well be that there won't be any new Train sets in the next year(s). Nevertheless I do hope I'm wrong with this apprehension.

Klaus-Dieter

[lightningtiger]

True, a western train would be nice thanks to the parts made available by TS3.

On another idea, how about another road/rail maintance pickup truck with tools, hey the vehicle with 7936 has to put it's scoop or hook somewhere while using the other right ?

I'm a conformist! !

[CarrollFilms]

well I can see Lego not bringing back western until they can think up a good theme/style. The only possible way for Lego to Bring back western is if they start making sets from western movies. (which is what I would do) Take "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" for example, they would have a few cool sets. The point is if they do bring back western they should make a Western train, because who doesn't like western? (I only have 1 or 2 western sets)

Don't forget that there is the Public Transportation Center and a HP train also due out later this year.

well the only good part of the set is the tram, but I will buy, like 2-3 just to make a subway under my table, or i can buy the parts via bricklink, and make more train cars.

Edited July 1, 2010 by CarrollFilms

[Justin]

A steam train would be a great idea. The new cowcatcher piece found in two sets (the Toy Story 3 train and the Space Police 3 base) would really come in handy.

[CarrollFilms]

i can see what you mean the trains produced today arnt good for small city's that's why lego really need to make a monorail again

Sorry pal, Lego destroyed the Molds for Monorail a LOOOONG time ago, so monorail will never be heard from or see again. Unless Lego makes a different version of monorail, but it would cost more than the last monorail series.

[drdavewatford]

Interesting discussion.

Like many of you, I'd also like to see rolling stock, trackside buildings etc. made available, but I fully understand the economic arguments for LEGO not making these kind of sets available as standalone sets at retail.

Perhaps therefore a different business model is needed for such niche sets, and there have been some interesting suggestions on this thread. My own thoughts about how LEGO might be able to serve the niche AFOL (and KFOL) train market are as follows :

- don't expend any marketing budget on the sets beyond releasing photograps and other information to LEGO fan sites such as Eurobricks, Brickset etc. etc.; let the fan networks spread the word

- only sell the sets online via S@H

- package the sets in plain boxes (not ideal but I'm trying to save LEGO money to make the proposition more attractive)

- don't supply printed building instructions - make them available online only (buyer can print them out if they want)

- if the R & D aspects are prohibitive, get the community to submit designs to be voted on by the fanbase; I suspect that the successful designers would not insist on royalties - just the honour of having designed a set and getting recognition would suffice for most.

I'm sure there are other 'short-cuts' that LEGO could take here; the only unacceptable shortcut would be poor quality bricks. Given the mark-up on the bricks themselves, LEGO could surely serve the community and make a modest profit if they followed the suggestions above.

Thoughts ?

Dr. D.

[jonwil]

I suspect that there is a fixed cost for every SKU LEGO produces regardless of how many parts it has or how much/little investment has been put into the set.

Remember that there is a physical limit to how many parts they can produce in a given amount of time, as well as how many sets the packaging machine can pack.

I like the idea of making more "train" parts (i.e. parts seen in train sets and/or usefull for train designs) available on LDD/PaB and then making a handful of train type products (ala how they did the Star Justice, Space Skulls etc) available.

[rday1982]

I like the idea of making more "train" parts (i.e. parts seen in train sets and/or usefull for train designs) available on LDD/PaB and then making a handful of train type products (ala how they did the Star Justice, Space Skulls etc) available.

If they put train doors, windows, glass, and the "notched" fronts onto LDD/PaB, then I'm sure they'll see a lot of people using them. Do they ever take a look at their galleries? There's tons of submissions that would be vastly improved by these parts alone.

[Whittleberry]

Sorry pal, Lego destroyed the Molds for Monorail a LOOOONG time ago, so monorail will never be heard from or see again. Unless Lego makes a different version of monorail, but it would cost more than the last monorail series.

There's no reason LEGO couldn't make new molds for monorail track if they wanted to though.

[peterab]

There's no reason LEGO couldn't make new molds for monorail track if they wanted to though.

It's pretty unlikely since they see even the normal train line as a marginally profitable niche product anyway.

[rday1982]

It's only that due to their incompetence. If they started to market the trains as an alternative to traditional model railways, and began to listen to what AFOL and TFOL requirements are, they could end up opening up new markets, and grabbing a huge slice of revenue from people like Bachmann, Hornby, Lionel and Graham Farish.

Of course, based on past performance, I assume that LEGO will continue to mismanage the hell out of the LEGO train brand.

[CarrollFilms]

There's no reason LEGO couldn't make new molds for monorail track if they wanted to though.

That would be nice, but I like the 9V monorail, the only way I would switch to a new monorail, it needs to be cheaper than $12 a track, it ran on PF's and it was very detailed. but I highly dought TLG will make monorail.

Back on the Train ideas, The Emerald Night was very beautiful and detailed it had 1-2 flaws when used. First one was the Power Functions, it never worked the greatest when it ran on PF's. On sharp turns it would lose traction. Second off it only came with one Passenger Car, TLG must've never thought of it's customers wanting a second or even a third car. I still think the Emerald Night it nice, but TLG should really go back to diesel engines. Take the Cargo Train from 2003 as an example, it was very compact, had very nice detail, came with 3 cars, and is still one of my favorite Diesel trains.

From my train collecting experience the only good trains where diesel and those were the most detailed (Santa Fe, Cargo Train, Cargo Railway, Freight and Crane Railway, And the BNSF locomotrive) Those trains were very nice looking, some were quite realistic.

So idea's for future trains, DIESEL!!!!

[Melfice]

Second off it only came with one Passenger Car, TLG must've never thought of it's customers wanting a second or even a third car. I still think the Emerald Night it nice, but TLG should really go back to diesel engines. Take the Cargo Train from 2003 as an example, it was very compact, had very nice detail, came with 3 cars, and is still one of my favorite Diesel trains.

Remember that the Emerald Night is a semi-exclusive along the lines of, say, Cafe Corner, or the Imperial Ship.

The cargo train you mention is a full retail one.

Also, not just diesels. LEGO made some e-locs as well! And those are pretty cool too, and come with several cars. ;)

So my idea for the future is more e-locs!

Edited August 8, 2010 by Melfice

[lightningtiger]

I feel a selection of PF'ed classic trains would be nice - basically it would be famous trains from all points of the globe, England, USA, Australia, etc., an excellent addition to any layout - now who would not want a 'City Of Truro' eh ?

I'm a conformist! !