Ideas for trains in 2011

[peterab]

If that's the case how did 'Enlighten' get moulds for the brown track that they produce.? or have they just made a cast off an existing rail.

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have had access to any TLG molds. TLG is said to concrete their old molds under their car park. Enlighten probably just built their own using measurements from a LEGO rail.

[Piranha]

Maybe the mods could generalize this topic to simple just Ideas for new Train Sets?

Some of my ideas:

Engines:

Sante Fe Super Chief (updated redesign) $50-100 500-1000 parts

I think this could either be done as just the engine or with some cars. Updates with newer colors, maybe refine the design a little and add some new engineer minifigs. The cars could again be updated and modded.

Super Chief Rail Cars: $40+

Mail, Sleeper etc cars possibly with a few passengers, or this could simply be included with the above set

Trackside Structures:

Train Engine Shed (updated redesign) $100+

Updated design of the old, new colors, bigger to fit the EN and other engines. Again this would be very popular I think.

Train Station: $50+

The most recent one was average I think a larger station would be nice. 4-5 figs. Similar to past great ones.

Cars:

Octan Tanker: $20

Octan Tanker car w/1 fig

Misc Grain or ballast cars : $25+

Reefer Cars: $25+

Where I live there isn't any trains (yet) so I am strapped for ideas about now

[OzVirtualPaul]

I know the hardcore lovers of 9V will always love 9V but I do like the PF. Its easier to setup and control and its safer for my little nephews to setup and play with.

What I would like to see is a couple of additional power function items, here are my examples

- A train horn device / engine noise making, it would be great to be able to set off the horn every now and then and have a bit of a traditional steam engine noise going off as the train goes around.

- Addition to the LED lights, 4 or 6 light box, I love lighting up the inside of the passenger cars etc

- 'For the love of GOD' an electric switch for the train tracks, this could be done easily.

- More than 4 frequency controller and receivers, doing that would allow to have 3 or 4 trains running as well as controlling track switches and other items, I would love to automate my train doors, make it stop, open, close them, it would just add more play-a-bility

- Non contact charging, it would be awesome to simply park my engines in the shed at night over a charging pad or next to a charging module, ready for another days play.

Any of these items could also be used in other sets which would help it be cost effective for LEGO to do.

Anyway, they are just a few thoughts.

[Pazoozoo]

We had a new cargo Maersk train last month...

I'd like to see 7740 and 7745 back again and updated with Power Functions...

Edited May 11, 2011 by Pazoozoo

[mikka says]

i still am under the opinion of locomotive types they havent touched for a while, diesel and steam shunters.

firstly would be to make an adaption the the allready existing small train wheel as made by TLG, with holes for con rods

therefore utilising thinner technic bars as rods, and the use of a PF medium motor could do the trick for the engines' size.

and a small 0-6-0 steam or diesel model could be a viable proposition.

this type of set could be alot smaller than existing City train sets, with an oval and a siding. some 4-wheeled rolling stock (say 2-3) would make a brilliant entry into the train system, also giving us some more desperately needed rollingstock.

have this as an updated style of the old 12v era, could make it into a classic-ised set like the 10001 metroliner.

looks like when im done, you'll have more than 2 cents XD

this is my take on such a model, all of the PF components fit neatly inside the model. i made a dummy 88000 AAA battery box to testsizing, and it should work okay

Edited May 11, 2011 by mikka says

[Pingles]

I wonder how long until they re-release straight track. I am hoping they realize that while Flex-track may indeed have its uses it is no substitute, either in functionality or apperance, for straight track.