Bringing back Monorail.

[AndyC]

At Brickfiesta last week, in Austin, Jim Foulds again expressed that 9V and Monorail were dead and not coming back. (He also said the same thing about Bionicle).

Which isn't quite the same thing as "LEGO won't produce another Monorail", it just means you won't see the old systems return (and likely a future Monorail would not use track compatible with the old ones).

[wincent]

I am pleased that i am not alone in my quest to tempt Lego in bringing back the Monorail system.

If even Duplo has it's elevated tracks then surely Lego City should be in title to have them too....

Monorail is the most displayed item on Lego events nowadays,incredible to see that so many still work after all these years.

Throw them in a Star Wars Theme for starters if there are doubts at Lego headquarters about selling them.....

[Artanis I]

Throw them in a Star Wars Theme for starters if there are doubts at Lego headquarters about selling them.....

There's a thought... even if it jacks the price up it'd sell, surely? I seem to recall something resembling a passenger monorail appearing in The Clone Wars, even if it was just an elevated "subway" train.

[Piranha]

There's a thought... even if it jacks the price up it'd sell, surely? I seem to recall something resembling a passenger monorail appearing in The Clone Wars, even if it was just an elevated "subway" train.

I don't know if this is your refrence but in the Clone Wars, before EP3 what happened was the Chancellor was riding on a Maglev/Monorail Train on Coruscant and General Grievous attacks the maglev and captures Palpatine, but Mace Windu tries to stop him and crushes his chestplate giving GG that "cough" . For a better reference than my story check Wookiepedia

I think that would make a cool set if it was done in EP3 style, i.e no animated faces as I don't think it has been featured in the CGI CW series yet.

[Aanchir]

I don't know if this is your refrence but in the Clone Wars, before EP3 what happened was the Chancellor was riding on a Maglev/Monorail Train on Coruscant and General Grievous attacks the maglev and captures Palpatine, but Mace Windu tries to stop him and crushes his chestplate giving GG that "cough" . For a better reference than my story check Wookiepedia

I think that would make a cool set if it was done in EP3 style, i.e no animated faces as I don't think it has been featured in the CGI CW series yet.

Now, the trick to making a set like that is that believe it or not, Star Wars sets don't just sell like hotcakes whatever's in them. If they did, there'd be no reason for TLG to release new Millennium Falcons, X-Wing Starfighters, etc. every few years. The more iconic the vehicles, settings, and minifigures in a set, the more likely it is to sell. Now, a set just depicting a monorail alongside more familiar Coruscant settings would be cool, but to incorporate any of the really cool ones it'd have to be huge, which would detract from the possibility of including monorail track in addition to the more distinctive settings.

I'm curious what goes into the design process for a setting-based Star Wars set. Obviously this year's Echo Base didn't meet too many fans' expectations. And most people I've spoken to dislike the Death Star set (which I personally love for the number of scenes it included). In contrast, I think the Cloud City set (which also depicted a variety of scenes) was much more popular, although it's hard for me to say considering that I wasn't actively a part of any online LEGO communities when that was current, so some of the love I've seen for it may just be nostalgia. In any event, a monorail set adds that tricky consideration-- most of the setting-based Star Wars sets have been based on extremely familiar scenes, which may be part of the reason almost all Clone Wars sets have been vehicle-based instead.

Another thing to wonder about is who monorail sets appeal to. Perhaps part of the reason the ones in the Space theme were unsuccessful is that Space themes' audience doesn't hugely intersect with the people who would love monorails the most-- as I reckon, a group that would be very close to the LEGO Trains audience. Then again, since the Airport Shuttle was apparently also unsuccessful, releasing a monorail as a City set would also have an uncertain outcome. I think City is probably the most likely to be successful, though-- there haven't been many Star Wars or Space sets with any sort of electronics in them in many years, whereas City frequently incorporates Power Functions in its train sets.

[davee123]

believe it or not, Star Wars sets don't just sell like hotcakes whatever's in them. [...] The more iconic the vehicles, settings, and minifigures in a set, the more likely it is to sell.

Yeah, a Star Wars monorail would probably be pretty focal on the *monorail* itself, which wouldn't be very familiar to most Star Wars fans, I'm betting. My guess is that for the same money that would go into a monorail set, they'd make MORE money releasing something different-- especially when you consider how expensive the set would be.

I think the Cloud City set (which also depicted a variety of scenes) was much more popular

I remember there being pretty balanced reaction-- there wasn't really a definite consensus, people were sort of on the fence about the set. Many people saw it as a ploy to spend big bucks on the only set with both Lando and a "new" Boba Fett with printed arms. I find that for a lot of the "playset" items, there's often a group of people are are just unimpressed-- they like swooshable vehicles more.

Perhaps part of the reason the ones in the Space theme were unsuccessful is that Space themes' audience doesn't hugely intersect with the people who would love monorails the most-- as I reckon, a group that would be very close to the LEGO Trains audience.

I think part of the problem (not sure how much) was due to the fact that merchandisers were confused with the monorail sets. They were often NOT placed in the "LEGO" aisle, but were instead placed in the "Toy Train" aisle (I distinctly remember that from my childhood, drooling over the 6990 in the "train" aisle of Toys R Us). So for a parent/grandparent/etc looking to buy LEGO for a child that's known to like LEGO, they won't seek out the train aisle-- they'll go right for the LEGO aisle, and see what's there to buy.

Also, they were pretty expensive. 6991 cost around $180, at a time when the largest set OTHER than the monorail was typically $100 or less. Even for someone that buys LEGO, that's pretty pricey.

As to the target audience, I would guess they probably did quite a bit of research to figure out whether or not kids would think they were cool in the space or town themes. I was DEFINITELY a space-fan as a kid (and not so much of a town-fan), and I remember REALLY wanting the Futuron monorail when it came out (as did other kids in the neighborhood). Hence, my guess is that they probably didn't really miss the mark so much with the target audience, but I admittedly don't have any hard evidence. Certainly from an adult hobbyist perspective (not necessarily a *LEGO* adult hobbyist), I definitely agree that monorail might be more suited to train fans rather than space-fantasy folks.

DaveE

[dviddy]

Which isn't quite the same thing as "LEGO won't produce another Monorail", it just means you won't see the old systems return (and likely a future Monorail would not use track compatible with the old ones).

I don't think I agree with that. "Dead" is dead, man.

[Aanchir]

I don't think I agree with that. "Dead" is dead, man.

I think you're underestimating a company's ability to go back on their word if the circumstances change. If monorails were suddenly to become really popular in real life for whatever reason, then a monorail set would be possible again. But here I'm probably sounding like the silly BIONICLE fans who assume that once Hero Factory's been around for a while BIONICLE will be fresh and new again, so LEGO can start it back up. In both situations, we'd be relying on unforeseeable circumstances, and phrasing the necessary circumstances so they sound more probable than they really are.

[splatman]

(snip)

I think part of the problem (not sure how much) was due to the fact that merchandisers were confused with the monorail sets. They were often NOT placed in the "LEGO" aisle, but were instead placed in the "Toy Train" aisle (I distinctly remember that from my childhood, drooling over the 6990 in the "train" aisle of Toys R Us). So for a parent/grandparent/etc looking to buy LEGO for a child that's known to like LEGO, they won't seek out the train aisle-- they'll go right for the LEGO aisle, and see what's there to buy.

Also, they were pretty expensive. 6991 cost around $180, at a time when the largest set OTHER than the monorail was typically $100 or less. Even for someone that buys LEGO, that's pretty pricey.

(snip)

I got my 6399 AS at the TRU in Federal Way, Wa, and it was in the LEGO isle. So were the LEGO train sets. The price of the AS was about US $170, in 1991.

It's likely that each store chooses on their own, where to stock what. Or it was an experiment involving select stores.

My sister wanted the 6990, but never got it.

Like I said earlier, TLG never sold the monorails as mix-n-match sets. Trains were always sold with or w/o track, and little else. The stations, level crossings, etc. were always sold separately. That allowed more people to afford trains, as they did not have to save up to buy a train, 2 stations, and a bunch of track in one box. If TLG would have done Monorail the same way, it would probably still be actively produced and sold. That's where I think TLG have dropped the ball. The expansion sets probably helped little. If extra track was sold in separate packs of straights, curves, etc., they probably would have had more sales on that alone.

TLG might still be assuming we want all-in-one monorail sets, so when we ask TLG, we'll have to specifically ask for mix-n-match monorail sets.

A Star Wars Monorail would certainly be cool, though I don't recall seeing one in any of the movies. I'll have to pay more attention to the Coruscant scenes next time I watch SW.

Scott.

[dviddy]

I think you're underestimating a company's ability to go back on their word if the circumstances change. If monorails were suddenly to become really popular in real life for whatever reason, then a monorail set would be possible again. But here I'm probably sounding like the silly BIONICLE fans who assume that once Hero Factory's been around for a while BIONICLE will be fresh and new again, so LEGO can start it back up. In both situations, we'd be relying on unforeseeable circumstances, and phrasing the necessary circumstances so they sound more probable than they really are.

I mentioned that he also said Bionicle was dead too, right? Just as dead as monorail and 9V.

[fred67]

I mentioned that he also said Bionicle was dead too, right? Just as dead as monorail and 9V.

Dead... and replaced with something else. What is Hero Factory except more fleshed out Bionicle (a better Bionicle) with a new story? I don't think Bionicles will come back, but that style of building will probably stay around for some time, regardless of the "theme."

And 9V died, but trains didn't... there were replacements.

I'm not saying they'll bring monorail back, but I do believe that when LEGO says "dead," they mean: we have no plans to bring it back and, if we do bring it back, it'll be different.

Edited July 15, 2011 by fred67

[davee123]

I mentioned that he also said Bionicle was dead too, right? Just as dead as monorail and 9V.

Just like Space Police, Maersk Blue, Castle, Blacktron minifigs, and Pirates!

DaveE

[CopMike]

Wow, you guys really are thinking inside & outside the box on this one - I love it ! Lots & lots of great ideas!

But so far, as Dart Vader wrote:

At Brickfiesta last week, in Austin, Jim Foulds again expressed that 9V and Monorail were dead and not coming back. (He also said the same thing about Bionicle).

it´s not happening. Me being a Monorail nerd myself (I have around 130 straight tracks ) I´d love to see lots of the suggestions done. There´s a thread now in the Ambassadors Forum about monorail (one post for it coming back & one post with the same answer from Jim Foulds) but I´ve linked this thread there to read!

[MojoLego]

I love the old monorails. I managed to buy a used Airport monorail for a song this year. It is an absolutely beautiful set and the kids love it.

However...

Compared to PF and 9v train systems, monorail is a big pain to set up and break down. If you haven't played with one of these before but find yourself imploring Lego to restart the assembly line, take a close look at how the track sections are connected. You've got to align the ends (often atop a column) and lock the sections together with a flat 1x4 from both sides. This is not a big issue if you leave your Lego out all the time, but most families don't.

Add to this the limitations of the old track geometry, and the fact that it was more of a road with a cog, and I've got to join in the call for an entirely new type of track. This is not terribly realistic since any new rail system cannibalizes the existing train system (which, rumor has it, already lacks the profit margins of Lego's other lines).

But if Lego did invest in a new track, I'd argue for these technical specifications:

-Use technic pin joints between sections for fast assembly/disassembly; use of technic pins to join downward to the towers.

-Track measuring approximately two studs wide and two bricks high.

-Only two types of track, both of them flexible:

1) A type that is horizontally flexible (think about the existing flex track for trains) but with very small distances between joints so as to approximate a smoother, true curve. This type of track would be use for ALL horizontal applications: straights, turns of varying radii, and switches (constructed mostly out of technic parts).

2) A type that is vertically flexible so as to accommodate grade changes. Again, the distance between flex joins would need to be small so that the ride is not terribly bumpy.

The rest of the system would be, as others noted, PF derived. Would it be possible to sell Lego on a new monorail system that requires only two new, but admittedly complex, parts?

[Piranha]

Before I begin, I would like to thank Copmike for posting in this thread, although TLG sees no plans currently for a new Monorail system I will never say die and always keep it in their ear.

I think you're underestimating a company's ability to go back on their word if the circumstances change. If monorails were suddenly to become really popular in real life for whatever reason, then a monorail set would be possible again. But here I'm probably sounding like the silly BIONICLE fans who assume that once Hero Factory's been around for a while BIONICLE will be fresh and new again, so LEGO can start it back up. In both situations, we'd be relying on unforeseeable circumstances, and phrasing the necessary circumstances so they sound more probable than they really are.

Yes, however there is one difference between comparing BIONICLE to Monorail, BIONICLE is/was simply just a theme that had a long manufacture time and was replaced by the next generation called HERO FACTORY. Now for a cross example I will mention 4.5v, 11v and 9v and RC/PF Trains. Now the concept of a train is beyond what I would refer to as a theme, although there is a theme called Trains, it is simply more than a theme it is a staple. Each system TLG felt the need to go to the next generation. Now I can say the same for Monorail, it is possible TLG can make a next generation version, lets call it 2G

Now hoping for a past theme to come back I would say is less likely to happen then to TLG bring the concept of a Monorail back in a next generation type set.

TLG might still be assuming we want all-in-one monorail sets, so when we ask TLG, we'll have to specifically ask for mix-n-match monorail sets.

A Star Wars Monorail would certainly be cool, though I don't recall seeing one in any of the movies. I'll have to pay more attention to the Coruscant scenes next time I watch SW.

Yes, you reminded me that in several of the Coruscant scenes in SW, for example in a flyover or a city view you can see the maglev/monorail trains going by. They could actually do one based on EP2/EP3 and have some main characters and such going to the senate or Jedi Temple etc. For example in the set we could a good selection of track with a rise and incline and maybe a simple or advanced loop. Then the train can be 2-3 cars and 2 stations and maybe some side structures. Which would mean some separate buildings could also be offered, which would be cool.

Dead... and replaced with something else. What is Hero Factory except more fleshed out Bionicle (a better Bionicle) with a new story? I don't think Bionicles will come back, but that style of building will probably stay around for some time, regardless of the "theme."

And 9V died, but trains didn't... there were replacements.

I'm not saying they'll bring monorail back, but I do believe that when LEGO says "dead," they mean: we have no plans to bring it back and, if we do bring it back, it'll be different.

Yes I agree with you very much.

Edited July 18, 2011 by Macoco

[BURP Lover]

Bringing back the Monorail would be great. I think the problem with it though is that it's always been a part of a small range which has lasted a short amount of time. If it ever is brought back, then the expansion sets (or individual bits, etc) should always be available, like road plates and base plates are, not confined to any theme.

Ah, reading up on it I see it was also in the Town theme, that's cool.

http://images.wikia.com/lego/images/0/0f/6399_Airport_Shuttle.jpg

Anyway, just adding my support. Bringing back the monorail would be great.

[Jay Sathe]

With this new Marvel and DC license, perhaps we could see the monorail from Batman Begins. That would make a very good playset with a loop of track, Wayne Tower (large, but made with few pieces, like Big Ben fron the Cars theme), and a collapsing track section, along with the usual minifigs. Also, from Spiderman, LEGO could make the subway train chase with Doc Ock into a monorail set. All you'd need is one switch with an uphill section that ends, and a loop of track so one has enough time to act out the whole battle. A subway themed monorail station would be included, as well as lots of barricades for the train to plow through at the end if the tracks. The usual minifigures, and some civilians, would be included.

[legOZ]

With this new Marvel and DC license, perhaps we could see the monorail from Batman Begins. That would make a very good playset with a loop of track, Wayne Tower (large, but made with few pieces, like Big Ben fron the Cars theme), and a collapsing track section, along with the usual minifigs. Also, from Spiderman, LEGO could make the subway train chase with Doc Ock into a monorail set. All you'd need is one switch with an uphill section that ends, and a loop of track so one has enough time to act out the whole battle. A subway themed monorail station would be included, as well as lots of barricades for the train to plow through at the end if the tracks. The usual minifigures, and some civilians, would be included.

i think this is more likely and efficient idea.

monorails don't look like lego.

so i can understand why lego leave monorails.

monorails are ugly and they dont look like a train track too.

monorails only looks good in city transporting.

normal train tracks(9v,rc) are heavy and big for going over the city.

but monorails are good for city transportation.

with a gotham city theme or maybe new spiderman theme(dr.octopus and train crash scene) that could be possible.

otherwise i don't want to see maersk train or emerald train on monorails!

[Piranha]

otherwise i don't want to see maersk train or emerald train on monorails!

that was just for creative fun.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

As much as I love the original monorails, I would rather have Lego do something closer to the real thing. I would prefer a monorail that looks more like this:

The monorail tracks Lego made sometimes feel more like a "road" than a rail, because of its thickness relative to the cars'. In addition, the cars don't grip the track as the real ones do. Don't get me wrong, I love the monorail classics, and would personally love to get a sealed 6990. What I'm trying to say is that if Lego is going to revisit the monorail, it could do it more realistically.

[splatman]

If LEGO decides to do a completely different system, similar to that pictured in the previous message, do the track like this: 2w, square cross-section, smooth on all sides. To get the idea, stack a bunch of 2x2 bricks, and lay the stack horizontal, then build a train that rides on it. The track sections can alternately be used as columns and beams in buildings, with the possibility of multi-way connectors to connect the track pieces when using them as framing members in a building, along the lines of Construx. The track pieces would have stud sockets on the bottom on the ends, to allow them to be snapped onto the monorail stanchions, and technic pin sockets in the ends, so they can be pinned together.

In short, the idea is a monorail system of pieces that can also be used in non-monorail creations, the same way other LEGO pieces can used to build anything, and then some.

Edit:

I realized the track pieces cannot have stud sockets on the bottom and have Technic holes in the ends.

So, instead of having stud sockets at all, have 2w cube connectors that have built-in Technic pins on the 2 sides and sockets on the bottom, allowing the connector to be snapped onto a monorail support, and track pieces would be pinned onto either end. The connector cubes would have only 2 pins, and 2 holes on each end, because 4 pins would be too difficult to separate. The user can add 1 or 2 pins per connection, if a stronger joint is needed. No stud sockets on the track pieces also means a curve piece can be rotated 90 degrees about a horizontal axis, to make a ramp.

Giving more thought to the idea of using the track pieces in buildings, have a lengthwise groove on each side, sort of like this, so panels can be used. The connectors would have matching grooves on their smooth sides. Maybe TLG should also make a 1x2 brick with a ridge, the opposite of this (and a 1x1 version), so brick-built panels can be made to stay in place.

The monorail trains would have special profile-matched tires that "grip" the track by meshing with the grooves.

Edited August 13, 2011 by splatman

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

If LEGO decides to do a completely different system, similar to that pictured in the previous message, do the track like this: 2w, square cross-section, smooth on all sides. To get the idea, stack a bunch of 2x2 bricks, and lay the stack horizontal, then build a train that rides on it. The track sections can alternately be used as columns and beams in buildings, with the possibility of multi-way connectors to connect the track pieces when using them as framing members in a building, along the lines of Construx. The track pieces would have stud sockets on the bottom on the ends, to allow them to be snapped onto the monorail stanchions, and technic pin sockets in the ends, so they can be pinned together.

In short, the idea is a monorail system of pieces that can also be used in non-monorail creations, the same way other LEGO pieces can used to build anything, and then some.

I like that idea

[belgian brickman]

I like that idea

It will probably never happen , but it would be awesome though ... a monorail

you got my vote

[HuskerDont]

I think the real reason why Lego won't make a new monorail is because a few of the higher-ups are from Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook.

[Blondie-Wan]

I think the real reason why Lego won't make a new monorail is because a few of the higher-ups are from Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook.

By gum, it put them on the map!