| |
Hi all. I've been lurking here for a few weeks, and I've got a doozy here.
I've read a few posts where a few people spoke about the switch from 12V rails
to the 9V system. I also figure that LEGO spent 12 years at 12V.
So the question/speculation request is: it's been about 8 years since 9V
was introduced, so what are the chances that LEGO will go to another
voltage/gauge within the next four years? Reasons for going either way?
|
|
| |
William Wong wrote:
>
> Hi all. I've been lurking here for a few weeks, and I've got a doozy here.
>
> I've read a few posts where a few people spoke about the switch from 12V rails
> to the 9V system. I also figure that LEGO spent 12 years at 12V.
>
> So the question/speculation request is: it's been about 8 years since 9V
> was introduced, so what are the chances that LEGO will go to another
> voltage/gauge within the next four years? Reasons for going either way?
Interesting question. (welcome, by the way!)
I would speculate that TLG is not likely to change any time soon,
because 9V works reliably and looks good. The reason for the change away
from 12V was that it did not work very well, and the center conductors
looked ungainly.
There has been no change in gauge so far. 4.5, 12, and 9 have all used
the same gauge and I expect that not to change either.
But I am just speculating.
--
Larry Pieniazek http://my.voyager.net/lar
FDIC Know your Customer is wounded, thanks to you, but not dead...
See http://www.defendyourprivacy.com for details
For me: No voyager e-mail please. All snail-mail to Ada, please.
- Posting Binaries to RTL causes flamage... Don't do it, please.
- Stick to the facts when posting about others, please.
- This is a family newsgroup, thanks.
|
|
| |
I do not think LEGO will be switching rail style or the voltage (the gauge is the
same). While the switch in voltage is confusing, the switch in rail style makes
alot of sense. I have a 12V train and a couple of 9V trains. The 12V trains are
frustrating because if the trains and the track sit for more than a day you have
to clean the the contacts on the train and the rails. While part of my problem is
that my European 12V trains run at 9V I am reasonable certain that everyone faces
a similar problem with their 12V trains. On the other hand, the 9V trains always
run great. Cleaning the track and the wheels only helps a little. (We all just
wish some of the 12V accessories would make it to the 9V line.)
Christopher
William Wong wrote:
> Hi all. I've been lurking here for a few weeks, and I've got a doozy here.
>
> I've read a few posts where a few people spoke about the switch from 12V rails
> to the 9V system. I also figure that LEGO spent 12 years at 12V.
>
> So the question/speculation request is: it's been about 8 years since 9V
> was introduced, so what are the chances that LEGO will go to another
> voltage/gauge within the next four years? Reasons for going either way?
|
|
| |
> I would speculate that TLG is not likely to change any time soon,
> because 9V works reliably and looks good. The reason for the change away
> from 12V was that it did not work very well, and the center conductors
> looked ungainly.
>
> There has been no change in gauge so far. 4.5, 12, and 9 have all used
> the same gauge and I expect that not to change either.
As Larry says, the 12V system was not terribly reliable and was really an
afterthought to the original 4.5V battery trains. Also it was not compatible
with the new 9V stuff that came out in the late 80's with the very cool
conducting studs. By converting trains over to this system they made all their
electrical elements interchangeable [1]. And while they were at it they made
the train motors very reliable by using spring-loaded conducting flanges on
the wheels, very clever because it doesn't have to rely on gravity to make a
good contact.
I doubt they will change this system anytime soon although I see 3 possible
changes that could happen.
1. A command control system like DCC that allows trains to be controlled
electronically rather than by varying the track voltage. (Unlikely)
2. Using radio control to control the trains (and a switch to plastic track).
(more likely than 1, already done by Playmobil, and Lego has set a precedent
of using RC control with Cybermaster)
3. A switch to a narrower gauge track (4 stud wide trains). This might look
ugly but would be much cheaper to make (I really doubt and hope this doesn't
happen)
Matt
[1] Which brings me to comment I have, I'm rather disappointed to see the
recent introduction of single-use electric parts as in the new Space Port
stuff even if it does make cool noises. I guess it was done for the relentless
pursuit of more features/lower price.
|
|
| |
Matthew Bates wrote:
>
> > I would speculate that TLG is not likely to change any time soon,
> > because 9V works reliably and looks good. The reason for the change away
> > from 12V was that it did not work very well, and the center conductors
> > looked ungainly.
> >
> > There has been no change in gauge so far. 4.5, 12, and 9 have all used
> > the same gauge and I expect that not to change either.
>
> As Larry says, the 12V system was not terribly reliable and was really an
> afterthought to the original 4.5V battery trains. Also it was not compatible
> with the new 9V stuff that came out in the late 80's with the very cool
> conducting studs. By converting trains over to this system they made all their
> electrical elements interchangeable [1]. And while they were at it they made
> the train motors very reliable by using spring-loaded conducting flanges on
> the wheels, very clever because it doesn't have to rely on gravity to make a
> good contact.
I remember seeing springs pushing down on the 12V pickups when I took my 12V
motor appart. By the way, I do NOT recommend taking the 12V motor appart. I had
to glue mine back together.
>
>
> I doubt they will change this system anytime soon although I see 3 possible
> changes that could happen.
>
> 1. A command control system like DCC that allows trains to be controlled
> electronically rather than by varying the track voltage. (Unlikely)
> 2. Using radio control to control the trains (and a switch to plastic track).
> (more likely than 1, already done by Playmobil, and Lego has set a precedent
> of using RC control with Cybermaster)
> 3. A switch to a narrower gauge track (4 stud wide trains). This might look
> ugly but would be much cheaper to make (I really doubt and hope this doesn't
> happen)
>
> Matt
>
> [1] Which brings me to comment I have, I'm rather disappointed to see the
> recent introduction of single-use electric parts as in the new Space Port
> stuff even if it does make cool noises. I guess it was done for the relentless
> pursuit of more features/lower price.
|
|
| |
William Wong wrote:
>
> Hi all. I've been lurking here for a few weeks, and I've got a doozy here.
>
> I've read a few posts where a few people spoke about the switch from 12V rails
> to the 9V system.
> I also figure that LEGO spent 12 years at 12V.
TLG started 4.5v in 1966, then added 12v in 1969. 9v was 1991.
That was 22 years at 12v (1991-1969), or 17 years if you only count 1969
to 1986 (the release year of 7839 Car Carrier Platform).
> So the question/speculation request is: it's been about 8 years since 9V
> was introduced, so what are the chances that LEGO will go to another
> voltage/gauge within the next four years? Reasons for going either way?
They made a pretty big deal about the changeover when it happened,
offering - almost apologetically - that all existing rolling stock could
be exchanged, as well as offering (in Austria, at least), a brochure
specifically aimed at how the changeover could be accomplished. It
certainly looked like they were dedicating themselves to the new system
from that point forward.
The 9v system was (as many have pointed out) superior to the existing
systems, so I would figure that TLG would need to come out with
something that worked _better_ than what they have now, and I can't
think of what that might be (DCC -- as Matt pointed out -- comes to
mind, but that wouldn't really supercede what's there now, it would just
require new controllers and motors) that would make it worth the effort.
-- joshua
|
|
|
