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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.
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> 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.
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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.
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