Subject:
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Re: newbie question
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Tue, 30 Mar 1999 15:23:19 GMT
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Viewed:
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1510 times
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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.
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> 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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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: newbie question
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| (...) 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. (...) (25 years ago, 31-Mar-99, to lugnet.trains)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: newbie question
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| (...) 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 (...) (25 years ago, 30-Mar-99, to lugnet.trains)
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