Madcat2000 Posted May 23, 2009 I understand why lego switched to PF, so it could have a singe power system across themes, but why make the RC trains? And why are they still here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soc399 Posted May 23, 2009 I think the RC trains will probably disappear soon when Lego sells out their current stock. I don't know why Lego made them in the first place, but it was probably planned before they developed the PF system. The only train I have is the Emerald Night, but I'll snap up a Deluxe Cargo Train if it goes on sale. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Freddie Posted May 24, 2009 Switching to battery trains allowed the LEGO to greatly reduce the costs involved in the production of the track, since 9V-track was becoming too expensive to take part in a sound buisiness model. In today's market 9V-track would likely cost two or three times as much, if LEGO was to cover the only the production costs. Not to mention that the price of metal has increased disproportionally compared to plastic, and that combined with the fact that 9V-track is produced over multiple stages, people wouldn't be willing to pay the high price that the track would eventually end up at. So the switch to battery-powered trains is because the 9V-trains were no longer profitable within LEGO's quality and price standards. Sure, the rechargable PF-battery costs a small fortune, but compared to what we would have to fork out for 9V-trains eventually, it's a bargain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legofan Posted May 25, 2009 Very infomative Freddie! Thanks alot! However, one question also comes into my mine now. After much ebay-ing/ bricklink/ local market surveys: Why does the curve 9v train tracks cost at least 3 times lesser than it's counterpart, the straight 9v train track?? Or put it simplily, why is curve cheaper than straight?? If u're good in maths (which i'm not), i believe in geometry, the shortest distance is a straight line... HHHmmm... Seems more metal goes into curve tracks yet they're somewhat cheaper... Interesting sight.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cwetqo Posted May 25, 2009 Very infomative Freddie! Thanks alot!However, one question also comes into my mine now. After much ebay-ing/ bricklink/ local market surveys: Why does the curve 9v train tracks cost at least 3 times lesser than it's counterpart, the straight 9v train track?? Or put it simplily, why is curve cheaper than straight?? If u're good in maths (which i'm not), i believe in geometry, the shortest distance is a straight line... HHHmmm... Seems more metal goes into curve tracks yet they're somewhat cheaper... Interesting sight.. I think that there are more reasons for that: -with every set you get at least 16 curved rails and usually just 2 or 4 straight rails. Because of that there are a lot more curved rails on the market than straight ones which leads to price difference (higher demand equals higher price). -If you think of expanding your basic set you first think of straight rails. So everbody wants straight rails and again the price goes up. -you could still buy new curved 9 rails on LEGO S@H (i suspect that this is because of lower demand like described in first two points), but if you want straight rails you have to go to Bricklink. And again, higher demand equals higher prices. So, everyone wants straight rails and the price reflects this. I don't know why LEGO doesn't produce 9 straight rails any more, but I suspect that it's because they want to force us to switch to RC trains. Maybe they dont even produce curved rails anymore and they are just selling off old stock, but this phase is taking a little too long for that... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetroiD Posted May 26, 2009 Another thing you should consider is that there is a substantially smaller amount of straight tracks generally produced and sold. In all their "complete" sets (train + track), LEGO include curved tracks as >80% of the entire layout. As a rule of the thumb, the oval layout which is favoured in all official sets consists of mostly curved pieces, so there you have another reason for the abundance of those in comparison to straight track. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legofan Posted May 26, 2009 OOOhhh... Very interesting! Didnt see it that way... Thanks guys! Guess that makes the 9v system a dying system... Which makes me think even harder... Oh the dilema... Expensive Batteries or Expensive Tracks and sets... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetroiD Posted May 26, 2009 You can still find some 9V bargains on eBay if you look hard. I bought 12 pieces of straight track and 40 pieces of curved track plus 2 switches, a speed controller & all the stuff necessary to run this layout for ~40 EUR a week ago... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorro Posted May 26, 2009 I think its purely commercial. Making the collectors move to another new line, knowing they will want to collect the 9V line still anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joebot Posted May 26, 2009 Why does the curve 9v train tracks cost at least 3 times lesser than it's counterpart, the straight 9v train track?? Or put it simplily, why is curve cheaper than straight?? If u're good in maths (which i'm not), i believe in geometry, the shortest distance is a straight line... HHHmmm... Seems more metal goes into curve tracks yet they're somewhat cheaper... Interesting sight.. The same is true for the monorail tracks. The long straight pieces go for around $15 and the curves are only $3 or $4. It's really annoying! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hinckley Posted May 26, 2009 There is a very thorough discussion about this topic here. Please continue the discussion there... Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
