Unofficial LEGO Train Collectors Guide

[Henrik Ludvigsen]

What is that ?

On the the 11th of May 2013 I and the Danish LUG "byggepladen" will make a Guinness World of Records attempt for the the longest train track. It will be more than 3.000 meters long. The current record is 2.221,51.

At the same time we will be presenting every train, wagon, station etc. ever related to train (almost 200 set).

I have been collecting all that stuff for the last 6 months and I were missing a book: The UNOFFIAL LEGO train collectors guide.

I have collectiong details from PEERON, BRICKLINK, BRICKSHELF etc. I was dissapointed, that I could not find everything on the same place.

So: I have decided to make a book with the title "The UNOFFICIAL LEGO train collectors guide"

When I do this book, what kind of information do you have in it ?

Please help me

Regards

Henrik

[kyphur]

First I would expect to see an itemized list of EVERY set released grouped my original release year.

It should be easy to determine if the set is 4.5v, 12v, 9v, RC or PF.

There should seperate lists for:

- Trains, Engines & Rolling Stock

- Track

- Trackside structures

Each listed set should include a photo and brief description noting what's special/different about this set.

Edited November 2, 2012 by kyphur

[Henrik Ludvigsen]

First I would expect to see an itemized list of EVERY set released grouped my original release year.

It should be easy to determine if the set is 4.5v, 12v, 9v, RC or PF.

There should seperate lists for:

- Trains, Engines & Rolling Stock

- Track

- Trackside structures

Each listed set should include a photo and brief description noting what's special/different about this set.

There will a side for every set. I am planning a book about 600 pages.

The idea has been approved by LEGO (there is some guidelines I have to respect).

The idea is to present everything, a list of set, wagon, tracks, stations, minifigs, terminal etc.

It is supposed to be a bible for every train fan..........

Henrik

[Hey Joe]

Decent photos of consistent quality would be nice.

[kieran]

sounds really good, I will definatly want this book, a complete list will be very usefull

[spzero]

sounds really good, I will definatly want this book, a complete list will be very usefull

Yeah ill deffo get a copy, sounds good.

[kyphur]

Another thing I'd like to see is a discussion of the differing container scales/sizes used through the years.

Edited November 2, 2012 by kyphur

[Darthluke824]

Maybe add a page summary on each era 12v, etc and give the highlights and not so good parts to the System. You could also include the best and worst sets for each of those systems eg:

12V Intercity (7400??)

9V Metroliner

Power Functions Horizon Express.

Those are just my favorites though.

If you are planning to account every set you could add:

Picture of the side of the train with length, Amount of Minifigs, RRP, How many pieces and other small details which really make it extra good.

Good luck, sounds great.

[Hrw-Amen]

Maybe some instructions at least for the simple sets would be nice, or the more rare ones that not many of us will have been able to get hold of, then we can get the bits and build our own if we want to.

Perhaps some of the ideas discussed in Railbricks, for one I would like to see in a book some designs for overhead power lines for the pantographs. It always bugs me when i see trains running around with the things sticking up in the sir and no masts for them to get power. I mean I could understand that actually putting string or wire between would be pretty impractical, but I do like to at least see the masts modelled in layouts. It is I think my biggest gripe about LEGO's official trains, quite a few have them but in the real world they would never go anywhere without any electricity.

[Paddyb98]

Ignore. I'm stupid.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Paddyb98

[dr_spock]

Pictures, detail specs of the set, pictures of the box, alternative builds, more pictures.

Good luck with your project.

[PsyKater]

Building instructions of some new introduces building techniques could be interesting.

[Rijkvv]

Instructions would be nice, but I personally wouldn't care for instructions of official sets, unless they are not too big (a maintenance vehicle like 4541?). The instructions are available online after all. Maybe some pictures of posters or pages from catalogs.

[Wabbajack]

Some backstory to the sets would be nice, like who designed it, what inspired it and what makes it different from the other models. I would definitely buy the book, even if there were only pictures.

[LovinLegoSince97]

Gotta have some instructions for rolling stock, nothing official either... Items other AFOL have created like hoppers or auto racks and so forth. I would love to see a book like this, good pictures and lots of information for novice collectors to veterans! Good luck with the record and have fun!

[legobanker]

Maybe even produce a CD/DVD of instructions commissioned by artists for building? I've seen many models that I like, but no instructions

[alainneke]

Hi Henrik,

here are some ideas and suggestions for each of the sets:

- in addition to a picture of the main model, why not add a picture of the original box, catalog entry or alternate model too?

- don't forget to mention the original price

- as suggested by "wabbajack", some background info would be really nice (it's obvious that the Horizon Express is based on the TGV, but not all trains are as iconic as the TGV). Pictures of those trains in real-life would also be nice

For each of the train systems (9V, 12V, ...) you could add:

- a FAQ: how do I clean the tracks and motors, where to find replacement parts, ...

- technical specification of the motors (see http://www.philohome.com)

- details about the wheel sets (see http://www.holgermat...rainswheels.php)

I remember reading in an old UK catalog that the centre holes in the sleepers of the track are meant for screws, so that you could attach the track to a table and store it vertically. Maybe there are more of these "nice-to-know" things (e.g. what is the purpose of the 13 V ~ connector on set 7864?)...

Good luck with your book. I will definitely get a copy!

Regards,

Alain

Edited November 9, 2012 by alainneke

[Henrik Ludvigsen]

Thank you for all your comments and wishes. It is greatly honored.

The book will be made - but I have not got the promise to use the official LEGO pictures. So I have to take all these by my self.

All the sets (and I mean every set, station, terminal etc) will be presented in Denmark on the 11th of May 2013. At that place I have hired a pro photostudio, who will take pictures of every set, train, wagon, station, terminal and so on.

I am planning to make a collectors guide with more than 500 pages and hope to soon to release a kind of prebook option.

More will follow.

The deadline for the book will be end of May 2013.

Regards

Henrik

[Dav1d]

I have been thinking about a similar book especially as the 50 anniversary of the first LEGO train will be coming soon.

But it needs to be more than a list of trains - you can get that from the web, what you need are inside stories from the set designers. It would be good to hear from the designers of the iconic 12V sets.

Also reasons the LEGO has made some strange decisions; why release a freight train 3677 so soon after the last, why release a double crossover 7996 which no one wanted and doesn't work well, also what was the reason for designing those unrealistic 9V trains 4559 & 4561, etc.

Also stories about the design of the sets.

Plus some inspirational MOC's