Lego 2x3 Plate Mold

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

Aren´t train tracks just as huge and costly as Monorail tracks and get redesigned every three years or so? Even when it´s about the length of the old pieces you could just make new ones that are a little shorter. Or even better, just make pieces like the silver/gold mine tracks and make the rest of the tracks with basics. Would be more versatile and easier to get into non-Monorail sets even.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Navy Trooper Fenson

[Faefrost]

Aren´t train tracks just as huge and costly as Monorail tracks and get redesigned every three years or so? Even when it´s about the length of the old pieces you could just make new ones that are a little shorter. Or even better, just make pieces like the silver/gold mine tracks and make the rest of the tracks with basics. Would be more versatile and easier to get into non-Monorail sets even.

It's probably not every three years. I doubt they burn through Train Track molds that quickly. But the train tracks do tend to sell in a much better volume than we can assume the Monorail ever did. While Niche, the train stuff is supported by some fairly deep pools of AFOL's and lego train clubs. So you have customer bases buying a lot of track. The Monorails were three high priced retail sets that were basically shelf warmers. The Trains are well over a hundred sets spread across decades and have a strong established user base. They may not be big profit items, but they make enough to continue replacing the molds when they come do, and supporting the continued capital loans to do so.

[Lego Otaku]

Also there's really only 3 different major versions of the train tracks. The original ones with separate track and ties used with 4.5v and 12v trains was in use until mid 80's when LEGO did a major redesign for 9v tracks. The old 4.5v and 12v could be used interchangeably although 12v motor won't run on 4.5v track without the 3rd rail added. The 9v originally had metal rail but it was redesigned to be all plastic after oh about 15 years and the all plastic version is still in use. Both 9v and R all plastic (RC version) can be used interchangeably as well but 9v motor will die when it goes off the metal rail onto plastic rail.

All of the tracks are the standard 6L.

The last major type of train tracks are the narrow 4L tracks, often used for mine themed sets like Indy Jones sets, and such and only curve and slope version exists. No straight as of yet. They uses the connector very much like the 9v and RC tracks but are not interchangeable.

Not counting the switch track, the largest of any tracks never exceeded 16L and are much thinner and used less plastic so they are cheaper to produce than most of monorail tracks.

[Dharkan]

Wow, there are some really great posts in this topic. I, for myself, agree with people who thinks monorail has lost its charm. We've seen TLG release things to satisfy us AFOLs but monorail requires a delicate mold and a new mold, releasing something with a possible low profit margin does not really make sense. If they would have wanted to risk some money, I think they will pick a new idea instead of an old one.