Dav1d

The LEGO train catalogue was another of Jake McKee's achievements. It was in the format of other model railway catalogues. It was a pity that it marked the end of the 'Golden' age.

I would insulate each of the three circuits - so one controller just operates one circuit. I would insulate the sections by placing a small piece of Sellotape between the track joins at the crossovers. I don't understand what the 4th controller does.

I posted my MOD last year. Here is my version of 60167 using part of the buffet coach and a few spare bricks.I am still using the 9V system, so one end carriage has a 9V motor and the other (shown) has a brick built bogie using the original wheels and decorative sides. I extended the centre carriage to be 28 rather than 24 studs long (as the centre carriage(s) look too short in comparison to the ends).

I was slightly confused but the LEGO gauge is 38mm, while standard gauge is 1.435m which gives a scale of 1:38. That's a coincidence. But scale with LEGO is very approximate as the height of a minifig and the gauge of the track do not match. It is a toy - if it looks right enjoy it.

That's a boat not a loco.

I find this link useful. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=328898 It shows the 'steps' more clearly - it is easier to identify the parts especially the black ones.

Playmobil stopped doing trains a few years ago.

I've been looking back at the 12V trains and have come to the conclusion that "add-on" sets don't do very well. The only people that will buy them are those that already have a train set. With for example the police theme, you can buy a small police set, you don't need to have bought a police station to add to it.

I deliberately decided not to include the licenced themes - "All the Duplo Trains that run on track, excluding licenced themes & Dacta but including the Intelli-train". I could add a new Bricklist for them later.

I have just got my first DUPLO train and have just added a Bricklist of 'All the DUPLO Trains'. It is in www.Brickset.com - enter any Duplo train set number and select 'Bricklists' at the bottom - or https://brickset.com/sets/list-26191 It is not just a list but contains information on each set and how the theme has developed. I have also written a few on 'normal' LEGO trains. As I'm not an expert, please have a look and let me know if there are any omissions or corrections required. Thanks.

There is LEGO narrow gauge curved track - https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=85976#T=P They also made up and down ramps. They appeared in 7199 The temple of doom, 7065 Alien mother ship, 6857 The dynamic duo funhouse escape - in grey & black. Unfortunately they didn't produce points.

I'm sure the older boxes of straights & curves did not come with any instructions.

I'm still using TrackDesigner http://members.home.nl/john.hielema/tracks/td.htm . maybe it's dated but I find it very good and I've added extra parts.

Here it is in TrackDesigner - using 9V track - which has the same geometry. It will work with just 2 curves and 2 straights and a pair of points.

Here is my completed version of 60197 - with windows in the first and last carriage and a longer middle carriage. It has a 9V motor but is shown on plastic track.

I am still using the 9V system, so one end carriage will have a 9V motor and the other (shown) has a brick built bogie using the original wheels and decorative sides. I will probably extend the centre carriage to be 28 rather than 24 studs long (as the centre carriage(s) look too short in comparison to the ends.

Here is my version of 60167 using part of the buffet coach and a few spare bricks. The photo is not very clear - from the rear there is a 1x1 'blue' brick, 2x2 window, 1x2 'blue' brick and buffet sticker, three 2x2 windows, etc...

I find a train can go up hill with not too much difficulty - but the trouble is going down hill and having a curve at the bottom - the train will come off the track if it's going too fast.

I realised the with above circuit - that a single signal on it's own is not very useful - you just need to turn the power off. You really need two or more signals on the same circuit. Everyone says how good the 12V system was but the 9V system where switching the points cut off the power was a better method of control - you could easily stop trains in sidings or passing loops. I suppose the PF & P-UP are probably better as they control the train rather than the track.

I would have three separate 12V circuits. On one circuit I would have a passing loop with a pair of signals - you could then run two 12V trains and swap them when you want. On the second circuit I would have a passing loop with the third signal, you could then run a 12V train and stop it in the loop then a PF train(s) could then run. On the third circuit just have a 12V train running. If you have spare track and PF trains they could run them on a fourth circuit. I think it's best to keep them separate and have trains running. If you have a 90 crossing you could have a figure of eight track layout - that looks exciting. You do not have to have all four 12V trains on the track at any one time - you could keep one off the running tack and swap it around as required.

I happened to come across Brickset https://brickset.com/sets/list-15965 'Sets designed by Jens Nygaard Knudsen' - it says he designed set 7710 the push along steam train with 4 wheel blue & yellow passenger coaches. I wonder if he designed other. One of the characteristics is that all the sets fit together as one collection.

Looking at the video of the system is shows different sounds - that is disappointing as they get annoying after a few minutes - is this all that LEGO could think of? The old Duplo inteli system was more exciting. Maybe we need different functions to be controlled by different coloured bricks on the track. Also it showed the train coming off the track at full speed. From my 16 years experience of children with LEGO trains at exhibitions, there are two speeds - fast forwards & fast reverse. There needs to be a way to limit the maximum speed. Also my experience with the current system is that young children do not know what to do with a hand held controller. Currently every one understands a dial - the more you turn it the faster it goes. I noticed recently that the digital display for better new cars are still including a dial for the volume control. Maybe when all children are given an I-phone at birth then they will be able to use it. You want a train to be able to go, stop at a station and go again, maybe in reverse. There wants to be control of signals, points and level crossings. The cost is too high, including everything in one box and charging £180 is beyond many parents - especially if they are not sure if their child will like a LEGO train - this is the feedback I received at the week-end.

For a 3 year old I would keep the 9V train system if it works. Having a large controller with a big yellow dial is just right for a young child. I have found that young children do not understand how to use a hand held controller - maybe in years to come children will be given an I-phone at birth. Also keep the 9V system and run it with the Power Function system - you can have two loops of track each controlled in their own way. Later you may decide to change but don't do anything rash.

As the box art does not appear to contain the text 'batteries not included', does that suggest that there will be a rechargeable battery & battery charger included? Sorry I was wrong - it does say 'batteries not included'.

https://brickset.com/sets/60197-1 The 'Blueprint' images of the track and trains is different. The passenger train looks especially strange as its drawn straight on a section of curved track.