Jetflap

Looks fantastic! Very authentic vintage look. It looks so much better on the 4.5 track too, the PF track is offensive to my eyes.

This question has been asked many times over the years, and I imagine only a handful of Lego employees from that time knew the true answer. It is probably lost to the ages. However, I do have a guess, but it is only that. I think Gary is right, it probably had little to do with the voltage system, or child safety laws as this rumor seems to persist. I think rather that the answer starts with fact that in the US we have very few passenger trains. Compared to Europe with it's vast network of rail service, the US has a few commuter routes in some of the bigger cities and even fewer interstate routes. The distances between US cities is so great that with the dawn of air travel in the early 1900's, the sun set on passenger rail service. Therefore, kids growing up in the US in the 80's had much less appreciation for trains than in Europe and other parts of the world. I know, I was one of them... You see where this is going, and Lego did too. Is there a big enough market in the US to roll out the 12v system? Apparently they decided no. Keep in mind, that the 12v system is much more complex than any other Lego theme. A parent can hardly buy one set for their child, they need track, and switches, and signals, and controllers and so on. A pretty serious financial commitment on the part of parents. Oh and all those sets take up a lot of precious retail shelf space too! So maybe Lego decided to roll out the 4.5v and see how it went? I don't remember even seeing 4.5v in stores, TRU at best? I'm pretty sure all of mine came from Shop@Home. Only 7722 even came in a US marked box. Maybe the trains did a little better than they thought, but at that point 12v was winding down, and so they rolled out all the 9v sets to the US? Unless we get a visit from a retired Lego manager, we will probably never know the real answer, but it is fun to think about!

Done!

Any luck on getting type 2 and 3 split on Bricklink? I think you are absolutely right, it should be a separate entry. Also with regard to the pin, I do not believe the design was changed to make the pin replaceable. Lego never sold replacement pins, and also the 12v case is not designed to be opened and cannot be opened without damage. Rather, I believe the design was changed to correct the problem of pins shearing off. Consider the entire weight of a train is being pulled by that single pin when the train is in motion. The new pin design is of a slight softer and therefore more flexible and stronger material, than the standard Lego ABS the rest of the motor case and the entire case with integrated pin is made of. Standard Lego ABS is quite brittle when used in thin, small parts that need some amount of flexibility, and alternative plastics were used for many parts like clips, hooks, and flagpoles.

@Bricked1980 Oh yes, I used to spend hours looking at the layouts in the old catalogs too. They were full of them! It's still my dream to have another layout again, only bigger and better of course. Up on tables and with the same sort of backdrop the catalogs always used, with the green rolling hills. I've seen photos of layouts where collectors did a good job of recreating the effect. Looking at that catalog you linked, I can see I will need more trees, I have about 10 packs worth or so but that won't be enough! I have been stockpiling track, vintage base plates and such in hopes I get one done someday. It will be all official sets, except for some of my 7777 sets if they fit in with the feel of it. @Andy Glascott That's a great layout, thanks for sharing. The custom buildings especially the blue platform/station look awesome. Must have taken some serious talent to run both those intersecting inner loops simultaneously!

Here are all of my motors. I can not confirm the set origin on any of them: B2 28/81 R3 34/3 R2 49/2 B3 28/2 B3 03/6 B3 18/6 R1 35/0 B2 24/2 B4 23/8 B3 29/4 B3 45/2 R3 06/4 R1 17/0 B1 41/0 B2 22/81 B3 47/5 B3 16/8

Holger's post, top center of first photo, the 2 light posts on the control console.

Nice layout, and great MOCs! I never did anything that extensive, generally leaving my sets the way they came. I only had a few classic space sets which I didn't care as much for and a small amount of loose bricks that I used to build my own creations. My parents got a lot of sets from S@H for me, including the crane set (1489). It would be interesting to create a list of S@H exclusives from that era, I don't think I've seen such a list before. I doubt any brick and mortar store sold these sets, as the catalogs specifically mention them as exclusive. I think some rare sets were exclusive to Brick Kicks subscribers too? You are very fortunate to have had 12v sets as a child in the US! Although in hindsight, it is maybe better I didn't even know they existed. They did not appear in any catalog I ever got my hands on anyway. I first learned about their existence when Bricklink was first created. I was shocked (and awed) to learn about them! I remember when I was little being idly curious about the extra rails included with both Container Crane (7823) and Car Transport Depot (7839). I also received a crossing with the electric rails. Not sure why that was what was available instead of the one without in the US. Incidentally, the one without electric rails are harder to find compared to ones with rails. I think I just assumed these odd metal rails were for some future electric train system that Lego decided not to make! Little did I know. Also the Manual Level Crossing (7835) which I had in my youth has a provision to install conducting rails, although they were not included. I don't think the instructions show how to do this, but it might be on the back of the box, I can't remember.

Holger, that's a great layout! I see yours more as a Train layout that happens to have some Town buildings, where as mine was more of a Town layout that happened to have a Train. The lack of 12v in the US is obvious when comparing the layouts. I like your apparent use of light posts to light up your switch controls! I was wondering how, when you were a child, you acquired all the yellow Technic needed for the ramps and bridges?

Unfortunately, I do not. I've always been more of a lurker on these boards and online in general. There is a lot of information on this forum however, if you search the old posts you will find some good information, and might be able to make a contact. A far as what I think about 7735, since it's purely a matter of opinion, that I can answer! I've always liked it, maybe because it is a little odd, but I love the color scheme of the engine. I think its better than 7720 or 7745 anyway.

Yes, I got most of them on Bricklink and a few on Ebay. It takes a while, but they come along! 7727 had the shortest production time, 2 years I believe, hence it's rarity and high cost. I only collected one of each set without regard to variation, but I know there are collectors out there that are experts in these variations.

Whoa! We do collect almost exactly the same. I also start with 1978 and exclude early non-headlight/minifig inside sets. I also end around 1998, although this date is a little fuzzy for me, depending on the line. For example, I stop collecting space sets at Unitron, I don't care for fantasy/alien sets so I don't collect Explorien and later (Exploriens start in 1996). For this reason I also don't care for or collect Aquazone. Like you, I don't collect Town Jr. either. I don't think I will ever get into Fabuland, but will probably get Paradisa, although I don't have any yet. Technic is a low priority line for me as well. I think my complete list is just under 1000, very much like your 850 but it does have 120 Technic on it. I also don't consider multiple set numbers for the same set necessary. When the difference is polybag vs. box I try to get the box version which is the non-USA version just because I like the boxes better, but if I end up with one of each I will keep both. It sounds like we own about the same number of different sets. You should post some photos! I have about 750 total, but that includes a lot of duplicates of accessory sets like track and base-plate packs. It will probably take a lifetime for me to get them all! I try not to overpay or get in a hurry to buy something. Also Space and Technic are low priority for me so who knows on those... The value packs are hard to find in the US as well, maybe that's why I find them so cool! Here is a photo of what I have so far. IMG_20180129_064620857 by jet_flap, on Flickr

Thanks for the nice comments all! ColletArrow- I see what you mean about that last photo, it's as if the town is so big, the mass of buildings gets lost in the distance! Purely unintentional I assure you! Splatman- Yes it was a walk out basement- an easy escape. I dream of someday once again having a town layout, only bigger! Grrr- Just to be clear, the layouts were all of my sets when I was little. The boxes on the shelves are my current collection. But yes, I was a very fortunate child! As I child I only collected the town sets, but now I collect everything from the era. My collections is complete in some areas, I have all the pirates/western/12v&4.5v train/castle sets. (Missing boxes from some of the small castle sets still.) I have most of the major town sets but am missing hundreds of smalls. Missing a lot of space, especially classic and futron. Working on 9v trains. Also working on model team and a long way to go on techinic. Of course, I am always trying to improve what I already have, part-wise just about everything is mint or close to it, but some boxes are missing inserts, things like that.

Just one idea, if someone has a large European catalog from 1993 to check for 5086, I believe these catalogs came with a fairly extensive service pack section in the middle. I have one from 1996 that is this way, but I think all 12v was done by this time. The catalog scans on Peeron do not seem to include this section.

Paperinik77pk- I love all your photos, thanks for sharing! The Blue SW10 looks great. Some day if I ever get around to re-creating the stickers I will have to send you a set. I have not build the the tipper wagons yet, do they tip smoothly? Did you happen to build the track side dumps with the automatic tipping feature? I'm curious how well it works in real life. Also referencing your yellow shed and lack of parts, I bought a nice mostly complete copy of the old yellow castle that was missing it's box and instructions, used all the yellow pieces, and was able to sell the minifigs/weapons/stickers for about what I paid for the whole set. Also did this for the engine factory, it's a good way to ensure you are using vintage pieces too!

I posted a photo of a Town/Train layout from my childhood in another thread, but have more photos and decided it would make an interesting thread! Does any one else have photos from 1980-something (or 1990-something, or even older)? Here are some of mine, in order from oldest to newest- please forgive the photo quality, these were shot with a cheap film camera, clutched in the sweaty hands of a small boy! It may seem like a large amount of sets for a kid to acquire, but from age 6 and on Lego was the ONLY thing I wanted for years and years of birthdays and Christmases. The shine of Lego never wore off for me. Plus a few of these sets were my older brother's... This is the oldest layout I have- the year is 1988, we had just moved to a new house which had a finished basement that doubled as my bedroom. Finally, I had the room to have a permanent layout! Layout 1 (1) by jet_flap, on Flickr Probably not much later, I built this second layout. Most sets are the same, but notice how I put my new train cross to use- however pointless it was in this application! Layout 2 by jet_flap, on Flickr I soon found it challenge to create efficient layouts with trial and error. I had a limited amount of road plates, and a lot of buildings to fit in. As my town continued to grow, it became very time consuming trying to fit everything in. Therefore, I started to design my layouts using little one inch squares cut out of paperboard. Each square had the road drawn on it (straight, curve, T, or Cross). I also had I piece for each set I owned that was on a base plate. This made it very easy to plan a layout before assembling the real thing! Layout 3 Layout 3 (1) by jet_flap, on Flickr Layout 4 Layout 4 (1) by jet_flap, on Flickr Layout 5- This was my last layout. At this point we moved again and I no longer had the space for a permanent layout. I was also 17, and had lost interested in having it set up anyway! (You can find these and a few more photos of these layouts from different angles on my Flickr page.) Layout 5 by jet_flap, on Flickr At this point you might be asking yourself, what did he do with all his Lego after that? Is there a sad ending? Did he give them all away? Sell them at a garage sale? No indeed! I kept them! Every. Single. One. In fact, not only did I keep every set, but ever since the first set I kept every instruction sheet and every box too! I still have them all, and now many more, and I continue to add to my collection to this day! I hope you have enjoyed these photos! IMG_20170701_163412675 by jet_flap, on Flickr IMG_20170701_163346494 by jet_flap, on Flickr IMG_20170701_163335389 by jet_flap, on Flickr IMG_20170701_163316543 by jet_flap, on Flickr IMG_20170701_163252854 by jet_flap, on Flickr IMG_20170701_163238473 by jet_flap, on Flickr

It definitely came with 7722, I never had the service pack when I was a child. I believe I got it in 1989 but I may be off a year. I am just headed out of town, but I can study some old photos when I return and see if I can pin it down exactly. Also, I know it was ordered from Shop-at- home. Here is a photo of it going around my childhood layout a couple years later. A bit blurry with the old film camera, but you can make out the black switch! Layout (2) by jet_flap, on Flickr

Looks beautiful! Great use of vintage parts!

You are not alone! I agree completely. Maybe its time for a Vintage LEGO Builder/Collector Forum here on Eurobricks.

Oh, just from a lot of parts I purchased at some point. I collect vintage sets, and occasionally buy nice vintage assorted lots of parts to have on hand for sets I am restoring. I keep a few hundred thousand parts on hand at all times for this purpose. I find it easier than trying to buy off Bricklink as they don't differentiate most old parts from new, and I insist on all period correct parts for sets in my collection.

Reza- I just checked mine, and turns out I only have the one that is black, the one from my youth. I think in my mind they were all black as I played with this train so much when I was little. When I saw your photo, I knew instantly that mine was, and really never noticed that some were red. Anyway, here is photographic proof! IMG_20171215_192733581 by jet_flap, on Flickr

Interesting, the 7722 set I got as a child in the US has the black switch. I believe it was in 1990. Maybe it was a late production run thing. I think I have another red wagon with black switch as well, so I doubt it's rare. In fact, when I first saw your photo, I was wondering why you had so many of the red wagons with red switches, I thought that was unique to the blue wagons. It's less likely but maybe it is a US thing to have the black switch? More likely its a late run variation though I would guess.

Thank you for the quick response guys! I will have to try to find a replacement. I think I have the placement correct Haddock51, here's a photo to verify and in case anyone references this thread in the future. IMG_20171208_120603860_HDR by jet_flap, on Flickr

I acquired an old 9v controller recently. It operates normally, but something was rattling around inside when I shook it. I opened it up to find out what it was and found two small metal pieces which appeared to be a broken in half retaining clip or perhaps something else. I can't for the life of me figure out where this goes, as everything seems to be very secure without it. Does anyone know? I don't have much experience with the 9v system. Incidentally, I was surprised how easy it was to open the controller up, just 4 simple screws. The 12v controller is much harder to open. Of course, back then they made them so they did break, so there was no reason to open them up! I was also surprised by a quantity of little bits of black plastic. I discovered it was the insulation flaking off the wire. Never had a problem with the old 12v wires, even ones 30 years older. I guess it's not just bricks and stickers they make cheaper these days. Sorry, rant over! IMG_20171208_091119014_HDR by jet_flap, on Flickr IMG_20171208_091559711_HDR by jet_flap, on Flickr

It wasn't hard to find the parts, just expensive. Indeed I did sacrifice a 7750 for the parts. That's over $300 for a nice one plus the cost of the extra windows or a copy of 7810. I was just pointing out it was a lot more expensive to build than other sets from the book, most of which just use basic inexpensive 1980's parts.