Dav1d

Thanks, It says for v2.0, has anyone tried it with v1.5? I could try it, I will need serial to USB adaptor.

I have just got a Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 1.5. I have installed the software and running in on Window7 and am running it compatibility mode for Windows95. I have got to the bit to connect the IR transmitter with the 9 pin cable. It looks OK but nothing happens I think it needs software drivers. Do you have any suggestions?

The 12V system had track that were 0 studs apart (see their points/switches). You can have any distance apart it just depends on the width of your trains. If they are 6 studs with no 'sticking out bits' 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 will all work - it's what looks right.

As they are LEGO employees I expected them to be a PR mouthpiece and give very little away. Maybe I'm reading more into it, but when asked if PF trains and flex track were a success they did not say Yes, but said 'in general they have been a success' to me that is not very positive. They do admit it is challenging to produce a small train - will they take on that challenge? Admitting that it is a challenge to communicate to their target age group - 6 year old children - how to play with PF components, is an interesting comment, do they mean that for 6 year olds, PF is too complex? It was disappointed that they say there will be no new track elements, when they changed to plastic track we were told it would make it easier to produce new geometries. I can understand their comments about a City steam train. Finally it was interesting that they have not ruled out individual train cars; which has been the normal response to such questions.

Going uphill is not the problem - the problem is going downhill, when the train can go very fast and derail, especially if there is a curve. David

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