Haddock51

The two boxes you see to the left on this control center are switch boxes that I bought from weichentuner several years ago. The switches on these boxes open the current to the PF motors, but only as long as you press them in one direction. Then they automatically go back to the neutral position, thereby cutting power.

As you pointed out previously, you need to be careful. I had to discard one switch when it moved entirely free - without any remaining resistance at all (not an electrically operated switch). This resulted in multiple derailments because the switch apparently could not maintain any longer the selected switch position, i.e. ended up somewhere "in between".

On my 9V Extreme layout, I have 12 switches that are operated electrically with PF Medium motors. I noticed from the very beginning that the "resistance" inside the switches is too high to change the switch position with these relatively powerfull motors. When you open the 9V switches you find a small metal plate with four very small bumps. After grinding away these bumps, all switches work very smoothly.

Absolutely! Next on my list, but first during fall ev. winter. Have you built it?

Great to hear from you, Holger! As a result of my initial modifications to make the locomotive vertically more flexible, the gaps between noses and body increased by one stud on each side. I have now remodified these links and managed to get back to the original gap. Tests so far indicate that it's quite tricky to get the locomotive smoothly through switches, even without PF cables. Humps and climbing spirals on the other hand are no issues any longer. For an experienced MOCer, your instructions are quite ok - and the red "construction" colour is indeed of great help. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for this fantastic "schoolbook"! Even though I have been building with Lego for more than three decades, I learned a lot! Was this the first book out of a series ...? And don't forget to have a look at my multi level track: Best regards Daniel

Thanks. In addition to the lamps with the Pearl Gold Satellite Dishes, there are seats in Brown. Originally, I planned to place some minifigs. However the current interior looks so bautiful that I decided to go without minifigs.

@Toastie I basically share your comments/statements re. parents and children. However, this "side track" probably is outside the context of this thread and should be pursued in some other thread. As a MOCer, I have made my points. The sad news so far is that - with a few exceptions - it seems like I am pretty much alone with my thoughts and visions as a Train AFOL and MOCer. Tough luck. However, I have no interest what so ever in becoming a missionary ... And I will certainly not convert to a children train collector with a close to desperate hope that these "donations" will convince TLG to continue showing mercy for these poor train freaks ... Having the development and history over the past years in fresh mind, my guess is that TLG most probably will have abandonned the Lego Train theme within 7 - 10 years. However - with or without TLG - the Lego Train fenomena will continue to live, for many more years! Toastie, why don't you plan to spend some vacation in Sweden and visit my home with the 9V Extreme layout? That would provide an excellent opportunity for talks and discussions!

The locomotive and coaches are built 7-wide, a width I have used only a few times before. After having built this vintage train, I believe this is an almost perfect - however not so easy - width for building trains.

The most difficult and time consuming thing was to identify, find and order all the required parts for the entire train. It took me four weeks.

When I saw the pictures of this train in @HoMa:s Lego Trains Book. I simply couldn't resist the temptation (particularly not after having seen TLGs miserable train news for 2018 ...) So I built it myself. A true pleasure with a very high degree of satisfaction. And another beautiful contribution to my train collection: A big praise to Holger for this very nice MOC which wakes many train memories back in the years when I grew up in Switzerland. This train is a 9V version with a total of four 9V motors mounted on the first two coaches. The interiors of the locomotive are therefore empty, i.e. no PF stuff. The Be 6/8 is built in Reddish Brown to match the colours of the Swedish iron ore train with the Dm3 and the Da locomotives. In addition, it is adapted to the challenges of the 9V Extreme layout, in particular the humps at the level transitions. And the rods by Trained Bricks really put the dot over the i ... PS: Imagine - a Swedish iron ore train together with a Swiss Crocodile in the midst of the Swiss Alps - goose bumps all over again ...

In his Lego Train Book, @HoMa mentions that tutorials are available to access the internals of 9V train motors (#5300, #10153). Where can I find such tutorials? The only thing I am interested in is how to open these motors without damaging them permanently.

Maybe. However most likely the theme among those available today with the longest life cycle - 60 years and still alive!

Thank you for your open and honest response. I respect your position even though I don't share it. My fundamental belief is that TLG should reassess its current business concept and -strategy for this product line - and do that together with Train AFOL representatives and other stakeholders. I am thinking primarily of Product development/-design, Distribution, Marketing and Sales. Like in many other businesses, things have changed dramatically over the past 10 - 20 years. I am convinced that TLG could expand and increase the growth of the Lego Train market considerably and profitably by capitalizing on the tremendous assets in terms of skills and capabilities, not just within TLG but among Lego Train MOCers and AFOLs all around the world! This would of course require alternative business models that include stimuli on all sides. Of course there are Trade Mark and Copyright challenges but I firmly believe that there are win-win situations along these paths. The traditional way of Marketing, Distribution and Sales must be reassessed. Distribution- and inventory costs must be reduced. Shelf space competition must be adressed, Alternative ways of displaying products should be evaluated and tested. The current way of selling standard sets should be challenged and eventually complemented with other more flexible offerings. New modern internet techniques should be evaluated, tested and implemented. Interactive links/cooperation between TLG and its train customer base must be improved and strengthened. Various cooperations with 3rd parties should be evaluated and tested, etc. etc. There is so much more that could be done - not just to keep this product line alive. Start thinking outside fossil boxes!! This however assumes a genuine and longterm interest in this segment, very different from the current cashcow and short term payback approach. And keep in mind, the most important asset for TLG is already there - the extremely loyal customer base, a true gold mine indeed! So @ElectroDiva, for me this is about much more than "holding your nose" vs. "refusing to buy on principle"...

Train AFOLs are probably one of the most loyal customer groups in the Lego family, despite all what has happened since I became a member myself back in the early 90:ies. You have to assume that TLG has a pretty good knowledge - and detailed sales statistics over time - on this particular product line (as on all other product lines as well). I don't want to hurt your feelings, guys, but the more I read in this thread, the more I get the impression that many of my AFOL colleagues seem to worry most about sending "wrong" signals to TLG by not buying these sets. In other words, their primary interest/concern is to keep TLG happy enough - even if this has come down to part supply decisions only. Amazing. Now, shouldn't this be the other way round? To have such a strong and loyal customer base can be looked upon in various ways. If TLG already has reached the conclusion that longterm investments in Lego Trains (with line extensions, innovations, state of the art designs etc.) are too risky or simply not good enough from a financial point of view, then you just continue milking this segment - with a minimum of investments - as long as the numbers are fine. It seems like the loyalty of this customer group is so strong that it actually doesn't matter - at least not for the time being - if the products are good enough or not ...

I have read and heard several comments over recent years from parents, expressing their disappointment and frustration about the lack of extensions after having bought the first Lego trains for their children. "Swiftly go beyond"? To what? It takes time to become a MOCer. As a consequence of TLGs current "train strategy", there is an obvious risk that more and more among fewer beginners - irrespective of age - will lose interest along this journey. PS: Talking about the new LEGO catalog. Compare this year's catalog with those 5 - 10 years ago. TLGs offerings and themes have changed/increased dramatically. So has the internal competition. What is the probability today compared to 5 - 10 years ago that parents to small children will chose the Lego train path as their first choice? Your guess is as good as mine.

Different MOC schools: you build MOCs based on parts you have or you plan/design MOCs and buy the parts you need. Or you do both. Even though I have a lot of space with my new Lego room, I don't want to use space and/or money for "good-to-have" parts. So I prefer the second MOC school.

You are a typical example of what has been going on for years. To me, this is a very positive development which also goes back to the original purpose and ideas with Lego parts. However, this also fundamentally changes the "playground" for TLG, particularly w.r.t. experienced MOCers and AFOLs, a growing and affluent segment. Sure, the desire to buy complete train sets risks to decrease over time unless there is a continuous flow of new ideas, innovations and sets that can match - or even better exceed - these customer's needs and expectations. Unfortunately, we haven't seen that much from TLG over the past years. I still find it amazing that recent innovations in this field (and PF 2.0 to me is certainly not an innovation!) are emanating from 3rd party providers! Just take Fx Bricks as an example with their PFx Brick! Their slogan: "We take your Creations to the next Level" ! That sounds like music in my ears. This is certainly a trend that will continue. I will keep my eyes open for new innovations. Given their short term cashcow strategy, I don't expect to see any more of this kind of innovations from TLG in the future. The market leader role gradually but steadily seems to run out of TLGs hands... And eventually, this is what they already are planning for anyway ... If you are "only " looking for new spectacular ideas w.r.t. trains or locomotives in Lego, you don't have to wait for TLG. There are many other sources - and creative minds! - with excellent skills, ideas and cases around the world. This forum is a very good example of such a source - with a countless number of fabulous designers and MOCers! PS: This probably goes beyond the scope of this thread. Thinking and speaking as a MOCer (and AFOL) , here are some suggestions about other interesting questions/topics in the wake of this thread: How will/could the Lego Train market with its various segments look like in 5 - 10 years? What kind of innovations for Lego trains can we expect? Who will be the key players in this market? How can you maximize the potential of modern digital technology to capitalize on and spread ideas, innovations etc. among Lego Train MOCers/AFOLs?

This thread is about MOCers and their interest in buying these new sets. I shared my opinion as a MOCer (and AFOL), having been involved in 9V trains since the early 90ies. My children are grown up so I refrain from answering as a parent of small children. You basically confirm my theory - and concern - that TLGs "strategy" for trains has been reduced to a short term cashcow and payback approach, primarily in a narrow and most likely not growing market segment - trains for children. And keep in mind that the children toys market - let alone the train niche - is highly competitive. Just too bad... I guess this thread clearly shows again that in reality, there is not one Lego Train market. The MOC/AFOL segment is very different from the children segment which can hardly be news for TLG. Which of these segments is the most interesting one to invest in - from a size, growth and financial profit point of view - medium and longterm? Your guess is as good as mine... I just don't believe in the idea of sporadically "feeding" the children segment with new sets - or rather new versions of old sets - and hoping that MOCers/AFOLs at least partially will feel happy (e.g. by sneaking out a new PF version...) and accept starving for a couple of more years until it's their turn again. This is what I call "throwing bones". Unbelievable ! Begging for "no buy decisions" indeed ... The train sets you mentionned for AFOLs are ok, but simply too few. For example, MOCers and AFOLs have been screaming for a long time to see new steam engines. TLGs response: zero. And many years have elapsed since the EN ... Again, @HoMas book is a good example of how you can adress these (unmet) MOC needs and expectations: a very nice and instructive case with the German BR 10 Steam Engine, including parts list and building instructions! As I wrote as PS in my previous post, I am rather optimistic about the future of the Lego Train MOC market. However, I am much more pessimistic about TLGs role and position in this market segment. As it appears today, it might be reduced to a part producer and -supplier only. And a rather limited supplier to end consumers if you watch the life cycle of Lego parts available at LEGO Shop... Long live BrickLink ...

Duq, I totally disagree with your reasoning. And the same for you, Electrodiva. This is not about boycotting the bones that TLG continues to throw at Train AFOLs and MOCers. A "no buy decision" is a clear signal and message that these new sets simply don't meet the expectations from existing customers that traditionally have spent and still are spending quite some money for Lego trains. Simply not good enough, again ... As long as you - as MOCers/AFOLs - keep picking up these bones, it will keep TLG happy and convinced that they don't need/have to invest more than "necessary" in trains - and that the short term cashcow approach continues to pay off (at least for the time being ...). And to read about MOCers who consider to buy these sets (eventually at discounts) primarily to get cheap (?) access to spare parts makes me really wondering. And so should TLG. Honestly, why throw away good money for stuff that you even don't like ...?!? And why spend money on new sets just for the sake of spare parts that you eventually won't need anyway - and occupy valuable space? PS: I recently bought "The Lego Trains Bok" by @HoMa. Very interesting and inspiring reading indeed with several nice cases. This certainly raised my mood after the disappointment and frustration following TLGs news. So I decided to start building the vintage train with the Be 6/8 "Crocodile" myself. Certainly not a cheap project but I am quite sure it's worth every krona spent. Good money (originally eyemarked back in 2017 for TLGs new train sets to be released in 2018) for very good stuff ...! Hopefully, we will see more and similar intiatives in the future. I am convinced that the MOC market for Lego trains will continue to grow and expand, irrespective if you use PF ore 9V. Digital Tools like LDD, MLCad, Stud.io, Rebrickable etc. will certainly continue to drive this segment. Using these tools will also save you money when planning and building MOCs because you can skip building up (unnecessary) spare part inventories. So where does this leave TLG ...?

My answer is no. For me, these sets are - another - big disappointment, for several reasons. Some of these reasons go beyond the questions and questionmarks re. these new sets and touch base on my frustration about TLGs overall strategy when it comes to Lego trains (if there is a strategy ...) I will continue to focus on MOCs and trains/train ideas that catch my interest.

I tested several alternatives. This is probably the best alternative to make the front look rounder:

These are the first pictures of the latest contribution to my train collection: a Swiss IC Train with an Re 460 locomotive (partially based on an idea by @Stefaneris). In addition to the locomotive, the train consists of five 1st class coaches whereof one is a panorama coach. The train has a total lenghth of 2.3 m and is equipped with four 9V engines. Quite fascinating to watch this unit climb all the way up to the Swiss mountains and all the way back to Knivsta Station - in two minutes! Goose bumps - and a touch of homesickness ...

I have just seen the first pictures of the two new train sets (presented at the Lego News Toy Fair 2018) that will be released in June 2018: set 60197 Passenger Train and set 60198 Cargo Train, both with Power Function 2.0 My comment: Basically the same themes as in previous years. Nothing really new (maybe with the exception of PF 2.0 - I couldn't care less) And the electric cargo locomotive in green looks just uggly .... Very disappointing "news" indeed. Surprised? Hardly ... Lego Train - Quo Vadis .....?

Phase 1 of project "Lego Train 9V Extreme" is now finalized. Next on my agenda are more films and extensive documentation work. Not so much fun but absolutely necessary. Planning for Phase 2 has started. However, actual work will not start until after summer. Meanwhile, I might catch building my first Swiss train. Ever since this project started, several people in Sweden and abroad have expressed interest in seeing this layout IRL. If you are planning to visit Sweden and would like to drop by, please let me know. Even though we spend most of the summer at our summer place, it should be possible to find suitable dates - and admission is free ...

A new year - and more news. 51 train shelves with a total length of 81 meters (636 straight) are now mounted! Almost all my trains and train sections are packed up and set on shelves or the layout. This is actually the first time I can watch most of my trains at the same time. Quite a feeling ... More details and pictures in the first entry of this thread (see Technical details and Addendum #2A)