RC Racing and Train + Lego Train Hobby Show
 

Hey guys,

I raced at this hobby show at the Chilliwack Heritage Park and took a few pictures. I am definitely going to pick up a lego train soon. The stuff built here is crazy!

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anyone on here into lego trains or trains in general? i've got soooo many questions haha

the rest of the pics and a few of my race vids are on here:
http://joshuasouthoaks.blogspot.com/

I got into the train hobby for a bit.. all i can say is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ & Time.

Central hobbies on Grandview and Renfrew is all about model trains. Not much lego though.. I dont think ive seen much lego trains here.

LEGO trains aren't cheap either... The current generation of LEGO trains run on batteries that are located in the cars themselves, which power the motors. The tracks are all plastic. You control the trains with an IR receiver. You'll find a few LEGO train sets at ToysRUs now, in time for Christmas. Outside of this season, you'll be hard pressed to find anything in stores, so you would need to shop from LEGO's online website.

The LEGO trains you saw running last weekend likely use the previous generation of technology. Power is drawn from a AC adapter connected to a "speed regulator", which is then connected to the tracks. The tracks have metal rails that conduct electricity, and the 9V train motor picks up current from the rails. You won't be able to buy this stuff in stores, and it's even more expensive in the secondary market.

However, you can definitely run battery powered LEGO trains in conjunction with the old 9V sets on the metal tracks.

My parents had a hobby store when I was young, the markup on these things is insane, especially the trains and scenery.

You also gotta look at supply and demand.. Not much interest in these hobbies now.. So markup has to be high.. Hobby stores prolly sell a couple sets a day plus parts... Gotta make a living somewhere.. When i first bought my train set at central hobbies. He had 2 identical sets and 1 was $40 cheaper.. I asked why and they said it was becuase of the exchange rate at the border when they brought them over.. I just bought the cheaper one anyways.

Lego trains are awesome. You can get really creative with them. I remember back in the day people were building fully functional roller coasters with the track!

Also I remember in Europe they had a way more advance Lego train setup. Using switches you could control crossings, 2way/3/way crossings etc. Their power source is different than North America so it wouldn't have worked here.

That couldn't be farther from the truth. Even though Europe is 220V and North America is 120V, you can always use a converter... :)

it almost seems like the 9V sets made more sense.

could it be that the new sets are cheaper for lego to make and sell at the same prices whereas we now have to blow money on batteries? or was this the only logical way to control multiple trains? cause the hobby trains have that dcc stuff, but it wouldve been pricey to put into lego, right?

looking on ebay, the cargo train set for $180 shipped is pretty damn good. might have to pull the trigger on that in a month or so.... but it does take $$$ away from rc racing.

:(

Yeah, putting metal rails on plastic tracks was expensive to manufacture. Also, having to actually plug it into the wall made the train sets aged 8+, but by using batteries now, they've lowered the "minimum" age to 6, which increases their target market: kids (not adults)!

Yes, this is the easiest way to control multiple trains. DCC is probably too complicated for a "toy", but there is literature online explaining how to add DCC to the 9V train motors (beyond my understanding).

Personally, I have most of the sets from the 9V-era (none from the current line), and I do prefer those over having to change batteries on a regular basis.

If you can get 7939 Cargo Train for 180 shipped, that's pretty good - retail is CDN$240 (or US$180 if you buy it in the Seattle/Bellevue area). Don't get me started on the US vs CDN pricing...

Damn never knew that!

Yup nowadays most electronics are 110-220V.. so they can work in all countries.. Usually things that are meant for sale in North America only dont have both options..