21–30 of 80 posts
It's a shame they got rid of metal tracks and went to batteries. If you're rich you can buy new replacements: https://shop.fxbricks.com/pages/fx-track Or try to buy old stock on ebay etc.
Now what I really wish they'd bring back is the Space Monorail...
As someone who likes lego and programming, I love this answer. But I hate how hard lego has made it. Yes, with some work you can make your train stop and go. But I don't think there's a good track switching solution that's lego only and automated. There's an aftermarket motor thing that connects with USB. The lego only attempts end up unwieldy and usually lacking in reliability (e.g. https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-…
It's a shame they got rid of metal tracks and went to batteries. If you're rich you can buy new replacements: https://shop.fxbricks.com/pages/fx-track Or try to buy old stock on ebay etc.
We have the first (?) generation in which each train uses IR (I think) and each controller can deal with 2 trains at once, but are selectable to 4 "channels" - so 8 trains in total. I wanted to buy another train or two a few years ago but they had switched to a bluetooth-only system.
We also have one of the Duplo bluetooth trains and it is pretty nice as well.
I had several stations on a looped track, and controlled the train position by switching on the power to the motor for a certain time.
At first I used a photodiode taped to the CRT monitor (and controlling the motor by lighting up a square in the corner of the screen), later I upgraded to controlling a relay via the parallel port.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
So, while this is uhhh, off track, Legolands and such have some kind of automation, though, presumably, those are bespoke solutions and are not available to regular consumers.
The Legoland trains are basically model trains wearing a Lego skin. They're also a different "scale" than the "Lego toy" trains.
Is this the 3rd generation of Lego City trains? We have the first (?) generation in which each train uses IR (I think) and each controller can deal with 2 trains at once, but are selectable to 4 "channels" - so 8 trains in total. I wanted to buy another train or two a few years ago but they had switched to a bluetooth-only system. We also have one of the Duplo bluetooth trains and it is pretty nice as well.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The Legoland trains are basically model trains wearing a Lego skin. They're also a different "scale" than the "Lego toy" trains.
Huh! I never noticed. It makes some sense when you think about parts-wear.