Is this the end of 9V

The new trains are battery operated, with an IR controller, and run on plastic track.

First we had the 4.5v battery operated trains, then the 12 volt (European system) third rail trains. Those were replaced by the 9v trains. And now it looks as though the IR trains might replace the 9v trains.

The following was recently posted to Lugnet:

Subject:

Newsgroups: lugnet.announce, lugnet.trains

Followup-To: lugnet.trains

Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:55:16 GMT

LEGO is still finalizing the plan for what they call the LEGO Hobby Train which will be based on the current 9v system.

LEGO will continue to sell the current 9v system including the train motor, metal tracks and the speed regulator through LEGO Shop at Home and LEGO Brand Retail only, from mid 2006.

In early 2007 the decision will be made - based on sales performance of the 9v system during the fall of 2006 - if LEGO will continue the

LEGO will release more information about the "LEGO Hobby Train" project in August 2006 at the latest.

Seems to me, if they tell the world they are going to decide what to do based on sales, that is going to cause folks like me to stock up before it's too late (or wait for the fire sale) and discourage any new buyers from getting into the 9V stuff. Pity because this stuff is a challenge for young builders and produces a decent sized layout for a reasonable amount of cash. RC trains are likely to be a lot more expensive than the 9V stuff, especially when you take the cost of batteries (disposable or rechargeable) into account. Maybe I'll be able to put the whole lot on ebay at a ludicrously high price with RARE!!! CLASSIC!!! L@@K!!! in the description :>}

Cheers - John Mycroft

It looks like time for me to stock up. :)

DLC

John Mycroft wrote: : Seems to me, if they tell the world they are going to decide what to do : based on sales, that is going to cause folks like me to stock up before : it's too late (or wait for the fire sale) and discourage any new buyers : from getting into the 9V stuff. Pity because this stuff is a challenge : for young builders and produces a decent sized layout for a reasonable : amount of cash. RC trains are likely to be a lot more expensive than : the 9V stuff, especially when you take the cost of batteries (disposable : or rechargeable) into account. : Maybe I'll be able to put the whole lot on ebay at a ludicrously high : price with RARE!!! CLASSIC!!! L@@K!!! in the description :>}

: Cheers - John Mycroft

no, some new trains are comming, but they will keep the present 9v trains

the cars will be the same, but there will be plain plastic tracks and tracks with metal, and corresponing engines for that.

the cars will be the same for both

check