Ok, so the forum is a little quiet... either because nobody has anything to say, or because people are very hard at work doing train stuff...
So I will add a little something...
L scale you might say? well, yes... L scale is the acronym for Lego Scale. It is perhaps not very commonly know, but Lego has been producing trains and train related items since the late 1970's!
L scale trains can be roughly seen as similar size as O scale. However, there is also a micro scale in Lego that can be equated to N scale. The micro scale is non operational, and very vew Lego fans use this scale.
Typical L scale trains are build in Lego, using a 6 stud wide base, but to compensate for gauge, some build 7, or 8 stud wide models. However, 6 stud is wide is the official Lego size.
Over the years the Lego trains has evolved quite a bit.
~ Initially it was battery powered, using a 4.5V system, with no speed control.
~ Later, the 4.5V system was replaced with a 9V system. This mimicked model trains, in that the track was metal, and power was transferred via the wheels to the motor.
~ The next evolution was RC. This is also a 9V system, but using either a rechargeable or regular battery pack carried on board the train. Train control was achieved by an infrared controller on one of 4 channels. Basic speed control (4 steps) and forward/backward was available, using a remote control with single throttle
~ The current incarnation is called PowerFunctions. It provides for 2x4 channels (ie 8 in total) each of these having direction and 8 speed steps. The PowerFunctions throttle also works with IR, but each throttle has 2 speed controls, so 2 trains can be controlled simultaneously from one 1 throttle.
The selection of models has also improved over the years. the very first offerings were very rudimentary, basically just resembling something that looks like a train. Currently there are some very nicely detailed models available. These range from a TGV lookalike high speed train, an ICE high speed train look alike, an American GP38-2 in BNSF colours, a GP40-2 in Maersk colours, and a few others. There has also been a Santa Fe F7 with some 'stainless steel' coaches, and a slew of freight wagons. On the steam end of the spectrum, a very nice Hogwarts express was released, as well as a beautiful British steam loco called Emerald Night
Some of the Lego trains are fairly expensive... ok , rephrase.. Lego is very expensive, and the Lego trains even more so... and thus, there are more Adult Fans of Lego in the Lego train community. The Lego trains community even has their own free online eMag, called RailBricks (
http://railbricks.com/magazine/) there are some nice images of some of the trains in the various scales...
Currently my own Collection consists of the following:
Express set (TGV lookalike)
Inter City set (ICE lookalike)
I have a UP diesel
a black 4-4-0 steam loco
a european box car
2 log cars
2 passenger coaches
quite a bit of track and some points
photos of some of my own trains will follow later... but for now, here are some others...
Microscale (4 wide) Crocodile
10 wide models
6 wide
