LEGO® Trains

31 January 2024

With the arrival of the LEGO® Orient Express, another train has been added to the LEGO® assortment. LEGO® trains have been a favorite of LEGO® collectors and train enthusiasts for years. The YouTube video gives you a nice overview of which trains have come out in the past few years.

Wooden trains?

LEGO® trains have been a source of fun and wonder for train enthusiasts of all ages since the 1930s. The first LEGO® trains were made of wood and were introduced in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the founder of the LEGO® Group. In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the company produced different types of wooden trains, from steam locomotives to express trains. The goal was to make toys that children could recognize from their everyday lives, and trains fit that picture perfectly.

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In 1960, the LEGO® Group closed the era of wooden toys after a fire damaged its woodworking factory. Two years later, the LEGO® Group introduced the LEGO® wheel, which had a huge impact on the LEGO® system. This new component brought movement to LEGO® and made it possible to launch a movable train made of LEGO® bricks. As a result, the first plastic train made of LEGO® bricks was introduced in 1964.

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Batteries

An important milestone for LEGO® trains was reached in 1966, when the first battery-powered train entered the market. A 4.5-volt battery powered that train, which also ran on rails. The first rails were blue, so the trains of this period were often called the blue trains. In 1968, the LEGO® Group introduced a new technology with the Electronic Train, a groundbreaking development. The train was controlled acoustically. Marketing materials introduced the product as follows: "The train that runs when the whistle blows - LEGO® battery train with built-in electronic unit, runs when you blow a special whistle. Stops when you blow again, drives backwards when you blow a third time."

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The 12v trains

A 12-volt electrical system supplemented the 4.5-volt battery in 1969. Electric rails placed between the train tracks provided the power. The electric rails were connected to a transformer. The product range now included everything from an old-fashioned push train to an all-electric 12-volt motor locomotive. In a 1969 brochure, the LEGO® Group explained the idea behind the various models: "A train for every age group - Children love to play with a LEGO® train because they build it themselves. It starts with a push train. As the child grows, the battery motor can power the train - making it a great toy for the older child. The battery motor can be replaced with a 12-volt motor - and a transformer added."

In the 1980s and 1990s, the LEGO® Group continued to innovate in the field of LEGO® trains. New themes were introduced, such as the Western Train, the Monorail and the 9-volt train. The rails became gray and received metal strips to conduct the current. The trains became more realistic and detailed, with more features and accessories. The LEGO® Group also collaborated with other brands, such as Shell and Maersk, to create special train sets.

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In 2006, LEGO® trains became a sub-theme of LEGO® City, the LEGO® Group's most popular theme. The trains were now powered by remote control and a rechargeable battery. The rails were changed again, this time to dark gray plastic without metal strips. The trains also received a new design, with more colors and variety. The LEGO® Group also launched train sets based on famous trains from the real world, such as the Emerald Night, the Horizon Express and the Hogwarts Express.

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In 2018, the LEGO® Group introduced a new generation of LEGO® trains that used Powered Up technology. This technology allowed the trains to be controlled via a smartphone or tablet, using an app. The LEGO® Group released two new train sets with this technology: the Passenger Train and the Freight Train.

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Making your own train

MOCs of trains are still being made by LEGO® builders all over the world. Of course, there are also a lot of real trains to recreate in LEGO®. Would you also like to create your own train from LEGO®? Then you can find everything you need in our assortment of loose train parts. This way we will surely get you on the right track. Have you made a beautiful train that you want to share with us on social media? Then do so with #toyprobuilds on: TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.

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