The future of 9v trains
The LEGO group has finally announced a decision on the future of 9v trains: there isn’t one. They will soon (2009) launch a new system based on the new Power Functions System. Several AFOLs are involved in the design process.
The full announcement can be downloaded here: Official communication regarding 9v trains. This is sure to polarise the AFOL community, but at least most agree that it’s good a decision has finally been made.
The biggest issues for AFOLs, and more specifically LEGO train clubs, are those of pulling power, and battery life. And as those are contradictory issues (more power = less battery life), the final solution has to be a compromise. One would have to assume that the retail sets (aimed at kids) would lean in favour of longer battery life, as they don’t need to pull such long trains. But there will have to be allowance for AFOLs too – whether TLC provides the actual solution, or just the means for others to “add on” a custom solution, the solution has to be there, or TLC will lose a lot the massive advertising they get from LEGO layouts at train shows.
But personally, I welcome the change – it will be fun to see what new ideas people come up with for their train layouts.