Train — brickipedia

This article is about the theme. For the set, see LEGO Train.

The very first train set, 323 Train, was released in 1965 and was only available during that year. It did not come with any track, instead having ordinary road wheels.

1966-1980: The "Blue Era"

One year later in 1966, the LEGO Group introduced the first sets with track and battery powered motors. These trains had blue rails and white sleepers using standard 8 x 2 plates, while the locomotives used the standard 4-wheel drive 4.5V motor unit. The flanged train wheels had rubber rims for traction which were pushed into the motors. The batteries were either carried behind the engine in a tender, or in a battery box built into the engine in the earlier sets.

Since 1969, there was also a mains-powered 12V train system, which used additional conductor rails mounted between the standard 4.5V rails, and 12V motors contained in the same housings as the 4.5V motors, but with additional metal contacts attached to the bottom of the housings. The 12V system also had the option of motorised points, which was a precursor to what would be available in the post-1980 Grey Era system. However, the availability of the 12V system was limited to certain countries in Europe - it was not for example, sold in the United Kingdom.

This first period of the 4.5V and 12V trains, sometimes called the Blue Era because of the rails colour, lasted from 1966 till 1979, although it continued to be sold through 1980 in some markets where the Grey Era system was not yet available.

1980-1991: The "Grey Era"

The second era (1980 - 1990), also called the Grey Era, is characterized by dark Grey ties (sleepers) and light grey rails. The rails were of a new "snap fit" design to the sleepers to allow the track to be more easily dismantled and stored. The trains were also redesigned to be minifigure compatible, and featured new train bases with swivelling bogies for more realism. The 4.5V motor was carried over from the previous Blue Era system largely unmodified, however the new 12V motor had both a power-take off for powering on-train lights, was now smaller in size, and could swivel, rather than be of fixed design.

Wheels were red or black. Both 4.5V (battery powered) and 12V (DC powered using add-on centre conductor rails) sets were available during this era, too. By real model train fans, this time is considered as the greatest era of LEGO Trains because of the rich availability of many automated accessories like Remote Controlled Switch Tracks (7858, 7859), Remote Controlled Signals (7860), Remote Controlled Road Crossing (7866) or Remote Controlled Decoupling (7862) - those remote controls could be combined with the Transformer / Speed Controller to a large extendible keyboard for controlling all functions of the railway from one central position. In addition to this the world around the trains and buildings could be illuminated by some electric lights (7861 and 7867) which for a bright flair even beyond the rails.

Leaflet explaining the transition from 12V to 9V made between 1991 and 1993 (in French)

1991-2005: The 9V era

The introduction of 9V-trains in 1991 marked the end of the earlier two voltages, and marked the Trains theme transition to the 9V system (TECHNIC had made the transition to 9V the year before). This third era is characterized by integral moulded dark Grey rail/tie assemblies with metal conducting rails. Later the former outstanding standard Trains theme was integrated in the LEGO World City theme line. The 9V era was finished with a special experts model of the Factory line called Hobby Trains in 2006.

2005-2008: The RC System

In the same year, the LEGO Company introduced the new completely different RC system. These trains get their energy from batteries on board and are controlled via an Infrared remote control. For these trains, new non-electricity tracks (7896, 7895) were introduced. The key advantage of the system compared to the earlier generations was the ability of trains to be controlled independently of each other without the need to introduce second track circuits.

However the system gained a reputation for unreliability, the infrared remote control introduced problems of range, and the use of batteries required them to be replaced or recharged at regular intervals.

2009-2017: The "Power Functions" era

On 1 October 2007 Lego announced that they would discontinue both the 9-volt and the RC train formats in favour of a new system. The announcement cited a lack of sufficient demand for the 9-volt product line to be profitable, caused partly by the need to replace key machinery and place minimum orders for motors and power regulators. The new range was announced as launching in 2009, and would use the new 'Power Functions' system also used in the Technic line, which would allow the company to "amortize the development and on going cost across multiple themes".

A new train was introduced in the summer of 2009 called the "Emerald Night", modelled on a steam locomotive. This train was sold without a motor as set number 10194. Necessary part numbers were listed on the rear of the box to convert the Emerald Night to a Power Functions compatible train. These parts were available separately, but mainly online. There was an additional 'collection' pack available with all the necessary parts to power the Emerald Night. These included a rechargeable battery box, a new infrared remote controller, plus a Power Functions motor and infrared receiver. Although this is a "Power Functions" setup, this particular setup existed only for the Emerald Night, as a new motor was in development.

The track was unchanged from the RC Trains sets, and in 2009 flexible track was introduced.

Following the Emerald Night, the new 88002 Power Functions-compatible train motor and controller were introduced in two 2010 sets, the 7938 Passenger Train and 7939 Cargo Train. This new motor utilized the universal Power Functions connections, used by all components. The standardization of the Power Functions system meant that any of the motors in the Power Functions line could be used and builders were not limited to using a single type of motor as they had been with previous Lego train systems.

2018-present: Powered Up

In 2018, Lego introduced a new Power Functions system, known as Powered Up, or Power Functions 2.0. This system was brought to replace the old Power Functions brought about in 2007. This system was introduced with 60197 Passenger Train In 2019, 71044 Disney Train and Station was introduced with the motorised elements in the tender. In 2020, the Lego Crocodile Locomotive was released, designed to be motorised with Powered Up Large Motor, not the usual train motor. In June 2022 LEGO introduced 60337 Express Passenger Train also powered by Powered Up, which features the ability of the train to be controlled via Bluetooth and a smartphone app.

Not mentioned here are DUPLO Trains and the Monorail-system.

Sets

City

Main article: Trains/City

Emerald Night

Image	#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
	10194	Emerald Night	1085	3	$99.99 / €89.99	April 1, 2009 (US and UK)
	K10194	Emerald Night Collection	1109	3	€199.99	2009

Passenger Trains and Wagons

First LEGO Train

Image	#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
	323	Train	253			1965

Non Powered Push Trains

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
114	Small Push Train Set	88			1966
126	Steam Locomotive	60			1970
170	Push-along Play Train	93			1972
7710	Push-Along Passenger Steam Train	447	5		1980
7715	Push-Along Passenger Steam Train	449	5	$49.50	1985

Non Powered Rail Trains

Image	#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
	111	Starter Train Set without Motor	118			1966
	118	Small Train Set	117			1968

4.5V

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
113	Motorized Train Set	271			1966
115	Starter Train Set with Motor	139			1966
116	Starter Train Set with Motor	364			1967
118	Electronic Train	99			1968
118	Motorized Freight or Passenger Train	451		$19.99	1969
119	Super Train Set	451			1968
122	Loco & Tender	100			1969
123	Passenger Coach	98			1969
127	Complete Train with 3 Wagons	575			1971
131	Passenger Coach	67			1972
133	Locomotive	75			1975
137	Passenger Sleeping Car	82			1975
138	Electronic Train	107			1969
164	Passenger Coach	148	2		1978
182	Train Set with Motor	369			1975
183	Train Set with Motor and Signal				1976
7818	Passenger Wagon	117	2		1980

12V

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Release
7725	Electric Passenger Train Set	485	1	1981
7740	Inter-City Passenger Train Set	786	10	1980
7745	High-Speed City Express Passenger Train Set	736	10	1985

9V

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
4511	High Speed Train	336	3		2003
4534	LEGO Express	34	5	$159.99	2002
4535	LEGO Express Deluxe	762			2002
4547	Club Car	293	5	$37.50	1993
4558	Metroliner	768	Passenger (x7), Mayor Brickman, Train Driver, Railway Employee (x2)	$149.00	1991
4559	Cargo Railway	842	7	$139.00	1996
4560	Railway Express	658	9		1999
4561	Railway Express	665	9	$139.00	1999
10001	Metroliner	772	Passenger (x7), Mayor Brickman, Train Driver, Railway Employee (x2)	$149.00	2001
10002	Railroad Club Car	288	5	$37.50	2001
10014	Caboose	170		$14.99	2001
10015	Green Passenger Wagon	194		$19.99	2001
10022	Santa Fe Cars - Set II	411		$35.00	2002
10132	Motorized Hogwarts Express	708	Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Professor Lupin, Dementor		2004
10157	High Speed Train Locomotive	143	2	$24.99	2004
10158	High Speed Train Car	161	Undercover Cop, Person		2004
10173	Holiday Train	965	Engineer Max, 2 Train Workers, 4 People	$89.99	2006
4186876	Blue Passenger Wagon	192			2002
K10173	Complete Holiday Train Collection	997	7		2006

RC / PF

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
7897	Passenger Train	501	Train Conductor, Passenger (2)	$89.99 / €89.99	2006
7938	Passenger Train	669	3	$129.99 / €109.99	June 4, 2010 (UK) June 14, 2010 (US)
10194	Emerald Night	1085	3	$99.99 / €89.99	April 1, 2009 (US and UK)
K10194	Emerald Night Collection	1109	3	€199.99	2009
60051	High Speed Passenger Train	610	Train Driver, Passenger, Cyclist	$149.99 / €119.99	2014

Powered Up

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
60197	Passenger Train	677	4	$159.99 / €129.99	August 1st, 2018
60337	Express Passenger Train	764	6	$179.99 / €149.99	August 1, 2022
71044	Disney Train and Station	2925	Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Chip, Dale	$330.00	September 1, 2019

Cargo Trains and Wagons

Non Powered Cargo Trains

Image	#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
	10219	Maersk Container Train	1234	3	$119.99 / €119.99	April 1, 2011

4.5V

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
120	Complete Freight Train with Tipper Trucks	163			1969
124	Goods Wagon	56			1969
125	Tipping Wagon	20			1969
130	Double Tipper Wagon	20			1972
132	Port Crane and Flat Waggon	60			1972
134	Mobile Crane and Wagon	86			1975
136	Tanker Wagon	83			1975
147	Refridgerated Wagon	115	LEGOLAND Minifigure (x2)		1976
152	Two Train Wagons	22			1966
153	Large Train Wagon	15			1966
161	Battery Wagon	8			1972
163	Cargo Wagon	128	LEGOLAND Minifigure (x2)		1977
166	Flat wagon		Worker Train Conductor		1978
167	Car transport wagon		Person, Train Conductor		1978
171	Train Set without Motor	147			1972
180	4.5V Train with 5 Wagons	228			1972
181	Train Set with Motor, Signals and Shunting Switch	148			1972
7720	Diesel Freight Train Set	425	3		1980
7722	Steam Cargo Train Set	495	3	$68.50	1985
7813	Shell Tanker Wagon	121	1	$16.50	1986
7814	Crane Wagon	113	2	$4.87	1980
7816	Shell Tanker Wagon	120	1		1980
7817	Crane Wagon	147	1	$25.50	1985
7819	Postal Container Wagon	183	1		1983
7820	Mail Van	212	2	$5.99	1980
7821	Track & Lighting Maintenance Wagon	90	2		1982

12V

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Release
722	12V Electric Train with 2 Wagons	151		1970
724	12v Diesel Locomotive with Crane Wagon and Tipper Wagon	155		1972
725	Freight Train Set	425	2 LEGOLAND Minifigures	1974
726	Western train	287	LEGOLAND Minifigure (x2)	1976
7730	Electric Goods Train Set	512	2	1980
7727	Freight Steam Train Set	570	2	1983
7735	Freight Train Set	509	2	1985

9V

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
4536	Blue Hopper Car	166		$15.00	1991
4543	Railroad Tractor Flatbed	178	1		1991
4563	Load and Haul Railroad	476	3		1991
4537	Twin Tank Transporter	174	1		1993
4549	Container Double Stack	451	2		1993
4544	Car Transport Wagon with Car	143	1		1994
4564	Freight Rail Runner	587	3	$134.00	1994
4552	Cargo Crane	282	2		1995
4565	Freight and Crane Railway	914	3		1996
2126	Train Cars	378	5	$69.50	1997
3225	Classic Train	281	3		1998
10013	Open Freight Wagon	121		$17.00	2001
10014	Caboose	170		$14.99	2001
10016	Tanker	128		$19.99	2001
10017	Hopper Wagon	228		$20.00	2001
10025	Santa Fe Cars - Set I	326		$35.00	2002
4534	LEGO Express	34	5	$159.99	2002
4535	LEGO Express Deluxe	762			2002
4512	Cargo Train	544	3	$140.00	2003
65537	Classic Freight Train	613		$80.00	2004
65801	Trains Value Pack	735	5		2005
10170	TTX Intermodal Double-Stack Car	366			2005
10173	Holiday Train	965	Engineer Max, 2 Train Workers, 4 People	$89.99	2006
K10173	Complete Holiday Train Collection	997	7		2006

RC / PF

#	Set	Number of pieces	Minifigures	Price	Release
7898	Cargo Train Deluxe	856	5	$102.75 / €169.99	2006
66239	Train Super Set	1267	10		2007
7939	Cargo Train	839	4	$174.99 / €169.99	June 2010
3677	Red Cargo Train	831	4	$159.99	August 2011
60052	Cargo Train	887	Farmer, Train Driver, Truck Driver, Forklift Driver	$199.99 / €179.99	2014
60098	Heavy-Haul Train	934	Train Driver, Engineer, Bob Brickwork, Crane Operator, Backhoe Driver	$199.99 / €159.99	June, 2015