Mon, 22 Sep 2025 15:04:07 +0100

I found Mattzo Brick’s website, and realised the huge number of options if I get into 3rd party tracks, specifically from Trixbrix. I like that they’ve added all the custom tracks to Bluebrick but now I have no idea what to make. I did start collecting images from online of various layouts for inspiration. What I should probably do is figure out the tables and layout arrangement and then see what I can fit on it. I like that the Trixbrix makes it seem possible to fit more on a narrower table, so should be able to get in two loops, plus stations or sidings. Trixbrix also sell bridges, whicch are probably cheaper than building a technic bridge myself - although not as Lego-satisfying.

Also found that Mattzo Brick;s website includes custom controllers, firmware, software and signals and all sorts. Basically, like a real model train set has. This is a lot, but I’m glad it exists. I suspect once I build a layout, I’ll get a bit bored of it - as it’s never going to be a full room size with so many routes. However, with signals and control systems, then you can do more with it. Part of me is hesitant though - it’s not “real Lego” but real lego doesn’t offer a great deal - colour detection, for moving/stopping/reversing trains when they see a certain coloured block (which is quite neat, and could be useful for a back and forth train), and maybe motorising switch points, so you can build a control console but I don’t think there’s much else that can be done with stock stuff.

Lego Trains

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 07:58:59 +0100

Quite possibly the best two words you can put together.

We went on a family holiday to LegoLand Denmark for the boys birthday in 2024. Such a great place and needless to say everyone got the Lego bug when we got home, but it was me who really wanted the lego trains.

Unsurprisingly, there are whole communities dedicated to it, and I was soon learning about the various vintages and designs of lego trains over the years. It’s easy to get sucked in and start wanting the older sets (or the monorail!) but I wanted to actually build something and not spend a fortune. ¹ The simplest way was to just buy a set that is available.

The passenger train one was on sale at Smyths and so (the weekend my wife was away!) we drove there and picked it up. I also bought a couple of track extension packs, but they’re quite pricy.

Like most track based toys, you always want more track. I started buying up used track on bricklink, but soon I’d picked up all the cheap stuff and the rest was too much per unit from local sellers, or the postage would kill anything from overseas. I then moved onto 3rd party track from Aliexpress, and got a good deal on a lot of track. You can tell it’s not authenic lego track but it still works and when you need 3m of straight for each side of the loop, you take anything you can find.

Next was more trains! I decided to follow a guide for taking a previous monorail train, and motorising it, but then changing it to a unikitty style for our youngest. This was built in Stud.io and then I ordered the parts from Bricklink. I forget how much I spent but it’s always more than you think!

Still not satisfied, I looked for another train but this time trying to be more cost conscious. I saw used sets or parts of sets going for reasonable prices on eBay and so tried to pickup the freight train. I bought some parts on ebay and then the rest from bricklink. In the end, I think it might’ve been better just to buy the set, but buying it in small batches made it feel cheaper!

I spent too long on YouTube on channels like, Battery Powered Bricks and wanted to get all the trains. I managed to resist and instead spent my time trying to design train tracks that would fit. He did show some nice wagons for logs and trees, which were very reasonable, and so I bought the parts for those.

We don’t have a permanent place to setup the lego train, I wish we did, and could build a city around it, so for now it lives in boxes and then comes out every so often for us to make a new track and play with them.

The biggest downside to them is the batteries. The train motors need a bunch of AAA (six I think) and the controller needs another four. Mine are all rechargable but it’s just a pain. There are third party rechargable battery packs but they’re quite expensive. I’ve seen rumours that Lego are going to introduce a rechargable pack themselves, and so hopefully that’ll make the situation a little better.

I really want to make the Maersk trains but using slightly different colours (so as to not have to buy the expensive Maersk blue) but it seems a little excessive! I did buy the custom stickers for it though 🙈

End Game

YouTube Video

I still spent a fortune. ↩︎

Lego on Alex Johnstone

Lego Trains