The history of Lego goes back to the early 1930s when Ole Kirk Kristiansen, a carpenter facing a bleak future during the Great Depression, decided to produce toys rather than try to find employment as a journeyman carpenter. Production of wooden toys was successful, and continued until a fire in the woodworking factory in 1960, by which time the ubiquitous Lego plastic bricks were the core business of the company.
Lego had been producing wooden toys, including many railway items, since the 1930s, but did not add wheels to the plastic building blocks until 1962, at which point trains and other vehicles became possible. The first Lego train set followed in 1964, followed by the first proper battery powered set, with blue track, in 1966. The Electronic Train followed in 1968, and, in 1969, a 12 volt system replaces the battery system. The rails changed from blue to grey in 1980, at which time trains become a separate product line, with the power supply switching to 9 volts in 1991. The railway system joined the World City range in 2003, and the City range in 2005.
Whilst the Lego plastic trains are beyond the scope of this site, some of the earlier wooden toys are approximately 0 scale in size, and can form useful scenic accessories to the traditional tinplate 0 gauge layout, or display.
Lego wooden BP gas cylinder, height approximately 1 inch |
Lego wooden BP gas cylinder, height approximately 1 inch |
Lego wooden Esso oil barrel, height approximately 1 inch |
Lego wooden Esso oil barrel, height approximately 1 inch |
Perhaps beyond the usual scope of this site, the photo below deserves inclusion. A special set made by Lego to commemorate their 50 years of railway models. The set, which includes six locomotives, was issued to Lego staff only, and not offered for general sale.
Lego special set commemorating 50 years of Lego railway models Image credit Mike Smith, with thanks |
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