What is the best Lego train control system?

I've been planning this video since last year, once I got going it took a few weeks to complete. I've seen people ask which system they should use to control Lego trains and it's quite a question to answer. I wanted to present as much info as possible so Lego train fans can make the best informed decision. Like I said in the video I could not have done this without help from all the creators listed below. Be sure to check them out!

Links (in order of appearance or mention)

-- intro --

@Reker1million
Lego 12v train layout #12- part 2: 7730, 7745, 7755

-- 9v Trains --

@FxBricks
FXBricks visits Norway
Power Station Technology Preview

@AustrianBrickFan's interview with Michael Gale

Lego DCC

@BrickTsar's Tons of Tipper Trucks

@almightyarjen's Automated Coal Terminal

@danielrepond3959's Swedish Iron Ore Train with Dm3
Music by Henrik Kildahl

My video upgrading the 9v Train Speed Regulator

-- RC Trains --

@BrickTsar's 7897 ICE Passenger Train review

@leggomyjameso6082's 7898 Cargo Train Deluxe review

-- PF Trains --

@BrickTsar's Double Crossover switch track review

@bananenbuurman - The Awesome LEGO Train Set Layout

@eggybricks - solving the LEGO city train problem (no room for loops!)

My video on controlling multiple PU trains at once

My video on controlling trains from a PC (Brick Automation Project)

@novakasa5011 Brickrail LEGO train automation - Alpha release trailer
Github Page
Eurobricks discussion

My ridiculous train layout video

Music

Chill Synthwave - Sunshine Karl Casey @WhiteBatAudio

Search 'n' Rescue by my favorite slug @RRSlugger

Untitled track for Daniel Reponds 9v layout by Henrik Kildahl

Music: "Sandviken Stradivarius, Starmachine2000, Valentine" by Wintergatan

LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this content

00:00 Intro
01:38 9v Train system
05:43 RC Train system
06:08 Power Functions system
08:22 Powered Up system
11:47 Conclusion

[pastajensen]

I must say this is the best 15 second video I ever saw.

[BrickTsar]

Trains are a pathway to many abilities that some consider to be unnatural

[RRSlugger]

I was in my local used LEGO store recently and saw a 12v power system that had been modified by a previous owner to have an American style plug in. Crazy the lengths folks will go to in order to use that system! 😱
(We didn't plug it in to test it - it honestly looked pretty sketchy, haha)

[levidarling]

It’s just a shame that Lego doesn’t sell steam locomotives anymore.

[JackMacLupus]

Not to forget, the 9V controller can control ANYTHING you connect to it. I have seen those controlling motors on Great Ball Contraption Models and it worked extremely good because they could control the speed of the motors like they want and even let them run backwards when necessary.

[Lowrider]

I grew up with 9Volt. A buddy of mine had the older 12Volt system with the middle contact and all these fancy accessories. But it always had contact issues while we played with it as kids. So we played mine very very often, made crashed, handled it pretty rough. But it withstands and I still have it. Only one cable broke, and was available for cheap. Now I have a son, he is 7 years old, and he still can play with it.

[celestek.b.]

This was great! I do appreciate you going into the pros and cons of each system and not actually just saying 9v is the best (though that was a hilarious bit). When I was really getting into making train MOCs, I had decide what system to invest in and I chose PU since it was still available and not super costly like 9v.

Really have enjoyed your videos recently and this one was a great one with lots of information and humor. Looking forward to more from you!

[DunksterBricks]

The Duplo control system is one of my favourites.

[SouRwyProductions]

The only problem I have with powered up is that it drains the batteries very quickly. However, I like how it can be used in a wide variety of different locomotives. I mainly use 8-wide locomotives instead of the 6-wide Lego models because 8-wide allows me to better proportion my locomotives with minifigures.

[marvinhensbergen]

I had a 12v system, and I remember that the 9v system was driving way smoother, the 12v drag contacts had its downsides for sure. But I also remember I had a powered switch and various lights I missed in the 9v system. I was soldering bycicle lamps to my 9v trains for cheap interior lights. (When I was 8 years old) Inmy opinion, they should have kept powered rails, and have optional custom wired or wireless controll, but keep the powersource the rail. It blew my mind when I first heared you needed batteries for all new lego trains, enormous downgrade, plus the track looks ugly, no metal look.

[YouTubeHandlesSuck]

I know humour is subjective but I can’t help but wish more Youtube videos were a balance of informative and comedic like this. It makes the video go by fast but you walk away with a lot of information at the same time

[LarrysLego]

This is so darn cool, I loved learning so much about each system, which was interesting as Power Functions is all I've ever known!
Your presentation is wonderful as well, video is so chill and interspersed with little fun moments, so much work must have been put into all the footage and editing

[leokimvideo]

The LEGO train systems from the 80's / 90's is where it's at. I'm thinking the 80's 12v system was the pinnacle. I have a lot (huge amount) of the Power Functions system. As you point out the RC signal can be easily disrupted by sunlight, fluro light and obstacles. But to me it was this era when it felt like Lego didn't take model trains seriously. The tracks available were bare bones if you wanted to make a serious layout. I found the battery compartment were quite picky which batteries you used, especially in the way the 'positive' sat in the battery pack. Anyway I don't look at LEGO stuff on YouTube any more after I had legal threats from very nasty lawyers.

[jmklamm]

Great video and great round up of creators to watch as well!

[UncleLesterCam]

I really enjoyed this video. Great mix of your expertise + research + passion for a very specific topic. I am subscribed going forward.

[tomeames]

This was a really great video, thank you for making it :) learned loads!

[worthlessdog]

First time to this channel... gutta admit, very informative. And you killed me when you went back for those batteries!!! Awesome!!

[DiscoverWithBricks]

Amazing video - thank you for going to such lengths to bring us an overview! I myself am a 9V fan, but just recently bought my first 12V set and systems - I have a lot to learn!!

[BricksWorks]

Good overview of the systems. There are also a few DIY solutions, like rewiring 9V motors to use Power Functions Controls with them, which IMO is the best (unfortunately not off the shelf) solution. I'm seriously looking forward to FXtracks 9V switches in autumn and eventually their motors.
All of that said, I really need to look into the Powered UP Pybricks script you mentioned, that allows disabling the watchdog.

[StajBrickhead]

Great video showing the pros and cons of each system, for myself personally 9v was the best system and never got to reach it's full potential, sadly this can be said of many of the LEGO Train systems as they are generally only supported for around 10 years before being dumped for a new system such as Power Functions, that said TLG's mentaltity is they are developing systems for chlidren to use over a typical childhood, not a long lasting system that will be used by adults in the more traditional model railway format. I loved my period of LEGO train building and the things I was able to accomplish personally and as part of a club in the exhibition circuit, but the constant chopping and changing of systems and the overall lack of support by TLG towards longterm users such as myself prompted me to leave LEGO Trains and go back to traditional model railways. Das Steinkopf