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I have divided Trains into three ranges based on the voltage that they run on, but all are compatible to a certain extent. They all run on the same gauge track which measures just over 4 studs internally.
The 4.5V battery trains and 12V electric trains were available concurrently but both were phased out in 1991 (later in the US) when the 9V range began. There have also been some push-along train sets which I haven't considered as a separate range. These could be converted to battery trains by adding set 810, the Basic Universal Motor Set (4.5V) or to electric trains by adding set 7865 Train Motor (12V) and 7864 Transformer (12V). Now there are incompatible push-along and battery DUPLO trains, I doubt there will be any more push-along or battery LEGOŽ Town Trains.For a complete list of the old trains (pre 9V) see the old set list, or for a pictorial version (not as complete) see the old set picture list.
LEGOŽ 4.5V Trains were the first to be introduced way back in 1966. They had blue rails and white sleepers (standard 8x2 plates), and the locomotives used the standard 4-wheel drive LEGOŽ motor unit. Instead of road wheels, you pushed in flanged train wheels with rubber rims for traction. The batteries were carried behind the engine in a tender (or in a battery box built into the engine in some early sets). Extra track was available including points and crossovers. The earliest trains use hook type couplings but these were later replaced by magnetic couplings. These were polarized, i.e. they came in north and south versions where one was red and the other was blue. So you had to make sure your wagons were the right way round when you tried to couple them.
Only very few of these trains in the 100 series ever made it to the USA. At least sets #111 and #113 were released by Samsonite.
Later, 4.5V trains were available with the improved grey track. LEGOŽ also improved the couplings so that they weren't polarized. They were essentially the same as the ones for the 9V system, the magnets now rotate in their holder so that if a north coupling approaches a south coupling they pull together, if a north approaches another north one of them flips over and becomes a south (due to the magnetic repulsion) and then they attract.
These were imported to the US from about 1982 onwards as the 7700 and 7800 series.
Later on in the 7700 and 7800 series, improved track was developed that attached the rails more securely to the sleepers. The track had light grey rails with dark grey sleepers, with an extra sleeper in the middle of each track. It was available as an upgrade to 4.5V track packs, i.e. track did not come with the conducting rails included, you had to purchase them separately. However, points and crossovers were available as specific 12V sets.
The 12V Trains included steam trains, diesel and electric locomotives. Most of the 12V trains were models of the Deutsche Bahn (German Railway) which is where the DB symbol comes from.
Here is a picture of a very large 12V layout.
A lot of cool stuff was available for the 12V system which has not been seen for the 9V system and there is no sign that these sort of sets will ever be available again. They included:
LEGOŽ 9V Train sets were introduced in 1991 in the UK and 1992 in the USA. These sets all belong to the 4500 series. To date (including '99 sets) there have been 6 train sets, 1 locomotive, 8 wagons (trucks, coaches etc.), 3 road and rail vehicles, 7 trackside accessories, 1 controller and 4 types of track pieces, a total of 30 sets. There are also three promotional sets #2150, a red version of the Central Station, #2126, 4 train cars and #3325, a Classic steam train. By promotional, I mean they are not universally available for some reason and do not get the #4500 series numbering.
The 9V Trains use a greatly improved motor unit that takes it power directly from the rails. It uses an ingenious system for ensuring good electrical contact at all times. The driving wheels are rubber rimmed for good traction but the flanges are metal and they are spring loaded so that they press outwards against the inside edge of the rails.
The wheels on the 9V wagons are a larger diameter than the old 4.5V/12V
Trains and as a result ride slightly higher. Also, the new wheels generate
less friction between their axles and housings than the old ones. While
the differences aren't great they probably help the 9V Trains go faster
than the old ones.
Compatibility of old Trains with 9V Trains
The good news is that all of the old wagons that used any kind of magnetic
coupling are compatible with the 9V system. The bad news of course is that
none of the locomotives or track pieces are compatible.
The wagons are compatible because the old gauge is the same as the new
gauge so the wheels run fine on the metal rails.
Many of the old trains can be converted to 9V if you're prepared to buy
new #5300 9V Motors for them. I have converted two
of them myself, #7740 and here is #7760 Diesel Shunter Converted to 9V.
Obviously, some of the old sets don't convert very well since it spoils
the look of the steam engines.
