Track Geometry
L-Gauge refers to a fundamental "standard" gauge of 5 stud intervals (40 mm) between the centres of the rails. This results in 4 visible studs between the rails. This gauge has been in use since the origins of LEGO® train set products introduced in the late 1960s. Over the years, LEGO® has evolved the track elements starting with track built from discrete 2x8 plates with 16-stud rail elements placed onto the plates. This evolved into the 12V train system which made the track more robust by introducing clips to secure the rail to the sleeper/tie plates. In the early 1990s, LEGO® introduced the 9V train system. With this came the monolithic track assembly whereby the rails and sleepers/ties were molded as a single element. This results in a very robust track assembly and also allowed for a more realistic rail profile to be rendered in the mold. The 9V track system also included metal capped running rails. The capping was made from a preformed U-channel nickel-silver metal section which clipped into the plastic track assembly. Sadly, LEGO® discontinued production of the 9V metal train track in 2006. It was replaced with an all-plastic track system called "RC track". To LEGO®'s credit, the geometry, gauge, profile, etc. of the RC track system was nearly identical to the 9V track it replaced. This allowed existing rolling stock to be used on both systems and even allows RC and 9V track to be connected together since they share the same track connector system. In addition to the "standard" gauge track system, a "narrow" gauge system exists which nominally has 3 studs (24 mm) between rail centres. There are very few track elements in this system and most "narrow" gauge modellers build their track discretely from other LEGO® elements.
Track Geometry
Standard Gauge (5-studs/40 mm nominal centreline gauge)
Track Elements
LEGO® Brand Track
RC Track (Plastic) Standard Gauge (5 studs/40 mm)
| Part ID | Image | Description | Geometry | Production | Bricklink / Colours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53401 | 
|
Straight track | 16 studs long (128 mm) | 2006 - present | Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Catalog | ||||||
| 53400 | 
|
Curved track | 40 stud radius (320 mm) | 2006 - present | Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Catalog | ||||||
| 53407 | 
|
Left hand switch | 32 studs long, 32.5º crossing vee 22.5º diverging route |
2006 - present | Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Catalog | ||||||
| 53404 | 
|
Right hand switch | 32 studs long, 32.5º crossing vee 22.5º diverging route |
2006 - present | Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Catalog | ||||||
| 60128 | 
|
Double crossover (2x halves) | 24 studs long x 24 studs wide | 2007 - 2008 | Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Catalog | ||||||
| 88492 | 
|
Flexible track | 4 studs long (32 mm) | 2009 - present | Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Catalog | ||||||
RC Track (Plastic) Narrow Gauge (3 studs/24 mm)
| Part ID | Image | Description | Geometry | Production | Bricklink / Colours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85976 | 
|
Curve track | 2009 - 2012 | Price Guide: Black | ||
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
| 85977 | 
|
Inclined ramp, straight | 16 studs long, 6 studs height | 2009 - 2012 | Price Guide: Black | |
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
9V (Metal) Standard Gauge (5 studs/40 mm)
| Part ID | Image | Description | Geometry | Production | Bricklink / Colours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2865 | 
|
Straight track | 16 studs long (128 mm) | 1991 - 2007 | Price Guide: Dark Gray | |
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
| 2867 | 
|
Curved track | 40 stud radius (320 mm) | 1991 - 2007 | Price Guide: Dark Gray | |
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
| 2861 | 
|
Left hand switch | 32 studs long, 32.5º crossing vee 22.5º diverging route |
1991 - 2007 | Price Guide: Dark Gray | |
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
| 2859 | 
|
Right hand switch | 32 studs long, 32.5º crossing vee 22.5º diverging route |
1991 - 2007 | Price Guide: Dark Gray | |
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
| 32087 | 
|
90º Crossing | 16 x 16 studs (128 mm) | 1992 - 1999 | Price Guide: Dark Gray | |
| Price Guide: Dark Bluish Gray | ||||||
| Catalog | ||||||
ME Models Brand Track
Plastic Track Standard Gauge (5 studs/40 mm)
| Part ID | Image | Description | Geometry | Production | Colours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME901-HF | 
|
Straight track, half length | 8 studs long (64 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
| ME901-ST | 
|
Straight track, standard length | 16 studs long (128 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
| ME901-DB | 
|
Straight track, double length | 32 studs long (256 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
| ME901-56 | 
|
Curve track | 56 stud radius (448 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
| ME901-72 | 
|
Curve track | 72 stud radius (576 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
| ME901-88 | 
|
Curve track | 88 stud radius (704 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
| ME901-104 | 
|
Curve track | 104 stud radius (832 mm) | 2015 - present | Dark Bluish Gray | |
| Black | ||||||
| Reddish Brown | ||||||
| Dark Brown | ||||||
Track System Overview
The diagram below shows an overview of the LEGO® train track system. A nominal 16 stud grid interval is superimposed on the diagram to show that many track relationships are nominally aligned to 16 stud intervals. A convention of maintaining 16-stud spacing between adjacent parallel track centres is very widely adopted and is strongly recommended. The 16 stud interval is also very common among many LEGO® baseplate sizes and therefore track elements can often be mounted to baseplates with connector ends flush to the baseplate edges.
LEGO® brand and ME Models track elements are shown together in this diagram. In order to differentiate the two product sources, LEGO® brand track is illustrated in red.
