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157-2 LEGO Trains Automatic Direction Changer thumbnail image

157-2 LEGO Trains Automatic Direction Changer
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157-2 LEGO Trains Automatic Direction Changer
  • Automatic Direction Changer thumbnail

LEGO 157 Automatic Direction Changer is a vintage Trains set from 1969 valued at $40 for new and sealed sets, up 1490% from an original retail price of $2.50. Annual appreciation has averaged 5.29% since release. Used copies are valued between $24 and $33 depending on condition.

Set Value (New/Sealed)

This chart represents the current new/sealed value of the set Automatic Direction Changer since November 2016. Very high accuracy
LEGO 157-2 Automatic Direction Changer is a Trains 4.5V accessory released in 1969, containing 7 pieces. It includes a 4.5V automatic pole reverser with a blue magnet coupling, a modified 2x4 plate with magnet coupling, a 14-stud wire with blue connectors, and four 4.5V train direction switches. Designed for the 4.5V battery-powered train system, it enables automatic direction changes without turning the train by using wire plugs and switch mechanisms. Moving the direction switch triggers the motor to reverse, allowing point-to-point operation on classic layouts.

A new and sealed Automatic Direction Changer is currently valued at around $40, with annual growth of approximately 4%, which is lower than other 4.5V sets. The average used price is $27 for those in good overall condition. Based on current trends, this set could be valued near $42 within the next year.
All regions

For Sale (New/Sealed)

 (NO) BrickLink store CF Bricks $36.72
-7.6%
(DE) sealed, but the foil is slightly open on one side $42.59
+7.1%
All regions

For Sale (Used)

 (US) Used - eBay listing for 157-2 Automatic Direction Changer $27.41
(DE) Used - Complete with box including inner tray (some damages on the backside), no inst... $31.94
(DK) Used - with box - seems like new $32.44

Sets in Trains / 4.5V

127 Complete Train with 3 Wagons

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 575
Availability Retired
127 LEGO Complete Train with 3 Wagons
Retail $8.99
Value $1,050.74
Growth  +11587.9%
Annual growth 8.7%

118-3 Sears Motorized Freight or Passenger Train

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 451
Availability Retired
118-3 LEGO Sears Motorized Freight or Passenger Train
Retail $19.99
Value $1,732.76
Growth  +8568.1%
Annual growth 8.1%

120 Complete Freight Train Set with Tipper Trucks

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 175
Availability Retired
120 LEGO Complete Freight Train Set with Tipper Trucks
Retail $14.00
Value $800.88
Growth  +5620.6%
Annual growth 7.4%

138 Electronic Train

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 111
Availability Retired
138 LEGO Electronic Train
Retail $26.50
Value $2,207.79
Growth  +8231.3%
Annual growth 8.1%

122 Loco and Tender

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 102
Availability Retired
122 LEGO Trains Loco and Tender
Retail $9.50
Value $1,659.00
Growth  +17363.2%
Annual growth 6.9%

123 Passenger Coach

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 98
Availability Retired
123 LEGO Trains Passenger Coach
Retail $2.75
Value $353.37
Growth  +12749.8%
Annual growth 8.9%

124 Goods Wagon

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 56
Availability Retired
124 LEGO Trains Goods Wagon
Retail $2.75
Value $402.27
Growth  +14528.0%
Annual growth 7.5%

125 Tipping Wagon

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 20
Availability Retired
125 LEGO Trains Tipping Wagon
Retail $1.50
Value $78.76
Growth  +5150.7%
Annual growth 7.2%

139 Electronic Control Unit Forward, Backward and Stop

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 13
Availability Retired
139 LEGO Trains Electronic Control Unit Forward, Backward and Stop
Retail $12.38
Value $1,155.04
Growth  +9229.9%
Annual growth 11.8%

158 Railroad Crossing Gate

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Pieces 9
Availability Retired
158 LEGO Trains Railroad Crossing Gate
Retail $3.50
Value $102.24
Growth  +2821.1%
Annual growth 6.1%

101 4.5V Battery Case

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Availability Retired
101 LEGO Trains 4.5V Battery Case
Retail $1.50
Value $46.96
Growth  +3030.7%
Annual growth 3.7%

139A Electronic Control Unit Forward and Stop

Theme / Subtheme Trains / 4.5V
Year 1969
Availability Retired
139A LEGO Trains Electronic Control Unit Forward and Stop
Retail $9.88
Value $367.13
Growth  +3615.9%
Annual growth 4.2%

My Collection

Automatic Direction Changer Reviews

18 reviews
4.6
Collectors
Investors
BrickTrains-Sets
“The Lego 157 Automatic direction changer is a motor piece that can go any directions, without turning the train around. The set comes with seven pieces, including the wire plugs, and motor. The motor piece is not as powerful as the bigger motor, but it is a cheaper solution... More for the bigger and more expensive motor.”
Full review at bricktrains-sets.com

About Trains 4.5V

These are the first LEGO trains, sold from 1966 to 1971 and run on 4.5 volts. The power came from a battery box holding three 1.5 volt batteries, carried in a tender or wagon behind the engine, and the motor of 1966 was the first LEGO motor of any kind. The track was blue rails clipped onto sleepers, which is where the name Blue Era comes from.

4.5V consists of 39 sets that ran from 1966 to 1971. As of today, 113-2 Motorized Train Set is the most valuable 4.5V set with an estimated new/factory sealed value of $3,836.
Read more