LEGO Factory / Trains Sets

The LEGO Factory theme, active from 2005 to 2008, included the Trains subtheme, which featured fan-designed sets. The 10183 Hobby Trains set, released in 2007, is a standout set in this subtheme. It was designed by LEGO fans and contains 1,080 pieces that can be used to build a variety of train models, including a steam locomotive, a diesel engine, and various railcars. The set also includes a selection of tracks and various train-related accessories. Hobby Trains exemplified the LEGO Factory's goal of encouraging creativity and customization, allowing builders to create multiple unique train configurations.

The Factory theme was introduced in 2005 and was powered by LEGO Digital Designer (LDD), a free LEGO virtual building program for the computer. Using the LDD people could design their own 3-D LEGO virtual model, and submit it for purchase using the LEGO Shop-at-home. The Factory platform was also designed to allow users to view and purchase other users custom creations. Once ordered, these Factory sets came in special packaging that showed the model as well as all included LEGO elements needed to build the design.

During Factory's beta phase, The LEGO Group sponsored a contest where people could submit their designs, in which 8,000 designs were submitted and people and LEGO Master Model Builders voted on the top models. Ten models were selected to become real LEGO sets available exclusively through LEGO Shop-at-Home.