1966

1966 marked yet another important year for LEGO. Not only did the international expansion reach an all-time high with now 42 countries selling LEGO, 1966 was the year LEGO officially released the Train theme. With the advent of the improved 4.5 V electric motor and housing, thanks to the engineering of the LEGO Futura and the process development lab, the introduction of LEGO trains was a natural fit. LEGO developed a number of new elements for the train system, including hook couplers, flanged wheels and, of course, a track system. Several train sets, such as the 113. 114 and 115, were released in 1966 and LEGO began to feature the new system in its catalogs and idea books. The trains, were popular enough, especially in Europe, that LEGO expanded the system with several accessories, most notably an electronic control unit that controlled the motor by a high-pitched whistle.

In 1966 LEGO created two separate train systems; a 4.5 V train system marketed at younger children that featured a motor for the locomotive and a tender to hold the batteries and a 12 V system, designed for older children, which used a transformer and ran on electrified track. The new track was accomplished by retrofitting the existing track with a 2-rail conductor in the center. The 4.5 V and 12 V train sets continued to be sold in Europe until 1980. Due to the license with Samsonite, these sets were never available in the United States.

In addition to the revolutionary trains, LEGO continued in 1966 to improved their parts and designs. The 1x4x2 lattice fence and 1x4x2 lattice gate bricks were introduced and the 1x1 round brick was updated to feature a tapered base, allowing easier disassembling.