Random set of the day: Monorail Transport System
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 6990 Monorail Transport System, released during 1987. It's one of 17 Space sets produced that year. It contains 731 pieces and 5 minifigs, and its retail price was US$155.
It's owned by 2,883 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you might find it for sale at BrickLink or eBay.
194 likes
86 comments on this article
MONORAIL!! MONORAIL!! MONORAIL!!
Ding ding ding!
We have a winner.
$155, and that's 80s money. I get it, specialized parts everywhere and motors and such, but whoa. I can only imagine what a set like this would cost today. Maybe it would be the same, maybe it would only be $200, or it could be $400, but that's wild.
Now -that's- a set. Ever since being 12 years old on Christmas morning, nothing came close to comparing until I started seeing my own kids' reactions so many years later.
Epic! What else to say?
Ah, my (first) white whale. Some friends of mine kept asking if I'd managed to get it long after it had left the shelves.
@MCLegoboy said:
"$155, and that's 80s money. I get it, specialized parts everywhere and motors and such, but whoa. I can only imagine what a set like this would cost today. Maybe it would be the same, maybe it would only be $200, or it could be $400, but that's wild."
That there is the reason the monorails were always a dream for me and they now command BIG bucks because everyone whose family couldn’t afford that in 1987 decided they needed it in 2020.
haha funny single track
in the far future we will have public transit that runs on only 9 volts of electricity
About 3 or 4 years ago I picked up the tracks, stands, motor, and car bases of 6991 Monorail Transport Base plus some extra track and switches for $20. Before that I thought I'd never have any of the monorail stuff. Best LEGO deal I've ever found.
Wow, I've never seen this one! Those huge trans-blue dome wedges are amazing. If I'd known about this back then, I'd have probably begged my parents for this instead of 375 Castle.
This is an awesome set. Got this when I was a kid and got it back out last summer and put it together again with my kids and they loved it as much as I did back then.
Nah, seems to be more of a Shelbyville idea....
Ahh, my precious! Like others, I also got this set while young. It was a Christmas gift, and I still have it! The track and supports are in their own storage bin, though I will have to search for the monorail itself. I always liked the “instant reverse” feature, as the monorail motor would contact an outcropped LEGO piece and then be clicked into reverse. Glad to see this one made RSotD.
Looks ripe for a Blacktron invasion.
i received this Christmas morning 1987 and love it still!
@natro220:
Yeah, guilty (though this set was before my time)!
Unlike 6991, this set actually transported cargo boxes (there is one at the back of right car as well as another being carried on the transporter below). The upper station at the right had an elevator that could lift a cargo box using a rack and pinion system cleverly disguised as a radar tower. The lower station on the left had a loading dock for the transporter and used another rack and pinion system to reconfigure itself, moving half of the station aside to move a cargo box towards the track (for loading onto the monorail). The monorail itself has a cargo car that carries a tiny scooter behind hinged windows as well as a cargo box and a passenger car that has a small passenger compartment under the extended canopy in front of the 9V battery box, with pilot stations at both ends.
While a bit blocky by today's standards, this set still manages to look futuristic with its predominantly white color scheme (unfortunately many of these pieces yellow easily over time) and large trans-blue quarter-dome pieces.
@cflyg said:
"Ahh, my precious! Like others, I also got this set while young. It was a Christmas gift, and I still have it! The track and supports are in their own storage bin, though I will have to search for the monorail itself. I always liked the “instant reverse” feature, as the monorail motor would contact an outcropped LEGO piece and then be clicked into reverse. Glad to see this one made RSotD. "
Mine is still on display with the expansion track set in the basement, just had it running the other night.
@Murdoch17:
Well, who wouldn’t want to join the illustrious company of Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook?
@MCLegoboy said:
"$155, and that's 80s money. I get it, specialized parts everywhere and motors and such, but whoa. I can only imagine what a set like this would cost today. Maybe it would be the same, maybe it would only be $200, or it could be $400, but that's wild."
406.21 USD, to be exact.
Quintessential late 80's Space set, expensive as all get out, but for some time they were readily affordable on the secondary market up until about 5-10 years ago...
This is one of the crown jewels in my collection.
I drooled all over LEGO catalogs from the early nineties that showed this set and its successor, 6991.
I was able to order it from Germany a few years back. It came with the original box. A bit damaged, clearly, but I still spent an hour looking at it (and I am close to 40 now).
Unfortunately, lots of parts in this white-blue set have yellowed quite a bit due to exposure to EV but those were quite inexpensive to replace.
This set did not have track switches like the 6991 or the expansion pack 6347 for the first monorail 6399 but even the basic functions are so much fun to observe, like the instant stop or instant reversal.
One of the greatest sets of all time!
I wish I had it. Sadly, it was at the start of my first Dark Age as I entered high school and had to be "grown up".
I did get the Unitron monorail after I graduated college. I even managed to find a box of expansion track collecting dust in either a Toys R Us or a tiny independent toy store. I found some big finds in both of those in the late 90s, so I forget which one I found the track in. I get small shops not rotating stock often and some things getting lost on shelves for years, but the TRU finds surprised me. My best guess is that area TRU stores sent their old stock to the Dorchester, MA store (because it was always THAT store that had old stuff) and they priced it for clearance there. (I also found Classic Space landing plates AND Blacktron landing plates there in the last 90s. Still have them shrinkwrapped with TRU clearance price stickers on them.)
@BillingsBrix said:
" @MCLegoboy said:
"$155, and that's 80s money. I get it, specialized parts everywhere and motors and such, but whoa. I can only imagine what a set like this would cost today. Maybe it would be the same, maybe it would only be $200, or it could be $400, but that's wild."
406.21 USD, to be exact."
Interestingly, that's about what the used value is per BL. 35 yrs and barely kept pace with inflation.
@Miyakan said:
"MONORAIL!! MONORAIL!! MONORAIL!!"
MONO--
Doh!
My parents must have gotten a deal on this one I had, because there was no way they would have spent $155 on a Lego set at that time. And I definitely didn't get it in 1987 (woulda been 4 years old at the time). So maybe some super sale at Montgomery Wards or Sears later on. And when Lego sets didn't retire/sell out within a couple years in the US. I likely got mine around '89 or '90. Had to Bricklink some missing pieces to restore it, but 100% now. Motor still runs, light still works... my kids love it. A piece of the winter holiday season of which I have no pictures of, but very fond memories of.
A lost piece of my childhood. Now regained.
Was a white whale of mine for years until I stumbled upon a 99% complete one with box and instructions for $40 USD 5 or so years ago. It’s become part of my cities amusement park area since then. So glad I noticed the monorail motor in those marketplace photos.
@ElephantKnight said:
"Looks ripe for a Blacktron invasion."
And then they did https://images.brickset.com/library/view/?f=catalogues/c89us2&p=12
I remember my Yr 11-12 English teacher talking about how he got this set for Christmas one year as a child at least once a month. Strange memory, but great set regardless.
Always think of this one when people say "lego sets are so expensive these days!"... No, they've always been expensive.
Though a set like this if released now would probably push 500, and still sell out.
From 7419 we go to THE original monorail set. Huwbot is on a white whale roll here!
(Paused with 1749, I doubt anyone had too much trouble getting that one).
Great set. Absolutely astronomical price, but it retained its value even if yours did become yellow!
One of my biggest regrets is selling this in the early 2000’s when I first moved out. My greatest Lego set ever.
If there's anyone claims they don't want this (or already have it), Brickset should simply delete their account
The crown jewel of the best theme, Futuron. Just in time for Christmas :-)
@ElephantKnight said:
"Looks ripe for a Blacktron invasion."
No way! That’s why we have Space Police to protect us!
@ElephantKnight said:
"Looks ripe for a Blacktron invasion."
There was a Lego commercial with Blacktron stopping one of this!!!
I wanted this so badly as a kid, but never got it due to the price.
In the end I built my own version, using standard train tracks and an ingenious, yet parts murdering system to make the train glide along those ribbed tracks. Cost me quite a few plates and slopes to friction induced erosion of material, but to me as a kid it was absolutely worth it.
About two years ago I finally found a near mint and complete version on ebay (without box) for a reasonable price, so now I am proud to call this part of my Classic Space collection as well. Bliss.
A true classic set, I hear it really put Ogdenville and North Haverbrook on the map
Definetly one of the all time greatest sets. I looked at its pictures in tiny tiny catalogs and dreamed of having it. I wish we had quality pictures of this set like the sets we see today.
Ah yes, the Holy Rail of Lego Space!
But why did I sell this one ??????? NO.......
This was my Christmas 1988 gift. For some reason I sold it a couple of years later to make room for, and raise funds towards, the 6399 Airport Shuttle which fitted in with my predominantly Town collection. Only earned about £40 for it, boxed and with the 6921 extra track too! If only I had kept it another three decades, like the rest of my childhood Lego.
Love this one. Must be the, or one of the last large set I saved for before my dark ages. Glad my parents didn't dispose of the box :-)
One mod my brother and I always did to our copy was to change the mountings for the cargo boxes so they were compatible with the 'standard' 4x8 containers seen in sets like 7823. Made it much easier to have an elaborately integrated transport system.
TOTAL. UNICORN! 200 DM back then, the most expensive set. One Day, one day...
@NotProfessorWhymzi said:
"on the nineteenth day of Christmas, Huwbot gave to us...
[etc]
"
Boy you're gonna be embarrassed when you find out that the twelve(!) days of Christmas are supposed to start at December 25th...
For the italian audience:
"IL LEGO GRANDE! PRENDO IL LEGO GRANDE!"
"It's owned by 2,883 VEEEERY LUCKY Brickset members"
Incredibly enough, up until 10 years ago or so you could actually find boxed used sets in good overall condition on eBay for around $/€200. Germany was THE gold mine for getting good deals. Fact is, monorail is sturdy, has a great timeless design, works perfectly after so many years and is a great addition to any display or diorama. It's a terrible shame TLG hasn't considered a revisitation of the theme. But I heard the mould for the tracks is not available anymore, so I guess that's a good reason? Too bad, really.
I remember getting this and at the time I think it was the biggest Lego set they did. It definitely seemed like the ultimate Lego set. Now Lego are producing at least one ultimate set a month.
@Frobozz said:
"Wow, I've never seen this one! Those huge trans-blue dome wedges are amazing. If I'd known about this back then, I'd have probably begged my parents for this instead of 375 Castle."
That's just wrong on every level.
Could this be the single most awesome set Lego has ever made? The one everyone dreamed of back then and still now? And most of us can only keep dreaming....
I will own this set one day, and my inner 8 year old self will be very, very happy about it.
I am happy to have two of 6990. I bought them before the price exploded - bought one from Germany, the other one in Vienna.
@tomthepirate said:
"Unfortunately, lots of parts in this white-blue set have yellowed quite a bit due to exposure to EV..."
I'm assuming you meant UV, not EV, as I don't see how an electric vehicle would cause that.
@raven_za:Tere's a blast from the past! I still have that catalog, although it's in storage right now.
@dingbat591 said:
""It's owned by 2,883 VEEEERY LUCKY Brickset members"
Incredibly enough, up until 10 years ago or so you could actually find boxed used sets in good overall condition on eBay for around $/€200. Germany was THE gold mine for getting good deals. Fact is, monorail is sturdy, has a great timeless design, works perfectly after so many years and is a great addition to any display or diorama. It's a terrible shame TLG hasn't considered a revisitation of the theme. But I heard the mould for the tracks is not available anymore, so I guess that's a good reason? Too bad, really."
i heard monorail tracks were made by a third part company, now out-of-business... so, even if TLG will would remade those sets, can't do for legal issues...
@WizardOfOss said:
"Could this be the single most awesome set Lego has ever made? The one everyone dreamed of back then and still now? And most of us can only keep dreaming...."
Exactly, I spent a lot of time ogling this one in catalogues back then :-) Was so happy when I bought it together with 6921 for a decent price after coming back from dark ages.
After finding very good offers on local ads during past 18 months I have 6990, 6921, 6991, and 6399 in my collection. Just 6347 is missing, but it has some crazy prices…
@Frobozz said:
"Wow, I've never seen this one! Those huge trans-blue dome wedges are amazing. If I'd known about this back then, I'd have probably begged my parents for this instead of 375 Castle."
This is 9 years after 375 castle so I don't think they were around at the same time.
@PDelahanty said:
"One of the greatest sets of all time!
I wish I had it. Sadly, it was at the start of my first Dark Age as I entered high school and had to be "grown up".
I did get the Unitron monorail after I graduated college. I even managed to find a box of expansion track collecting dust in either a Toys R Us or a tiny independent toy store. I found some big finds in both of those in the late 90s, so I forget which one I found the track in. I get small shops not rotating stock often and some things getting lost on shelves for years, but the TRU finds surprised me. My best guess is that area TRU stores sent their old stock to the Dorchester, MA store (because it was always THAT store that had old stuff) and they priced it for clearance there. (I also found Classic Space landing plates AND Blacktron landing plates there in the last 90s. Still have them shrinkwrapped with TRU clearance price stickers on them.)"
Around 1999 I was in my local TRU (Charlotte, NC) after they had cleaned out the stock room (I assume). I picked up 1609 and a Hall of Fame Talking Duke (from '91).
My sister got this when we were kids, and I was always jealous. Fast forward to now, and her kids no longer play with my sister’s vintage sets so she passed it on to me. I had to order a new power cable and a few other random parts, but the thing is still working. She even had that monorail track expansion pack.
I remember setting this set up on the dining room table and the cat consistently attacking the moving train. Pretty funny to see; the cat seemed certain this was some kind of rodent. It’s set up now in my basement, love it
This was one set set Santa never gave me on Christmas morning. I picked up a pristine copy on bricklink in the early 2000s. My box even has all the plastic inserts. Still have it to this day!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @tomthepirate said:
"Unfortunately, lots of parts in this white-blue set have yellowed quite a bit due to exposure to EV..."
I'm assuming you meant UV, not EV, as I don't see how an electric vehicle would cause that.
"
Yes, of course!
We can call it a professional deformation since I have been a designer of on-board and off-board chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) for the past four years. It's EV, EV, EV, all EV each day for me.
Legendary set, a most treasured piece in my collection!
I can't really add to the legions of praise heaped upon this breakthrough set over the years. Transformative design and functionality that still heavily influences LEGO fans to this day.
When you think about it, the monorail system is the late 80's equivalent to modern-day app-driven sets: overpriced, money-losing for the company, poor sellers upon initial release, and cannot be brought back today because the technology (mold design) is unavailable. The difference being, though, that monorail sets are physical entities that, as long as the electric motors still work, can still be used and enjoyed by LEGO fans, even without a working smartphone...I know mine still works! And I can't imagine we'll see countless Vidiyo app-driven MOCs at LEGO fan fests in 20 years' time, but I betcha there'll be at least one monorail on display.
The best Christmas gift I ever received as a kid (sorry Optimus and Han Solo...)
I'll never let this set go. Many wars between the kindly Space people, Blacktron and Space Police were fought for control of these rails...
The recent Galaxy Explorer retro set was great to see, but for me - this was the peak of the Space family of sets.
I got this from my friend as a gift when I finished my PhD. He came to my door with two large boxes filled with Lego from 80's. Monorail was among these sets. He said he believes I can take a good care of his childhood treasures. So the first thing I did was that I purchased an original box for it.
My boys are very interested in thi set. Soon they will be allowed to play with it as well.
I purchased this set, and it’s expansion pack, probably near the end of their runs and while already into my dark ages. It was just so cool looking that I could not pass it up. After this I didn’t buy another set for over a dozen years. However, when I did emerge from my dark ages, I managed to acquire all the other monorail sets from the secondary market while they were still affordable. I often wonder if any of the people that sold them now regret that decision.
My dream as a child that has never come true.
Over 2800 Brickset members own it! Wow, I never would have guessed that high!
For those of us that missed it, I hope they will do an "Icon" redesign someday. Something in a similar vein to the awesome Galaxy Explorer (10497).
Forever out of my grasp. One of those sets I always dreamed of having as a kid. I just have to be satisfied with dualrail trains.
Oh yeah, I remember drooling on the window of my city's Lego dealer admiring this...
But I got it from the bay when prices were still human, with my adult money.
I just recalled that the first episode of Lego Masters in the US had a theme park theme and the producers had a Lego monorail that ran between all the build tables. Where did they get all that track? There's obviously not been any new monorail track made since the 90s. Did they go to eBay or BrinkLink to get it? It looks like classic sets that appeared in a recent episode were likely purchased used given the condition of the boxes and a plastic baggie that appeared to be containing the bricks from at least one of the sets that could be seen on screen for a moment.
Is there anyone making reproduction monorail pieces? It seems like somebody should be doing this by now
All Classic Space lovers are enjoying it!!
@bdc101 said:
"Is there anyone making reproduction monorail pieces? It seems like somebody should be doing this by now"
Back in 2016, Brickset reported on a company called 4D Brix, and they still have models for download, but no longer seem to be selling the finished product: https://brickset.com/article/25471/bringing-back-the-monorail-3d-printed ! https://www.4dbrix.com/
I regret not buying a bunch of used Classic Space sets when I got back into the hobby in the early 2000s. You know, when they were still reasonably affordable.
But I regret not getting this the most.
My favorite set ever! I saved for over a year to buy it. It still works today and my kids love it (to watch me run it in front of them, while I keep them at least six feet away :-)
The ultimate Space Set for me. The design of this train was so cool ! I was 12y/o and was fascinated by the 2 modules of the train : mostly identical, but with very interesting differences. Everything was perfect on the photos from the catalogs. The Futuron sub theme was so interesting and nice with its giant trans dark blue panels.
I found most of the parts of this set in a bulk on eBay in 2011, for 47 euros, also including 6987 Blacktron Message Intercept base and 6783 Sonar Transmitting cruiser. The only missing parts are actually the 2 trans dark blue antennas, and a red Futuron spaceman.
Unlike later iterations of the monorail's battery box, this one was printed. Such a frustration for me to have most or all of the parts for the others, but no stickers on the boxes.
@Al_S said:
"If there's anyone claims they don't want this (or already have it), Brickset should simply delete their account"
I actually have two of them I want to get rid of.....but I sort of upgraded to a 200+ piece city monorail layout.
This was my best christmas gift in 1987. And maybe the best ever as well. And now I am tempted to build it this cristmas with my kids.
I was lucky enough to come out of my dark ages and discover Bricklink when monorail pieces (whether track or motors) were still quite reasonably priced. I never bought a specific set but I collected lots of track and several motors, knowing that someday I'll build myself a mega-monorail. Probably one of my most anticipated future Lego memories!
Still waiting for some enterprising third party to make a run of straight tracks. Properly injection molded, not this 3d printed stuff. Or if Lego themselves were so inclined...
@merf71 said:
" I often wonder if any of the people that sold them now regret that decision."
Yes, they do, you can rest assured. About 10 years ago a dear friend sold a batch of 2 (two!) perfectly working boxed 6399 sets for €180. €90 each. Hasn't recovered since.
Bring it back,
BRING it BACK,
BRING IT BACK...Er...sorry, got a little carried away...
Seriously, although I like the 'Train' system, and the add-on of the Roller-Coaster rail system too; TLG could use a Monorail system. Either bringing back the old one, or researching and applying a new style (an 'overhanging' one?)...
This is RSoTD article has the most comments I've seen in a while.
Monorail! Such a great set, amazing technology that still runs perfectly today.
Absolutely love this set!
A glorious set indeed! Truly a marvel and a sign that the Golden Age of LEGO was dawning!
But if I may have the last word, the Monorail Transport Base was better!