[MOC][WIP] Articulated coach-bus

[Adeor]

Planning to build a double decker articulated coach based on Neoplan Jumbocruiser and I now I thing it might be too ambitious as it technically challenging work

Planned features
* 25 studs wide and 1.2 meters long
* 3 floors - cargo floor for technical stuff like motors and 1st & 2nd floor for passengers
* "detailed" interior with double seach on each side and at least 40 seatpairs at the first floor of the first section of the bus and each seatpair is 9 studs wide
* 4 axles - front, middle and 2 rear axles
* independent suspension for all wheels
* 3 steerable axles - 1st and 2nd axle through powered up motor (no idea if I need a clutch) and 3rd axle through articulated joint
* functioning rear V6 engine with powered up motors
* functioning steering wheel
* functioning doors possibly through motors 

No idea how much it will eventually weigh and if powered up L motors or even XL motor can evem move it.

Most challenging parts to build are V6 engine (already built for my other MOC that got cancelled) with two motors on its side to unite with drivetrain (no idea if I need a clucth), independent suspension, rear steering through articulated joint and independent suspenion for front steerable axle that links with functioning steering wheel and powered up motor.

 

Any adivice?

Edited March 19, 2023 by Adeor

[Mr Jos]

Any pictures of some tests yet? Like from suspension/seats/doors or chassis? Very big project you are taking up on.

[Gray Gear]

I always love when I click on a Topic expecting to see a MOC, or at least some WIP progress, but instead its another "yeah I havent built anything yet, but I am planning to do this and that" Topic.

Honestly, just wait until you have some progress to show that is actually interesting, and then open a topic for your MOC. A wall of text with no pictures or anything else is just not interesting, no matter how final MOC might turn out.

[Adeor]

18 minutes ago, Mr Jos said:

Any pictures of some tests yet? Like from suspension/seats/doors or chassis? Very big project you are taking up on.

Only test items I have are seatpair  and the chassis for the first part of the bus and I haven't started with other items as I don't have neccessary parts yet. I could add some pictures but this site has some restrictions to size of the pictures.

[Mr Jos]

1 minute ago, Adeor said:

Only test items I have are seatpair  and the chassis for the first part of the bus and I haven't started with other items as I don't have neccessary parts yet. I could add some pictures but this site has some restrictions to size of the pictures.

Use a site like https://www.flickr.com/ and upload them there, then post the link here.

Edited August 21, 2021 by Mr Jos

[Adeor]

Test chassis for the front part of the bus

Test articulated joint

Test seatpair

 

23 minutes ago, Mr Jos said:

Use a site like https://www.flickr.com/ and upload them there, then post the link here.

Thanks. Pictures uploaded and shared

[2GodBDGlory]

Only one letter away from a double-decker couch!

Ambitious projects are my favorite, so this could be interesting. You won't have any practical need for a clutch, though.

[Adeor]

 

Update

Test build

 

Edited August 23, 2021 by Adeor

[doug72]

Ground clearance looks to be very low, and a large body will sag and drag.

[MinusAndy]

You should check out the wip thread of the nj flyer bendy bus that a guy on here is making.

[Adeor]

Update.

Tried different approach and now I have a test build v2 for articulated double decker. Sorry for bad picture quality.

Front and middle axles have different styles of suspension. Front is based on Mercedes-Benz Arocs truck but got modified to fit with my build. Middle axle suspension is custom made.

 

I am not sure If I should go back to steerable central axle.

 

I want to fit a motor for steering into that section

I had not enough parts to build first floor's floor and raise the ground clearance for rear section. For future build I will change the height of articulated joint, raise the rear section and possibly add independent suspension for each wheel.

In conclusion - version 2 might look better than version 1 but there might be some issues like suspenion building style for both front and middle axle and wheels being too small not to mention wrong style. If there are more, I am eager to listen to your suggestions.

In future I also want to add motors for steering (1x), engine (2x) and possibly for doors but I have no idea which are better - power functions or powered up.

PS? How do I change the title of my post?

[Gray Gear]

@Adeor Just click "Edit" on your first post to change the title ;)

[Adeor]

Small update for test build v2

First row of seats got "installed" and springs from the suspension got connected to the upper floor.

 

 

Spring connection to floor was a tricky connection at first.

Tested the suspension and discovered that the middle floor section between seats started to bend too much. I don't know if it is fixable when I finish the the frame but just in case I will add some crossbeams under the floor.

What's better - powered up or power functions?

[Rebel_Lego]

Are you going to use bigger wheels? Cause otherwise ground clearance will be very bad. Other than that, it looks pretty good so far.

About PU or PF, if you have to buy the PF components, it will be very expensive.

[Adeor]

Yes. I will plan to use bigger wheels.
I got recommendations to use 62.4x20 tires with 43.2x18 wheels

[Rebel_Lego]

Allright, good luck!

[Adeor]

Over a year later and finally having sort of progress with my project. Decided to drop the second floor entirely. The main part of the coach has currently 1002 parts and while I also started building artuculated unit, I have no idea how many part that section has.

As a recurring issue, I still cannot figure out how to create perfect steering axles with springs. There are not enough examples as all of the suitable ones are for low-floor city buses.

Issue with current setup is that main floor is too high up from the bottom and same issue makes clearance very low, even with bigger wheels.

And I guess the body is also too long since second steerable axle has huge freerun when I turn front wheels manually. When I turn the wheel, rear axle doesn't turn at all.

I hope this issue can be fixed in the future when I add a servo motor.
 

 

[Adeor]

A year later and I basically started over and made some progress. I started building from articulated unit and dropped the suspension.

Also. I have read that there are articulated buses out there that has a rear engine that powers both third and middle axle.

I have no idea if this works for Lego Technic build, but I am trying that out.

Coach will now have two lighted toilets with kitchen corner on top.

The bus will be powered by two PF L motors on the rear and possibly two PF L motors for middle axle.

with current update, MOC is 53 cm long and has roughly 1000 parts.

 

I would very much like to read some feedback.

Edited March 31, 2024 by Adeor

[ukbajadave]

Thanks for posting what you have achieved so far, a bus has been on my build list for ever as I've worked with them for 30 years.

Firstly I'm intrigued as to why you chose the Jumbocruiser? I am more interested in the functions of a model so would probably choose something like a Mercedes Tourismo where I could still include features like air doors, powered locker doors, kneeling suspension and ferry lift, tag axle lift etc.

At what scale are you building? 25 studs wide suggests a nice easy 10 studs/metre (about 1/12th scale?) so the build should be 180 studs (1.4m) long. 22.5 tyres are roughly 1m diameter so 10 studs. Once you have larger tyres you may be able to get more room between the chassis bottom and the interior floor. This would help get the seats below the window line.

I see you are using Power Functions motors. Would there be any advantage to switching to Powered Up? I wonder if it is possible to have the steering axles driven by 2 motors at different ratios from a single input using software. I suppose achieving the same result with PF would be in using different gear ratios.

I wouldn't worry about having suspension in a model like this, it's not a 4X4. Not knowing enough about the prototype I suspect a kneeling step or tag axle lift wouldn't be fitted either so that makes things simpler.

I think the engine is fantastic, there are some great details with the belts and pullies. In your original post you say it is from a previous MOC so I understand the reason for using it but as a bus nerd I would want to add the 2 extra cylinders of a Mercedes OM442. 

I will be following this WIP with interest to see how your build develops and you have inspired me to make a start on my own (possibly a slightly smaller one!)

 

[Adeor]

6 hours ago, ukbajadave said:

Thanks for posting what you have achieved so far, a bus has been on my build list for ever as I've worked with them for 30 years.

Firstly I'm intrigued as to why you chose the Jumbocruiser? I am more interested in the functions of a model so would probably choose something like a Mercedes Tourismo where I could still include features like air doors, powered locker doors, kneeling suspension and ferry lift, tag axle lift etc.

At what scale are you building? 25 studs wide suggests a nice easy 10 studs/metre (about 1/12th scale?) so the build should be 180 studs (1.4m) long. 22.5 tyres are roughly 1m diameter so 10 studs. Once you have larger tyres you may be able to get more room between the chassis bottom and the interior floor. This would help get the seats below the window line.

I see you are using Power Functions motors. Would there be any advantage to switching to Powered Up? I wonder if it is possible to have the steering axles driven by 2 motors at different ratios from a single input using software. I suppose achieving the same result with PF would be in using different gear ratios.

I wouldn't worry about having suspension in a model like this, it's not a 4X4. Not knowing enough about the prototype I suspect a kneeling step or tag axle lift wouldn't be fitted either so that makes things simpler.

I think the engine is fantastic, there are some great details with the belts and pullies. In your original post you say it is from a previous MOC so I understand the reason for using it but as a bus nerd I would want to add the 2 extra cylinders of a Mercedes OM442. 

I will be following this WIP with interest to see how your build develops and you have inspired me to make a start on my own (possibly a slightly smaller one!)

 

Thanks for the replay.

This bus actually is not a Jumbocruiser anymore since I decided not to build it double decker (for now).

This MOC does not feature pneumatics since it is expensive and complicated. If I ever decide to rebuild/ build another coach, I probably would consider pneumatics.

I am not sure about the scale.

As for Power Functions vs Powered Up, I did a research and decided to use PF. Again, rebuild/ new build probably has PU motors.

This MOC would not have tag axle. I tried to include it but that would make it longer.

The engine and rear end is copied from this MOC https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-5161/HallBricks/motorized-bus/#details

 

[ukbajadave]

Your build will be a very impressive model when it's finished!

Starting with 62.4x20.5 tyres gives a scale of about 1:15 so a Mercedes Tourismo M/3 would be about 21x30x107 studs. I mocked up a dimension box next to 42128. If you are using larger tyres and a bigger scale your build will be a beast!

I think I'll leave mine on the future plans list as I'd be bricklinking an awful lot of panels 

[Adeor]

3 hours ago, ukbajadave said:

Your build will be a very impressive model when it's finished!

Starting with 62.4x20.5 tyres gives a scale of about 1:15 so a Mercedes Tourismo M/3 would be about 21x30x107 studs. I mocked up a dimension box next to 42128. If you are using larger tyres and a bigger scale your build will be a beast!

I think I'll leave mine on the future plans list as I'd be bricklinking an awful lot of panels 

I would very like to see your progress in the future.

[Adeor]

New update.

Bottom sides are now complete and according to studio.io, this project has almost 2200 parts (and articulated section is not even finished).

In the future, part colors and some elements are about to change.
Current dimensions - Width: 25,1 studs/20.1 cm (I tried to make it thinner by two studs but double wheels makes it impossible), Length: 74.3 studs/59,4cm; height is 18.1 studs/14.5 cm. Weight is almost 2 kilograms.

Edited May 1, 2024 by Adeor

[Adeor]

New update.
Articulated section now has slide-up doors at the engine bay and for baggage rooms. Started working with front section. For maneuverability, front section also has 2 L motors for drive axle plus 1st and 3rd axle are steerable through servo motor. Current lenght is roughly 1.4 meters and both sections has now total 3000 parts. Most difficult parts to be build are now nose, which will be based on Scania Irizar, articulated curtain and I guess roofing. I ditched the lighting of breaks, turn signals and reversing because I don't know how to make them work anyway. When new patch of order arrives (to finish the sides and floors of the front section) some changes may apply for the model .

For some reason, I really crave for suspension but only 1st and 3rd axle are built in a way that springs can be installed. Also I have no clue what color should the coach be. Currently having a mix of light bluish gray, yellow and black.