Bascule Bridge - WIP but usable.

[SD100]

I'm not sure this bridge will ever be done, but so far I've got 3 years in. It's finally at the stage where it is usable at shows, and I had to test it's endurance to being opened and closed all day. Eventually it will be motorized, but for the time being it's manual control. These are a couple pics of the first time I've been able to pull it out of the basement, finagle fitting it in my car, and using it for a whole show day.

SD

Edited November 23, 2025 by SD100
Trying to get images in

[Brickwolf]

Great bridge! 

[Murdoch17]

Nice work! 

Edited November 23, 2025 by Murdoch17

[zephyr1934]

Very nice! And look at all of those 9v controllers, it's like the good old days.

[SD100]

5 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

Very nice! And look at all of those 9v controllers, it's like the good old days.

That's all we run at shows, with plenty of FX Bricks track to back it up.

[dr_spock]

Nice .  What do you use for counterweights? 

[SD100]

Lots of pennies... lol. I'm going to get some steel bar stock at some point and cut it to fit.

Edited November 25, 2025 by SD100

[Narissis]

On 11/24/2025 at 4:32 AM, SD100 said:

That's all we run at shows, with plenty of FX Bricks track to back it up.

Maybe soon those old 9V speed regulators will be replaced by FX Bricks ones...
I had a chance to test out the new prototype at Bricks in the Six; seems to work well although the duty timer I use for my 'press this button to make a train go' feature did not like the PWM output very much. I might have to add a capacitor to its power supply wire.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Nice ...is there a photo of the bridge open?

[Toastie]

5 hours ago, Narissis said:

Maybe soon those old 9V speed regulators will be replaced by FX Bricks ones...
I had a chance to test out the new prototype at Bricks in the Six; seems to work well although the duty timer I use for my 'press this button to make a train go' feature did not like the PWM output very much. I might have to add a capacitor to its power supply wire.

Did you guys see this thread in the Technic forum?

Best
Thorsten

[SD100]

12 hours ago, Toastie said:

Did you guys see this thread in the Technic forum?

Best
Thorsten

Toastie, I'd like to give you credit that the white train in one of those images is your ICE train with a few quick mods, one of these shows I have to get a good video of it, it's about 9 feet long and AWESOME.

I think Diego has a great idea, especially how he breaks the product down so you only have to buy what parts you want, but for a train controller I don't really see it as feasible. I'm still getting 9v controllers for $15 US here, and there seem to be plenty available. Also, Narissis and I got to mess with FX Bricks controller a couple weekends ago and I am sold on that. If I wanted an alternative, both our LUG and a neighboring LUG have GBC guys who've made controllers out of PC power supplies for a lot less. I've gotta look at BPB's vids tho.

SD

[Toastie]

3 hours ago, SD100 said:

If I wanted an alternative, both our LUG and a neighboring LUG have GBC guys who've made controllers out of PC power supplies for a lot less.

Guess what ... I believe I said the same thing in the referenced thread. I was just curious whether folks had seen that thread.

I purchased 5 of the train controllers for €5 each, but that is a couple of years ago. They are still around for relatively reasonable amounts of money, at least in Germany. And I'd always go the alternative power supply route; my layout is powered by a 15V laptop power supply.    

3 hours ago, SD100 said:

Toastie, I'd like to give you credit that the white train in one of those images is your ICE train with a few quick mods, one of these shows I have to get a good video of it, it's about 9 feet long and AWESOME.

Not necessary to giving any credit at all! Cool that you like it, though! 

All the best
Thorsten