Space required for train

[moijk]

I got a plan to build a L shaped table for my kids room to build a city on. I got 180cm in one direction, and a bit more in the other. since i want it to be easy to reach and play i don't want it to be too wide though since it is going to be accessible from one side only. But I still want to be able to build a train that goes around the city. So how wide do I need to make it to be able to fit a 180 degree bend?

After visiting a friend in my childhood, I saw he had a 7740 train set. I immediately wanted one myself, but since we were short on cash I had spend my own savings on it. So half a year later I was the proud owner of a 7715 set. quite shortly after I got the motor and control for it. It is in a box at my mothers house half the country away, on the last visit i thought about bringing that home, but couldn't find both weights for the train so it fell over in the bends if the speed were too great, the rubber on the wheels were gone because of age so it spun if dragging too much weight and only one wagon was complete. And the track was so short it limited the use a bit with only the original circles and one set of straights. So I guess it is time for something new.

[zephyr1934]

Welcome Moijk.

Sounds like you also need something old. If you search through the old posts there have been occasional discussions of replacement bands for the old 4.5v/12v train motor wheels.

The standard lego track needs 3x 32 stud baseplates (2.5 ft or ??? cm) to do 180° turn.

Now as for that incomplete set from your youth, you just need a little time on bricklink to replace the missing pieces. Here's the inventory.

[moijk]

i see. 32 stud plates are 25cm. so 75 cm then. (just under 2.5 feet)

Well, kind of wider than your average table, but I found something that can work. could fit 18 baseplates, which would be a nice city.

[MusicaRibelle]

Hello,

I suggest you download and try BlueBrick or LDraw and try out a few plans based on the space you have.

You can search and find many references to those tools on this forum, along with many examples of layouts.

They are very easy to use, and you will have a much better idea of what is possible with your space.

..that said, I start with the tool, but then I rearrange rails and buildings every now and then, based on how they actually look and how reachable or 'playable' some zones of the layout are.

Enjoy your trains, and don't forget to post pictures of your train and city layout when you have built it! :)

[paul_delahaye]

I bought replacement rubber bands from this seller on ebay, they do the job and are the right colour, plus you get enough to replace every train in the 12v range :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lego-Train-Motor-Grey-Rubber-Rims-54x-4-5v-or-12v-12-volt-Trains-/141374112365?pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item20ea8dc26d

[Paperballpark]

^ Oooh, they look like they'll fit around the Big Ben Bricks medium driver wheels! Does anyone know if they actually will before I commit?