sed6 Posted February 4, 2018 (edited) I downloaded LDD just 48 hours ago and got right to work on designing a hopper car. Well eight hoppers to be exact. I know they just look like simple color changes but the first one took me the better part of eight hours. Then I spent many more hours getting familiar with groups and templates. Simultaneously I hand keyed them into Bricklink and spent many more hours getting them from about $90 per car to the to $40-$50 range with careful parts and color editing. So now I have a choice to make, I'm going to order parts for three cars and want your input. Which colors combinations do you like the best and why? Most favorite and least favorite? I also welcome any opinions, or suggestions. They are 24 studs long and I won't be making any changes to their length. Thanks in advance, hope you like! -Scott Link to .lxf file. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e9qqypkfY-aygmPB61na6wNFS1eNDONc/view?usp=drivesdk Link to a high quality pic. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MgeiD3S4d71siK5c2 Edited March 5, 2018 by sed6 EDIT: Cars now built! Added pics and .lxf file Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M_slug357 Posted February 5, 2018 5 hours ago, sed6 said: ...spent many more hours getting them from about $90 per car to the to $40-$50 range with careful parts and color editing. So now I have a choice to make, I'm going to order parts for three cars and want your input. Which colors combinations do you like the best and why? Most favorite and least favorite? Honestly, I'd go for whatever colors you could cheaply assemble the parts for, which are probably black and dark bley. Although, I am personally biased towards blue, light bley, and brown. I'm guessing that green and orange may be the more expensive color variants since they're toward the back oft he lineup? If this is your first rodeo, I recommend setting a budget for yourself-- either per each BrickLink store, or for the project overall. The problem (that I have at least) with ordering from BrickLink is the "kid in a candy store" effect, and then ending up way over-budget. Or worse, designing new projects right on the spot, just because a store had 'x' amounts of such-and-such fascinating part at a (seemingly) reasonable price... Also, try not to slide down the slippery slope of multiple color variants like I have......! Holiday Show (vid 5) by Nick Jackson, on Flickr Good Luck :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CamelBoy68 Posted February 5, 2018 You can load the parts inventory directly into Bricklink. On Bricklink's wanted tab, select upload, from there you can just drag your .LXF file onto the webpage and it will load them in. That being said, like most things on Bricklink, it takes a little getting used to, as if BL detects a piece in an invalid color or if the part number is missing a "b" or similar off the end, it will refuse to upload. With the added bonus that it doesn't tell which part failed the load process. However, if you work with these limitations its a lot easier to get a wanted list into the system. From the Wanted list, you can use the easybuy feature which looks for all your pieces in the wanted list and tries to find the cheapest price. There are of course options to play with, but it works quite well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted February 7, 2018 Nice work. My first thought is go all black or all blay to look like a unit coal train. On second thought, it is always nice having a variety of colors. On third thought, if you go for the all black, maybe add the marking for a rotary coupler, e.g., Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vilhelm22 Posted February 7, 2018 It may seem a bit boring to you, but I would go all black, all dark grey or all light grey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
icemorons Posted February 8, 2018 Hoppers are usually drab and boring. Personally, I like the orange, green and blue ones best. Add a splash of color to your rolling stock! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sed6 Posted March 6, 2018 Changed title and updated first post with .lxf file and pics. Hope you like! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paperinik77pk Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) Very nice wagons! I like your spirit to keep them cheap and simple! I personally like the reddish brown since it remembers DB freight rolling stock. But also all black with coloured ends is not bad at all!!! Edited March 6, 2018 by Paperinik77pk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LEGO Train 12 Volts Posted March 6, 2018 Amazing hopper wagons ...the reddish brown car is my favorite! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legobanker Posted March 19, 2018 Nice design. It's good to see you trying to bring the price point down. I lile the fact that its a hollow build to cut down on weight. I have several builds going on and have been raiding my BrickLink store for parts lol. I'll revisit this in the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSW652 Posted October 11, 2018 First I have to say I really like these hoppers. They inspired me to try and make something similar myself, which is still in the trial and error phase. I do have to ask though for this and other models I have seen images of, why does everyone put brake wheels on both ends of the cars? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sed6 Posted October 12, 2018 13 hours ago, CSW652 said: First I have to say I really like these hoppers. They inspired me to try and make something similar myself, which is still in the trial and error phase. I do have to ask though for this and other models I have seen images of, why does everyone put brake wheels on both ends of the cars? Thank you. You are welcome to download my LDD file and copy or modify it as you see fit if that will help with your project. As to the brake wheels, I put them on both ends for a balanced look, symmetry and aesthetics. Only a die hard train fan would notice and since it's my creation I took some artistic license. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSW652 Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) Unfortunately I don't have LDD or anything that would open the file, so I just have to create the old fashioned way. Nothing wrong with a little artistic license, it's Lego after all. It's just something I have noticed on several creations that I have seen posted on the forums here. Edited October 12, 2018 by CSW652 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
