trainguy49132 Posted May 10, 2021 hello all. i'm new to the lego train hobby and want to get started on my first train. i know that the motor and drive train are essential to making it work, but i'm not entirely sure how to properly mount the motor to the locomotive. i'm also not entirely sure what a good design for the drivetrain is, i.e. gear size and how it stays connected to the locomotive. does anybody have any suggestions or can point me in the direction that can answer these questions? thanks all. mods delete this if not allowed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feuer Zug Posted May 10, 2021 Welcome to Eurobricks and the L-gauge train hobby. In regard to your question, I must ask what style of motor are you attempting to use? Is it this: https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/train-motor-88011 or a similar motor? If so, it is designed to connect to the train base 6 x 24 or 6 x 28. Here's the Bricklink 6 x 24 part https://www.bricklink.com/v2/search.page?q=train Base 6 x 24#T=A. The latest passenger train 60197 uses this part and instructions can be found here: https://www.lego.com/cdn/product-assets/product.bi.core.pdf/6247025.pdf Be aware, this file is 35MB. If you are using a M, L, or XL motor, then the mounting becomes far trickier. LEGO has instructions for placing the old style XL motor in the Emerald Night steam train, and those can be used as a starting point. Individual MOCs and locomotive designs will complicate issues or make them easier. The instructions for the Emerald Night can be found here: https://www.lego.com/cdn/product-assets/product.bi.core.pdf/4611661.pdf and https://www.lego.com/cdn/product-assets/product.bi.core.pdf/4581168.pdf Best of luck with your design. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SD100 Posted May 10, 2021 If you're using a M, L, or XL, figure on a lot of experimentation, trial and error. Ideally you want to have as few gears as possible as they create a lot of friction, and the whole assembly needs to be tight enough to stop them from slipping. The right angle half gears are nice but sometimes you might have to shove a full bionicle gear in instead to take up slack. SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duq Posted May 10, 2021 What sort of train are thinking of building? A loco with wagons or DMU/ EMU? If it's a locomotive, will it be electric or diesel with bogies, fixed frame shunter, steam? The answers to those questions will have a big impact on the sort of drivetrain you'll be building. I would recommend getting yourself a copy of Holger's book: https://www.bookdepository.com/Lego-Trains-Book-Holger-Matthes/9781593278199 A great introduction to the basics of building Lego trains. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vilhelm22 Posted May 10, 2021 Welcome to EB and the LEGO train hobby @trainguy49132! If you’re using the PF/PU train motor, you connect axles directly, forming a 2-axle bogey, which can attach either to the 6x24/28 bases as mentioned by @Feuer Zug, or with a technic plate as part of a larger base. Other more standardised motors require quite a lot of work to get the right gearing - and it is worth noting that rpm and torque varies between motors and generation equivalents. These are generally still more common however in the MOCing community, as it allows extra detail on the bogeys themselves. As @Duq said, @HoMa’s book is a brilliant place to start for L-gauge beginners, as well as being a good read generally for any FOL, whether K, T or A. It provided me with some useful information about building Lego trains which I still use frequently today. I hope this helps, and that you have success regarding your project. I’d love to see whatever it is that you’re building on here at some point in the future when it’s done... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
