greenmtvince

It's been a long time since I've wanted a LEGO train set as is especially after getting into building 8-wide. The Maersk I was ambivalent about since it wasn't that different than the BNSF/TTX sets I owned and there's only one SD40 in Maersk Livery. The orange TGV was always my favorite train in my train books growing up and I always wanted to own 7745. Owning two of these will make the 5 year old in me very happy! Now if ME Models keeps their promise about October for R56 curves this will be a very excellent set.

I was just wondering if BBB medium drivers would be more scale appropriate and also allow you to incorporate the (crankshaft?) and drive rods. Otherwise, nice interpretation of the prototype!

Ah now I think I remember where I heard that. That strange feeling of dejavu makes me think we've had this conversation before... Thanks! Unfortunately it'll get taken apart soon to get upgraded to 8-wide. Maybe I'll have to submit the LDD file for that 6-wide model to Railbricks.

Perhaps someone with a better knowledge of LUGNET lore could tell me, but I seem to recall hearing somewhere that a group of Train AFOLs once approached Kadee about a custom LEGO knuckle coupler solution. After some debating, Kadee came back with a solution that looked somewhat like Dan's rather than any custom parts. Is there any truth to this tale? And Tim, the #806 couplers have a centering spring in the gearbox so as long as they're secured to the truck or body of the car, they'll center up even better than the LEGO magnets. Oh and Kadee couplers are the way to go if you do any switching/shunting/spotting!

Excellent! I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for the reply.

Any word on the R56? Sorry I keep asking about it, but this is the most exciting thing to happen to LEGO trains since the Metroliner.

How about creating a modular layout as part of the challenge similar to N scale model railroaders' N-Track standard. We say people can pick either a straightaway or curve module and can build to their hearts content on that space. If folks ever come together for a show or convention, they can bring their modules and link them together into a larger layout. This overcomes the issue of all forum members being so geographically ispersed. If it's an LDD challenge, people can upload their modules and folks in the community (with sufficiently powerful computers) can combine modules to create different layouts. I feel train modellers have their very own specific interests and don't really enter contests or community builds unless there's some crossover between the theme and their long term modelling plans. This would overcome that to a certain extent in that people would have the creative freedom to model a train station in Finland, a Maersk container yard in the US, a moonbase railroad, bridge crossing a pirate cove or whatever! Additionally, it's small enough so that people with their own layouts could incorporate this into their larger layout plan, and those that don't have the space or cash for their own layout could have a diorama (or their own operational shunting/switching layout.) Here's a proposed module standard: The idea is that you have two mainline tracks to run trains. On the straight module, the only restriction is that there is one length of straight track on either end 4 studs from the table edge and another 8 studs from the one closest to the edge. The corner module is designed in a way that could accomodate ME models R56 or larger radius track (if they ever make it...) It could have some additional restriction like track height is at 30" so if people want to build up ballast or a large trestle they can drop the table height and still link up with other tables. Or the mainlines must be cleared 2 studs on either side and to a certain height to allow large 8-wide trains.

Thanks for sharing that! I'm seriously considering this as an option since I build my layouts only 2' wide anyway. While the shelves themselves look solid, I question the legs as my parents had some similar units so rickety that I wouldn't even put a $5 impulse buy set on them for fear that the whole thing would collapse.

Oh, in that case, I think Pet's is great. What appeals to me is the wider radius turn he uses on the left side and if you can find any place to fit more like that in, it'll make the big long trains look that much nicer. Perhaps the curve towards the lower center. In building the layout I'd incorporate some sort of low 18-24" viewblock made out of lumber or foamcore board painted a nice sky blue along the inside length of the inner oval. Having the trains disappear behind it will give the impression of an even larger layout and cut down on the bricks and baseplates you'll need to decorate it with. If you have the bricks or sets though, a town center with some large buildings like the modular series would certainly do the trick. Likewise, an easier alternative to raising the track to build a bridge would be to lower a section of table a few inches.

What do you mean by operate? Like running a bunch of trains around the layout or simulating railroad operations in one way or another. If the former I think the proposals would work fine. If the latter I think you need to think about the types of trains you'd like to run, why they should be running, and the stations, yards, or industries you would need to support that vision of operating you have. The layout design falls into place after that.

Nice review, I enjoyed it. Thank you very much!

I wonder how much of that is driven by people switching to Power Functions and if any is a product of the new ME Models rail. On that note, if 9V track prices start to decline, how does that affect ME Models business model.

8866 might work for the Maersk, but I think you're better off just waiting until 88002 is available. While it looks the same and can be hooked up to a PF extension cable (with some issues on anything other than a train base) it is far from being the same.

I'd be more interested on a tutorial on this than I would be on the construction of the tunnels themselves. Perhaps you could get it published in Railbricks. I forgot to mention that I love the use of fall foliage colors on many of the trees on the layout. Reminds me of my favorite time of year.

Just point of information, Power Functions works well on the Indiana Jones/Alien Mothership track too.

I read that book 'til the binding fell apart as a kid! I think that was one of the best model railroad references ever! A lot of the model railroading books I read in my childhood were all about building a 4x8' plywood table layout. The first chapter introduced the completed design and basics of the model railroading hobby, and then successive chapters focused on techniques that built up the layout: benchwork, roadbed and basic track laying, terrain like mountains and hills, freight vs passenger, industries and rolling stock which involved expanding the track plan, constructing towns, scenery, and operating the completed project. Of course that format for a book was developed when the word a 'blog' sounded like something out of a children's fairy tale. As well as the format being a bit dated it may also not apply as much to LEGO trains where layouts are often quite transient. That said, I think the core value of those books I loved as a kid and the sentiments echoed by others is that the book should be an inspiration to others. I think the target isn't someone with a massive 3 level 12V train layout, the train fan covering his girlfriend's apartment floor with LEGO trains, or those who build giant prototypically accurate 8-wide steam engines (Although you guys are great! .) I think it's the person that bought the Emerald Night or Maersk and some track and wonders what to do next, or the person that breaks out the Cargo Train every now, but has considered building a layout, or the person who's inspired by all the great stuff they see here or in railbricks but doesn't have the time, space, money, confidence, or tolerant spouse to build a large room absorbing layout. I think some of the advanced brickbuilding techniques should be saved for Railbricks and I wouldn't touch anything other than PF as a system. The idea shouldn't be you can have an awesome layout if you buy all this rare and semi-expensive stuff on eBay/bricklink, but you can do pretty inspirational things with stuff on S@H. I propose for a theme of the book: "10 Different LEGO Layouts that YOU can build!" (or some other number) Each chapter features a different trackplan, pictures of the completed layout and subsections on a given technique, hint, pictures of MOC ideas unique to the layout, or full blown instructions at the end. -You do something like the smallest operational lego layout you can build which is like 12 curves and 2 switches on 3x4 baseplates, talk about motorizing the Maersk, show pics of a fuel depot and some crane vehicle lifting containers onto a truck, and conclude with how to turn the Octan Tank Truck into a tanker car. -Or a 1.5 x 5.5 baseplate Inglenook Siding on the shelf. Talk about the origins of the switching game, explain the rules, show pics of the 4-stud deep Industrial facade backdrop and include instructions how to build your own PF shunting engine (There was a great one here on the forums a few months ago.) I think the last chapter should be a medley of large inspirational layouts.

I voted for all the time. I live in New England, and as well as being drawn to autumn foliage in my scenes, my modelling is based on railroads in Northern New England. I previously modelled Vermont Rail System around Rutland, VT, but I shifted my focus to the east side of the state where the former Central Vermont and now New England Central Run. I modelled the Claremont Concord Railroad that intechanges with the NECR while in Afghanistan, and I'd like to model the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington RR or Sandy River Railroad, examples of Maine's unique 2-foot gauge railways.

On the official LEGO side, I like collecting trains: On the MOC side: Narrow Gauge (Ln30) Porter 0-4-0T Locomotive 6 wide: 2 EMD GP38 Locomotives 1 Alco S4 Locomotive 2 Gondolas 6 Boxcars 3 Covered Hoppers 7 Frontrunner Piggyback cars 2 Bulkhead Flatcars 1 Amtrak Boxcar (Ethan Allen Express livery) But the 6-wides are slowly but surely going to be disassembled to build my 8-wide collection.

I think it might be that they're confusing them with the old RC train motors which were low torque high RPM. The new PF train motor has performance characteristics comparable to the 9V train motor.

Kyphyr If you're willing to consider non-lego solutions. I used a single 9V (7.4V actually) 500mAh Lithium Polymer battery to power a 6 wide Alco S4. It fits in a 2x6x3 stud space. Powering a PF M motor and the LEDs it would last for about an hour before needing to be recharged. If you want to get somewhat heretical, you can also fit the IR reciever in the locomotive by removing it from the lego casing. The circuit board only takes up a 3x4x2/3 space and you can mod the actual reciever and connections as needed to fit with your model.

Eric, can you give us a more detailed update than is offered on your website on the release of the larger radius track? This is the product I've been most eagerly anticipating and am just waiting for the pre-order button to show up.

This is simply beautiful! It really needs to be front paged or at least blogged to Railbricks.

This is great! I remember being a kid in the early 80s having a big hardback train book and this locomotive and livery was always one of my favorite to look at.

Just tried it, that was really cool! Using the 3d mode definitely gives a sense of the size. You must of had a ton of fun playing with this!

That's a pretty sweet looking representation of the original and a really funky looking locomotive. Very different from its American and European contemporaries.