SavaTheAggie

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Posts posted by SavaTheAggie

  1. Posted

    3 hours ago, High_Admiral said:

    Ahh, that makes sense. I was considering maybe attempting the S1 myself and going with a solid frame so I could attempt to emulate the duplex characteristics of the loco, would you recommend that with the XXLs or would it be less trouble getting it to work as an articulated frame?

    A simple Flanged-Blind-Flanged setup for XXL drivers is enough to prevent them from navigating r40 curves.  It would probably be possible to make a ridged frame navigate r104 curves, and if you can make it work, great.  My gut tells me that given the location of the 6 axled pilot truck ahead of the pistons, you may have to resort to articulation of the drivers.

    --Tony

  2. Posted

    On 9/21/2020 at 11:45 PM, SteamSewnEmpire said:

    Really cool.

    How does she handle curves with the skirting on the tender? I've always struggled with that on similar locomotives. Or... is the skirt itself a part of the trucks?

     

    The skirting is attached to the trucks, with the center attached to the tender, and a half stud gap between them.

    On 9/22/2020 at 7:01 AM, High_Admiral said:

    Fantastic work! I kinda want one now. Is 5544 still articulated or did you move on to a solid frame when you did the XXL rebuild?

    It still needed to be articulated, so it remains so.  However I did have the change the placement of the second flanged driver, those XXL drivers are divas.

     

    Thank you all for the kind words, I really appreciate it.

    --Tony

    Here's a private video of testing the new valve gear.

    --Tony

    Here's a private video of testing the train on a loop of track with r104 switches.

    --Tony

  4. Posted · Edited by SavaTheAggie

    50366094813_2f9877ef98.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Sharknosed Greyhound - The Pennsylvania T1 Duplex drive 4-4-4-4 steam Locomotive #5544, a MOC that has taken 12 years and 3 previous versions to get to this state.  

    50366949537_62e87ae209.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    This MOC represents one of the many "production" T1 Locomotives produced for the Pennsy Railroad, as opposed to one of the two prototypes, as well as representing the "as delivered" version with the "Buick" style front end prior to the retrofitting that occured later.  

    50366790111_4095c317ed.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    The PRR T1 could arguably have been one of the fastest steam Locomotives ever produced, had they ever officially measures her speed.  Anecdotal evidence of timetables of "late" trains suggests she was capable of 140+ mph. (The official record by the Mallard was 126 mph)

    50366790656_47481c083e.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Version 4 of my T1 includes a rebuild of the entire wheelbase, including XXL boxpok drivers from OKBrickworks, custom rods with oversized bearings from Trained Bricks, extended length, "working" valve gear, rebuilt streamlining, extra details on the tender, and an overall better eye for proportions, scale, and detail.  She is a shadow of her original self.

    50366790531_a6fc34049f.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Upgrading her to full XXL sized drivers has reduced her ability to handle curves down to r104 or larger, but she's fully capable of navigating r104 switches at speed.  Given preliminary testing, she may be one of my best performers.

    50366791451_09fd1e798e.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Again, special thanks to OKBrickworks for the XXL drivers, as well as the swank new decals.

    Special thanks also to Trained Bricks for the awesome rods and valve gear.

    50366949267_1b9a9243b0.jpgPennsylvania T1 Steam Locomotive #5544 version 4 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Version 1: Large Drivers, flat boiler.

    3960772156_6ed8867b74.jpgPRR5544_02 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Version 2: XL drivers, curved boiler

    11621350016_df28429940.jpgShark of the Pennsylvania Railroad by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Version 3: version 1 of the "Buick" front end, streamlined Pistons, etc.

    28315274736_214763652d.jpgLEGO T1 Trust #5550 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    --Tony

  6. Posted

    50073512486_3fc9e79ab5.jpgNew York Central Dreyfuss Hudson with XXL Disc drivers by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    I upgraded my Dreyfuss to wear 3D printed XXL Disc drivers some time ago, but only recently took good photos of it.  It's hard to tell, but nearly half the locomotive was completely rebuilt to accommodate how XXL drivers handle curves.

    She can no longer navigate standard LEGO curves or anything less than r88.  But she's my fastest and most reliable Locomotive, so I have no complaints.

    50072944643_96935a1f54.jpgNew York Central Dreyfuss Hudson with XXL Disc drivers by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    50072943858_4becf51982.jpgNew York Central Dreyfuss Hudson with XXL Disc drivers by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    50072944368_aabd292484.jpgNew York Central Dreyfuss Hudson with XXL Disc drivers by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    --Tony

  7. Posted

     

    I've been trying to design something like this since 2013 - a modular, motorized, mini-train layout. 

    I call it "Quarter Scale Rail."

    The name isn't 100% accurate, but comes from Texas Brick Railroad member Steve Jackson who has built a quarter sized replica of all of his track modules and MOC buildings for planning purposes (as opposed to software like BlueBrick).  He calls it "Quarter Scale".  My trains as shown are 2 wide, which is one quarter the width of my preferred train size - 8-wide - along with the quarter Scale mini modulars from the one LEGO set.

    The system uses a chain of 1x2 technic liftarms in a channel built into a MILS base, powered by an XL motor, which turns a large technic motorcycle wheel rubbing against the chain.

    This layout is 4 modules - 2 double track 32x32 straights and 2 16x32 half loops.  I've purposely decorated each module differently and without overlap to emphasize the modularity.

    --Tony

  8. Posted

    15 hours ago, bogieman said:

    Very impressive Tony. Not too much swingout in the tight curves and switches.

    How many motors are powering this? I couldn't see if the tender had standard train motors. Must be a bunch to handle that long train.

    My Allegheny is powered by two XL motors in the tender.

    --Tony

  10. Posted

    On 7/28/2020 at 11:47 PM, brickbuilder711 said:

    This is awesome Tony. Very detailed and crisp. Too bad the current "prototype" is nothing like this.

    Huh?  What is the current prototype?  The T&P had a set of F7A&B painted in eagle colors, the rest were E7s.

     

    On 7/25/2020 at 12:43 PM, TrainWorldFan said:

    I just realized that they are glued on to the pieces, but I am still going to get the instructions, I just have to find out if they are digital or hard copies.

    No glue.  Ever.

    On 7/25/2020 at 1:33 PM, Daedalus304 said:

    It's the same technique Shupp used in his E7. There's no glue needed, but it is tricky to assemble and eats up most of the cab.

    EMD E7 windshield technique

     

    I had to really change the anchor of his design, but my design isn't possible without Nate's work.

    --Tony

  12. Posted

    49970782997_f817c5476c.jpgTJ Avery inspired Union Pacific GP40 Locomotive by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    At one of the very first big TexLUG meetings, TJ Avery brought a MOC of a Union Pacific GP40/SD40 hybrid.  It was 6-wide, and fits in very well with the BNSF locomotive that came out many years later.  Seen here:

    http://www.texbrick.com/model_diesel/index.html

    Back then I was only building Castles, and while I loved trains, I never thought of it as a viable thing because LEGO train sets I saw in catalogs as a kid were either very European (I'm in the US), or just kind of terrible.  TJ's locomotive was the first time I'd ever seen a train made from LEGO that looked like anything I recognized. 

    We lost TJ this year.  As a way to remember him, I've designed an 8-wide Union Pacific EMD GP40 as an homage to his model.  It's certainly not a copy, but I feel TJ helped pave the way for me to move from Castles to Trains.  It's power functions with 2 motors, and had an inverted battery box that I'm not sure how it'll get it to stay just yet.  I'll figure out that and a few other details when I get physical bricks in hand.

    49970000808_a05ba3ac5d.jpgTJ Avery inspired Union Pacific GP40 Locomotive by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    It needs the red pinstripe between the yellow and dark grey, but that'll have to be done with stickers.

    --Tony

  14. Posted · Edited by SavaTheAggie

    I apologise in advance, I know this isn't quite a kosher topic.  However, I wanted to let people know that after Bricklink took down all custom instructions and custom parts off their website, I now finally have my own commercial website for my custom train instructions.

    www.SavaRailways.com

    (If it takes you to Facebook, the domain hasn't propagated to all the servers yet)

    And thanks to everyone who has supported me and my hobby through my instructions sales.

    --Tony

    Here's a direct link until the URL above resolves correctly:

    https://bonahoombuilds.com/srw/

    --Tony

  15. Posted

    19 hours ago, kieran said:

    Great photos or a great build 

    Thanks!

    19 hours ago, Toastie said:

    Wow. Simply beyond belief.

    The upcoming ASMS conference in early summer this year is in Houston - I'll be there. How is public transportation nowadays? For sure I will visit the museum. What is the LaKings Confectionery?

    All the best,
    Thorsten 

     

    Houston is just too geographically large for public transportation to make sense.  It's bigger than the state of Rhode Island.  There's a park and ride (I take it everyday to work), but I don't think it runs in weekends and only gets you halfway there.  

    All told.its about 46 miles from the heart of Downtown Houston to Downtown Galveston.  If you don't have a rental car your best bet is either Uber or find a local to drive you around.  A trip to Galveston is nothing to us.

    LaKings is just a block or so from the museum, and is a candy store that harkens back to the early 1900s.  Most of what they sell is made in-house, but they're most famous for their salt water taffy.  If you show up at the right time you can watch them pull the taffy on a century old equipment, and they toss free samples to the visitors.  My favorite flavor is either watermelon or strawberry.  My wife's is the peanut butter and the chocolate (two different flavors).

    They also make Purity brand ice cream, which is a recipe from the early 1900s.  Super premium ice cream that "stretches" as you pull out your spoon (very little air mixed in).  My favorite flavor is the lemon custard.  The mint chocolate chip is good too.

    --Tony

  17. Posted

    On 2/3/2020 at 6:16 PM, SteamSewnEmpire said:

    This is great. I was there before it was underwater in the hurricane (I have never understood why - with plenty of warning - they chose to let their rolling stock sustain millions in damages, rather than just MOVE them). 

    Do San Diego next!

    santafetrainstation-is-474787408-1233x86

    It's a bit more complex.  The museum doesn't own any tracks off the museum grounds, and there's only one track off the island.  They have to get permission and/or pay to use the lines, and prior to a hurricane the rail companies are more concerned with their assets and customer property than the museum's. 

    As for San Diego, I'm focusing mostly on Texas buildings and rail lines.

    On 2/3/2020 at 6:29 PM, Carefree_Dude said:

    It all looks really nice! 

     

    I have a question; what is the largest steam locomotive you've built so far? 

     

    Depends on your definition, I suppose.  Longest would be my Yellowstone.  Widest and strongest would be my Allegheny.

    On 2/4/2020 at 10:47 AM, bogieman said:

    That's really outstanding, Tony. I'll have to visit the museum the next time I'm in Houston to visit my son.

    Dave

    Definitely worth the trip.  Also be sure to stop at LaKings Confectionery.

     

    Thank you, everyone, for your kind words.  I appreciate it.  

    --Tony

  18. Posted

    49479069256_52279307e9.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_13 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    Full Gallery

    Several years ago,.I attempted to design a LEGO version of the former Santa Fe Union Terminal on Galveston Island, Texas, now known as Moody Plaza and home to the Galveston Railroad Museum.  That digital MOC was too large, 2x5 baseplates, and would have taken up almost an entire club table to itself.

    So this last summer/fall I decided to redesign it selectively compressed so that it would fit on 1x3 baseplates, and after placing many Bricklink orders it is complete.

    49479075686_4170899d45.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_01 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    The finished MOC is too large for my house, so I can't set it up for pictures there.  Fortunately the Galveston Railroad Museum was generous enough to allow me to set it up on their property, allowing for a great backdrop.

    49479063316_66d3827869.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_23 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    The terminal building served as the headquarters of the Santa Fe Railroad, and was built in three phases.  First the southern office building was built (on the right, above), which stood for several years.  Next, the original red brick terminal building was replaced with a building matching the art-deco stylings of it's neighbor.  Finally, the road between them was closed and a central, 13-story tower was constructed.

    49479067681_9c3a310a67.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_16 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    This is why, from the front, the building looks unified as a single whole, but I'm the back it looks disjointed.

    49479068771_446378148e.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_14 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    I wanted to mimic the texture of the real building, so the white areas of the building made with larger stones was built with all 1x2 white bricks...

    49478585143_eff1af7952.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_18 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    And the tan masonry bricks on the rear of the building done using all 1x2 tan plates.

    49479065226_6fb097dd82.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_20 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    I also built passenger platforms and the courtyard just as they are now, with artistic license.  

    49478583348_ed4b0e8eb1.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_21 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    There are several out-buildings I did not include due to size restraints, some are historical, some were built for the museum.  I was able, however, to capture the palm tree lined courtyard and gazebo.

    49479283457_592616d081.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_24 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    I even went so far as to build the locomotive and caboose the museum calls "The Harborside Express", which takes visitors on short excursions.

    49479278057_f6c28aa02c.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_32 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    I even attempted to include the original cobblestone platform leftover from the original Terminal building, which can be seen at the real museum at the end of the platform between tracks 4 and 5.

    49478573208_3cfc69d683.jpgSantaFeUnionTerminal_37 by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    All told, not including the trains and figs, there are over 20,000 parts invested in the entire complex.  And while I set out to build a MOC of the Santa Fe Union Terminal building, I ended up making a MOC of the Galveston Railroad Museum itself (mostly).  

    --Tony

  19. Posted

    I was given the notification, too, that my shop would be purged.  All I have are custom instructions, So I thought I would be safe, since the TOS specifically allows for custom instructions.

    Per their direction I emailed the Bricklink admin contact and asked that my shop not be purged, since I was not in violation.  A few days later he replied.

    After reviewing my shop, his concern was not the instructions themselves or what parts I used, but the copyright of the Locomotive designs themselves - the actual, full sized, 1:1 scale locomotive designs.

    He didn't think the steam engines would be a problem because they would probably have moved into the public domain.  But the diesel engines he was afraid would fall under the copyright of the original... What, builder?  Owner?  That's a bit of a grey area I don't have expertise in. Builder for the shape, owner for the paint scheme?  I don't use any logos.  Maybe the names "Santa Fe" or "ALCO" is what's the problem?

    He said he'd mark my shop to not be purged, for now, until the lawyers could look things over.  

    In the meantime it's got me looking at alternatives.  I will admit the idea of having a fully automated purchase process where I don't have to email individual instructions does sound appealing.

    --Tony

  20. Posted · Edited by SavaTheAggie

    #6191 is pretty easy to find in light bluish grey, so you can build the fuel tank in that color.  I was unaware of the scarcity of the part when I built my original model, mainly because I had 40+ of them on hand, and assumed they weren't rare (LUG support, who knew?)

    I had a similar issue with my North Pole Limited instructions, but not at first.  The 2x4x1+1/3 curved slopes in black were available when I first offered the instructions, but LEGO discontinued the part a year later, and Cale always blamed me for creating an artificial shortage because of my design requiring something like 60 of them (I don't remember the exact count, it was a lot).  Fortunately there are alternatives, and lately LEGO has brought the part back. 

    This is also a reason why I've been hesitant to finish the instructions for the Eagle coaches - I don't want to create more scarcity for parts used en mass in my designs. 

    As it has been said, the minifig lance is easy to find in pearl silver, and that works pretty well.

    --Tony

  21. Posted

    On 6/25/2019 at 7:12 PM, Roadmonkeytj said:

    Stunning! How many studs away from the platform is your track?

    The platform is 3 studs away from the rail.  We run 8-wide trains, and some of our steam engines can exceed 10 studs in some places.

    --Tony

  22. Posted

    I apologise for the necropost, but I didn't feel like this deserved its own post.

    I've taken this 4 year old veteran of TBRR layouts and have given her new life with LEDs.  

    48118519777_6eb104d6a2.jpgBluebonnet Station at night by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    48124644098_5f68758347.jpgMore Bluebonnet Station at night by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    48124615141_90f9a75a00.jpgMore Bluebonnet Station at night by Tony Sava, on Flickr

    48124703172_b1b63be4e2.jpgMore Bluebonnet Station at night by Tony Sava, on Flickr

     

    It was a lot of fun.  I used Brick Loot's new Light Linx products purchased at Brickworld 2019.  

    --Tony

  23. Posted

    I was at the talk.  It's ambitious.  

    I own a small fortune in 9v equipment.  25+ motors, switches, meters of track.  So getting that out of the way, I do not anticipate me buying these products.  My reasons are legion.

    I wish no ill will on Michael.  He seems very sincere in his desire to help.  But I don't see this as helping.

    --Tony

  24. Posted

    47946359291_cafbffeda4.jpgBrickworld Charity Auction Donation by Tony Sava, on Flickr

     

    I have completed my train MOC which I will be donating to this year's Esther Walner Charity Auction at Brickworld 2019.  The auction item will include as seen here:

    1.  Santa Fe EMD F7A Warbonnet Locomotive with full power Function equipment and stickers by OKbrickworks.  This model is 8-wide and is ready-to-run.
    2.  Santa Fe EMD F7B locomotive, unpowered, with stickers by OKbrickworks.
    3.  Power Functions remote.
    4. USB drive (16 GB) with the PDF of the instructions for both locomotives

    (Track not included)

    Credit where credit is due, I would like to thank and recognize the following:

    OKbrickworks - for not only donating the stickers for both locomotives, but for offering to sponsor the B unit, which prompted me to include it in the auction.

    Nick O'Donnell - for donating a large chunk of the parts from his Bricklink shop - Cincinnati Brick Co. 

    Karl Joffre - for donating all of the Power Functions elements, allowing this model to be ready-to-run - motors, battery box, remote, everything.

    And last but not least Nate Brill, who's peerless work on his NYC E unit windshield made my original MOC possible.

    If you are attending Brickworld this year, I encourage you to attend, even if you have no interest in bidding.  There has been discussion that if you are not attending, but know someone who is, you could bid by proxy.  Bryan Bonahoom is happy to take your money (for charity, of course).

    --Tony

  25. Posted

    Thanks all, I appreciate it!

    --Tony

    On 5/6/2019 at 10:47 AM, Rijkvv said:

    A beautiful train you built there, nice to see a livery less common among MOC's. :thumbup:

    The cars seem to be at scale as well, or did you use selective compression?

    The cars should be just about the right size all around.  They're the exact right height for the width.  They might be a single stud too short.

    On 5/6/2019 at 11:04 AM, Sérgio said:

    So... 5 meters long? (i use metrical :) ) 

    How many motors do you need on this beauty?

    you did a excellent job!

    Right now there are 2 PF train motors in the A unit only.  At the Galveston Railroad Museum train show I was only running 7 coaches, but we also had an issue with the room we were in having a very noticeable tilt.  So on level track, and lubricated bearings, I *might* be able to get away with only the two PF motors.  I will test this at Brickworld.

    However the B unit was built specifically to allow installation of motors, so if I need to, I will add two more motors.

    On 5/6/2019 at 5:39 PM, Toastie said:

    This is truly breathtaking. Congratulations!

    And - as before - I simply admire how you turned your rather "not building boxes on wheels" comments ages ago into a "beautiful box with so many details that it may actually catch-up with steamers - and on wheels".

    Amazing. The color scheme is also very, very nice.

    Question: Did an actual FP7 with one B-unit attached pull the corresponding 5 meters of coaches or is it because of the power of (at least) two 9V motors?

    This is so great!

    Best
    Thorsten 

    Most Texas Eagles we're actually pulled by EMD E7 units - an A and a B - and the Texas & Pacific F7 units were relegated to freight (with an all dark blue with single white stripe livery).  However F7A locomotive 1500 was painted in the Eagle livery, and I didn't want to model an E7.

    18 hours ago, BrickMusher said:

    Outch, that hurts.

    My Colorado Eagle ist stil WIP.

    And now I am outpaced by Tony Sava. Everybody will think I blundly copied your work or at least your idea :cry_sad:

    http://47798889761_d8f975fefc_c.jpgColorado Eagle med. by Brick Musher, auf Flickr

     

    Well, I started with that four or five years ago, so there was plenty of time for me to finish it. Somhow I lost sight of it, so the observation car and the engines A and B unit are still missing. But with your gorgeous Version ahead, I should definitely start to finish it.

    I love the livery, and in 8-wide, like you did, it has this extra on details I can never reach with building 6-wide. But I am fine with that.

     

    Thank You for showing this beauty :thumbup:

     

    P.S. One strenuous appeal: Please dont do any scandinavian or canadian trains within the next year, that could ruin my self-confidence :sarcasm: (I really have to speed up things :wall:)

     

     

     

    I don't think anyone will think you are copying me.  I hope you finish your project, it looks like you have made good progress thus far.  

    My next MOC will either be a modern diesel locomotive I found out my company owns, or a Texas & Pacific Mikado called "the Moccasin", so no worries.  :D

     

    --Tony