ColletArrow

Eurobricks Knights
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About ColletArrow

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    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_F92pYlLS0v_1fn0dOEj6w

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    Trains, Technic, Town and anything else with working functions!

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  1. ColletArrow

    [MOC] WR 15xx 0-6-0PT

    Thank you, all! The clue to the speed lies in the haste - a rugged, reliable loco it is not! This was built with minimal testing, minimal prototype references, and using my existing collection of parts. No opportunity for thinking "would those parts look better" or "how do I reinforce the cab" - hence the slight wonkiness. If I had the time, I would love to dig into it - make it a reliable runner, a sturdier model, and accurate to the real 15xx. But as a quick project for the Christmas tree, hasty construction is acceptable, and it does it's job admirably.
  2. ColletArrow

    [MOC] WR 15xx 0-6-0PT

    Hello all! It's been a *very* long time since I posted here, let alone presented my own models. But here I am again, with a fresh (if somewhat hurried) model too! It has become a tradition over the past several years that the family Christmas tree is adorned with a LEGO train at it's base. And it's a slightly-less-formal tradition that, each year, I rebuild the train into something new! The past few years I've had my Ivatt 2MT, the GWR "Collet Goods", and last year a very dubious GWR Mogul - a bodge of the Collett Goods with an extra axle. But all these ran using my custom 9V battery connector in the tender, which never gave great performance with our very old rechargeable batteries, so I wanted to build a fresh engine using the good ol' AAA battery box. Gears started turning. What could I build? It would have to be black, have a short wheelbase for the R40 curves, but be a large enough engine to conceal the battery box. I also wanted to use outside valvegear for visual interest. And at this point I'm undoubtedly a Great Westerner... so the 15xx was the only choice! Oh, and my decision may have been influenced by my recent purchase of one of Rapido's lovely models... If you're curious for the history of these distinctly... different Great Western engines, Rapido have you covered: https://rapidotrains.co.uk/br-15xx-pannier-tank/ As you will see, my attempt to recreate this Raging Bull in bricks has resulted in more of a Wobbly Calf! But in order for it to be completed for the Christmas tree, I had just 1.5 days in which to build it, from the ground up. I started logically, from the ground up. I wanted it to be a reliable runner, so built the most simple chassis possible - a basic Technic frame, with a PF M-Motor mounted vertically, driving the rear axle via bevel gears. Above the frames, the battery box sits directly over the front two axles; it is topped with brackets for mounting the side tanks, and then curved slopes to represent the boiler. The safety valve cover provides the on-off switch. In front of the battery is the cylinder and valvegear assembly, and behind is the IR receiver. Unfortunately, the PF plugs and motor are actually slightly too close, and push eachother slightly out of square - meaning the model isn't particularly stable, or indeed legal. But it works well enough. I'm very pleased with the whistles, which are mounted on a bracket attached to the underside of the motor! Everything else is, of course, purely cosmetic. The bunker and rear of the cab is built entirely sideways, and mounted on technic pins inserted in the holes on the front of the IR Receiver. The cab roof is then mounted on top of the bunker, and the front windows and walls suspended from the roof. As you can tell, this loco is far more "evolved" than "designed"! The tanks are simple assemblies of the curved slopes I had to hand, and the smokebox is of course 4x4 round bricks. A closeup of the bunker and cab assemblies (mostly for my own future reference). The front of the cab walls feature 1x2 panels, mounted upside down, in order to clear the rear drivers. When it's all assembled it fits snugly enough, despite the fact the cab is hanging entirely on the IR receiver, which is pushing away from the motor! The receiver is hidden away down in the bunker, but it's open enough to get a reasonable signal sighting, even when it's away behind the tree. The cables mean there isn't a lot of space for the engine crew though! Finally, a heavy freight engine needs a heavy freight train... this is the best I could manage! We have a basic bogie flat, a short-wheelbase Open, and a standard Guards van. And, mission accomplished, at home around the tree. Thank you for reading my nonsense! If you want some more photos, the whole album is shared on BrickSafe: https://bricksafe.com/pages/Collet22/gwr-15xx.
  3. ColletArrow

    Bloxley, an O-guage homage

    Fantastic work - you can't go wrong with an Inglenook shunting puzzle, and you've translated it into LEGO very nicely, with plenty of wonderful little cameos. I'm intrigued by the mechanics of this: have you built it on a "traditional" baseboard of some form? How does the fiddle yard work? This is certainly making some gears start turning in my head! I'm a bit too deep into a OO layout to start a LEGO one right now, but one day...
  4. ColletArrow

    [MOC] Four wheel open wagons

    For such a simple wagon, these are incredibly beautiful! The parts usage is excellent, and the overall effect is of a scale model from a distance. Fantastic work! Given their similarity to British designs I might have to steal this...
  5. ColletArrow

    [MOC} CIE E428 Shunter in 12v

    That somehow looks better in 12v-style than if it was built in modern style! It's a very unique-looking loco, especially with the wheel arrangement, but you've pulled it off expertly. Fantastic work, well done!
  6. ColletArrow

    Think very big, 125 for 7 1/4 gauge

    That's a fantastic idea, and executed very well! I'm assuming the parts are 3D printed? Could you fill it with normal-size LEGO bricks for cargo? I've only recently started in the hobby of model engineering but I'm now wondering how I'd go about making my own I'd love to see a full 7 1/4" train if you pull it off!
  7. Congratulations winners! I'm really happy to see that the top three fill all three core categories, at least in my eyes - great functions, great looks, and great WIP stories! Well done to all contestants who entered as well as those who didn't quite make it, I've really enjoyed logging on and watching everyone's projects come together and it's the participation that makes a competition. I hope to be able to join in one day when I regain my collection! And of course massive thanks to Jim and Milan for organising as efficiently as always! I'm glad these contests exist, they're one of the main reasons I regularly check this forum, so long may they continue.
  8. ColletArrow

    2-8-8-4 AC-9 "yellowstone"

    What a locomotive! The middle picture is taken from enough of a distance it's barely detectable as LEGO, just a fantastic model! Of course the rods and decals help a lot with that, they prefectly enhance the model - and the lighting is the icing on the cake, it stands out beautifully. I'm already looking forward to your pictures and video!
  9. 9: 10 7: 6 19: 4 16: 3 11: 2 24: 1 I only really lurk in the Technic forum, but I have very much enjoyed this contest and loved watching everyon'e entries progress. I kept in mind which WIP threads I'd enjoyed following and would regularly check up on the most when I was casting my votes. That said, everyone has produced fantastic models, as usual!
  10. ColletArrow

    [MOC] IFI ammonia train

    That's very smart! It's neat to see a whole train presented, rather than just a loco or wagon. I think the tankers are my favourite of the set, they look simple but have a beautifully clean shape. The barrier wagons and loco both have a good level of detail for their size. The loco especially stands out in it's livery, I always quite like that scheme! Good work overall, I can't wait to see them running through whatever space you build for them.
  11. ColletArrow

    [MOC] Subaru Outback

    I love both the concept and the execution! I think that this sort of amusing, small build is exactly what Circuit Cubes should be used for! I don't know, the French tried it too; two to be exact, only they drove in a straight line and had a big barrier between them to push boats up a hill... Source and details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montech_water_slope
  12. ColletArrow

    [MOC] GWR Olton Hall (Hogwarts Castle)

    She's another beauty, stunning work! I do enjoy pretty much anything GWR though so I might be biased The sliding coupling is ingenious, I've seen similar systems on OO gauge models but your implemenation here looks neat. The cylinder shaping is fantastic too. Have you built a cab interior? I am surprised that you chose to use CircuitCubes for power, and by the sounds of it just one motor, for such a large loco. How much pulling power does she have?
  13. ColletArrow

    [MOC] Irish Rail 29000 class commuter

    What an introduction! All of the lines look so clean, I especially love the angles on the face. Excellent work!
  14. ColletArrow

    LEGO Trains 2022

    Very nice redesign @JayCal! The only thing it's missing is space to include the functional headlights I think one of the reasons I like it is it isn't the high-speed angled-front design we've seen for the past three trains now - it's about time we got a more flat-fronted commuter design...
  15. ColletArrow

    Tumblehome tips

    Looks good! The only thing that came to my mind is replacing the 1x2 brackets with the older 1x4 variant - that would halve the number of studs visible on the outside since you could fill the gap between them with tiles. I'd also suggest that for strength you offset as many joints as possible, although with the 3-stud windows you'll be continuosuly slipping in and out of sync so it shouldn't matter too much. Overall it's a nifty idea I might have to try on a coach I've got built currently. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it!