legotownlinz

What's the reason for the open studs?

Has anyone used the node-poweredup library? I've tried it on the Raspberry Pi 4 and succeeded to clone the repo, install node.js, install Visual Studio Code, install the NPM packages, compile the library, run sudo apt-get install bluetooth bluez libbluetooth-dev libudev-dev sudo setcap cap_net_raw+eip $(eval readlink -f $(which node)) and finally run the LED sample, but all I get is: pi@raspberrypi:~ $ cd node-poweredup/ pi@raspberrypi:~/node-poweredup $ node examples/leds.js Looking for Hubs... The hub's LED turns white and blinks every few seconds but does not change the color. The hub cannot be turned off while the program is running. I've tried the same LED sample on Windows and it works with an ASUS Bluetooth dongle. Besides the installations mentioned above for the Raspi, I had to replace the Bluetooth driver. However, the hub connects only once, if I turn it off and on again, it doesn't connect anymore until the LED sample application is restarted. As far as I understand the code, it should connect again. Or did I miss anything?

My Horizon Express uses Power Function motors at both ends. I've reversed the polarity of one motor. I've done the same for the Powered Up passenger train as well. My instructions on how to do that are available here and here. I like the idea that there is no visible mess inside the engines. Everything can be build as described in the instruction and the remotes can be used as usual, too. The Power Function receivers may run out of sync if one side of the train has no connection to the IR transmitter, but this rarely happens and if it does happen you'll not notice it if the difference is small. And if you notice it, either go to maximum speed or stop and the receivers are synced again. Powered Up has no sync issues as long as the remote is close enough to the trains (approx. < 10 meters).

But wouldn't speed control instead of on/off be better for cars, too?

No matter what products you'll offer, please pay attention to details. If we should take your efforts seriously, there shouldn't be obvious mistakes like the tie distance in your recently posted image. If the design is not ready yet, don't post it. Take your time to review it before going public.

Any rumors if there will be a firmware update for the hub that allows speed control with the Technic motors and the train remote?

Nowadays it is used in front of passenger trains.

Preferably 7-wide, using parts in production...

The tie distance of r72 looks way too large, why didn't you add another tie, or even two? Bricktracks and Trixbrix have one additional tie for r56. From a customers perspective, I wish that all tracks are compatible. The pin holes are useless imho.

Very expensive. Lego should offer a reasonably priced Crocodile plus motors bundle.

In the leaked Lego image, there are plates below the rails. They are missing in your image.

The stand has useful parts. I'll use the stands of the engines running on my layout to build a stands for some other trains. I don't think the stand is a big issue even for those customers who do not present the Crocodile on the stand.

This is indeed a set to buy twice or even three times. Two of them running in double traction on the layout and one for display.

I prefer the look of Lego's model over both Ideas submission and the one from Holger's Lego trains book. And I think 7-wide is a good compromise for details vs. usability. Admittedly, Lego has the advantage that they can produce the window part in the right color.

Why should they make a special train motor if a Technic motor does the job equally well? A B-model would not make AFOLs happy. I see no need for it.

Holger Matthes's book 'LEGO Eisenbahn' has instructions for coaches that go well with the Crocodile. There are also instructions for the Crocodile in the book.

I've also tried it. You can still add bricks to a wanted list instead of a cart. The beta site is not feature-complete, so it is too early for a final judgement. There are no signs that the new UI will favour Lego in any way.

How can I see it? Update: Found it, https://www.bricklink.com/r3/main.page

Part 2488 maybe?

I agree. A set with one engine and one coach like the Emerald Night is a bad idea because customers want either no coach or many of them. Unlikely. BlueBrixx started their train theme one year ago. Anyway, I'm happy Lego made the Crocodile and it looks better than anything BlueBrixx ever made.

Coaches would be more appealing than freight cars and represent today's crocodile trains. https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/schweiz~e-loks~ce-6-8/1174293/100-jahre-krokodil-am-19-oktober.html

It would be stupid for Lego to ruin the platform as it would just make other platforms stronger. Pick-a-Brick integration is good for customers as long as they do not disadvantage other shops. Interesting. Premium Classixxs boss Klaus Kiunke mentioned in the article is also the owner of Bluebrixx...

Every Lego subtheme is kind of a niche, but out of the niches, trains is one of the larger ones, which can be clearly seen by the number of third party products available. The Crocodile is a response to the strong competition by Bluebrixx in Europe, which also explains why they have chosen the Crocodile, a model very popular in Europe. 7-wide is a good comprise, I would like to see 7-wide to become the standard for all future trains. It seems the Crocodile is both a display model and a play model. A smart choice to maximize the number of sales. An extension set with a coach would be nice and could be sold multiple times to train fans, so it could be successful despite being more niche than the engine. Anyway, Lego has to figure out a way to satisfy the demand for niche products, otherwise they'll loose significant market share in the AFOL market (and subsequently in the toy market). Btw, I've started a thread on this topic here. Maybe the studs should be the fasteners? Then they should be on both sides of the rail, though.

On Facebook there is a second picture that is not a MOC

If the rumors are true that 10277 is a Crocodile engine, then Lego has just stopped me from buying a train from the competition. I prefer Lego products because the quality is superior and I'm sure many people feel the same. The products must just be there, then they will be bought instead of the clone stuff.