Cale

I know there are enough LEGO train fans out there to make this happen. The question is whether all those fans will put forth the effort. It's put up or shut up time for them. LEGO is not going to make bigger curves for us, and certainly not metal ones.This is our best and maybe only chance to get what we all have been dying for. I just hope that others will see that and lend their support. Cale

I feel this is an important campaign so I'm bumping this back up to the top. If us fans in the LEGO train community want to see a larger variety of track then it's going to be up to us to make it happen. We can't wait for the LEGO company to do this for us. Right now LEGO feels that the market is just not big enough to warrant investing in new track. We need to take the initiative and show them that there really is a market out there for more track options. It's really up to us to grow the hobby and and ensure the long term future of this crazy little obsession we have. And so I'm supporting this campaign with my money and I hope many of you will too. This past weekend I had the opportunity to talk to the ME models group at Philly Brick Fest. They are good group and are excited about making this project a success. They have already poured a significant amount of time and their own money into bringing the project this far. All they are asking is that we do what we can to bring the campaign home to a successful end. ME Models has been around a several years now and I've talked with them at many AFOL events in the past. If you are on the fence because of fears that ME will not deliver if funded I hope you will take my word that this is a reputable group and if successfully funded they will deliver what is promised. I have some of the original run of ME metal track produced a few years ago. Those of you who have seen my club's train layouts may have noticed them. I've used them for my twin Pennsylvania RR Deck Plate Girder Bridges. They really provide a nice look and were perfect for getting the see through effect down between the track and ties that I wanted. The electrical conductivity had a few issues but ME has been working to resolve this and for those of you going for the plastic track options then that is a non issue. IMG_4673 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr With the new track I hope to include more unique features in PennLUG layouts such as these track pans. Track Pans by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr And while I'm talking about ME's track some one asked me in another group about the need for such large curves in strictly ABS. Here are my thoughts. I know a lot of AFOL's are still stuck on the 9v system and the need for metal track but in my opinion the sad truth is that 9v is a dying system. With LEGO no longer making track, motors, or controllers the parts that are out there are only going up in price and there is only so much to go around. Even if you solve the metal track problem, which would include make metal straight rail, curved rail, and switches at a bare minimum, it's only a bandage on the much bigger problem. You still have the motor and controller problem. Sure the old LEGO train guard may be firmly entrenched in 9v and have a stock of spares stashed away but for the new train fan entering the LEGO hobby the 9v system is an expensive, limited, and archaic option. Those new fans are most likely going to start out with a Power Functions train set bought at the toy store. And it's those new train fans that we need to help grow the LEGO train hobby. So for them when they start looking to expand their train layout the metal track isn't going to be a necessity. A cheaper to produce, and cheaper to buy plastic track option will be perfectly viable and match up well with what they already have. And keeping costs low for those new fans will keep them around longer and help them grow in the hobby. And for us more established LEGO train fans who have embraced change and have learned to build to the new Power Functions system's strengths while working around it's weaknesses plastic track is also a great option. If I can get a wider variety of curves and other track component by going to plastic then bring it on. And remember this is only the first step. If this campaign is successful then it will only open the door to more metal tack options in the future. So please support the Kickstarter and please spread the word to every LEGO train fan you know. Cale

Duq beat me to it but here is my example of the different radii. Curve Examples by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr All of these examples are possible using current LEGO track geometry though some require modifying track sections to make half and quarter length sections. None of these are truly a replacement for a purposely designed and molded larger radius curve however. They all suffer from a jagged profile most noticeable when running shorter wheelbase rolling stock which can wobble quite a bit in some of these curves. The radius of each track example is measured to the center of the track gauge. 1. This the standard 40 stud radius that LEGO has used since the introduction of their first train sets. 2. This is a 56 stud radius built using standard length curves with half length (8 stud) straight sections in-between. 3. 72 stud radius built using the common flu curve, full straight construction method. 4. 88 stud radius built using 1.5 straight sections (24 studs) in-between full cube sections. 5. 104 stud radius using two full straight sections in-between full curve sections. 6. This is the super wide curve first seen in RAILBRICKS #1 and since adopted by many clubs including my own. This curve as constructed using the method detailed in RAILBRICKS results in a 232 stud radius curve though with some tweaking 216 and 244 stud radius curves can also be achieved. 7. Our standard 40 stud radius again for reference. 8. 56 stud radius built using alternating half curves and quarter straight sections. 9. 72 stud radius using alternating half curve and half straight sections. 10. 88 stud radius using alternating half curve and 3/4 straight sections. 11. 104 stud radius using alternating half curve and full straight sections. 12. This is the most common configuration used when AFOLs and clubs look to increase the radius of the curves in their layouts. This is built using the 72 stud radius technique from example no. 3. When adding additional lines each curve is started one full track section further out than the previous line. While this is the simplest large radius curve to make, requiring no modification of track it is also the least aesthetically pleasing of all the examples. The abruptness of the transition from strait to curve and back to straight again is very noticeable as well as the inconsistency in the distance between tracks as you travel around the curve. 13. This is merely to show just how impossibly tight standard (40 stud radius) LEGO curves are. In less than the space of one 48x48 baseplate a train is changing directions 90 degrees. Most stock LEGO train cars today are at least half the length of this radius. The only real life railways using anything close to such a tight radius would be trolley/tram lines and small industrial railways. Cale

Honestly I would prefer the 104 too, but I weighed my decision between what gives the biggest bang for the buck and what would be most practical for the greatest number of builders. Ideally we could have multiple sizes and if this first effort is a success then hopefully we can. My preference for 8 wide, steam, and prototypical accuracy pushes me to want as wide a radius as practical. I know If something approximating the Super Wide Curves we're available I would be all over it. Probably investing in several full loops. Even with 88 though I will be happy to buy a few curves to use where the big ones just aren't practical. Smaller than 88 though and it becomes more of a curiosity and occasional use than anything our club would use extensively. Cale

I voted for the 88 stud curve. Mainly because it matches the curve, straight, curve set up that most AFOL use when trying to create larger radii curve. So most AFOL's should be familiar with the spacing and geometry making this size an easier one to adopt with out having to change to much about how their layouts are currently set up. Also for myself and my club it's the smallest radius that we would consider viable for our needs. After some careful thought I voted for plastic track. As much as I would like a larger 9v curve my feeling is that it wold only be a bandaid on a dying patient. Day by day 9v is getting more expensive. The motors track, and controllers are all out of production. There is only a finite supply and with each year as more of the components fail from years of use and the collector market grows the price of 9v grows. A new fan looking to start out in the LEGO train hobby is increasingly being priced out of the 9v market. New fans are going to be looking at the current LEGO Power Functions trains to get their start. The added expense of metal track will offer no real advantage for them. Plastic track will offer a homogenous option to those new fans looking to grow their layouts and add wider curves. Cale

I can't speak for any specific issues with the Horizon Express as I don't actually own the set yet but I would hardly call the Power Functions train motors gutless. I have two in in each of my K4s Steam locomotives and just one of these engines is more than capable of pulling far more weight than what a 2 set HE should weigh. I'm wondering if there may be some issues with unintended, excessive friction at work here. Have you checked all your wheel sets to make sure they roll freely? Cale

For PennLUG's August 2013 meeting our member Nate Brill challenged us with building a Tachikoma. The entries were judged via popular vote. Being a train fan I gravitated towards a train themed Tachikoma. This was my entry which won the challenge. The class A5s Shunter Tachikoma. Designed for moving single or small groups of rail cars in tight industrial areas. This Shunter Tachikoma is capable of travel both on and off rails for maximum maneuverability. While it can be controlled by a human operator via remote it is primarily intended to operate autonomously. The A5s class features advanced A.I. capable of following car movement orders, It can examine it's surroundings, determine the the most efficient way to move cars to their destination and deal with any unforeseen obstacles. Flickr Gallery Cale

Nice little model. I'm quite fond of the little B1's. Or "rats" as they were some times called. I live close to the RR Museum of Pennsylvania where the last surviving B1 is preserved so I see it often. IMG_9773 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr Cale

Thanks for the kind words every one. We dun't usually use the word shunter. We prefer the term switcher. But this isn't really American so why not use the term shunter. I thought it had a nice sound to it. Thanks. I really wanted to make this a proper Tachikoma. Cale

I feel lucky in that I live close to quite a few good railroad museums. My favorite would probably be The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. This is an awesome museum dedicated to preserving the history of railroading in the state of Pennsylvania. Their collection is amazing and the museum has done a world class job restoring much of the equipment in their care. The museum completed a full renovation of their front entrance a few years ago and will soon be building a new round house to house several of their steam engines still stored out side. And right across the street from the RR museum of PA is the equally awesome Strasburg RR. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum is another favorite of mine. Their collection includes some of the finest examples of nineteenth century American railroad equipment you will find. Then there is Steamtown in Scranton Pennsylvania. And for the trolley fan there is the Rockhill Trolley Museum in Rockhill Furnace PA. Home of my favorite preserved trolley, York Railways no. 163. The museum volunteers have done an awesome job restoring and maintaining the pieces in their collection. Cale

I built this Conrail caboose to compliment fellow PennLUG member, Nate Brill's awesome Conrail GG1 (which he really needs to photograph sometime). I had been wanting to do another bay window caboose for a while and the Conrail Historical Society's preserved N7E was the prefect fit. Conrail caboose 21165 is an N7E class caboose and was among twenty of the last cabooses built new for the Erie Lackawanna railroad in November 1970 by the International Car Company. After the Erie Lackawanna became part of Conrail, the car was reconditioned in September of 1976. However by the early 1980's all twenty were offered for sale through Conrail as the era of the caboose on American freight trains was coming to an end. By the end of 1984 21165 was stored in Reading PA awaiting its sale. From it's sale by Conrail in the early 80s through 2007, 21165 was owned by a private owner on Long Island. In the spring of 2007 it was donated to The Conrail Historical Society and transported from New York to the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad in South Central PA where it lives today under care of the Society. Flickr Gallery The real #21165 Questions and comments welcome. Cale

Those of you who know me are no doubt aware of how fond I am of my home town's railroading history. So in my continuing effort to model railroad operations from my home of York, Pennsylvania I bring you my latest models. The Pennsylvania RR's York coaling tower and Poorhouse Yard office. York Coaling Tower Coaling Tower Flickr Gallery This is one my favorite builds to date. This is the former Pennsylvania RR coaling tower from my home of York PA. Given my love of York's place in railroading history, when I set out to build a proper coaling tower for use on PennLUG's train layouts the PRR's tower from York was a natural choice. The York coaling tower was a concrete construction of a standard Pennsylvania RR design and was capable of fully servicing two steam locomotive at once with coal, sand and water. The tower was unfortunately demolished in the late 1960's after the demise of steam on American railroads rendered it obsolete. IMG_7643 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr York coaling tower had a delivery track running through the center between the six legs where hopper cars loaded with coal could dump their loads through grates into a pit beneath the slightly elevated track siding below the tower. A skip hoist bucket on vertical tracks with a pulley mechanism picked up loads of coal from the pit and moved the coal to the top of the tower. IMG_7768 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr The tower could service loco- motives on two tracks, one on each side of the tower. On the side of the tower with the skip hoist, the service track was farther away from the tower than the other side so that the locomotives could clear the hoist mechanism. The coal chute on that side of the tower was elongated to ac- commodate that longer distance. Both coaling chutes were located on the same end of the tower. At the other end of the sides from the chutes were pipes to provide dried sand to locomotives being serviced at the tower. IMG_7770 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr IMG_7646 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr Near the tower the tower next to the two service tracks there were two water columns The water columns were used to refill the tenders of the various PRR steam locomotives stationed out of York. They were fed from a large above ground water tank located nearby. IMG_7650 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr York Poorhouse Yard Office Yard Office Flickr Gallery This is the Pennsylvania RR's Poorhouse Yard Office. The PRR's York rail yard was originally named after the nearby almshouse. This yard office located next to York Interlocking Tower , oversaw all operations in Poorhouse yard. IMG_7660 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr I chose to model the office in it's later buff (tan) and brown trim colors rather than it's more steam era appropriate gray. I like these colors better as they stand out more from the gray of the ballast in our yard. The office is also technically on the wrong side of the tower from it's real life location. But PennLUG's rail yard was never meant to be a scale model of Poorhouse yard. I'm just taking inspiration from it. IMG_7792 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr Questions and comments are always welcome. Cale

Yes. Interlocking tower is just an American name for signal box. The office is plain because the real building is a bit plain. While York was an important stop on the Pennsy's Northern Central line it was hardly the beating heart of the railroad. A simple wood framed structure was all that was needed for the Poorhouse yard office. Not all railroading is glamorous. Cale

There are still many former train stations doting York county. As for York city itself 2 of the 3 are still standing. The Maryland & Pennsylvania station and the Pennsylvania RR station both still exist today though they are no longer serving in their original functions. Sadly the most beautiful of the York city stations, the Western Maryland's station was torn down many years ago. Thanks. It was a challenge getting all the little details right. They are what I think in this case at least make the MOC. With out them it's just a big block of gray. Cale

Baltimore & Ohio USRA Light Mikado #4500 Flickr Gallery for #4500 During World War I, the federal government took control of the nation's railroads and formed the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) to efficiently mobilize troops and supplies. The USRA oversaw the mass production of standardized locomotives and operations of all privately owned railroads. Consisting of representatives from ALCO, Baldwin Locomotive Works, and Lima Locomotive Works, the USRA Locomotive Committee designed over 1,800 locomotives using the best of current technology. USRA control ended on March 1, 1920 but its durable locomotives continued to have a lasting influence on the railroad industry. The USRA Light Mikado was one of the standard steam locomotives designed under the control of the United States Railroad Administration. This was the standard light freight locomotive of the USRA types, and was of 2-8-2 wheel arrangement in the Whyte notation. A total of 625 light Mikados were built under the auspices of the USRA, with a further 641 copies built after the end of the USRA's control. The first, for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was completed in July 1918 and given #4500. The locomotives were considered well designed and modern, and were popular and successful. Large numbers remained in service until replaced by diesel locomotives. With later copies, over 50 railroads used the type. Constructed in just 20 days by Baldwin Locomotive Works, the B&O No. 4500 was the first USRA locomotive produced under federal management. The No. 4500 was equipped with the latest technology of its time, including a superheater and stoker. The weight of the versatile locomotive was considered "light" by most standards, yet it was quite powerful. In the later years of its life, the No. 4500 operated on the B&O's Ohio, Newark, St. Louis, and Ohio River divisions. In 1957, the No. 4500 was renumbered as No. 300 to make room on the B&O roster for four-digit diesel locomotives. That same year, the No. 300 retired from service, and was sent to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. There it was restored to its original number. In 1990, the No. 4500 became a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. #4500 at the B&O RR Museum While building this engine my main goals were to make this a sturdy design able to be handled roughly with out falling apart, and to have a 100% reliable Power Functions drive with a good balance of pulling power and speed. All while maintaining a high standard of detail. I think I've done pretty well in acheiving those goals and this engine has quickly become one of my favorites. This is the first time I've built an engine as it apeared fresh of the erecting shop floor. All my previouse steam engines have been depicted as they apeared later in their carears. Here is #4500 as it apeared in a USRA publicity photo following it's completion. Flickr Gallery for #4500 Nate Brill ( Shuppiluliumas ) was kind enough to take some videos of #4500 at a recent PennLUG display for me. Mikado Video 01 Mikado Video 02 Cale

Thanks for the compliments guys. This is certainly one of my favorite cabooses in my roster. The Conrail blue just looks so good. With the way I have the bay designed I don't think there is any way to ted a traditional window. Yo could probably redesign the bay to use it but you might loose some interior room. Cale

I've upgraded my Mikado with Benn Coifman's new custom side rods. I love the look of them and they run very well too. Here is how #4500 looks with the new gear. Cale

I've been using Benn's new rods on several of my engines. I'm really pleased with the looks and performance of them. They're so much better that the Technic half beams I previously used. Anyway I'm finally getting around to taking some photos of my engines with the new rods. By little Reading shop switcher #1251 My Baltimore & Ohio #4500 USRA Light Mikado I can highly recommend the rods. They run very smoothly and look great. And Benn's customer service is excellent! Cale

The set could be a really nice take on a late 1800s American style train. LEGO has all the right parts to do it properly and the talent to make it a really great train. But this isn't like the Emerald Night or the new Horizon Express. This is most likely going to be more play theme oriented so I feel there will be some compromises made. The parts count if correct seems to lean in that direction. I'm not getting my hopes up too much yet. On the bright side though we should at least get some good train parts out of the whole deal. Cale

Yeah. I should have paid a bit more attention to that. Oh well. You've got me stumped now. Cale

As some one who has attempted building a working Walschaerts valve gear I really appreciate the engineering that went into your model. I don't personally like to use modified parts if I can help it but your engine makes a pretty strong case for their use. It's a joy to see that valve gear in motion. The rest of the engine is pretty sweet as well. Nicely done! Cale

How about two solutions for the price of one. First solution. This isn't how Benn did it but it's a possible solution I came up with. And now solution #2. I'm pretty sure this is how Benn did it using this part in black. www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=43093 Link to Flickr Gallery Cale

B-OV-21D Friends Tree House in the Garden For PennLUG's January 2012 meeting member Chris Edwards challenged us to build Friends themed MOCs. I only had Olivia's Tree House and Emma's Fashion Design Studio at the time so my Friends part resources were pretty small. I desided to run with the tree house theme and expand on it adding elements from both sets and a healthy dose of my landscaping knowledge. I think I'm reasonably happy with the results. http://www.flickr.com/photos/steampoweredbricks/sets/72157629005805977/with/6752386765/ Cale

Oooh! So many steam locomotives that could be built with these. It's good to see these gaining in popularity. So when are we going to solve that valve gear problem? Cale

Pennsylvania Railroad K4s class Steam Locomotive #3750 and #1361 These two LEGO models of Pennsylvania RR class K4s #3750 and #1361 are perhaps my most ambitious project to date. I've spent months intensively researching and studying the K4s in order to make the most accurate and detailed engine I've built to date. The boiler design was inspired by my friend and fellow train builder in PennLUG, Nate Brill. What has turned out to be the most difficult part of building these models is the working Walschaerts Valve Gear. My goal was to try and build working valve gear with out modifying any parts, and to keep it as small and proportionate to the rest of the locomotive as possible. This required several weeks of trial and error but I'm reasonably happy with the final result. Video of my K4s #1361 running at BrickMagic 2012 taken by Bob Hayes #3750 and #1361 both represent the K4s class late in their careers. Both engines are virtually identical with the exception of their tenders. #3750 is equiped with a PRR 110P75a class tender while #1361 is equiped with a slightly longer PRR 130P75 class tender. PRR K4s Class Flickr Gallery The Pennsylvania RR's K4 class Pacifics were one of the cornerstones of their passenger service for 41 years from when the first engine entered service in 1916 through the final active K4's retirement 1957. The K4's performed their duties with a superb combination of speed, power and grace. K4's pulled the fastest and most prestigious trains of the Pennsylvania Railroad for many decades, with 425 being built between 1914 and 1928 by both Baldwin Locomotive Works and through Pennsy's own Juniata Shops in Altoona. In the mid 1930s, as the passenger consists grew longer and heavier, Pennsy would double and even triple head the K4s. The K4s class has become an icon of the Pennsylvania RR. There are only two surviving K4s class locomotives, #1361 and #3750. Number 3750 is on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. # 3750 was a typical workhorse, with only two unusual events in its long and productive life.The first came early in its lifewhen it pulled President Harding's funeral train. The second was more unusual. After its retirement from active service in 1957, it remained in storage, first at West Philadelphia enginehouse, then at Northumberland, along with other historic equipment that was destined to become the core of the Museum's holdings. However, the Pennsylvania Railroad, apparently chagrined that the first K4 ever built, #1737, had been scrapped because it was worn out, and decided to "undo" history by placing #1737's number plates onto #3750. #3750 in its masquerade avoided being sent to the scrapper's torch along with hundreds of other K4 locomotives. Upon the PRR's historic collection being acquired by the newly commissioned Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania it arrived at the Museum along with other historic equipment in 1968 as a "ringer" for No. 1737. This was rectified when the newly formed Friends of the Railroad Museum performed the first of several laborious restorations of this beloved locomotive in the 1980s. Subsequently, the true No. 3750 plates were obtained, and this wonderful locomotive is now secure for future generations to admire. Number 1361's fame came after her retirement in 1957. For nearly 30 years, #1361 stood on display at the top of the world-famous Horseshoe Curve In Altoona PA. In 1985, the City of Altoona, Conrail, and the Railroaders Memorial Museum made arrangements to move the locomotive from the Horseshoe Curve to the Museum. The engine was moved to Altoona on September 5, 1985, and work to restore the locomotive began in April of 1986. With the help of teams of volunteers, #1361 was restored to working order in just one year's time. In April 1987, #1361 pulled its first passenger train in over thirty years. In May 1987, Altoona City and Conrail named the steam locomotive the "Spirit of Altoona". The engine later encountered extensive problems of age and wear, requiring major rebuilding. #1361 is under ownership of the Railroaders Memorial Museum at Altoona who is currently working to restore the engine to operation once more. Former Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey signed a bill proclaiming the K4 to be Pennsylvania's Official State Steam Locomotive in March of 1988. l#3750 At the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg PA #1361 at the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona PA I'll be happy to answer any questions. Cale