JayCal

Eurobricks Vassals
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Posts posted by JayCal

  2. Posted

    I really like the model! The black with white stripes is a classic combination  for me. I've pointed out on other parts of the interwebs that I'm not a fan of the new single purpose wheel arch parts. They really stand out to me as an easy fix and not at all neccesary. I'm interested to see if the Delorean/Mustang way of building the wheel arches is an option for this one. I just like brick built solutions opposed to single purpose piece fixes. Plus, the wheel arches do not look like they are fitting in particular part family per se. 

    Yes, I'm well aware that the Delorean/Mustang way of building the wheel arches this time around would have been called out for not beeing innovative. Surely there is another way to make it work using currently available bricks?

  3. Posted

    9 minutes ago, R0Sch said:

    Hi, has anyone built the new trains in Studio or LDD and is so kind to share the model(s) with me? I want to try some double decker and carriage lengthening ideas for the passenger train, and some rolling stock for the freight train.
    I was hoping there would already be a "Mods and improvement" thread for the sets here on EB, but it seems that others are waiting for heavy discounts too. :wink:

    I have the 60337 (engine and carriages only) in ldraw format if you need it.

  4. Posted

    On 5/15/2022 at 10:47 PM, XG BC said:

    in my opinion the passenger train looks weird and out of proportion. the nose lenght doesnt match the rest of the front car. it looks so much better redesigned as @JayCal did in his/her "nose jobs" thread. i actually like the redesigned version with a different nose.

    Thanks man! It was meant to be "just an alternative" to people who dislike another super aerodynamic design. Free instructions might be released in future ;-) 

  7. Posted

     

    1 hour ago, zephyr1934 said:

    Excellent work! Whether you build it yourself or not, I would encourage you to share the design for this, and for the 60337 (free or for sale). We need more MOD's like this for folks new to the hobby wanting something a little bit more than the City trains but who are not quite to the point of doing their own MOD's or MOC's.

    Thanks for the great feedback! It was indeed a test for me to see how you can cheaply mod an existing set for novice builders. I can offer the files (LDraw) for free to anyone who is interested. Just contact me through DM. I don't feel the need to embark on the laborous task of creating instructions... maybe there are people here who love making them? If so, send me a DM. 

    Cheers

  9. Posted · Edited by JayCal

    Thanks everyone! My goal was indeed to keep the lego feel without making a specific copy of existing real life models.
     

    12 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

    Looking again at 60197, I would say the MOD would benefit with a 6x28 baseplate instead of the 6x24. Increasing the front slope shortens it a little too much in my opinion.

    You are absolutely correct. My goal was to modify the existing sets without too much cost (and just get rid of the single use big nose pieces). If you should add a longer base, slightly modified windows and jacobs bogie... you'll get a reasonably cheap eurostar/tgv/horizon express. Here's an example:

    k6kNl5Z.png

  10. Posted

    On 5/8/2022 at 12:45 PM, JopieK said:

    Very nice ideas! I think LEGO should have better considered the color/design combination and you give some very interesting suggestions. Their current scheme could work but with a different design like yours on the right. Luckily are we AFOLs  often not that limited in modding, so already some great suggestions to make a much nicer version.

     

    On 5/8/2022 at 5:11 PM, dr_spock said:

    Nice job on the plastic surgery.  :pir-classic:

     

     

    12 hours ago, LEGOTrainBuilderSG said:

    Infinitely better than all the previous versions! Good job mate. 

     

    3 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

    Excellent work! Thanks for sharing

    Thanks guys!

  11. Posted

    I already had posted my "nose job" mod of the new 60337 in the 2022 topic, but thought you might be interested in my reworked 60197 too. After the release of 60337 I thought that design would look fine on the 60051 which you can all see below. The models integrate seamless with their original power sources and cars. Reverse engineering the builds shan't be too difficult from this LDView shot and it is not all that parts intensive to have a go yourself.

    t0x8pxb.jpg

    Cheers!

    Jay 

  12. Posted

    6 hours ago, JopieK said:

    That is indeed a great looking train as well. The Japanese know what they are doing with their train system (we should let all NS/Prorail people take internships their ;)).

    (Uh, you know that a 9V metal wheels motor does not need batteries b.t.w. don't you? ;))

    Thanks! I loved to travel by train when I was in Japan. So many cool models and routes. Some run on serious narrow tracks.

    Ps. I was lazy and grabbed the 9V motor from the official parts list. Fixed it just now in my digital model ;-)

  13. Posted

    Thanks guys,

    48 minutes ago, TeriXeri said:

    Indeed, looks like the older Dutch intercity (which I always thought had some Boeing 747 jumbo jet hump style, especially when younger when ICM were basicly the main intercity model)

     

    21 minutes ago, JopieK said:


    @JayCal you train clearly was inspired by the "Koploper" design indeed ;) Looks like a very interesting MOD!

    Although the ICM/koploper by NS/dutch railways is a well known model to me (it used to be my main train to work for 6 years), this one actually wasn't inspired by the ICM/koploper but more so by the Japanese Narita Express. It shares many design similarities though. 

    35 minutes ago, zephyr1934 said:

    I can totally see the Japanese influence in the base set, but I like the updates in JayCal's MOD (MOC?). If the windows do belong at the rear to be prototypical, you could put the battery and motor at the front.

     

    Thanks for the idea! That works much better. Here's a version with the battery/motor at the front (and a Narita Express reference to boot). Putting the battery on top of the motor actually helped me disguise the controls on the battery box as well. They are now accessible by lifting the entire cockpit roof.

    k2VbMZN.jpg 

  14. Posted

    Although I love trains, the new 60337 design is a little too sleek for my taste. I've been on the N700's in Japan and they really are still quite futuristic compared to most high speed trains around the world. I do like the lime green on the new train though. So I was thinking... what to do with this new train. And I came up with a model inspired by the Narita Express (so, still Japan based):

    t4VrUJ9.jpg

    It wouldn't require that many additional parts and to me, looks more appropriate in any urban layout. Would love to know what you guys think.  

  19. Posted · Edited by JayCal

    22 minutes ago, SquirrelArmy said:

    Mine has just been shipped so haven't had the chance to build it for real yet. Looking at the instructions I can't see why they just haven't used a black pin on the outside. I can't see what the purpose of the additional elements are.

    In short: rigidity so the technic frame is unable to (unlikely) disconnect from the turntable.

  20. Posted

    I've built mine today, it is a compelling build. I love the fact that the outer side walls don't have any strange colors/patterns. It is a must have for the avid collectors, enthousiasts AND beginners of the modular line.

  22. Posted · Edited by JayCal

    8 hours ago, Lucarex said:

    HS is done, ended. You did see the Creator Haunted House recently released, right? 

    Yes I did... but that is irrelevant IMO. There were also many exclusives released in 2012. I wasn't opting for another haunted house (please, not another), but a similar big exclusive set to end the theme... maybe an HQ or a final battleground... or something that wraps up the story. Anyway my hope is probably futile as I already mentioned... But without hope.. there is no ehm... rebellion? No wait, that's another theme, right?

  23. Posted · Edited by JayCal

    23 hours ago, LOTR34 said:

    Yeaaaah not a big fan of this set in all honestly.If it was just an old decrepid castle I would love it but the whole "Hidden Side" feel to it with the trans-blue color pieces and black tentacles poking out of the walls give me a bad taste to my mouth.

    I would have agreed with you but.... Our toy store stocked this 3rd wave of HS set in the last week of June and my wife gifted me this entire wave. Now that they're all built... the castle and firetruck are actually quite spectacular in my opinion. The Race Car and Submarine are fun builds too. The prison felt a bit bland. I'll admit, having all of the HS sets, that the first wave was undeniably the best... but there are gems to had with this last wave. I'm still havinge (futile?) hopes for one big final set like the Monster Fighters Haunted House. 

  24. Posted

    17 hours ago, Erik Leppen said:

    That said though, this very point highlights the biggest weakness of this whole powered-up drama. What comes in the box, is not the complete package and if we can take any value from this little misunderstanding then it's that it shows what you're missing out on when you don't have the necessary software. The whole part that makes this set Technic falls away if you for whatever reason can't get the necessary app. So that makes this set unsuitable as a present, because you never know if the recipient has the required technology and if it will actually works.

    Sadly, I have to concur. Power Functions wasn't perfect... but you got the whole working system within your purchase/gift etc. Lego chose to step into the future (or is it present day?) by choosing a third party device, a mobile phone and accompanying evolving OS, to control this particular model. I'm still sceptic whether this is a durable move. This review, which I loved by the way,  clearly shows that achilles heel.... you weren't able to utilise the full functionality when you wrote the review. Fair to say the set wasn't officially on sale back then. 

    Hmmm, maybe I'm just an old fart :wink: I always believed that Lego was the ultimate distraction toy for kids and adults to get them far away from phones/tablets/screens, the lot. Nowadays it seems you can't separate the two. Bummer (for me at least).

    Interested to see the reviewers thoughts about this and the overall functionality of the set. 

     

    Cheers,

    Jay