mred Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) Not sure if this is the right forum to post this to, so admins, if not, feel free to move it..... It is fairly heavily train based though..... At BrickExpo in Canberra this year, I took a monorail based on the tram from the public transport set. It was a hit with lots of people, and I thought I would have a go at building a few more. I never really liked the proportions of the space series monorails, which were all I have managed to get second hand from ebay, So I had a go at building my own. I will upload some photos of the tram based one later, but here is a screenshot from LDD on my current model I am working on, and when the parts arrive, I will build it and show it off too. As you can probably see, it shares it's heritage with the 7939 Cargo train..... I was going to build the monorail to use PF, but you just can't beat the simplicity of the 9v battery box system monorail used, and it takes up a lot less room too, so for the moment, I'm sticking with that. You'll just have to imagine the monorail track under it as I cannot find it, or the monorail base, in LDD. It will end up being about 2 studs longer than the monorail base, and should be able to go under other tracks. One half or one car is taken up with the battery, leaving the rest of the area for passengers or whatever else. If you want to see more pictures, let me know. Edited January 15, 2012 by TheBrickster Added your most recent picture. Quote
roamingstop Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) It looks good - but I suspect the windows are a little too low on the body for the mini-figs to look out of. You could also use some of the older cockpits (curved screen, often from the Junior series) to give it a real modern look. Link: Item 30633 Windscreen Canopy I look forward to watching photos / video in the coming weeks. Edited October 30, 2011 by roamingstudio Quote
mred Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 It looks good - but I suspect the windows are a little too low on the body for the mini-figs to look out of. You could also use some of the older cockpits (curved screen, often from the Junior series) to give it a real modern look. Link: Item 30633 Windscreen Canopy I look forward to watching photos / video in the coming weeks. Yes, the windows are a little too low, but I am a bit challenged by height, that is an issue I am working on. I will post some other variations later In the meantime...... Here is a screenshot of the tram based monorail I built. My built version of it is unfortunately missing a few pieces, and so doesn't look as tidy. When I find my camera I will take some photos of it too Quote
mattman Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 I have seen a monorail converted to the "Public Transport" tram before - looks very good in the flesh. DSC_5132 by Matt_Henry_Aus, on Flickr Quote
mred Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 I have seen a monorail converted to the "Public Transport" tram before - looks very good in the flesh. DSC_5132 by Matt_Henry_Aus, on Flickr You're right, it certainly does look good in the flesh! That one seems a little shorter than mine, I sort of combined all of the tram to make the two monorail cars, and then hid the battery in one. That one looks a bit neater actually.... I wonder, is it powered? Quote
mred Posted October 30, 2011 Author Posted October 30, 2011 Ok guys, I have uploaded some better quality pictures, and tried a few of the changes suggested... Check them out! I thought they would look better with a rail underneath them, so I created something similar... I have made the windows one plate higher, and it does improve it. Thanks for the suggestion roamingstudio. Here is an alternative, using the windscreen you suggested. The only big issue with this one is that the windscreen is somewhat more difficult to source. Here is the tram based one. I would love to redesign it so that it is about one brick shorter, anyone have any great ideas? Please resize your imagea within our site guidelines of 800x600 -TheBrickster Quote
mattman Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 You're right, it certainly does look good in the flesh! That one seems a little shorter than mine, I sort of combined all of the tram to make the two monorail cars, and then hid the battery in one. That one looks a bit neater actually.... I wonder, is it powered? Yes it was :-) Quote
roamingstop Posted October 30, 2011 Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) The only big issue with this one is that the windscreen is somewhat more difficult to source. As always Bricklink is your friend - and they are relatively cheap... I also have a load of spares from when I went on a 7939 Re-colouring binge... Both versions look good now. I somehow prefer the one with the clear windscreens - it looks more modern and realistic. Edited October 30, 2011 by roamingstudio Quote
AussieJimbo Posted October 31, 2011 Posted October 31, 2011 Nice one, Ed. Look forward to seeing the brick built model. :classic: Quote
mred Posted November 11, 2011 Author Posted November 11, 2011 Have recieved some parts, just waiting on some others before I can get building Will keep you guys posted Quote
mred Posted December 1, 2011 Author Posted December 1, 2011 (edited) Most pieces have arrived from BrickLink, now to start putting it all together :) In other news, have had a baby daughter arrive a week ago, already have a photo of her holding lego........ Good sign I guess? Edited December 1, 2011 by mred Quote
peterab Posted December 5, 2011 Posted December 5, 2011 In other news, have had a baby daughter arrive a week ago, already have a photo of her holding lego........ Good sign I guess? Congrats, and I'm sure the LEGO will help her fine motor skills Quote
tedbeard Posted December 5, 2011 Posted December 5, 2011 Congratulations. I might ask though that you don't make other dads like me nervous. I see a picture of an infant holding a fig and I immediately get nervous she will swallow something. Trust me, fishing small plastic items out of a used diaper is no fun. Quote
mred Posted December 8, 2011 Author Posted December 8, 2011 Congratulations. I might ask though that you don't make other dads like me nervous. I see a picture of an infant holding a fig and I immediately get nervous she will swallow something. Trust me, fishing small plastic items out of a used diaper is no fun. Ah, worry no more, there is absolutely no way I would let my treasured lego anywhere near her mouth I have told her that she can play with it with me when she is 16 years old.... until then it'll be duplo for her I feel! She only gets to hold lego under VERY close supervision I agree, sorting through a diaper for anything would not be fun! Quote
mred Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 Well, I've finally built it, and I would say it is about 99% finished. I just need to add passengers. I had to make a few modifications along the way, mostly to strengthen the body, and then so that the bottom didn't interfere with monorail controls. So, at long last, here are some photos: Navigating a slope Going around the bend On a turn Clearance under raised track Looking along the monorail Closer view Quote
Younge Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 Not sure if this is the right forum to post this to, so admins, if not, feel free to move it..... It is fairly heavily train based though..... At BrickExpo in Canberra this year, I took a monorail based on the tram from the public transport set. It was a hit with lots of people, and I thought I would have a go at building a few more... I remember seeing your MOC at BrickExpo and loved it. In fact, I took photos of it for my brother - who is also an AFOL - as he had been toying with the idea of turning the PTS's tram into a monorail. Quote
spzero Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 wow. love this mono rail its awesome, really makes me want one, shame there sooo much Quote
mred Posted January 19, 2012 Author Posted January 19, 2012 Thanks spzero for your kind words. You are right of course, monorail parts are very expensive, and often are not in the best condition either. I have been very lucky in my aquisition of two sets, I doubt I will get much more, as other things become priorities, but at least I have two monorails now, and a semi-decent amount of track Quote
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