kyphur

WHy limit yourself? I take it the 9v Motor is pulling power from 9v tracks, if that's the case then why not share the power with a PF Train Motor?

I'm a former costumer (designed, sewing, wearing etc) but that was 5 years ago. As a Scuba Diver I'm not too bad. In fact all of my dive buddies seem to think I'm decent and my Instructor can't wait for me to finish my DiveMaster Certification so he can put me to work.

For me I honestly don't do a lot outside of the house except Scuba Diving and that has a short season (4 peak months) and the wife works 3rd shift so I get time in the evening after the kids are in bed and the wife is leaving for work. Sometimes when the wife is napping I'll take the little guy downstairs to my LEGO area and let him sit playing with his while I'm doing my thing. A lot of Design tweaking is done using MLCad at work when I need to take a break from all of the Coding and Software design stuff.

I just want to say that these two posts are exactly what I was hoping to get as replies to this topic. While I like my PF Solution it's nice to see how others have accomplished PFing the Metroliner. Of the 3 solutions now shown in this thread I can't say one is better than the others because each builder had specific goals in mind and we each met our goals. Pinioncorp, Wow 4 PF Motors! I bet it really flies! I do like the "B-Unit" Idea. That was how I finally settled on PFing my SantaFe Super Chief (despite originally having the Loco PFed). Of course my SFSC B-Unit has 2 motors for pulling power more than speed. With 6 Cars (my Pleasure Dome is WIP) and the Loco to move the B-Unit has to be able to move a lot of bricks & plates. I would really suggest adding the PF Lights to your engine, it looks really nice. If you connect the light to the IR Receiver (instead of direct to the battery like I did) then you won't have to deal with as much wiring as I had to cram into small voids (more pics of that in a day or two) but you won't get the neat effect of lights always on. I also like your idea of hiding all of the electronics behind bricks instead of windows but I do prefer to preserve the original look of the models as much as I can and being a long time Sci-Fi fans I've bought into the concept of "Willful suspension of disbelief" a long time ago so I'm not too bothered by seeing some of it. I completely understand why you had to balance the weight by placing the battery in the middle. I had to rearrange the bogies & undercarriage to move the PF Motor to the rear (under the battery) as it had almost no grip when the battery was at the opposite end of the Loco. Next for me will be PFing 4511 (High Speed Train) and then the infamous BSNF PF Conversion (I think BNSF will use PP3 > PF for power so I can preserve the exterior look as much as possible)! At some point I'll revisit my Super Chief B-Unit to: 1. Move the battery to the center 2. Add an external power switch 3. Reduce the roof opening to only access the charging port I'm also considering making some printed images to put behind the windows of both the Metroliner & Super Chief B-Unit to mask the components but that's low on my list.

Here are the updated Pics... First is a VIDEO showing the Front Lights & Engineer Cabin Lights when I turn the Loco On & Off. The Pantograph Power Switch: The Redesigned roof with just 2 small removable sections: A close-up of the LiPo Charging Access Hatch: (You can see the Power Switch in this pic)

Thanks, I like your conversion but I always try to preserve the Engineer's cabin. I'll post more pics tonight. I've added a power button (functions like the Yellow Cargo Train) under the Pantograph I've added PF Lights. Not only are the "headlights" lit but the Engineer's Cabin lights up as well. The PF Lights are always on when the battery is turned on. It's cool how the Cabin glows in low light now! BTW, my roof is modified quite a bit just doesn't look like it: 1. The section above the Engineer's Cabin is a separate removable piece. 2. The last 2 studs length at the rear of the Loco is removable to access the LiPo charging port. 3. The length between these sections is solidly affixed to the Loco.

I wouldn't mind seeing pics of your PF conversion... I assume you put the battery in the middle then. With the battery under the pantograph I had to put the train motor to the rear of the loco for traction.

Here's your parts list: ..Qty Color......Part no..... Part name ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ....1 Black......2436........ Bracket 1 x 2 - 1 x 4 ....1 White......4070........ Brick 1 x 1 with Headlight ....2 Black......3004........ Brick 1 x 2 ....4 Black......3024........ Plate 1 x 1 ....1 Trans_Red..4073........ Plate 1 x 1 Round ....1 Black......3023........ Plate 1 x 2 ....2 Black......3623........ Plate 1 x 3 ....5 Black......3666........ Plate 1 x 6 ....1 Black......3022........ Plate 2 x 2 ....4 Black......3021........ Plate 2 x 3 ....1 Black......3020........ Plate 2 x 4 ....1 Black......3034........ Plate 2 x 8 ....2 Black......85984........Slope Brick 31..1 x 2 x 0.667 ....2 Black......3660........ Slope Brick 45..2 x 2 Inverted ....2 Black......32316........Technic Beam..5 ....2 Black......6541........ Technic Brick 1 x 1 with Hole ....2 Black......3700........ Technic Brick 1 x 2 with Hole ....1 Dark_Gray..32002........Technic Pin..3/4 ....4 Black......4459........ Technic Pin with Friction ....1 Light_Gray 731c01...... Technic Shock Absorber..6.5L (Complete) ....2 Black......2412b........Tile 1 x 2 Grille with Groove ....2 Red........2412b........Tile..1 x 2 Grille with Groove ....1 White......2412b........Tile 1 x 2 Grille with Groove ....2 Black......6636........ Tile 1 x 6 ....1 Black......3068b........Tile 2 x 2 with Groove ....1 Black......87580........Tile 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud ....1 Black......2460........ Tile 2 x 2 with Pin ....1 Black......4022........ Train Buffer Beam ....2 Dark_Gray..64022........Train Track Flexible Segment (Complete, Straight) I might get around to shooting a little video this weekend, if I do I'll post the link here.

Video of it in action I'm sure there have been a lot of PF Conversions fo this fine classic set but I figured I'd share my work with everyone here.

Well I don't use LDD, I'm a LDraw/MLCad guy. If you like LDD then there's nothing stopping you from going that route though I'd recommend you check BrickLink for the parts and compare cost before buying direct from TLG. Yes, the "Active" part of the EOL Buffer actually works and it takes quite a hit without derailing the train!

I know none of my designs aren't complex or anything but I like them and have received positive feedback here regarding them so I want to share them with everyone. My Building Instructions Collection on FlickrLinks to the individual Instructions: Train Hand Car Transfer Caboose Level Crossing (on Flex Track) Active End Of Line Buffer (on Flex Track) Modular Train Tunnel Train Bridge (Truss)

There's a thread or two here on EB about friction problems with the EN. Have you read them? That's where I would start...

Actually here's a better BrickLink Train Base link: "Train Base" It has a few things on the list that aren't train bases but not many.Since it's from the Catalog (not items for sale) it should be more complete. You can use the drop-downs on top to further refine it to only show parts and order by date released.

I would suggest you contact the board Admin/Moderators. If you convince them of the legitimacy of your project you just might get them to post a featured article and get more attention.

This is my initial concept of a Purist Self Contained Powered Tender to get Steam Locomotives converted to PF. It's a little large at 16 studs in length but it does hide all of the PF components. I'm confident it can be shortened by 4 studs if I replace the battery box with the pp3 PF to 9v Battery adapter (I have 3 of them) but I wanted to get a purist version out there first. Here are some renders: I'm looking for input from my fellow Train guys here...

He's the supervisor, you put him wherever the phone & coffee pot are!

Whew! I got all four of my entries in before the deadline with Instructions and only one of them hasn't been realized in real bricks yet (but it's coming soon)...

I can't say for sure exactly what the plastic content is but I can tell you that the only reason US Customs banned Enlighten products for commercial import was due to copyright/trademark infringement. Not only were all of their sets direct copies of LEGO Official Sets at one point but their box art was so close to identical that Customs agreed it was designed to intentionally mislead consumers into believing they are purchasing Official LEGO products. While the plastic may be of inferior quality to TLG's mix I can't say it does or doesn't contain lead or something.

Here are the Instructions (Image is link):

My planned Layout will allow me to run at least four trains on their own loops (interconnected with crossovers & switches) safely and manage another train or two in my Switching/Maintenance/Freight Yards. Most of my trains will be stored on the Layout but a few simply don't fit into the plan so they'll be stored in my glass display cabinets:

Building Instructions are now posted (Image is link to the Flickr Set):

Pics or it didn't happen... This is the internet after-all!

Actually you could light-up the whole train if you want by running The PF Lights & Extensions between the cars all the way to the Engine.

Since the Loco is a Steam Engine it doesn't really take to PF components very well. I'd suggest either making a PF Tender (containing all PF Components) or a PF Baggage Car (again containing all of the PF including the power train)

The truth is that all 3 of the current complete PF Trains (7938, 7939 & 3677) are good starter trains and each has their pros & cons. 7938 - Passenger Train: Pros: Slick modern looking train, comes with 2 engines, includes a platform Cons: Only 1 passenger coach/car, no switches or straight track only curves & flex 7939 - Cargo Train: Pros: Lots of track (8 Straight, 1 each Switch, 16 Flex & 16 Curve), Cargo Crane, More Rolling Stock a Truck & Containers means more play Cons: The rolling stock is weak (i.e. container size matches nothing) 3677 - Cargo Train (really Maintenance of Way): Pros: Decent amount of track (8 Straight, 16 Curve & 16 Flex), Hopper Loader & Dump Area, Rolling Stock, Unimog style truck has play potential. Cons: No switches Personally I'd go for the 3677 and buy a pack of switches (though S@H is currently out of stock) first if I wanted an out of the box play with it train. If I had to choose between 7938 & 7939 I'd go for 7939 mainly because of the track. I mean rolling stock can be MOCed/MODed right? If I was interested in the Emerald Night or Maersk then I'd get those first given the fact the their days are numbered.