Toastie

This is a wonderful model - and the free instructions are also just incredible. Thank you very much for sharing. I shall download the instructions just to admire them. Now, with regard to the power issue: You are using PUp, i.e. the City Hub (#88009) along with two "WeDo medium" motors (#21980), is that correct? If so, then you are using motors that don't have a built-in rotation sensor, and all you can do is "set power" in the 7 steps you mention. I assume you are using the PUp remote (#88010) to "set power" on the motors, is that correct? Or do you use the PU App on a smart device? Let's assume 88009 + 2x 21980 + 88010: You will have to do a hardware solution, i.e., get more torque for the train - either by using more powerful motors (PUp L) and or another loco pushing it. Now, I would not do that. Instead, I would go for two PUp motors with built-in rotation sensors; these would be the PUp medium motor (#88008) or the PUp L motor (#88013). Then use the PUp app to control the motors using the "set speed" (not "set power") programming blocks. What this does, is: You set speed to 5%. The hub then rapidly increases power to the motor to maintain that very speed, may even go to 100% power. When the loco begins to move (has overcome friction forces) it will certainly lower power, but you won't notice that, as it does that automatically. You can also select acceleration/deceleration profiles. And, if you don't want to use the app as a controlling device, you can pair the PUp remote and the PUp hub with the PUp app. You need to write a little program that translates pressing the remote buttons into increase or decrease speed - i.e. by 5% per +/- button press. It really works great. Here is an example of a rather heavy loco moving at constant speed using one PUp L motor. All the best and thank you very much again! Thorsten P.S.: Just downloaded your instructions ... I am speechless. This is so nice. Also saw the #21980 motors, so I guess all the above should work ...

Heehee oh yes - benzine (or petrol ether) is very different from benzene - the first paragraph in that Wikipedia article points that out. I was just a bit scared - some people still use benzene (it was/is dead cheap) and came literally in casks - back then. Oh, I can see that - however, it much depends on the status of the plating on the inner rails, that is what I am seeing on my 12V stuff. When that has cracks or was peeled off due to heavy usage, then the rust begins to fly. If they were made from iron only, they would rust like hell even inside (provided you are not living in a non-airconditioned place in Qatar ) - but I guess they have air-conditioned the entire country by now, so that folks can play soccer ... "outside" I am from Northern Germany - about 20 km off the North Sea is where I lived in my youth - which is ages ago. No eons ago. The closer I cycled to the sea, the rustier things were. You are living in the Netherlands - in a place closer to the sea? Because that adds a little salt to the (rain) soup ... and then even stainless steel stains quite a bit Best, Thorsten

Hopefully not - oh my. This is from the very olden days - benzene gets rid of any kind of non-polar crap (i.e., fatty, oily, greasy stuff) but as for decades now it is known to cause cancer on a much less relaxed scale (you don't have to swallow gallons, you have simply been exposed to it) - if you really used benzene, than better switch to toluene right away and get rid of that benzene stuff (bring it to a station handling "toxic" materials). Simply use alcohol, or isopropanol to get rid of greasy stuff. Or even light petrol. Well, could be, but I doubt it; iron rusts like crazy. So this is more of an alloy - presumably Nickel is very high up there - and that may be also one of the reasons, 12V and 9V was phased out - these rails never "rusted". They put on some nice weathering - but no rust. And still worked very well. And cleaning (i.e., removing the oxide layer) was/is super easy. But then: There are people who react badly towards Nickel exposure. I don't, and thus (I can't sue TLG) I do have some 12V and many 9V rails :D Best, Thorsten

And exactly that is, why I buy their stuff :D I am always menatlly prepared though that something may not work as "expected" from the other toy manufacturer (who believes that everything not generating skyrocketing profit is for a niche audience and thus negligible) - and then I simply replace things with "original" bricks/plates. Not angry, not expecting anything - because of these favorable price tags and wonderful ideas they have at BB. With regard to the train wheel sets: Yes, the rod length is horribly off. I have no clue why they simply don't order or tell them (whoever "them" is; I would even ask a local rod producer, they must exist) - 2 mm metal bars for DIY RC models are really cheap. You can cut them roughly to length and then with a little jig get it right. That is what I do. BB apparently tried that: On my green 6-wide coaches, there were 4 extra rods loosely flying around in the box - still too short (top: 7 bars in the bags and 9 bars flying around in the box; bottom left: LEGO wheel set; bottom right BB wheel set with the "long" bars ... I don't know, but I have the impression, that the bars snap deeper into the BB wheels than into LEGO wheels - mayby they did not get the whole right. Yes, I know, most folks don't want to mess around with their product, but then: Don't buy the cheap stuff. Just go to TLG and well - do they still make the metal rods? I don't think so, but may be wrong. Friction on their plastic Technic axles is very bad, though. And when starting to mess with wheel sets, why not going all the way to the ball bearings ... these are the far superior solution. Best, Thorsten Yup. True.

When the animals are happy, the place is absolutely inhabitable. They know, we hope. Way more importantly: That glass of something is a glass of wine, right? Best, Thorsten

FULLY agreed on. That also is (not! was) the whole fun of it! Booo Was too expensive for me - chemistry student, duh. Also the Atari's were in outer money space. Best, Thorsten

How many with pins? Any extra loose pins? Best, Thorsten

However, crowdsourced becomes a bit less of the original meaning, doesn't it? It is only sort-of crowdsourced, when the IDEA goes to BL. But when TLG has their hands on it, it is purely company sourced, with the "hope" (as in carefully exercised SWOT analysis) that money from the new audience, is simply cashing in as revenue. Don't get me wrong: There is nothing wrong with that! TLG is a corporation. They do this to maximize profit. All is good. Calling it IDEAS is brilliant! I have absolutely no problem with that. It is just the phrasing on their website advertising the IDEAS idea. That's all. All that weird talk. Why is it not: "Hey, want to be part of the community? We'll not only compensate you for your expenses (for getting to the IDEAS submission stage), no, we'll pay you back! The more we sell, the more you get out of it! Your IDEA simply pays off! For us - and for you!" I'd like this as well. It goes against all LEGO myths and apparent moral guidelines, but it would be honest. And that is what I trust in: Honesty. Won't be my cup of tea, (the approach) but that is really up to each individual out there! Best, Thorsten

Hmmm. I find this is a bit of a stretch. Because this means black is white, and then we all just disappear in a puff of logic. There is certainly (maybe a subtle) but clearly discernible difference between a modular building and any favorite TV show having a substantial fan base. Not that many (in reality non-existing) LEGO buildings have that. So far, every conceivable theme with any popularity has been "covered" by TLG - but there is a difference in fidelity, and creativity for sure. I am not the one to judge that, but phrasing it so boldly (has been done, so no creativity - or original content left) was a bit too much for me. Oh well, what do I know. Best, Thorsten

I would go 100% along this line. I would also have a talk with them. In a relaxed environment. Explaining them, what LEGO means to you. I don't know what the financial situation of these folks is; but I assume that LEGO is not necessarily on their regular shopping list. They may not value what you value. Lying ... fear ... covering up ... trying. Bad. But - give them one chance. People have to learn what this means - for them and to you. The full breadth of it. With an hour or so of conversation. And then laying out the consequences: There is no second time, this will be tolerated. Because it means so much to >you<. They probably need to learn or feel that. Tough. All the best, Thorsten

I'd go to BL and go crazy there. Best, Thorsten

Oh, that was absolutely not meant as a general absolution - it what meant as stating a fact, which some folks tend to forget - at least as it appears to me, when it comes to The Chinese. Copying, not behaving, etc. etc. - all true. But this is how "we" got there in the first place, back then, when the industrial frenzy began: Copying (like crazy), not behaving, etc. etc. "We" is meant as competing - mostly western - "parties". And then "we" wanted it cheap. So "we" looked around and found ... China! They could make things dead cheap. We couldn't or better: We were greedy enough to not do it. The thing that is really bothering me is: Just don't go there. Just don't buy their dead cheap, explosive stuff, if you don't want to see a melt-down. And when you do buy it, be prepared. That is all. Regardless of what is printed on the product: "Super safe, don't worry", for $9,99, where the competition abroad sells it for: $69.99. At this point, something should kick in and think: Ooops, what is this? Should we be concerned about safety? And not: Wow, whatta deal, I'll order 7 for the same price of 1. Then it blows up and then the hooray begins ... And letting make folks stuff so much cheaper than "here" - one should recognize, that there is a brain in each human head. Not a brain that may think: Nice, we are allowed to make this stuff, so our life is becoming "better". No, a more greedy brain that thinks: Wait a minute: Why are they asking us to make that stuff? And then: Hmm, what is in it? What do I care? I want to be rich as well. And so on and so forth. You know, the capitalistic 101. That's all. Best, Thorsten

You know, the "Chinese" - so often called out here, but ubiquitously in our every day's life (and very well received by "us", cheap, cheaper, cheapest) - are excelling even faster than we can envision. Of course, they did not melt down. These folks have a brain as well. And know how to roll the dice. As we did, for centuries. Best, Thorsten

You know, for me the thing here - as @Andy Glascott also pointed out - the pure fun of getting them rolling, with "dancing fingers". That is the core of the matter with 12V. Not the track geometry resembling a real yard, no, but the pure fun of running, directing and shunting steamers, diesels, electrics with whatever cars through a world of 12V track. The core of the LEGO 12V train system: Play it. Wonderful. And it needs "dancing fingers". The pivotal element. All the best, and thanks for sharing (again!) Thorsten

Absolutely. And nothing is wrong with that - they need to make money. However ;) IDEAS and what it was before - I recognized it as a ... program ... that was, well, building on (crazy, nice, playful, functional, gigantic, small, inspirational, ...) ideas. These needed to match (and maybe later in the process be matched by LEGO designers) with quality levels, sure. But I always thought it was about - inspiration. Some sort of FreeStyle - the LEGO bucket I love the most. TLG does licensing all over the place, virtually with every theme they have. But why diluting IDEAS with that? Why not keeping a last resort of - creativity and wild building? Why not using this one theme, IDEAS, as judged from the customer's/builder's point of view? Everything else with TLG is oriented towards TLG's point of view - which is maximizing profit. I am OK with that. It is a company. But they generate a lot of noise - as others have said - regarding fostering creativity. And tolerance. And we all live in this world together - and the youth - and the adults ... but in the end it comes down to: Optimizing revenue. Again: This is OK! They just should also just say that - but they never will - because then they lose this Danish living room thing, this family business operated credo. I can surely live with that - because their product is superb!!! I do the same when judging washing machines or coffee makers. They don't claim though that coffee will make this world a better place; they just claim it is the best coffee in the world. Best, Thorsten

Absolutely true. But even if you would have - let's say on a next generation super-duper modern power-play platform with all printable characters imaginable, unlimited number of characters allowed, BUT with several like or suffer buttons and apparently a (of course non-existing) direct link to the TLG familie's living room where they apparently decide (of course they don't) on what is the next IDEA will be to be cranked out ... it certainly will turn - well - into a toxic environment. In the world we are living in today, almost naturally. This all reverts back to what @Peppermint_M, @koalayummies, @Feuer Zug and so many others have said. Absolutely. When moderated in exactly that way: Intelligent, which includes nuances, tolerance (to a certain degree, but/and carefully judged), and the will to push that through - the latter - for me the toughest part. EB exists for some considerable time now, some folks may experience like "eternally". There is another thing I really enjoy here on EB: The humor. The different kinds of humor, as this is a multinational platform, the willingness of the moderators to let it play out. Actually, I love it. Nothing is better than a smile from time to time, or a loud laughter ... happened to many times here. From the heart. Best wishes and skol, Thorsten

Tipping hat, a slight nod - and a bow. Man. Can't say much other than: Beautiful in every regard. This is simply LEGO Champion's League, top rank. I am playing in the lowest local league, where teams names like "Arminia Bierblau", "Holzbein Kiel", and "Dynamo Tresen" are competing, trying to get a simple (damned) angle into a LEGO build - with hardly any success. Simply amazing. BUT: I shall have a look at all thy pictures, Sven - and then - then one day - far, far in the future ... I shall build that little blue car!!! I will succeed (or not - it is what it is) . You have just revealed that your username is an alias: Sven J = Sven Y. And the Y stands for Yoda, the LEGO master. That one was easy. Thank you very much for sharing, it is a real pleasure to look at all the pictures. All the best, Thorsten

Yessir! Best wishes, Thorsten

with the label "Valuable replacement parts - keep in a safe place"

From my perspective: Absolutely true - your entire post. And that is why I am here on EB and nowhere else. Could be that I am too narrow-minded, but I feel very comfortable here. Forum (as in "outdated platform type") or not. Or maybe the forum style and the folks taking care of it makes all the difference. Best, Thorsten

This is a nice one! From the result, we can estimate how this is done and also test the math skills of the folks who pack them. Or the availability of coffee at the packing station, as @dr_spock already noticed Possible scenarios: You get 7 lots with 4 (pinned) segments each, and 2 single segments w/o pin: All awake, fully engaged, math skills 100% You get 7 lots with 4 (pinned) segments each, and 2 single segments w pin: Almost awake, math skills 100%, low coffee level or a little lazy staff. You get 6 lots with 4 (pinned) segments each, and 6 single segments w/o pin: There were pickers who just took out pins all day long and put the segments into a "single segments" bin, so that the packers provided math skills are up, can optimize the process. This is called "picky packy". You get 6 lots with 4 (pinned) segments each, 2 single segments w pin, 4 single elements w/o pin: Uhmmm ... Looking forward to what you actually get! From the above one can calculate how many (different) scenarios are possible, provided you can't tell the difference between each track segment. Hmmm, exams are coming up - statistics among them ... Best; Thorsten

Oh crap ... I googled CaDA - hit a topmost entry and was on BB/CaDA. As BB is a no-go here - I swiftly closed my eyes and tried to hit the back button - just to find out I wasn't back in Google land, but in MK universe on the BB website. Had both eyes wide open - then I just closed my laptop. That causes hibernation. Hmmm - opening the lid again (just one eye open, I swear!) and IT reappeared. Closed the browser ... and reinstalled Windows. Windows 98, to be sure this won't happen again Surf safely, Thorsten

I really like your attitude. Sorry that it did not work out! Citing Douglas Adams ("... bizarrely improbable coincidence ...") was ... a bit of a stretch (as everything else this genius came up with, I love all of his works) - in quantum mechanics, improbability is not well-defined - low, or bizarrely low probability is, though. Well, the bizarrely bit is usually replaced with "very low". In summary, I thought the probability of $1.34 for a pack of x > 1 track segments was very low . All the best, Thorsten

Oh my. Yes, I can see that. But it shouldn't be the case - never ever. The OP theme is an extremely complex question. To me, this is multidimensional - and unfolding such a matter will naturally bring about many opinions, arguments, reasoning, and perspectives. Some are encouraging, others are meaningless, some are neutral, and some are discouraging. I strongly believe, member age should also be counted in. I keep telling the students in our university that the difference between them and me is not being smarter, tougher, better paid, whatever - it is simply age. I simply had 40+ years more time (well, you know, at this age, decline is certainly setting in as well ) to get an advantage. It is not the brain size, nor the capabilities - it is the time I had, getting me some "advantage". Which I never play out, but that is another discussion. Same thing here: When building for 40+ years, yes, then the brick separator looks like from planet WhoNeedsThat - "we" did not have that thing back then when we were young. Just to realize a little later that this thing comes in handy when you don't want bite marks on your bricks. I do post things I came up with rarely here on EB - it is generally a feeling of ... it has been done for sure by other folks and "better". But then - from time to time, it is: I will just do it. And then do it. Not believing in 10k replies to get into a club, no, just to tell people around here what I did. Just that. I am prepared to read: Nice, BTW seen this link? Not a problem, no I did not see this link, and this link is certainly valuable for me! Post, if you feel like posting. Show things, tiny or big, if >you< feel like it is worth it. From >your< very own perspective. If somebody replies with: Has been done (link). Reply: Thanks for that link, I am learning. That is what I do. I still learn from all the folks around here. Fan base - two words I truly don't like. Fan. Define fan - oh my. Am I a fan of TLG? Hell, no. I like their product. Does that make me a fan of LEGO? Hell no. I like to build with the product. Fan ... For some reason, I tend to relate that term to soccer ... no. Sorry. I like things. Or not. But I am not a fan. Base? Huh? For a commercial product, other companies are on par or better with? Creativity wise? And price wise? Because they don't have to pay a gazillion lawyers to secure the IDEAS? No. Do it your way. Do post here whatever you see fit. Do not care about negative waves. Live your creativity. Be yourself, as Snoopy told us. And just don't care about fans or a base. All the best, Thorsten

Now legal stuff is really getting my attention :D I like half illegal things: This seems to be a way of talking yourself out, when the LEGO FBI (black suit, dark sunglasses, black sedan) pulls you over. Best wishes, Thorsten