Dutchiedoughnut

I've seen Big Ben Bricks, but at that time I wasn't sure at all about what diameter to use. I'm now thinking of 26mm diameter wheels, Big Ben's medium drivers are very close to that so definately worth a look! Either way, I'll change the middle axle to run blind drivers :). Bookmarked the Lego Flickr groups ;). About the tracks, Im torn between a few options. The ME models tracks look good, really good! So that is definately an option. I'm also thinking I could do flex track with a wooden baseplate, to keep them at a certain diameter and finish the outside with Lego pieces of course. I guess I'd need to try some things! This is a view of the underside and the mechanics. I didn't bother to model the gears that much, but I am planning on a 12/20 gearing I think. It's all Lego standard parts, and I dont see too much room to alter that. I do have the gears and one M motor laying around and I've built the gears just to try the torque and speed. It does seem fine to me; but I was using standard 16mm Lego wheels. I'll probably run the MOC on one M motor at first, and add the second if needed. I'm reserving room for the second motor just in case ;).

No problem ;). A shunter is basically a small locomotive used on yards and such. Its job is to move carriages about whenever a big locomotive makes no sense. Here is a like to my class 08-inspired model: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=98197 What elements would I kick out when I make carriages for my shunter? Tough question! I think I will try and stick to a 1980's British theme, and I'm very interested in passenger transport. Your models have a futuristic vibe to them I think? I'm finding it hard to put my finger on specific elements ;).

Wow, amazing and inspiring! The truss roof is one of those things that make me go "wow, is that really Lego?". And then it's really big and it looks like the truss roof can be extended as much as you like. Then, the steam train is so fitting under that roof! There might be a scale issue though: Why are the doors 2 minifigs high (well, that could be true IRL), and how come the windows are completely above the minifigs as well?

I like it! Although, I'd like to chip in a few suggestions ;). Please note that is simply my opinion, and can be dismissed if you like... I'm not sure how I like the rear end compared to the front. Most of the train is pretty square-ish, but the rear end feels very rounded. Perhaps you can match the A-unit rear end to the B-unit's ends? That will tie them together nicely! Getting into the scale of your model, here's another thought. How about turning it into a shunter? Shunters are usually smaller than the big loco's, so it plays into the size of your loco. I could also imagine making it a double cab, one at each end. You would have to fit the battery box and IR receiver into your loco though, which is a challenge but I think that can be sorted. In any case I love the train you've made! There is a certain "feel" to the loco that is shared by the B-unit and the carriages. I love the carriages a lot, and part of me want to take styling elements from them, but I am going for a very different look...

I'm using Inventor 2010, because I can make .stl files to upload to the 3d printer service. I do believe other (free) tools can do the same. The downside is that I have to copy each existing Lego brick to build a new library. Ah well ;). The 3d printer service is Shapeways. I don't have my own printer, that would be very expensive for me ;).

Hi everyone, I guess this is my first topic here - I actually registered to post in this section ;). I have been looking into train setups to keep my hands working on something. It would have to be something that I can tear down easily, so I suppose Lego is an obvious answer ;). I've looked at something like an h0 scale (00 scale for my UK friends) layout, but that gets very expensive very quickly, and I dont really want to commit that much space to it. I would love to keep my living room very open to support my photography. So I am moving on to Lego. This way I can build whatever I want on the layout. On h0 scale I was looking at building a station and turntable to play around with, so I guess Lego will face a similar scenario. I have been looking at the BR Class 08 shunter. Sensitive eyes be warned, I also use 3d printed parts if I have to, or if the model really calls for it. Just a bit of information. The hump on top isn't in the real life model, it's there to make room for the power functions. The model will be powered by 2 M motors and the battery box is hiding just behind the radiator. The IR receiver can just about be seen in the cab. The model is 7 bricks wide and 20 bricks long. I've started out building the model to scale, which works out at 1:46,5 for 7 studs wide and this model. If you don't count the hump on top, the height of the model is correct to this scale. The length is to a slightly smaller scale at 1:55 - that will help in the corners. Actually this is done on other model scales as well. In any case, I think it looks pretty good. The main challenge here is to house all the power functions. As you can see, the model is filled from front to back with these functions and I'm still worried about routing all the wires. I might get away with one M motor but I'm not sure. It's going to be used as a shunter so I would expect pulling a "broken" loco and a few carriages is a common task for it. The best part (i think) will be the wheels as they are 26mm in size to be correct to the scale. Also, the chassis is in between the wheels and the rods as it is in real life. I'm just about at the point of ordering a number of parts, but I'm doubting which tracks to use. Lego tracks are an obvious choice, but I don't like the tight curves or the geometry of the points. Honestly I'm wondering if I can run it on regular 0-gauge track since I will be 3d printing the wheels any way. I did run into pictures of Lego sitting on 0-gauge tracks. Does anyone have experience with that combination?

Hi everyone, I'm Bjorn but I tend to go by Dutchiedoughnut, or just Dutch. Incidentally I am from the Netherlands, so I suppose it's fitting. During the day I'm an engineer working on truck trailers and in my spare time I'm usually holding a camera. I also had the itch to build something myself, so of course I looked at Lego ;). Well, I have been torn between a Lego train setup, or a h0 layout. In the end the h0 would just too big to keep setup while I can take down the Lego as I please. I should warn you - I'm not a Lego purist. I value an overall clean look of my models over keeping to existing Lego blocks. I'm experimenting with 3d printing, so I wont destroy my Lego blocks either ;).

What do you want to show on your layout? You could do a diorama, if you don't mind your train being static. Or, on the other extreme, you could do a layered approach with a subway station, a streetcar running above and maybe a monorail. Of course, if you'd rather show a landscape you might create a hill or two, with the tracks running through a tunnel and over a bridge.