SavaTheAggie

A very thorough video. I don't know if I've seen this design attached directly to wheels on motors, but it's not the first time I've seen those crankshafts used on small wheels to create pushrods. Looks much better on 8-wide models. Texas State Railroad Engine #1 by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

In spite of some opinions, we've got pretty good right now, so I would certainly say the graph is moving up. But I think terms like "golden age" really should be reserved for times seeable only through the prism of history. For times where you know not only what came before, but what came after as well. Until then, I say we just enjoy the ride as long as it lasts. --Tony

Thank you all, I appreciate it. She's an old MOC, I've posted her here before. But I am truly thrilled and relieved to see her run so well. I tend to pride myself in building only MOCs of trains that are fully track compatible. If I build something that can't run, no matter how good it looks, I tend to view it as a failure. I saw the T1 as such a failure. Now if I could just improve the performance of my Angus... --Tony

When I first tried to build a Pennsylvania T1 duplex steam engine I gave up on it. In fact I gave up on it many times. But after a lot if help from a lot of folks over at flickr I was able to finally build one in LEGO form. But her performance was... troubled. She ran fine in straights but bogged down in curves. I wasn't using a wheelbase design I hadn't before, so I was supremely disappointed. The mighty T1 got relegated to being yard candy at train shows. Click the link below to see her past performance : Then a few months ago I decided to change something on another train MOC that was giving me trouble, and being successful there, I gave the T1 another chance. This weekend at the SAMRA train show was my first time to test the T1 under non laboratory conditions after the last bit of work. It took a bit more tweaking, but I am proud to say she ran like the thoroughbred she is. Fast and true she barely even flinches at curves. She now stands tall, T1 triumphant. Click below to see the video of her triumphant return to mainline service on TexLUG layouts: --Tony

We have basements here, they're called indoor pools. I am insanely jealous of your pkayspace, and it looks like you're off to a fine start in filling it. I don't have room for even a small layout. The only tine I get to see my trains run is at my lugs shows. --Tony

My model train hobby began with HO scale. My parents had a decent collection, and when I became old enough I bought my first, rather expensive, steam engine. I proceeded to add to the collection and eventually even got my father to help me build a large train layout table, but it never went anywhere. I had bought buildings, track ballast, trees, etc, but I somehow just lost interest. I had always liked LEGO trains, but I hated the designs LEGO was creating. I didn't back then, and I still don't like European styled trains. Just not my thing. Then LEGO came out with the Santa Fe Super Chief and the My Own Train series. That really made me happy to see. But I still couldn't afford LEGO trains, I was an unemployed college graduate. A TRU sale gave me the opportunity to (with a loan) buy two copies of the My Own Train Deluxe at 75% off, and then after I found a job I went to Brickfest 2005 and was able to purchase the entire Santa Fe Super Chief. Just before this I joined TexLUG, and saw TJ Avery's MOC locomotives. They were diesels, but they were still very well executed. It really opened my eyes to the idea that LEGO trains could be model trains. My wife, though, is what got me into the hobby. I had bought the aforementioned sets, but I hadn't done much more than build them. It wasn't until in 2006 that my wife wanted me to build her a Polar Express in LEGO. All downhill from there. So HO scale created my love for model trains, L scale turned the torch into a bonfire. --Tony

Oh there is definitely a bias against LEGO trains in the greater model train community. But it really isn't hard to change hearts and minds, you just have to demonstrate the potential. texlug_11-13-10_50 by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

I don't have much to contribute. So, I'll talk about me. The 2012 Calendar did ok. As of yesterday it has beaten the 2011 calendar in sales by 2 units. Unfortunately the total number sold is pretty dismal. Disappointing but not unexpected, really. The fact that I got as many folk to buy a calendar filled with photos of someone else' MOCs is pretty impressive. However, this will probably be my final calendar - just not worth the effort. I'm working on getting to Brickworld. I wish to bring my entire Texas State Railroad diorama with me. It'll look like this, but the yard won't be as large. Texas State Railroad Layout Idea by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr So on top of finding the money to go to Brickworld this year (more instructions for my shop!), I need to get the money to build the Engine Shed and at least two passenger cars. Everything else is already built - the Palestine Depot, the locomotives, even the trees and ballasted track. I may also try to build one more steam engine before Brickworld comes due, if I can manage it. Good old SP #4449 Daylight. Gonna be a busy spring. --Tony

Nicely done. That's an excellent mod to an already great set. I think with a firebox that large, I would suggest one of two things. My first suggestion would be to spread the rear trucks wheels apart one stud and move the whole truck closer to the drivers and more under the firebox. It is, after all, what the real trailing truck was for. Or, instead of that, if there's room, I would suggest adding another blind driver between the existing drivers and the trailing truck. That would turn your Hudson into a northern. --Tony

Excellent! I'm glad you liked it. My own copy came in the mail earlier this week. I have it here at my desk ready to replace last year's SRW calendar. --Tony

Thanks much! I appreciate the compliments. Thanks! I have seen this leg design used elsewhere, certainly not original. But I felt it needed to look like Santa was really riding the coach. Thanks! I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, but thank you very much. I was sure you'd recognize a few of my MOCs in there. Thanks! Thanks! I was hoping a few people would recognize not only the sets by my own MOCs as well. Thank you, I'm flattered. Thanks much! Thanks! I've been toying with at least creating a few more micro trains, like creating a full Santa Fe Super Chief consist, or building a few TTX intermodal cars to go with the BNSF. --Tony

Once again I find myself ogling one of your MOCs on Brickshelf. Nicely done my friend. The proportions are spot on, and you've captured a lot of detail. I may have to try my hand at building a nice German steamer like this. --Tony

Twas The MOC Before Christmas by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr When what on my wandering tracks should appear, But a mini-scale coach, and eight tiny traindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than diesels his engines they came! While they whistled, he shouted and called them by name: "Now, Zephyr! now, Memphis! now, Empire and Bullet! On, Comet! on, Chieftain! on, Daylight and Rocket! To the end of the line! Slip the brake and highball! Now chug away! chug away! chug away all!" Merry Christmas! --Tony

I've got a MOC in progress which I hope to finish and photograph tonight. While it most likely won't fit all the rules listed, it is most certainly train and holiday themed. --Tony

Click to order from LuLu.com! $17.50 Help support RAILBRICKS, the brick railroading magazine, with this gorgeous 13 month calendar. Each month features photos from Anthony Sava's Sava Railways Scenic Tours photo series, showcasing trains and scenery built entirely of LEGO® bricks. For 2012, Anthony has taken photos of his LEGO train MOCs based on the Texas State Railroad. From tall trestle bridges to scenes deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas, each photo captures a unique spirit and playfulness that only LEGO bricks can create. This is not an official LEGO Product, and is not sponsored, authorized or endorsed by The LEGO Group. --Tony

You know... building 8the wide would solve most of your problems. I use photo sticker paper and an inkjet printer. I've got the colors to match pretty good, and the glue isn't permanent enough so that if I do a redesign or the sticker is damaged, replacing it is a non issue. I find waterside to be far too delicate for trains. Static models are one thing, but trains move and fall off tables. Transporting them to shows also adds wear. --Tony

Thanks to the both of you. I was unhappy with the original photo, so I took another one tonight. I think it turned out much better. Raildeer ReDeux by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

Raildeer by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

First, I live in south Texas, so what is winter? Secondly, and to answer the question, these photos are being taken to be compiled into a LEGO train calendar. I made one last year. Sava Railways Scenic Tours 2011 Calendar by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr While it didn't sell very well, every little bit helps. I am trying to fund my way to Brickworld this year. Like the year before, this year's calendar will be 13 months long, with 12 new photos. This year's calendar's theme is 'The Texas Brick Railroad', focusing on my MOCs dedicated to the Texas State Railroad. I'll let you guess which month this photo will represent. :) --Tony

Bunny Stop by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

Thanks much, guys. I appreciate it. --Tony

Daughters of the Texas & Pacific by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

No, you should not get into LEGO trains. If you have to ask if you should even do it, then you dont need to go through with it. Get into LEGO trains to interact with your kids. Get into LEGO trains because you want a LEGO layout. Get into LEGO trains because you enjoy the challenge of working in the medium. Get into LEGO trains because you can run literally anything on the rails, both real and imaginary, factual or completely fantastic. Get into LEGO trains because if they fall on the floor and break you can fix them without glue or having to throw them out. LEGO trains then run on the same tracks they do now. The only difference is motive power. If this bothers you go with a "real" model train gauge and get exactly what you want. We don't need any more people whining about LEGO changing their system. I know it sounds harsh but its like buying a car. If it annoys you a little now, you'll just grow to hate it later. Motive power comes second. Building models comes first. If you can build it then there's a way to power it, and therein lies the challenge, and a reason to get into LEGO trains. --Tony

Thanks! I haven't the bricks to do many more birds, but I was able to build a different green bird and the new orange one as well. Angry Birds First Draft by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony

Thanks guys! More Angry Birds by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr --Tony