SavaTheAggie

Assuming you found the right combination of technic axle and train wheels - sure, sounds like it would work just fine. Not a bad idea, come to think of it. --Tony

To be technical, this is called "Quartering", and is essential in any steam engine. In real life, not only does this prevent wheel lock, but allows for four evenly spaced piston strokes for every one full wheel rotation, increasing the engine's power and efficiency (that's why you hear so many chuffs on a steam engine even when it isn't moving very fast). --Tony, owner of "too many" Big Ben Bricks wheels

I don't know the answer for sure, but I know most steam engines used the steam exhaust from the pistons to draft the firebox by sending it up the smokestack. It is possible this drafting had enough force behind it on American locomotives that it wasn't a terrible problem. However, smoke deflectors were not unknown on American locos - there's at least one American steam engine still running, owned and run by the Union Pacific, that has them. It's a 4-8-4 if I'm not mistaken. --Tony

Yes, and one better, using the old 12 track (and some RC straights if you want to save parts) you could create a dual gauge railroad line. Place the old 12 curve track on either side of the 4-guage track from the indie set, and place the 12 track on 2x8 plates (or on RC straight track) to make your track. I'm thinking it may be possible to use the flex track with its' guide rails in the same fashion. --Tony

Let us also not forget that 9v, when available from LEGO, was cheaper than the new PF system. The 9v system - $50 for the regulator, $26 for a loop of track, and $25 for each motor. Minimum cost $101 with $25 for every train afterward (not mentioning extra track). The PF system: $50 for the battery, $25 for the charger for the battery, $13 for the remote control, $15 for the IR Receiver, $11 for the basic motor, $32 for a loop of track (because straights and curves aren't sold separately. Minimum cost $146 with $76 for every train after that (not mentioning extra track). That's an increase of roughly 50% for a bare minimum startup set, not counting any bricks, and an increase of 300% for every extra train afterward. --Tony

(click on the picture for the gallery) For the last four years, TexLUG has been invited to the display at the Healthy Baby and Child Expo in San Antonio, TX. This year the show was so large they held it on the floor of the Alamodome. Our display this time around was a mixture of Castle, Trains and Town, with a few other things thrown in. You'll spot some pictures of us having fun besieging Jim's castle, which unfortunately did not make the trip home in one piece. Jim doesn't plan to rebuild it, so the only pictures of it will be found among the pictures the TexLUGgers took. We also had a bit of fun with Ronald McDonald. Click on the picture below for the full story: --Tony

The way the Power Functions remotes work is that there is an orange switch in the middle, both the new train remote and the existing remote, which controls on which of four channel the remote operates. The receivers, too, have a similar switch. Now the way it usually works, the receiver can accept two signals from the remote, one from the left control, one from the right, and powers one of two plugs on the receiver, left or right respectively. So technically speaking, one remote channel controls one receiver, and the way it was envisioned is that you'd have one remote per train. However, trains only really need one action - turn the wheels. The other side of the receiver really isn't necessary (you can plug the lights directly into the battery box, it's not like the lights are only on when the train is in motion). So if you have two trains with their receivers on the exact same channel, but the motors attached to only the left or right, you could control two trains with one remote without having to switch channels. Do this with eight trains and you could control all eight with one controller. --Tony

The new battery box is a rechargeable lithium battery, no need to buy extra batteries. Of course folks like me who take trains to shows will probably have to buy several so there's one running and one charging at all times per train. --Tony

You may not be aware, but LEGO is a remarkable product. If you don't the way a set is designed, it is actually possible to change the set without the use of scissors, tape, or glue. In fact, some changes can be made in only a second or two. Larger changes may take up to a full minute. Your mileage may vary, of course. Some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope. --Tony

I've also added two new videos, one showcasing the one steam engine I left out of the original video, plus a boring trip around my room, with a little comic relief thrown in. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=savath...amp;view=videos --Tony

Understandable, I only created the movies to show off the pistons in action. If you'd rather I've split the video into 6 segments (featuring the different locomotives individually) and posted them to Flickr. You can find them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/savatheaggie/...57605242355059/ Flickr's video feed is much poorer than YouTube's, though, I may consider throwing them up there later tonight. --Tony

Plenty, all posted at one time or another here on Eurobricks. You may find them all here in my Flickr gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/savatheaggie/...57600864043419/ --Tony

Thanks! The TSR locomotives have been really fun to run now that I've got them designed for smoother operation. Yessir, every one of them. Hehe... Thanks! Unfortunately the RC cars will have to wait till the next TexLUG meeting, I don't own any (we had a lot of fun with them at the October display). --Tony

Had some fun with my father's camera tonight. --Tony

Now I'm no rocketologist, but it seems to me that the maximum width of a train on the old switches would still be 8 (dragging against the other) or 7 wide (with one stud between). Besides, if the Emerald Night is the only non 6-wide train you own, there still won't be a problem, as there will be a full stud clearance between your 6-wides and the E Night. --Tony

TexLUG participated in the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour train show this last weekend and I think it was a total success. We may not be a dedicated LEGO train club, but we were able to set up a respectable and very popular layout. Full Flickr Gallery On a personal note I was able to indulge my supreme inner nerdiness and bothered the folks over at the Texas State Railroad booth. --Tony

As both my Flickr and Brickshelf gallery state, the engine is not based on a movie prop, but a real locomotive, the one on which the movie prop was based, the Pere Marquette #1225 Berkshire class locomotive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PM1225.jpg --Tony

Thanks. It seems my trains are either hit or miss here on Eurobricks, they either get a lot or very little attention. This one is apparently a miss. But I half expected it for this one, since it's just a modification of a MOC I've had for three years. --Tony

I can't say whether or not these were made in conjunction with Big Ben Bricks, because I simply don't know, but I can tell you that these are NOT BBB wheels, at least not that are currently available. Look at the pictures, you can see that the drive wheels have balance weights (the crescent shaped "solid" section that steam engine wheels have in their spokes) whereas BBB wheels do not. --Tony

Yes, this is inspired by the film 'The Polar Express'. The Brickshelf gallery is moderated now, so feel free to check it out, though the Flickr gallery was always available for viewing. Thanks! She's been a real labor of love. --Tony

Speaking as an AFOL, not an ambassador, it looks as if there are rubber bands around the drive wheels. That said, there is no purpose for such an addition unless the locomotive was designed to run under its' own internal power. So I would imagine if there is no motor included, this design is meant to be powered by a motor added internal to the locomotive, not the tender. If this turns out to be the case I'm doubly excited. --Tony

Well, it's not built with JUST PaB wall pieces - just the flowers and transparent 1x1 plates. The rest is from my collection. She kept coming into my LEGO room (I was building something of my own at the time) asking for parts. She builds semi-regularly. If there's a set she likes she'll ask to build it, like the Beach House or Town Plan. She's sat down quite a few times to build something original, too, though usually it takes something to inspire her to get started. --Tony

B-OV-13A My wife posted this over at Classic-Castle (in the general LEGO Forum). It seemed to get a lot of positive reviews, so I decided I might share over here, too. Who knows, it may get her to build more regularly. --Tony

As per my Ambassadorial duties (and because I'm really excited about this set): ----------------------------------------------- February 18, 2009 – In acknowledgement of the many fan blogs and posts in the last week we are writing to confirm that The LEGO Company will be launching the #10194 Emerald Night Train in late March / early April via LEGO Shop at Home and LEGO Brand Retail. The #10194 will first be unveiled simultaneously at Brickfest PDX in Portland, Oregon and Wunderwelt Modellbau in St. Pölten, Austria on March 27 & 28, 2009. Attached are approved marketing assets from The LEGO Company that help depict the details for this great new product. Also listed below is some brief product information with pricing for the #10194. And to think there’s more………but we’re saving that for the fan events on March 27 & 28 as mentioned above. Look for more information on the #10194 Emerald Night Train in the March 30th issue of the LEGO Shop at Home Catalog and online at www.LEGOshop.com. #10194 – Emerald Night Ages 14+ 1,085 pieces Pricing: US $ 99.99 CA $ 129.99 UK £ 68.50 DE € 89.99 With piston-powered wheels, this train is an all-new LEGO® classic! Here comes the Emerald Night! Build this incredible classic-styled train with loads of amazing details, from the steam locomotive with furnace to the opening tender and dining car with removable roof, opening doors and detailed interior. Measures 68 cm (27.2 in) long! Includes three minifigures, elements in rare colors and all-new large train wheels with piston motion! • This classically-styled train features a steam locomotive with furnace, opening tender, dining car with removable roof, opening doors and detailed interior! • Train measures 27.2 inches (68cm) long! • Lots of authentic touches including elements in rare colors and all-new large train wheels with piston motion! • Includes 3 minifigures! Images: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/329003...a77c45ded_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/329003...696f26377_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/329003...9c660857a_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/329003...8003099ef_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/329003...629737204_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/329003...ff4a67393_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/329085...997e57719_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/329003...ff2ce5acf_o.jpg ------------------------------------- --Tony

Its this awesome little web cam that you hold a box up to, and in the screen below it will show what the webcam sees, plus a digital version of the set all built, hovering over the box. You can even manipulate the set a bit with your hand. --Tony