SavaTheAggie

41 railcars. --Tony

I hosted one or two talks last year, I can't think of any to do this year, nothing that would last longer than 5 minutes anyway. Train Roundtable - I'm always interested in that one. Bridges - I would probably go to that. I'd love to figure out a way to get my trestle bridge module to Brickworld someday, but it's just so big and we always bring so much other stuff. Train yards - I could be up for that, especially for ideas regarding getting non standard switch placement to line up to standard track lanes. Train set modifications - I would probably skip this one, but that doesn't mean it's a bad topic. Draft - I'm 50/50. Museum - if we can get in town in time. What time in the morning? --Tony

While I would agree many traditional scale modelers view LEGO as a toy, and they do, I've been amazed at how many traditional modelers I've met in the past two-three years that are actively TRYING to get into LEGO trains, and for whatever reason are struggling. I would wager because the two mediums are so different. A LEGO train magazine that, in part, focuses not only on how to build certain models, but how to go about modeling anything in the same way traditional model Railroad magazines go about it might help break into that demographic. Not just "lets build a signal" or "let's reverse engineer a locomotive", but also articles on weathering (even adding weathering to official sets) and building large complete bignettes (maxi-steps, not detailed). --Tony

The RAILBRICKS name and website are owned by someone else. I would assume Elroy wishes to start completely over because of the freedom that grants. --Tony

I would imagine there might be quite a few Bricklink stores that would love to have advertising space in an AFOL magazine. --Tony

I use Labelle 108 oil, but it's a plastic compatible lubricant I use on my bogies and steam engines. --Tony

My 2-6-6-6 Allegheny needs only two XL motors, and can out-pull every other locomotive I own. --Tony

Thank you all. The tables are custom design made by a club member in Dallas (and we have another guy building more tables in Austin using his plans). They're absolutely fantastic tables, the best money we ever spent as a club. The tables weigh about 20 lbs each, and fold to about 3" tall when collapsed. To keep the layout together we use clamps from the hardware store to connect the tables. The tables themselves are painted, though this was the first batch and I believe we decided we'd prefer something more like a hard finish rather than paint. Something more chip and scratch resistant. But truly I have no complaints about them. --Tony

I usually re-oil once every two years. But #425 isn't that old. I was seeing performance issues, but it could be many things. Steam engines, even model ones, with all their articulation and moving parts can be finicky. --Tony

This past weekend Texas Brick Railroad was invited to do a one day display at Robot Jubilee 2016 at Clear Falls High School, a robotics competition for grade schoolers. While what we do has nothing really to do with robotics, we are engineering heavy, and we're always happy to display. Gallery: Tim Howell brought his new Galveston Island Trolley: Robot_Jubilee_2016_031 by Tony Sava, on Flickr And City buildings: Robot_Jubilee_2016_020 by Tony Sava, on Flickr Robot_Jubilee_2016_016 by Tony Sava, on Flickr As well as his RV and Shack: Robot_Jubilee_2016_013 by Tony Sava, on Flickr Tim's School and park along with my Minitrains and MocFiller's Farm: Robot_Jubilee_2016_023 by Tony Sava, on Flickr Ed Chang brought his pumpjacks: Robot_Jubilee_2016_003 by Tony Sava, on Flickr My #425 had another successful show without incident, though I may need to re-lubricate her: Robot_Jubilee_2016_010 by Tony Sava, on Flickr The Rock Cut made another appearance: Robot_Jubilee_2016_012 by Tony Sava, on Flickr Newly built for the show, Ed and I teamed up to build a Plaza to go in front of Bluebonnet Station. Ed built the outer sections and I the center two baseplates. Robot_Jubilee_2016_033 by Tony Sava, on Flickr Another vieview of the fountain: Robot_Jubilee_2016_036 by Tony Sava, on Flickr --Tony

Umm... Wow, why so many? The battery box is designed to power up to 2 XL motors. 16 is too many many times over. --Tony

We use the switches without the yellow part. Added benefit of preventing little kids from throwing a switch during shows. --Tony

It doesn't help that there's a double bias against LEGO trains. A large percentage of AFOLs aren't interested in the slightest in quality trains (but can it go into space?), and a large percentage of the model train communities won't give us the time of day (LEGO = Toy, period.). My attempts to get my own project noticed around the web have really highlighted this. --Tony

I Choo-Choo-Choose You! by Tony Sava, on Flickr :) --Tony

My Ten Wheeler project is based on an operational locomotive here in Texas: the Texas State Railroad #201 / Texas & Pacific #316: TSR-Railfest-09_087 by Tony Sava, on Flickr They recently repainted and renumbered her to T&P #316, which can be seen here: http://www.texasstaterr.com/about/engine-info/ I posted the project to the TSRR Facebook Wall, and they shared it as well, which is great. The original #316 is an oil burner. Under the recommendation of other train builders, in an effort to make her appeal more universal, I rebuilt the tender to include a coal bunker. By removing the stickers I also hoped to avoid any issues with licensing. --Tony

The labelle oil has a thin applicator needle. The nice part is I don't have to disassemble anything. --Tony

Scotnick - I agree, far too many LEGO Ideas projects, train or not, are far too big. The life sized R2D2 that's currently getting a lot of attention comes to mind. That's entirely why I chose to submit my Ten Wheeler over any of my other designs. I really like your GWR, and I supported it. It's a shame it has so few days remaining, its a worthy project. If we could bump it to 5,000 at least it would get some bonus time, but that does seem a very steep hill to cimb. I've been trying to plaster my project everywhere I can on my own - Reddit, model train forums, many Facebook groups, LEGO forums, but all I've garnered is 350 supporters in about two weeks. Hardly enough to get you to your halfway goal. Even my YouTube video fell flat. It's very discouraging. --Tony

I use this with great results. --Tony

The only way to get any LEGO Ideas project to 10,000 supporters is exposure. The projects need to be blogged to Brothers-Brick, Brickset, Bricknerd, etc, and if we're lucky, the big aggregate sites will pick it up like Gizmodo or Wired (or whatever, quite frankly I'm out of the loop on the non-LEGO sites). Just like the secret to real estate is location location location. Exposure exposure exposure. Eurobricks alone cannot get a project to 10,000. --Tony

I'm sorry, I meant to answer you earlier. As built here she's about 900 parts. But this could be cut down a bit by using double cheese slopes instead of single cheese, and consolidating parts in the roof. Thanks! That's a good idea. I like it. --Tony

I try to never actively advertise my wares here, but since you specifically asked, I sell train instructions in my Bricklink shop: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=AggieSava Also, I have a steam engine on LEGO Ideas sorely in need of votes: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/129767 --Tony

I've uploaded a video. I hate that I'm in it but I suppose it makes it more "personal". --Tony

Thanks all. It's going to be a long road, but it looks like we're off to a good start. I didn't want to reply and not answer your question, I'll be able to tell you when I get home and can access the LDraw file in my archive. I think you overestimate whatever weight my name carries. The only way this is going to get all the way to 10,000 is to get support from outside the LEGO community. This needs to be shared on Reddit, LEGO blogs frequented by non LEGO fans (Brothers Brick, etc), and on Railfan and/or Traditional Model Railroading forums/groups. Anywhere there might be train fans who aren't necessarily LEGO fans. It won't be as effective as online forums and websites, but I also plan to create a flyer for train shows with a QR Code. It won't generate too much traffic, but every little bit helps. --Tony

I hope posting this here does not violate any forum rules. I would like to introduce the Ten Wheeler Project: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/129767 All Aboard! Come along with Katie as she visits the mighty Ten Wheeler steam engine with her Dad. Engineer A.J. is waiting to give them a full tour of the iron horse, a fine example of steam engines from the end of the 19th century in the United States. Katie is excited to show off her own LEGO model of the Ten Wheeler to Engineer A.J., and her father is there to capture the whole day on film. The Ten Wheeler is highly detailed, featuring working pistons, interior cab details, whistle, and handholds. For kids and kids at heart, the model can be pushed or powered by LEGO Power Functions elements, and is fully capable of navigating LEGO curves and switches. The Motor, Battery Box, and IR Receiver can all be mounted completely inside the tender. For those looking for a display model, you would be hard pressed to find a more fitting mantelpiece. For those looking for a challenge, this build features advanced, legal construction techniques providing an excellent building experience. This is a cosmetically modified version of a model I regularly feature at public LEGO Train Club displays and conventions, and has proven itself as a reliable performer. She can navigate through tighter turns and spaces that many of my other LEGO Train Models simply cannot go. Thank you for your consideration. --Tony

It depends on your desired final product. If you want speed, you cannot beat standard PF Train Motors. XL motors powering small wheels will give you torque out the wazoo but at the sacrifice of speed. M motors are, in my opinion, third to the other two options. They can only spin at twice the rpm of an XL motor, with about a third the torque. You're better off using standard train motors. The only caveat is if you're trying for slow speed (or powering drivers) and you have no room for the XL motors, then M motors are your solution. --Tony