ALCO

Thank you!! That will really help! I'll check it out. Thank you for all the help you guys! I will check out those options!

That is really cool!!

I am very sad to see this. This was such a great program and I loved using it because it was easy to find out which pieces were not official colors so I could go back and change my model to supported colors. Now, the upload for bricklink 2.0 just rejects my LDD files without telling me what pieces caused the error. With Brickficiency, I could see the error parts because they would be listed as Undetermined type or no thumbnail would load which would tell me I don't have a Known Color. Ok, if that is the will of the developer...so be it. This was such a valuable asset to the community and will be painfully missed.

I'm looking for parts on bricklink this morning and found it received a major update. It looks nice but seems to be running slow and I'm getting errors. Anyone else have the same experience?

Welcome aboard Stukart! You will find all sorts of resources for anything train or Lego related here!

Thanks for the suggestion Zephyr! Here are links to the flickr galleries for each one. 0-6-0: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128636628@N08/albums/72157669190959565 Pacific Class: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128636628@N08/albums/72157668792564781 Cab Forward: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128636628@N08/albums/72157668364326590 Daylight: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128636628@N08/albums/72157666618568943

Thanks for your feedback! I am posting more photos to my flickr account today for you. Here is a link to the flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/128636628@N08/ I cannot remember exactlly which one was the prototype for both the 4-6-2 and the 0-6-0 but here are the links to the photos I used. Also a ton more Union Pacific locomotives as well. The lead truck wheel spacing is so that the front wheel clears the front of the cylinders when negotiating the Lego R40 curves. For a static display, it would not be necessary, but since I want to play with it when I build it and I don't have any ME Models R56+ curves, I just have to build it for the track it's going to run on. In the linked photos below, there were several different sloped tenders. I chose this one to model because I could hide the battery box better. And yes, there are some that are not sloped all the way but have the coal bunker sticking up higher than the top of the slope. You made a comment in another thread about the flex tool in LDD...it is wretched...and thus the 0-6-0 is missing a hand-rail on the front of the smoke box that makes it look like a smiley face. https://donstrack.smugmug.com/UtahRails/Union-Pacific/UP-Steam-DDR/ http://donstrack.smugmug.com/UtahRails/Union-Pacific/UP-Steam-Locomotives/ Thank you!

Wow! Great work! very detailed!

Those are really great!

Hello folks, here are just a couple of the projects I have been working on lately. The SP4449 was an adaptation of my UP844 with a lot of modifications. The K4-s is a complete rebuild of my earlier version with a whole new tender. The 0-6-0...I built the tender because I thought it was cool and then realized I needed something to go with it. And SP 4294... a 4-8-8-2 Cab-Forward.... The cab was the challenging part but I think it came out pretty well. I know I should stop building in LDD because I want to build all these in real bricks! Well, maybe when time, space, funds, and energy align, I will be able to build these. Anyway, enjoy the show! While I built the tender first and realized I needed something to go with it, I think the locomotive turned out better when it was just the after-thought! Complete rebuild of my 4-6-2. I love the tender, I'll have to put up some better renderings of that. But anyway, I thought that since that was such c complete rebuild, I should post it. Yes, I do like big articulated locomotives! My collection wouldn't be complete without one of these. I am thinking about flipping the engine around and putting a cow-catcher on the front so I can have a 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone. Since this and the Yellowstone are the same thing it would be pretty easy to do. And finally, the Southern Pacific 4449 Daylight. I had never built a streamlined locomotive before and, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be, I can tell you that! When I build it in real lift, then I'll compare it to the one designed by Tone Sava. Until then, I'm quite proud of this one! I'd love to hear everyone's feed back on these. I'm always looking to improve and incorporate new ideas.

First of all, ShrikeArghast, the majority of my builds are done in LDD since I don't have the space or bricks for building yet. This is beautiful! And when you do build it, it will be amazing I'm sure. I've got quite a few that I have built and posted to flickr all with the intention of building them for real some day. Actually, I have just finished a couple more that I am getting ready to post sto keep your eye out. I think I'll make a tread here for those too. This actually helps me a lot! Most of mine are designed around XL or L PF motors but since reading your comment, I'm starting to re-think and re-engineer some of my builds because...well, lets face it, it could very well be much easier!

Nice rant! And I couldn't have described our unique community any better! Furthermore, Very eloquently stated!

Very cool!

Cool! Thanks for sharing! I was wondering how I might do this since the axles are pretty expensive.

Very interesting discussion ShrikeArghast. I always find it fascinating to know what other builders think of scaling and how they decide to build in what scale or size. Shortly after coming out of my Dark Ages I found a cool diagram in determining scale size proportionally (I have since lost the diagram) which advocated for 10 wide. Ultimately I settled on the size standard set by my local Lego train club the NILTC (even though I am not currently a member). I think Hod Carrier has it right on. Pick your size, 6,7,8,9,10...whatever. And then make sure it is proportionally correct because track gauge and minifig size are all messed up anyway.

I really like how you did the mount for the head-light. That looks really good and is quite clever!

Have you tried using this part? http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=2853&name=Technic%20Engine%20Crankshaft&category=%5BTechnic%5D#T=P You can also stick some bars though it too. I know how you feel about functionality, I like building steam locomotives too, and I agree with you, the action of the rods is the interesting part of the locomotive so that is the one feature that has to be working. Everything else looks really good, and I would love to see it in real bricks!

Nice work!

Looks good!

Really cool! Coal towers are just so big. I started one near me as well and found it was just gigantic.

Yes, I saw your post and followed the link and thought I could build that guy pretty quickly. I've got it in LDD and can send you the file if you'd like. It took me maybe an hour maybe a little more to throw that together. Since the real thing runs on an extension cord, there is a hole under the door in the back for the "extension cord" to the PF train motor. I think it's a cute little bugger to be honest, and my first MOC of an electric locomotive too.

You mean... this guy?

I agree with both xboxtravis and 3D LEGO that having articles predominantly on building techniques would be best because that adds real value to the community. It gives people a reason to buy it...to learn and become better builders. Also, RAILBRICKS is such a great name and people know that name too. When train enthusiasts see a display and want to get into Lego trains, there would be a great resource for them. Also, every so often, someone new plucks up the courage and asks for help in building, or for instructions, or for what set to buy. Restarting the magazine would but such a great help for them. Not that folks here on the forum won't help, but the help they need would be a lot more consolidated and easier to find. I fully support the idea, and would definitely subscribe. Maybe even contribute... Other thoughts: I also agree that the old RAILBRICKS was trying to do too much with a MOC repository and instructions and whatever else. Focus on the reason it exists, (publishing articles) and once it's successful (sustainable) then diversify. I know having it in print would be awesome, but that is also really expensive along with postage. While it would be a great hand out at shows and events, maybe work out a distributor deal with those interested. Provide a printable version for distributors, and they bear the cost of printing but also the reward of selling at shows/events where they can mark up above their printing cost. Just my $.02.

Ohh! This is all very interesting since I am about to embark on building custom bogies! I just ordered the wheels and need to find the brass this week! I'm so thankful for for starting this topic!! What excellent timing!

Thanks!