AussieJimbo

Having played with narrow gauge before it's been great to see this discussion and the rapid prototyping of new solutions. I have made layouts with the LEGO narrow gauge curves and LEGO single straight rail pieces to make up the straights. It's not all that difficult using jumper plates to line up the different rail types but the new 3D parts I've seen here make it so easy. My preferred dual gauge solution would be a 3 rail system implemented on top of standard LEGO curves, with a custom curved rail piece with spacings for the studs so you can just place them on top of the LEGO sleepers, 2 studs in from the outer curve. You need 2 variants; one for when the 3rd rail is close to the outside rail and one where it's close to the inner rail. ie. .(.(..(. and .).)..). LEGO already has us sorted with the single straight rail piece for straights/ ie. .|.|..|. so you'd use the same square ended rail for the curve. These two custom curve piece would be enough to get started running narrow gauge trains with better radius than the standard narrow curves. However all this would depend on being able to produce the custom pieces with adequate clutch power. Is that achievable with the current 3D printing technology? Switches/points of course are a challenge and would probably require a completely custom piece. Looks like a great solution. This is where the 3 rail dual gauge gets tricky. You need two variations of the left hand switch to make the connection you've shown on the right. So four variations of the switch to cover all eventualities. Then again, maybe that's not such an issue when you are printing them one at a time anyway.

Great little loco, Greg. > A little experiment in creating a track for it (and my other narrow gauge engines) to use. Unfortunately you may be set for disappointment. I've tried the same trick of putting two standard sets of straight track next to each other, using the "outside" of the standard rails as the "inside" of the narrow gauge track. Sadly it doesn't quite work despite first impressions. When I tried it, the resulting gauge was just a few millimeters too narrow and resulted in minor binding on the flanges of railway wheels. I would be interested to know if your experience differs. :classic:

Hi ScottNick, thanks for linking to my variant. It's currently resting in a storage unit 10,000 miles away so it's nice to see it again. I'm missing my Lego trains. I noticed that the links to the instructions in my old post don't work any more but it looks like you can pick them up from here if you need them: http://lego.brickins...19/Maersk_Train I like your yellow variant too, hope you get a chance to build it, it's an enjoyable build and a great loco to haul trains with. Go the dual motors if you can, you won't regret it :classic:

Great job, looks like it works very well. The buses look really nice too. PS: On a side note, I was very impressed by the use of the Faller System that augments the massive model railway layouts at Minatur Wunderland in Hamburg. So glad I had to opportunity to visit a few months back, it's a brilliant attraction. Highly recommended. :classic:

Handrails on my yellow Maersk loco. :classic:

Great stuff, legoman666. Very creative and original design. Clearly a very effective structure as I can barely see any deformation when the HE runs across it. I like your freight train and rolling stock too. :classic:

I'd go but couldn't contribute anything. (Almost) All my Lego is in a storage unit in Canberra. My UK Lego collection consists of the Parisian Restaurant, the Ghostbusters set (awaiting assembly), the yellow racing car creator set (ditto), a brick calendar, a set of Simpsons minifigs, the panda bear minifig from the Movie series, a balloon seller polybag and a handful of other random minifigs. I almost bought a yellow cargo train mega pack when I was in Amsterdam, which was great value at 169 Euro but had other cities to visit and didn't want to be lugging a massive box of Lego around with me. :classic:

Another hello from Ipswich, UK. Good luck with the event. :classic:

Top job, Doc_Brown. Instantly recognisable as a GTHO. So many cool details and it looks like the Power Functions and gearing work really well. Very cool rendition of an Aussie classic. :classic:

Great work, Adamskii. The loco looks excellent and is really set off by the decals. I like your other locos too. Welcome to EB. :classic:

Thanks everyone. > Perfect to be near the pet shop Yeah, it looks really nice next to the standard Pet Shop. Best set up with the Pet Shop on the left, otherwise the signs read "Eats" - "Pets" which is a bit dodgy. :classic:

Thanks L@go. I'm really pleased with the spire too. It captures the skyscaper motif which is a common feature in Streamline Moderne. Cheers LT and timmyc. All in storage now. I'm heading to the UK after Xmas so my main collection will be half a world away. Thanks SlavoBrick and LEGO Family. The stairs are just a rough placeholder to show where they should be, I ran out of time to build a set of stairs in keeping with the rest of the building. Cheers, eurotrash. Cheers laka. Thanks again everyone for your feedback. :classic:

Thanks LT. Cheers, zephyr.

Thanks everyone for the great feeback. Cheers, it's an enjoyable challenge. Finding a way to both raise the ramp and set the levers in one motion was very satisfying. :classic:

Cheers, Kintobor. Thanks, Hrw-Amen. The upside down battery was crucial to motorising the tram. I was initially stumped because the pin on the motor was in the way of an efficient fit but then realised this gave me the space for the connector and cables if I simply flipped it upside down. :classic:

I've tried with four per IR receiver but it would keep shutting down due to overload, probably due to the battery box as duq mentioned. I've run 3 but not tested it over an extended period (ie. for more than a few minutes) but reviewing philo's data it would probably overload quite quickly under any load. :classic:

Lots of great info already from zephyr. In my experience the EN doesn't like to enter or leave a grade at more than 1 stud per straight section. Once into a grade it has no trouble with a 2 stud per straight grade. For a curved grade I keep it to 1 stud per track piece, especially for S-curves and horseshoes but try to avoid curved grades if I can. I tend to set all my grades by these rules and have no problem with PF or even RC locos. My dual motor Yellow Maersk can pull many cars up such grades. I've also done quite steep downwards grades (4 or 5 studs per with graduated entries and exits) where I was comfortable running the train in only one direction across the section. :classic:

That's bananas. ;-) :classic:

Thanks, Hrw-Amen. I agree, lots of identical wagons can look cool too but as you point out, on a old fashioned branch line you'll get a mixed up consist, which I think is more interesting. You can always have fun sorting them out in your switching yard. Cheers, LT12V, Glad you like it, always appreciate your feedback. Thanks, JopieK. I'm open to suggestions for what the various wagons could be carrying. I was thinking perhaps honey in the yellow and brown stripped one and maybe milk for the light blue and white. :classic:

Great job. The vinyl top is an excellent addition. :classic:

Cheers, that's my yellow version of the Maersk SD-40 loco. More pics of it here: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=53745 :classic:

A while back I completed a second motorised tram to go with the original blue version I built a few years ago. http://www.eurobrick...c=49624&hl=8404 I had to come up with a different coupling method as I didn't have enough of the ball and socket joints. The roof is slightly different too, due to the lack of one piece roof sections in red. The battery box is better seated than before and overall the power car is much stronger than the blue one. Here are some pics. Alternate coupling method, a half stud offset is required on the "joiner" cars for correct articulation. Dust pickup can be a problem with the small wheels. Click for larger pics. I've also got some video of the tram trundling around but that won't but posted for a while. Feedback and suggestions always appreciated. :classic:

I've built various additional goods wagons to supplement the standard ones from the old green and later red cargo train sets. Here they are, starting with my Big J Oranges fruit van. I found the image for the stickers on a website for fruit box label collectors. Standardised version of the Toy Story wagon. And a shot of the full rake in a just big enough balloon loop on my "last chance before the trains go into storage" layout. Click pics for larger shots. :classic:

With a fascade change and a reverse (mirror image) build, the Pet Shop is now "Eats" small neighbourhood restaurant. Just a single shot, didn't have the bricks to do more than the front for now. Click for larger pic. :classic:

I've always been a big fan of Art Deco architecture, particularly Streamline Moderne. http://en.wikipedia....eamline_moderne When the Lighthouse Island set came out a while back, I was enthused by the possibilities of all those rounded bricks and 1x2x5 trans panels, so I bought several sets and started working on a design. The general idea for this build was explore some streamline moderne details and to create a building for an elevated position with large windows and a roof terrace. If I'd ever advanced my funicular model, this building would have been located next to the top station and would serve as a cafe/resturant during the day and as a nightclub during the evening. I've had the exterior completed for a while but it's going into storage now so I'll have to be content with posting some WIP photos. Please forgive the bodged up front stairs, they just show where a proper set would be. Plans include a bar and stage for the lower floor, a short bit of stairway pretending to go down to a kitchen area, a second bar on the terrace and some tables and chairs with umbrellas. Here's what I've achieved so far. Click pictures for larger versions. Feedback and suggestions always appreciated. :classic: