Celeste

I'm so mad at myself for constantly forgetting about that trick. I tried the other day and was able to get 26 cars being pulled. I forgot I also had a video of those same two locos pulling around the same number (though lighter) cars on an actual table layout before I switched the motors over. I don't see any shaking in it, but I do remember it happening at some point during that weekend of display. Might've been with heavier cars or low batteries. Who knows. It seems like if it does make a difference, it's not by much. Even if it's not hard data being pulled from these videos, it's still cool to see them run with long trains. Here are the locos running before the motor switch. And after on my carpeted living room.

After some non-scientific tests, I have some anecdotal results! As a note, in between using the old motors and testing the new ones, I updated the Pybricks software I was using to control my double header locos. Basically, I'm just using one controller instead of two now, but it shouldn't impact the results. Also noting that I did these tests on a carpet layout because that's what I had to work with, unfortunately. Next time I'm at a show, I'll try on a proper table layout. However, I was surprised with the results. The locos were able to pull pretty much all the freight rolling stock I had on hand. About 30 small, 2 axle cars (Mostly light weight). The magnets became the weak point, though, so I had to shorten the train a little bit so it wouldn't snap in half through tight switches! After running it for half an hour or so at varying speeds with varying loads (And fresh rechargeables), I found the performance was actually better. It was really hard to tell if the shaking was even there anymore, so it's either barely shaking or gone completely. It was clear they could go fast, and could *haul* ! I think it is due to the motors all starting out at the same point in terms of wear, but I think this is a good example of how pairing up motors of similar performance can impact the loco. If anyone else has thoughts or experiences, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks for all the input, everyone! Even though it seems like getting matching motors doesn’t really matter, I did enjoy finally finding out what those codes meant! I’ll try and report back how my locos run with the new motors (whenever I have a layout again :) ). My guess is it will be a little smoother, but more to the motors being new/having the same amount of wear than the matching codes. Also the lack of cat hair will help :).

That makes sense. So, in theory, 30I9 and 29I9 should be close in performance. Is it possible they are made in a different factory due to being electronic parts? (I have no idea what I'm talking about)

Hi all! Apologies if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find any information about it online. I have started running my trains for longer periods of time and noticed that one shakes a bit when running. I was told by a fellow LUG member that for dual motor trains, it's a good idea to get motors that were produced in the factory around the same time as there can be slight performance differences in batches over time. I was told that motors that aren't matched well will fight each other and cause shaking and quicker battery drain. It seems like the way to tell the production run is by the numerical code on the bottom (At least it seems that way for PU. I can't speak on the topic of PF or 9V). Does anyone know how to decode these numbers? Are they coded like car tires with a week and year? Is it something else? Are they uncracked as of yet? What does that mysterious "I" mean in the third digit slot? It seems that identical numbers means the same production group as these four were ones I got directly from the Lego Store and were pulled from the same storage box. For non-identical numbers, is there a rule as to which numbers should be closer? Is it more important that the first digit is the same or the last? Does it matter? I also took pictures of some of my other spare motors with a variety of numerical codes as examples. Any thoughts or knowledge would be greatly appreciated! JopieK, if this is an already discussed topic that I missed, please move or delete. Thanks!

Wow! So much playability and thought put into these! Love how all the pieces seamlessly work together as part of a system. Absolutely wonderful alternate build!

Glad to hear that the pits look good! I'm so happy I was able to get them into this model. They really added a lot to it. And yes I think MILS is the right choice for this build and my future builds, though my wallet doesn't necessarily agree. On the other hand, I don't have to search for the old green baseplates too, so it might be the cheaper choice too haha.

Wow! Looks fantastic and you've faithfully captured the prototype! I especially love the use of the older red train wheels for the leading and trailing trucks and the tender truck detail is very nice!

Hello all! It's been a few years since I last updated this project, but it seems I am in the habit of keeping MOCs around for years and doing small changes every so often. So without further ado, I present the current iteration of my engine shed. First off, I was on the fence for years if I liked the original color scheme I built it in. I've finally made up my mind that yes, I was going to keep it this funky paint scheme that matched my locomotives/fictional railway livery colors. Secondly, I moved this model to a MILS plate. Over the past year or two, I've been updating my modular buildings to be on MILS plates and it seemed to only make sense that I do the same for my train items. I also might bring this model to shows in the future and it would be good to be compatible with my new rail modules (Pictured above). I changed the rails inside the shed to be the singular 1x16 rails (for reasons that will be clear in a moment), so it took a little trial and error to create a seamless transition between that and the normal track without part modification. Because they don't actually "click" together anymore, the MILS technic bricks also help here with a good connection. I also added a back layer of plates to the doors as I hated the look of the boat studs. I also reworked the caution stripes and the shape of the doorway for clearance. The lamps were changed years ago, as suggested by @zephyr1934, but I apparently never posted photos of that change. The side door was tweaked to this version. A new step was added for the extra height gained by the interior foor matching up to track ballast height. The lamps were changed as well and the sign above may get a custom sticker (if I ever get around to it). You'll notice too that I've added more greenery and flowers around the building. Here, you see the rear of the building. I added a large concrete "patio" (?) for work to be done on and goods moved on. I built this rack to help clean up the trash that was left out behind the shed and make it look more intentional. I also plan to put one of my small forklift MOCs here eventually. In addition, I've put in a hopper of coal, in case the one or two steam engines I own need work. Of course, I had to change the lamps here too to something more of my liking. The rear door is the same, if not raised slightly with the new floor, though it does now have the proper caution striping. Let's take a look inside at the new interior! Let's address the elephant in the room first. Yes, the workers FINALLY disassembled the scaffolding and stacked it neatly against the far wall. Oh, the holes in the floor? Yeah, I guess those are new too. So, the MILS plate + ballast gave me a tall floor that finally got me the space for maintenance pits. It's not deep enough to be 100% realistic (See below), but I'm happy enough with the result. Shallow pits are better than no pits. At the far end of the pits are ramps to get out and new caution striping. The buffers were switched out to a new design and overall, the shop space was reorganized and reconfigured. There are new builds here and there, but nothing really of note. Here you see where a typical buffer hits on a minifig standing in the pit. So workers will need to sit or partially lay in the pit to work. And finally, we see a reverse view of the inside. Hopefully you've enjoyed seeing these updates to another model of mine. Unfortunately, there are no Stud.io files to accompany this build unlike many of my other MOCs, but I would still love to hear any thoughts or suggestions!

Absolutely love the interior engine detail on that red shunter! So cute, but still packed full of detail. Also, very much appreciating the associated stories, history, and nicknames that you came up with for all your locos. Makes them feel like a cohesive whole and its quite fun to read about!

Train wheel size chart that might help if you want to switch from 3D printed to a 3rd party manufacturer, @Stereo.

Looks fantastic! I really love the passenger cars and the loco is quite faithfully reproduced here. As a fellow 6w builder, I understand the constant struggles of proportions and details. I've been working on an A5s style switcher for ages, but can't get the height of the tender to be lower and still hold a battery box. Out of curiosity, have you run tests of the new wheels vs stock Lego in terms of ride quality and friction?

Hi Filip! Welcome to Eurobricks! Already, I'm loving what you've presented so far! Your ST34s look awesome and I love the design of them! Just enough detail to look interesting, but still looks toylike and imaginative. Really looking forward to seeing your other custom models. Also, that 4559 conversion/mod certainly is unique! I think that set gets a bad rap from many AFOLs and I'll admit, I haven't found it all that charming, but your love for the set is clear with how much attention you've given it. It looks great!

Wow! The Bulldog looks fantastic! I love the shapes and color blocking used! Can't wait to see this in real bricks!

Honestly, this is one of my favorite projects on Train Tech and I'm loving following all the updates. These two modules look awesome! That S-curve station platform is *particularly* impressive! And I love that orange and black train on the upper level!