Jeffinslaw

Looks great! I would have gone with light bluish grey tiles for the sleepers to represent concrete sleepers since you're running a modern layout. Just my two cents! Looks killer. -Jeffinslaw

Got my wheels in today. They look great. Just wish they had that polished appearance like actual bricks but not much can be done about that since they're being printed. Will post some pictures when I post pictures of my Cab Forward. -Jeffinslaw

The ME models 9V curves come with code 100 HO rail already in them. They use rail joiners to connect together. So, all he had to do was file down one end of them :) -Jeffinslaw

He machined down one end of the curve so that it fits with the stock Lego straight. -Jeffinslaw

I ended up creating a spacing brick. It's working well. Thanks for the help! -Jeffinslaw

Was in the process of gluing track, got all of the straights and R104 done. However, having some issues with the R88 curves. Here's an attached picture. Notice that there is an odd size gap near the connector. How will that affect ballasting the track once it's glued? R88 Curve by Jeffinslaw, on Flickr -Jeffinslaw

I look forward to it! Will buy some as soon as they are ready. -Jeffinslaw

Hey Shupp, What's the possibility of creating Boxpok drivers in the standard large Lego wheel size? I've got a Southern Pacific Cab Forward that I'm about 99% done with. I'd love to put on some more realistic looking wheels and the Boxpok ones would definitely fit the bill since I'm pretty sure that is what is used on the real thing. Thanks, Jeffinslaw

Will have to pick some of those up! Thanks for the link. Ah, makes sense. Thanks, will be picking up some of those as well. -Jeffinslaw

Switching to PowerFunctions is not an option will never give up my 9V. Especially since I just dropped $600 on some ME Models 9V track and about $250 on some more 9V motors. What kind of weights would you suggest? Also, have any links to some O or HO scale traction tires? Unfortunately, that will not work. The engines are using triple truck set ups so I can't move the motor up to the engines. What do you mean by running the motors "bare"? Thanks, Jeffinslaw

Hey guys, I'm having some major traction issues with my new California Zephyr train. It's three engines, followed by the powered baggage car followed by eight more cars. Each car is 48 studs long. No interiors because I wanted to keep the weight down. Any suggestions to improve the traction? Should I add some more weight to the baggage car to help with traction? What about some new rubber bands for the wheels? Two 9V motors should have more than enough power to pull this train. Thanks, Jeffinslaw

Unfortunately not, if you'd like to run some quotes, the track is shipping from ZIP code: 30062. As for weight, my order was 16 pounds or so and I ordered four packs of 104, four packs of 88 and 5 packs of straights. Thanks, Jeffery

I can speak personally on international shipping costs as I have designed, manufactured and sold a custom computer case both domestically and internationally. Shipping via USPS was by far, the cheapest option. The next option was UPS or FedEx which was a cool $150 more than the USPS cost. -Jeffinslaw

I received the missing parts of my order Saturday (props to ME Models for getting it in the mail ASAP!) I haven't had any issues with the conversion pieces. I bought some half pieces and turned my conversions into full length pieces. Works well and doesn't add any weird geometry to the loop. Also, the connection on the Lego style side of the conversion pieces are great. Fit very nice and snugly. -Jeffinslaw

Have you guys checked shops in Europe? Mike said they had been shipping large orders to retailers overseas. -Jeffinslaw

Got my track today! Man it is a pain in the a** to put together. But, it does look great and trains look sooooo much better on it. Unfortunately, it looks like they didn't include the extra half straights and conversion packs I had ordered. Overall, very pleased. Now time to order parts to ballast these things so they're a big stronger. -Jeffinslaw

The price you are quoting is for used track. If you compare the price of new 9V track on BrickLink, which had an average price of $5.56 over the last six months, ME Models is better priced. When looking at used price, if you can find a good amount of 9V track at $3.50ish (one store has 423 pieces at $3.14 each) then that is the better route to go. I spent a good amount of time talking to Mike from ME Models and he was telling me that in order to manufacture the track the same way as Lego did it, you would be looking at $7 a straight. So that explains why they went with the model rail roading standard of using the rail joiners. It offered a good price point. If you want cheap straights, buy used on BrickLink. If you want new stuff that may or may not support future power adapters, again, can't confirm nor deny this, then go with the ME Models stuff. -Jeffinslaw

Mine shipped after major store orders. You will get yours though. Mike will make everyone whole :) -Jeffinslaw

I received my tracking number! I'm excited! -Jeffinslaw

Thanks! Luckily it does. A little pricy though http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?colorID=11&itemID=1952 -Jeffinslaw

Thanks for the reply @CrispyBassist in those trucks I posted, I am using the ball bearing method, or rather plan to. Alright, I will rework them and see if I can get a better look. My other issue is trying to get it to fit into a 6 wide or 6.5 wide package so it looks okay with my 6 wide cars. I'm not quite ready to commit to 8 wide just yet. I wasn't really able to find any good pictures of the trucks for these cars. I found pictures from when Walthers did a run in HO scale but no pictures I can zoom in on which is a shame. -Jeffinslaw *EDIT* What do you think now? GN Empire Builder Trucks - Updated by Jeffinslaw, on Flickr -Jeffinslaw

Hi guys, I need some input on the trucks I am currently using for my Great Northern Empire Builder. Here is a picture of the trucks I am currently using: Great Northern Trucks by Jeffinslaw, on Flickr This design is based on Vinnie Fusca's design which can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/36177188@N03/25140899732/in/faves-66978304@N07/ However, I don't think the trucks I am using are all that accurate for the build... so I would appreciate some suggestions on that part! I do know the trucks I have designed will work great for my eventual Olympian Hiawatha. So could someone point me in the direction of the trucks used for the Empire Builder? The train used a mix of Budd, ACF, GN, and Pullman Standard. It would be great if I could find examples of each truck used for each manufacture and then go from there. Thanks! -Jeffinslaw

I was told my order would go out last weekend and that I should be on the lookout for a confirmation email. Nothing yet... -Jeffinslaw

@jrathfon Appreciate it! I was able to figure it out shortly after I posted. Thank you! Roof Vent by Jeffinslaw, on Flickr -Jeffinslaw

I was talking about the SNOT for the two sets of 4 exhaust ports. I just need to sit around and play with that in the real brick to get it to work I think. I'll go revisit Shup's album on flickr. Thanks! -Jeffinslaw