harnbak

Very clever solution which gives amazing natural spacing between the coaches!

7939 has got everything you need to build your first layout. If you like it, you can easily proceed from here.

Beautiful old style bridge with canoes underneath!

Very nice MOCs and creative solutions for doors and windows!

Very 'pure' approach to 'training'! I guess it is a collectors thing. And when has that ever been rational?

Hi there, 1. I have no idea what Märklin/Fleischmann costs. Actually, I think the official Lego sets cost about the same. 2. Lego layouts do requires much more space - but do you ever have enough? 3. If you want the kids to be able to participate I would go for Lego. With Lego they can make their own creations and the constructions are relatively more robust. If the kids want to participate, depends on them and the 'supervisor'; if they are not born constructors, forget it - if you do not have the patience to let them play (and yes, sometimes break down some of the existing constructions), forget it. I have had some wonderful hours playing together with my kids: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=61528&view=findpost&p=1043497. But I have to admit: if you want to join some train club to find like-minded enthusiasts, it is probably easier to start with non-Lego. I like the endless possibilities Lego offer, eg. search this forum for the wonderful MOCs made!

This is very elegant! I have done this by removing som metal in 1 end of 2 middle conductors and connecting these two modified ends. I prefer your method.

I like TaltosVTs suggestion with the different areas! Could you get some more switches? Making an extra loop enabling two trains to run simultaneously enhances the wow-effect! If possible, additional elevation of the extra loop would crown it all! But you could keep this in mind for the next iteration.

I can see your incline is very similar to Olivier Zaceks http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/141316. Click to see his building instructions in LDRAW format. There is quite detailed information on the spacing here http://www.ngltc.org/train_depot/inclines.htm (for some reason google has issued a warning for this page - consider using this proxy http://gamers-nor.com/ to open the page).

Interesting thread about load on transformers. I run one or two motor blocks on each transformer. Adding a third slows down the trains substantially (maybe because of the number of cars pulled by each motor - 3 large or 6 small cars, or, because I make big loops), but what is even worse, if one motor is climbing up a slope, all trains on the track almost stop... I found a nice solution to this problem in the next vid uploaded to youtube by Olivier Zacek: His solution is to lower the load not by decreasing the number of motors but increasing the number of transformers! Modify a handful conductors by removing the metal in one end and use these to create a series of loops which are electronically independent but mechanically connected. Each of these loops can now be powered by an individual transformer while the motors still can run from one loop to another. Remember to bend the metal such that transition is not too rough on the motor's sleepers and always make the train on adjacent loops run in the same direction. By the way, what is the 13v output on the transformer used for? I found this thread http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49321&view=findpost&p=872346 describing some cleaner?

Very nicely cut! I once bought a large amount of train leftovers with quite a few of these half-length tracks. I use them regularly.

Please keep me posted on this as I experience the same problem: 3 sets of 1 big or 2 small coaches per motor block 7865 seems to be the maximum :-(

Very stilish bridge!

Has anybody found a bitmap for Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express 4841?

Hello there, A lot of prices can be found on bricklink: 12v trains http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=S&catString=124.318 and 12v supplemental http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=S&catString=124.397.318 Sometimes you can sell for more, sometimes less. Try eBay as well. If you have the complete set with all lego, box and instructions you can expect the highest prices.

Impressive amount and good quality of relevant examples!

Very nice indeed! Thx Try to look for Big Ben Bricks Wheels - also discussed elsewhere in this forum.

Very nice! I would like to see it in action: could you post a vid where you can see the pistons moving also?

I love this creation, especially the front of the train!

Some info and measurements on the different modern train motors: http://www.philohome.com/ttrain/ttrain.htm

Some additional (historic) info here: http://horst-lehner.mausnet.de/lego/ben/9v_12v.html

Apologies - it was just for inspiration. Maybe it is just me being jealous...

Amazing steamloc - very nice and fantastic details! I can see you and Shuppiluliumas have a high standard. Are you a member of PennLUG? I saw a lot of other nice builds in Shuppiluliumas photo stream of the PennLUG event 2011 amongst others some other nice locomotives. Have you done any other of these?

Amazing - high standard as always...

LOL! Another example from DK this time: the DSB's IC4 - although very funky equally unsuccessful unfortunately...