UrbanErwin

Back in the early days of railroading when traffic volumes weren't as high the crossing was constructed as part of a project connecting to mayor cities. The new tracks met the old line at the diversion point for a small branchline serving some small local industries and towns. Quickly after the construction of this new intersection was done, traffic volume shot up with both domestic and international trains in all directions making the crossing increasingly more unsafe. This quickly led to the adoption of a nickname used by both traffic operators and engineers, the Darwin Interchange, as it almost became a right of the strongest. Not even 10 years after it's original construction, it was decided that a new solution was needed. A full fly-over should help with the congestion issues. -------- The Hessenboog fly-over made its debut at this years NLGM hosted by the Noppenbahner in Wörrstadt, Germany. I'm really happy with the end result as fly-overs and bridges are definitely a special interest in layouts for me. I want to thank everyone who helped with feedback and opinions. The layout features 2 different inclines, the tracks running up the bridge go up by 1,5 plate per 16 studs, the tracks going down do so by 1 plate per 16 studs. Getting the full module on a photo is really hard, as the whole thing is 4,5 meters long. The name Hessenboog is based on the Hanzeboog bridge in my hometown, but instead of the Hanze trade agreements, it's name comes from the trade route that connected Zwolle with Hessen, which Wörrstadt is really close to. After Wörrstadt I came back with some feedback, I reinforced the bridge sections and added a small connection module to connect to a station by Alois. This required some 3 dimensional puzzling: The whole module fit nicely between two stations: Although quite large I made a setup time-lapse and whole layout is driveable within an hour https://flic.kr/p/2qY2MFS More photo's and WIP log can be found in the flickr album here Want to see it in real live, the next event will be in January (10 and 11-01-2026) in Rijswijk, NL with the LLMTC: Nederlandse Modelspoordagen

I'll definitely be attending!

I'll have to figure out some details, but I'll be attending for sure! (and I guess more of the LLMTC guys will as well!

Thanks all for the kind words!

The NS1200 series entered service back in 1952 as part of the reconstruction of the country after the 2nd World War. Bought as part of the Marshall plan, these were designed by Baldwin/Westinghouse in co-operation with Heemaf. Of the 25 engines build 2 are still in active service today, and a third one being used as an engine by the National Rail Museum in Utrecht. The real engines are enormous compared to most other Dutch Engines. For this model I've chosen the colours used back in the 50s untill the 60s. The NS1202 is the roadnumber of the one at the Railway Museum with the same colours. NS1202 [Main] by Ervvin, on Flickr And the real deal, my model is 1:45 scale model. The engine is powered by a custom build Li-Ion battery, controlled through a PFx Brick. The train has working signals at the front and the back. The drivetrain consists of 2 PF XL-motors driving BBB M-wheels with a 1:1.667 ratio. NS1202 [3] by Ervvin, on Flickr I want to thank Pieter Post for helping with the photo's and some stickers, as well as Raised, Tijn__ and loads of others for helping me with some details and feedback. There are more pictures, inlcuding a whole lot of WIP pics in my Flickr album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmPwWwf1 A video of the engine running can be found here: youtu.be/43uboyz-Fp8

Is there a way to make a small financial donation? I wouldn't mind chipping in a few Euro's. I love the feed with entries on FB and it is doing a lot to motivate me to push some extra models to the finish line just a little faster.

I don't want to be that guy, but (the best stuff is always behind this word) be glad there are prices, or a custom printed brick for that matter, at all. These companies don't have to hand out anything, they do it because they want to (and it gives some good press). Tl;Dr: Don't look a given horse in the mouth For the hosts of the contest, I'm really glad you put in all the time and effort!

I'd wonder if the new mindstorms (51515) would allow to control other PU hubs through Bluetooth. That would allow some interesting models. I'm thinking a smart brick inside a train which controls various railside constructions along the track. Also, has anyone got their hands on a Prime or Mindstorms controller and do they support the train motors and the boost sensors. As far as I know they should, but I would love to see some conformation before I commit to buying one in the future.

@coaster do you have a European distributor? Because those prices are really reasonable

Opening Doors by Ervvin, on Flickr I've made a digital file with the inner workings of the part, which can be found here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rE1cX_h-7Xxdv-Uh9bxTzERX8r47fSHJ

There's some great engineering in this thread. I rebuild Nashnet's idea, but wasn't really fond of the gap for the sliders. After some fiddling around with parts I came up with a design which suited my design requirements more. Moving stuff by Ervvin, on Flickr, Picture links to a video The design revolves around this piece: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=41740#T=C I'll make some proper pics of the inner workings etc. when I finish the train itself.

Thank you all, more photo's will definitely follow in the future, but for now there are some Work in Progress shots in this folder:

Mat '64 plan V by Ervvin, on Flickr The Materiaal 64 Plan V is an old EMU from the Dutch railways. The trains were introduced in 1966 and ran until 2014. In total 246 were built. The model is often reffered as apekop, monkeyhead in English because of it's resemblance to a monkey's head. My model is about 194 studs long 8 studs wide and built to 1:45 (0 scale) It features a Powered Up motor and lightsensor to allow automated stopping at stations. Stickers are currently still missing, but those will follow as well with more photo's at LegoWorld Utrecht (NL).

My best guess? 1) trains are really regional, for example just within Western Europe there are a dozen of different companies and models whichh run around. Combine that with the Americans complain TLC models look too European and Europeans complaining they look too American. (and now we've forgotten the Asian and oceanic part of the world) 2) space and spacecraft are a symbol of the future and innovation (even though the moonlanding happend while parts of the world still relaid on steam traction), this means they are more appealing to a general audience. 3) spacecraft have something mythical about them that something as mundane as the thing you use at your daily commute just has not. But these are just my quick speculations based on no facts or research, which I guess TLC has done extensively. So to phrase this bluntly, no people do not like trains, at least not as much as space (or movies, etc )

Build the way you feel comfortable, I've seen awesome 6, 7, 8 and 9 wide builds, even someone who built 4 wide. For me it isn't about the width in studs but how wide the original model is I'm modelling and how that translates to my preferred scale 1:45. But that's me, you should just build the way you want to, don't lat others decide that for you, especially LEGO itself.

Okay, I've gotten a little further, but I'm still getting errors about the getColor output (CS0103). I'm not quite sure if I'm doing stuff correctly, I familiar with C, not the class structure of C#. LegoTrainProject.Port.Colors colour; int speed; int topSpeed = 30; colour = Hub[0].GetColor("A"); speed = Hub[0].GetSpeed("B"); if (colour == RED ){ Hub[0].RampMotorSpeed("B", 0, 500); Wait(700); Hub[0].RampMotorSpeed("B", topSpeed, 700); } if (colour == YELLOW){ Hub[0].RampMotorSpeed("B", 0, 500); Wait(700); Hub[0].RampMotorSpeed("B", topSpeed, 700); } My best educated guess is that LegoTrainProject.Port.Colors is defined as a typedef/enum like structure, but I cannot find where the proper outputs are defined.

Your software is great and has some good functionality, although I got an issue: I have some trouble getting the GetColor() function to work properly in the code editor. It says it puts the result into a string, but when I try to handle it as such a get loads of compiling errors. Is there something I am looking over?

I think there would be some interest in the more standardised rolling-stock like container cars(Sgns(s)), bulk goods (Eanos) and perhaps tanker cars. Then people can add the engine of their preferred company in front of them.

Thank you, this is some really usefull information. Could it be possible that LEGO will release details about the Bluetooth protocol. I'm interested in some possible Arduino control options.

I feel honoured to be mentioned in a topic like this My inspiration comes from both real-life models and most (if not all) of the builders mentioned above.

Some really great entries for this contest, sadly I was quite busy this October, so hopefully I can participate a next time.

Hello all, A week ago our LUG had a big group layout displayed at LEGOWorld 2017. The layout was a collaboration of @aawsum, @alois, Moos and me. LEGOWorld Utrecht 2017 by Erwin, on Flickr LEGOWorld Utrecht 2017 by Erwin, on Flickr LEGOWorld Utrecht 2017 by Erwin, on Flickr LEGOWorld Utrecht 2017 by Erwin, on Flickr LEGOWorld Utrecht 2017 by Erwin, on Flickr More pictures are available at my Flickr album. PS. mods, is there any way this can be posted in the Train forum too? I don't want to crosspost but I think this concerns both topics equally.

Not quite, but here are the visitor counts from last year. Keep in mind that this year school holidays are different: Wednesday 15.000 Thursday 16.000 Friday 15.500 Saturday 14.500 Sunday 14.500 Monday 9.500 Tuesday 7.500 Source (about 3/4 down)

I will be there as part of group train layout: https://www.flickr.com/photos/epjl/sets/72157680314623681 There will be quite a few builders from LOWLUG as wel: (Dutch link) http://www.lowlug.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=14780

When talking about semi-permanent coupled units, is something along the lines of mat '64 acceptable to enter in the contest?