Pierre_Cochereau

Those are some nice layouts, especially the Metroliner monorail. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe I should buy one (or wait until they go on sale and then get two) ... the parts would certainly make for a nice MOC, maybe a suburban train or a tram-like design.

I'm sorry to revive an old topic, but I've just seen this while browsing through the Train Tech forum ... I'm planning to get all my trains and rolling stock out of their current storage place ... which are plastic boxes sold by a Swedish furniture company ... and plan on slowly developing a decent layout (we're talking about 20+ various models, not counting the multiples ), so a MOC like this definitely comes in handy. I would tend towards building the PF version, so the wiring is not an issue at all. However, what I was wondering is this: I understand that the mechanical action catches the lever in the yellow tile section, so the platform would then stop moving. But would the motor be stalled, or does it go into "neutral," so to speak, due to the clutches? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question which is obvious to you all but I'm not really that familiar with all the "newer" Technic parts that weren't around in the late 80s and early 90s ...

So ... July 9th is here, but no sign of the Servo appearing on S@H ... Maybe it's July 9th, 2014 ...

zephyr1934, thanks for your input. Yes, I've seen the Reverse Engineering Challenge in the Railbricks magazine (as I've mentioned in my first post), but I was unaware that this was in fact you, so I apologize for that. Here are the YouTube videos I mentioned: A solution using an M-motor (the same guy has also other solutions, including modifying the points and using a non-Lego motor in a custom built Lego casing), another (but way beyond my horizon) which I kind of like because of the smooth servo action in operating the points rather than the click-clack operation, then using the Technics linear actuator (which I don't like due to the bulky concept/the space needed and the necessary parts not being available individually), as well as which again uses a motor not from Lego.Again, my concern would be the stalling of the motor. I realize that the PF polarity switch is set to "off" in the middle position, and after throwing the switch and operating the points in either direction, one would return the switch to the "off" position. Yet there is a brief moment of stalling the motor, and this every time the points are operated. I'm wondering if this would cause damage to the motors in the long run. And this, coupled with the size/prize issue, is why I'm tending towards a solution using a servo motor not from Lego. – Do you have any insights as to the stalling?

Duq, thanks for the link to the topic ... I hadn't seen that one yet. I agree that the Servo Motors are quite bulky ... regarding the pricing, I don't know if there is any information on that yet, but presumably they will range above the € 8.99 for the M motor. Also, there might be an issue regarding the stalling of the motor (if it isn't a servo motor), and I haven't found this issue being addressed in the topic discussion: Suppose you use a constant power supply such as a 9V transformator and connect the M motor with a 9V-to-PF connector, together with a switch, then operating the switch would cause the motor to turn, but its rotation would be stalled by the resistance of the points when the end point is reached. I can't imagine that that is conducive to the durability of the motor. That problem could be avoided when using servos – at least I believe so. Hence I would tend towards using servo motors, and I agree with JopieK that using non-Lego components would be a more acceptable solution, both in terms of size and price range. That is in connection with the Jaarbeurs, right? I had thought about visiting, but unfortunately, that's when our choir trip to hungary will be ... Still, looking forward to maybe seeing some pictures? So what you're saying is, you actually need to operate the points using IR? I was thinking of using a constant power supply and then operate the points individually using switches ...

Thanks, JopieK, that's another great option! I like the idea of just using a relatively "cheap" servo motor (compared to PF motors) and just putting it in a custom-built Lego casing. The Arduino you mentioned, I guess, would then be needed to control the motor (to give the impulse), right? I did an online search and found it on Conrad electronics website, so it should be easy to order. I like that decoupler, too! Again, it comes in handy when needing to decouple some cars in an area of the layout which isn't easily accessible.

Hello all While I'm not new to the site and do some occasional posting, it's mostly related to discussions regarding soon-to-be-released sets etc. This time, I have a question for you guys who are familiar with MOCs and PF in train layouts, so I'm hoping my post is in the right category. If not, I hope the moderators can push me in the right direction. I'm wondering about the possibility of adding PF to train accessories such as points etc. to make them work, or rather, I should say I'm wondering about what's the best MOC or concept to do so. I have looked at some approaches and suggestions such as Mark Bellis' solution using the PF Servo Motor or this topic over here. I went through some issues of the Railbricks magazine, and I looked at some YouTube videos of some people presenting their ideas. In light of the imminent release of the PF Servo Motor, I was wondering if any of you guys had some good ideas or suggestions as to electric points/points motors. As I am planning to deliver my extensive collection of LEGO sets from their current habitat (i.e., plastic boxes sold by a certain Swedish furniture store ), electric points are not only handy but even indispensable when it comes to points located somewhere in the middle of the layout, hence hardly accessible. I realize there might be some issues with controlling the motors (they need their own channel); I am thinking about using one 8869 Control Switch for each points motor instead of an IR Remote Control as the latter option would inevitably result in the simultaneous action of two or more points motors, depending on the total number of motors used in the layout. Other things I'm curious about would be electric level crossings (triggered by a sensor detecting the approaching train) and working signals (coupled with a "release trigger" allowing the train to move when the signal shows green). However, as these are separate issues (which would also include the use of non-LEGO electronics), some of which may already have been answered, I would post them later and as different topics. I would be open to use other components (i.e., non-LEGO sensors, relays, etc.), but again, since the PF Servo Motor is said to be released soon, I was wondering what you guys think. Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

I think the release is quite imminent as the Power Functions Element Specs site does no longer say "The Servo Motor will not be available through LEGO.com until June 2013" as it did until yesterday. Or is it only me? I hope not ... waiting for the 88004 to become available so I can RC my track points.

What about the red baseplate in this set? I think it's new ... at least I can't remember off the top of my head where it might have appeared before.

Maybe the banana was poisoned ... surely would give the new police officers something to investigate.

Are you going to make some changes to the elevator? I'd be curious to see who else is thinking about making the elevator cabin fully enclosed ...

Ah, you're right, I remember. The third was Truck Stop, right?

Do you mean Town Plan? I guess a revival of that set would be a bit too soon.

Well, I've always bought more than one set, starting with CC, and in the meantime, I'm really glad I did. Usually I build two of each, and the rest goes in the vault, until when they are not available on S@H any more.

58 x 48 x 12.5 centimeters. Yes! Finally March 1 is here. I am now the proud but broke owner of five copies. I guess I won't see the inside of a Lego Store any time soon.

I'm thinking something along the lines of "Back to the Future" ...

I've been looking through the TH official pictures a few times ever since they were posted, but I only noticed this now ... The room to the left on the ground level, is this like a museum or a waiting room? It looks like there is something like a marble bust there.

I agree ... as much as I am disappointed by the overall design, I think the basics are there for a decent MOD. I think I'm going to use the parts of the 7892 hospital and create an extra wing for this new one.

Good point! I guess I'm going to have to slightly MOD the sticker ...

If you put the security office somewhere else (even if the instructions may suggest to put it where it is in the pictures), and likewise the tools on the other side, you'll have two more parking spaces. Sounds a lot more convenient to me ...

The blue bike mentioned by The Blue Brick is going to be in the Friends set with the camper, set # 3184. But it's definitely light blue, not the darker blue as shown in the pictures. But it seems at least someone in TLG has gotten sick and tired of red bikes ... I see one in the trash at the recycling compound.

I was actually thinking the same thing. I just can't imagine TLG producing a sticker like that just for the purpose of putting it in a layout. (On the other hand, of course, it could be AFOL custom made ...)

Thanks, eiker86, for the updated Flickr. I know I'm repeating myself, but I definitely like the bridge (even though it's not a set on its own), with the ornaments and everything. I'm still hoping that we get some sort of a new 'elevated train' line in the future ...

The parking garage is definitely a must-buy for me! I do own several copies of 6394 but, as I'm sure you're all well aware, the newer cars have a problem fitting in there. And parking has become a tough one in my city. Ahh, I see now what you mean. Yes, it does seem that way, and it makes sense ... so many cars from other sets need parking space as well. I must say, I'm not all too pleased with the hospital; as some have mentioned earlier, I was hoping for a bigger set, more along the lines of the police station. Well, maybe it's TLG's taking on politics and cutting down on health services. I love those train bridge pillars ... I'm sure we won't get those as a set, and true, they're easy enough to build on your own once the new brick bricks are available on PAB. But still, it would be nice to see a revival of the whole 'elevated train' theme ... maybe the subway train could be a hint in that direction?

I can't wait to get my hands on this set and start working on redesigning the elevator, making it an enclosed cart. I bet we'll see more of this elevator technique in the future, mainly in MODs. Though it would be nice if we got it in other official sets as well.