Andy Glascott

I can't believe I only have 4 more modules to build on this thing. I finished the 14th one this morning, which features a couple of as is modular buildings and a rebuilt New Year Celebration. The tram stop is right outside the Boutique Hotel to take guests direct to the station at the other end of the tram line after running around the back of the buildings. Full module: Tram Stop: Full module from the other end: Until someone bashes the module against the door after a show... To be fair, he has already bought the replacement, I just haven't done the replacement.

It’s looking really good. I have a GP loco on my list to build at some point in the next year or so so might borrow a bit from this when I get to it.

Module 13 - the first part of the 9v loop It's taken a while to get to this point, the first part of the year was taken up with a couple of shows which eats into my building budget a bit, but I have been building in the background, and finished off the latest module last night. Looking back at the original design the 9v plans have changed considerably, and now include a Power Functions/plastic section for a tram to run back and forth on, making this technically now a layout in 4 eras... By way of an update, here's the map for the 9v loop: And the overall map with the previous loops, including the upper level 12v loop that now runs the length of the layout: (Thank you Imgur for making it much easier to embed images!) The module I've just finished is the grey one at the bottom left of the 9v area and features an open paved area for minifigs to hang out and the official title for the layout, "Lego Trains Through The Years". Here are some pics. Hopefully the next few modules won't be as slow to build, I had also run out of baseplates but a large order arrived recently as well so I can crack on with at least the next three sections, at least until I need to order yet more parts...

Possibly at some point @Vilhelm22, would certainly look good as a pair, but I’ll have to test this motor in running mode first to see what it can pull, both trains on the freight loop are quite long for 12v.

Thank you @LEGO Train 12 Volts, and yes, good spot about the 9v track. The reason is simple, the 12v modules of my layout are in storage between shows, I’m working on the first of 6 9v modules now, so that’s the one that is available in my build space from loco pics 😀 @Hod Carrier I found that post the other day but couldn’t get the images to post and didn’t have a lot of time to play around (I’m now away with work for a week as well and only on mobile devices with a data connection so not going to try again for now).

Over the last18 months I've picked up a couple more 12v and 9v train motors, so have been slowly working on adding to my loco collection - my aim is to have 3 locos or trains for each loop on my layout so that at shows I'm not running any one train/loco for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time - got to look after these vintage machines! The BR Class 20 is the third loco for my freight loop, and while I can't find any photos of one in this colour scheme, there are so many of these still about of the original 228, and they've been running for so long (coming up to 70 years!) there's a good chance one did appear in something like this. The closest I've found is this one. The colour scheme and design are based on this Rebrickable design which cleverly incorporates a newer battery box into the colour scheme. The 12v motor limits the detail you can add to the bogies, but I can live with that. Sadly, I can't get Flickr to play ball tonight and insert images so here's a link to the photostream, specifically the first of 3 pics of the loco... Might be time for a different image hosting account...

Success! Thanks @Phil B

Thanks @Murdoch17, will have a look in a moment Anyone else running into issues with Flickr? I've replaced the links in the post above a few times, tried different sizes, no avail... My photostream is here, the two images above are the first two in it.

A couple of pics of recent RVALUG train events that @Electricsteam and I participated in - our annual club show and Ashland Train Day. We do a collaborative city/train layout each year at both and they are the two main events I haul my growing layout to. (Sorry it's taken a while to add them @zephyr1934.) @SD100 the long grey train is another member's, I haven't found pics of it anywhere else but it's based on the train in Snowpiercer. RVALUG - Brick Day 2025 - Club collaboration: Club layout (foreground) and my layout (background) at Ashland Train Day - [url=https://flic.kr/p/2r4Yaca]PXL_20250426_165733089[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/53631197@N04/]andyglascott[/url], on Flickr The day before Ashland Train Day this year our layouts were featured on local TV as part of the promotional stuff for the event, if anyone is interested here's the link -

My layout has 2 transformers controlling it, one with 8 accessory switches connected, the other with 5. Both have lights connected to the end of the switch panel, the lights do flicker occasionally, most of my switches are approaching 40 years old and there are at least 2 varieties of signal switches in there. Loose connections do happen, over time the pins on the switches (like all the Lego pins) get compressed and need to be spread out again, so either could be the cause of flickering lights. If you look closely at a pin you'll see it has 4 segments, there needs to be a small gap between them and over time they get pushed together, particularly if your control panel flexes when you move it. I use a small penknife blade to gently push them apart - I find the width of the blade is enough widening. Gently push the sharp side of the blade into the pin from the round end, the blade will push the prongs of the pin apart just enough. It may also be worth using a voltage meter to check the output of your transformers, both to the track and to the accessories - I recently discovered one of my spare transformers only puts about 50% power to the track but full power to the accessories. Don't be alarmed if the reading shows a volt or two above 12 as well, all of mine were putting out 14v at full power.

My mind is my mind is already going to how to connect that new track piece to the barriers on a level crossing…

If your layout is on a dedicated surface, a wooden board for example, you could drill through the wood by the control panel, drop the wire down through the wood and bring it back up by the signal, switch or whatever it is going to.

Most of the trains in the pics @Electricsteam posted are by builders in the LUG he and I are in, as far as I know he and I are the only LUG members on here as well @zephyr1934. The green atomic “steam” loco belongs to electricsteam, the rest are other members of the LUG.

New track pieces would suggest Lego is at least planning on maintaining the Train theme for a while if not developing it, they’re not going to invest in new molds for one set.

That is an impressive monster! I’d love to build one myself one day but I suspect it’ll be a few years at least before I do, but this is really well done.

As JopieK said, a picture would help, but it does sound like it’s a mismatch between the plug on the unit and the wire. Over the years Lego made a vairiety of plugs, some with a center column, some without, and if I remember rightly the ones with a center column do have some where the column is longer than others but the corresponding hole isn’t always long enough for them all.

The version of 7740 in the post is a MOC running on 9v motor, I doubt there are plans to resurrect anything related to 12v sadly….

Very nice, the third coach definitely makes a difference, the whole consist looks very good.

That’s a very good looking shunter! Is it based on a real life one? With regard to a layout, I’d suggest starting with the Bluebrick design program, it has all the track elements in it. A quarter circle of track fits on a 48x48 baseplate (or equivalent area) and if you are building a modular system try and line up quarter circle sections to the edge of a module. I work on modules that are 3x5 baseplates, which gives enough space for a full half circle and/or up to 10 straight track sections. Wiring is also a challenge, and depending on the size/complexity of your layout you can either keep all the wiring in one module and build the controller into it or with a signal as an example, drill through the board your module is built on and put a short wire through it, then when you set up use a longer wire to connect the first wire to the control panel. This may also mean drilling through some Lego… Hope this helps, ask if you have questions.

I loved learning about circuits and the basics of electronics with wired Lego as a kid, both 4.5 and 12v. PUp has its benefits, I’ve programmed a tram to go back and forth on my layout (eventually), but kids also love seeing the red/green lights of the 12v signals and the train stopping/starting accordingly when I do a show and I love the hands on operation of the system.

I'm pretty sure they won't, I put the motor beside the technic one and there doesn't appear to be space for this motor to fit inside. The motor body, before allowing for the protruding parts at either end is a fraction under 4 studs long.

A couple of weeks ago one of my 4.5v motors died so with a bit of help from a well known search engine's image facility I found these - https://www.langleymodels.co.uk/awd1/index.php?route=product/product&path=242&product_id=8439 and took the plunge and bought 5, including one for a LUG member. It fits and works perfectly. It was very loud at first but a drop of oil (from a model train store) did the trick. For around $20 including shipping to the US I have multiple new motors for a fraction of the price of 5 used ones on BL. (Mods, I've posted here cos I use mine only for trains, feel free to move to a different forum if there's a better place for this topics.)

Thank for sharing this @BillytheKid, it's a great find for us 12v fans! After only a quick look I've got a few ideas already.

OK, so I got all 12 modules together in my garage for Halloween and finally got around to uploading some pics and a video tour to Flickr, here you go good people: Here's the full layout, not the best photo I've ever taken but space was a bit cramped! And a couple of shots of the newer sections: One of the features I like most about the new section is the main station is set up with signals that work for trains running in either direction on either the through line or the siding. The lights are synced to show green or red in both directions on the same line. Lastly, a video tour of the whole layout - not quite a 360 as I could only get around one end of it due to clutter in the garage! Enjoy!

Congrats on the Brick Train Awards win with the simulator!