Barduck

I think you found it allready, anyway, I've set it in my sig now

that shouldn't be a problem, legs will be removable and the modules themselves will be stored sideways in transportboxen (like Cale has done, though his are transported horizontal). Something I've considered rght from the start as getting the plates themselfs at home to start building is a problem to start with and can only be done with the help of my friendly neighbor by lending me his van (which he'll loan when I'm going to events aswell to transport the boxes containing the modules

layout v4b by Barduck12, on Flickr Better? I've added 2 trains to demonstrate the direction they will be running. Trains on the inner track will pick up coaches on the splits at the turntable and at the other corner while trains on the outer track will pick up their coaches at the longer staging yard

Don't forget I'm using steamers mostly and diesels, one of which will most likely be even to big to run on this layout. At the present I've never been able to let them run because of the club layouts being to uneven or to tight in curves and almost everytime there's plenty of people asking if they could see them run which I have to decline because of the stated reasons. That's my main reason for wanting to build a layout to use my trains on without the fuss of having problems in turns etc because of scenery being in the way or the tables not being even

Maybe I should have added that I don't intend to set a city or something like it, I'd rather go for a layout that's mostly scenic views if you understand what I mean. I don't want the buildings or the layout itself let take the attention away from the trains

designing a layout to take to events, in modules, but I could use some input. For ex: changes, where to put what, etc... It will be used by myself mostly but offcourse other LUG members can let their trains run on it as long as they are PF (as I don't want to invest in tech that's outdated, to high priced,...) Here's the last one I did but there's some others on my Flickr aswell: layout v4 by Barduck12, on Flickr Every module has either a 2x3 or 3x3 baseplate footprint (48x48 studs) and I won't put the buildings or trees or other stuff that sticks out to far permanently on them, those will go on pre-defined area's with tiles so they are easily removed so that storage and transport is a bit less of a pain

very nice, love the building and the crane. One thing though, cobblestones are never this straigth, specially not in a zone with heavy traffic (specially not in Belgium, they can't even get a highway flat), maybe replace some of the 1x1 round tiles with 1x1x2/3 slopes to represent that a bit

why not use http://www.bricklink...12&itemID=42404 with a transparent plate on top. Offcourse for the 4 wide windows you'll need 2 and you will notice the thin separation line but I think that would be a small comprimise

there's something familiar about that coach

I've implemented it in several cars and even a train with no trouble at all.

easy way to make a sturdy base with atachmentpoints for bogies: 7wide base example by Barduck12, on Flickr (different colors to better show the build)

finally done with transferring her to MLCad: Challenger1 by Barduck12, on Flickr I've also made the version that's going to go on my bricklink (instructions). Only some small changes to the trucks: Challenger commercial version1 by Barduck12, on Flickr I'm also going to make a black version of her, with choice between a coal or an oil tender (as these loco's have been made in both coal- and oilburning versions in black. The gray ones were only done in oilburning versions (converted from coal))

and can those then be imported from LDCad to MLCad? Or vice versa?

Is there (on this forum or anywhere else) a good clear tutorial on how to use the flextool in MLCad? I've been googling but can't seem to find anything

will be some time still before I can really start building, I've blown the budget last month to make some coaches, will have to wait till april before I can really start ordering. Then again, still have the MLCad work to do so plenty of time. (I work with a strict budget of 150€ a month normally but blown 500 on parts last month so need to compensate or else the wife will have my head)

more like some things LDD doesn't let me do and with MLcad I can make much nicer instructions (in pdf form even) than what LDD gives me

A bit further, actually as far as I can in LDD, now to transfer everything to MLCad but chances are that'll have to wait a bit, really need to a complete clean re-install of the whole pc to get some hickups out first. The latest render (turned a bit darker than expected, but meh): UP Challenger #3977 (WIP) by Barduck12, on Flickr comments, suggestions, etc etc ... all welcome

2+B-F-F+4 should not be a problem (for the large drivers anyway) but might keep you busy a while finding the right place to put the connection point of the front truck. Trial and error, works best in these kinds of situations (took like different attempts to get the chassis on my Challenger working)

I'd place the reciever in the coalbox, if there's enough place and then add some coalchunks to hide it better. Also, you can pick any color you want in extended or paint it in the colors it's supposed to be too. Takes like 10 seconds of practice

nice, really nice. If I can make one suggestion though, it would be to build the chimey upside down, use 1x1 headlightbricks to get that. Would look even better then

yep they did: http://www.rgusrail.com/neup3977.htmlIn fact, UP had 10 gray challengers: http://utahrails.net/up/ttg-challengers.php I know the technic panels aren't spot-on for the smoke deflectors, but they come close enough and are a much nicer solution than a bulky brickbuild solution. As for the drivers, BBBXL's would indeed be nicer, but like you pointed out,harder to motorize. Also, because I don't have any on hand, I can't test a chassis with them so I don't know if it would work. Remember, the truck under the firebox does not articulate so that might be a problem with the bigger drivers

not doing renders for the following, would take to long. Cabin view (do note LDD doesn't let me do everything I want so it's still bare): Then a question, what would look better, the bottom with 3x1 curved slopes or with 2x1? challenger boiler cut by Barduck12, on Flickr Lastly, links to 3 video's of the chassis' proof of concept (small derailment of the front truck in first vid, setting the switch on the battery one step back solved that): https://www.flickr.c...07/16391895580/ https://www.flickr.c...07/16577710071/ https://www.flickr.c...07/16578936975/

render of side view is just finished, here it is: WIP UP Challenger #3977 by Barduck12, on Flickr

bit more detailed view on the front truck (render just finished) challenger front truck by Barduck12, on Flickr A side view of the train at the point where I am atm is currently being progressed by my pc

After taking apart my Challenger to harvest the parts to make the cab forward, I really wanted to build a new one. With all the black loco's I allready have I really could use smething in a different color so I picked the UP Challenger #3977 which is painted in gray, something that'll set off quite nicely with the other ones. LDD work still progressing, here's the result after 3 weeks of tampering (yes 3 weeks, getting the chassis just right was a real pain as I'm going for a real Mallet, so fixed rear truck) WIP UP Challenger #3977. by Barduck12, on Flickr