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zephyr1934

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Everything posted by zephyr1934

  1. zephyr1934
    You've packed a lot of activity into the last version (but the completionist in me wants the outer loop on the left to continue and switch back in, grin). I assume you are taking the long term view to this layout though and starting with something more modest that can grow. Perhaps a smaller simple loop with the curves you need in the final layout. That also gives you time to adapt if your interests change (e.g., you change your mind and want to build a union depot). I know my first permanent layout kept changing as I built more and more trains until I got to the point where I couldn't put everything on the layout. Oh, that's a useful point, if you build this on a board, you can use standard boxes or containers underneath for support and storage at the same time.
  2. zephyr1934
    That looks really nice!
  3. zephyr1934
    What about putting the power connections around H1 and H5 to keep it simple while maximizing the track distance between the separate connection points. Another thought, definitely inspect the track to make sure there are no loose connections, as can happen if the baseplates are misaligned and the track is connected.
  4. zephyr1934
    Great job on the U-Boat
  5. zephyr1934
    With Amtrak's introduction of the Siemens Charger locomotives and other local/regional providers in the US using Siemens locomotives, it becomes a lot easier for Lego to design a single modern train that looks like it could belong in the US or Europe or other parts of the world. I would agree though, brick built noses beat single use parts.
  6. zephyr1934
    That looks really good! How long is the pier anyway and is it still an active ferry terminal? That would be extra amazing if the railway is still serving its original purpose.
  7. zephyr1934
    As has been said many times many ways, great work! The dark red and details are all top notch. It would be neat to see some photos of the various details, e.g., the trucks.
  8. zephyr1934
    So that explains where all the dark orange bricks went (grin). Amazing work! (as is your standard)
  9. zephyr1934
    I'm not sure what you are showing with "PWM" but with the power point in the lower right the problem spot makes complete sense, the train is both the furthest from your power supply and in the most curves. No rule, more along the lines of "if it slows down too much in the far corner, add a power connection" and keep adding connections until you are happy with whatever speed drop is left. Back when we would regularly do 9v shows I would have had two power connections on a loop of this size. Probably the best spots would be A3 and P3 to get the power closest to the curves where the physical drag will be greatest, but I bet you'd be fine if you put them at H1 and H5 to keep it simple.
  10. zephyr1934
    If/when you pull the trigger to build the MOC, before you buy anything else, get a box of R104 track (if you don't have it already or have a friend you can borrow from) and the bare minimum of wheels to test the physical geometry. That way you save the investment in all of the other brick in case a final conflict derails everything else. Next, you might want to test the propulsion system. For my build I started with testing the geometry (I'm using XL wheels and I want the loco to be able to navigate R40 curves in yards) and I just finished testing the propulsion system (it works) so now I can proceed to actually trying to design the shell. But I have the luxury of having enough parts to build a mocup without buying much.
  11. zephyr1934
    With a "nicest of the dammed" (i.e., the one just below those that were selected to move on) vote in the 90th anniversary of the Lego Group fan vote, there is a distant chance of a train set coming out of that.
  12. zephyr1934
    That is a large loop for a single track power connection. There is a lot of resistance in the track connections, and it is 2x since the current has to go out and come back. Try two (or more) power connections to the track, all off of the same controller. Try to evenly space them, even better, figure where the highest draw will be (probably in the corners if everything is flat) and put the power connections there. Even with light trains you might want to consider using two 9v motors, so if one hits a dead spot the other will have electrical contact and will push/pull it through.
  13. zephyr1934
    Seeing that picture, the Russian cover would make a cool shirt off of Redbubble or similar. Meanwhile, nice to see the old loco back on track.
  14. zephyr1934
    Cool! Definitely build it to run on R104 since R104 is in the LGMS and you should expect to see LGMS layouts at big shows (even better R88 for a safety cushion). You don't like the nose pointing in the same direction as the rear of the tender? (grin)
  15. zephyr1934
    Wow, you packed a lot into a small space and then wrapped it all up in a tiny Fiat!
  16. zephyr1934
    Nice work restoring this artifact! Some really advanced techniques given the parts at the time
  17. zephyr1934
    Great parts usage with the droid leg. That interior is over the top, great touch. They all look great, but the Trevithick locomotive is probably still my favorite of the lot. So for an encore will you string all of your narrow gauge builds from this competition together for an anachronistic scene?
  18. zephyr1934
    Oh, I didn't realize you were thinking of making it in real bricks (there is a range of builders on this forum from few to many, and from physical to digital), even a single large locomotive is an expensive endeavor in real bricks. My suggestion was more along the lines of a digital building tangent. Looks good regardless. (a cab forward is on my "maybe someday" list, I have an SP pacific in real bricks and am working on another steam era SP project)
  19. zephyr1934
    The skyline casing looks great. Any thoughts on making one of its cab forward brethren?
  20. zephyr1934
    That is insanely cool! Not only do you control the rail wheels, but it drives on road too
  21. zephyr1934
    Looking most excellent!
  22. zephyr1934
    I'm echoing this, that little engine must be a TARDIS, I can't believe you fit so much inside (an uincoupler!?) all while getting the outside a perfect match for the prototype. The videos are just over the top. Amazing work.
  23. zephyr1934
    My odyssey is done and my work submitted. Until now, however, I have not mentioned the one thing that ultimately made me choose Katy, it was a clarification in the rules, "we can’t wait to see how you try to motorize a bobber caboose." With Katy's freedom on that mountain grade came the opportunity to include a motor. My MOC is actually a system with two options: eyes to look left or right, and powered or unpowered wheels, Here's Katy as a true bobber on her 9v motor While the video in my previous post was a campy recreation of the pivotal moment in the book when she breaks free of the train, I've now added another short video of her zipping down the tracks. The full album is here.
  24. zephyr1934
    Oh man, this critter contest is turning over all sorts of crazy creatures I never knew existed. You've found a perfect prototype for such a small lego build and then drove it in for the goal
  25. zephyr1934
    Isn't German just a modern coding language where spaces mean nothing? (grin) I sometimes play a board game called Codenames with my German speaking friends and the restriction of giving a one word clue (in English) drives them nuts. Studs are hard to beat for rivets, bolts and door knobs! Before the introduction of all of these half plate brackets and bricks with studs on the side in the past decade, blocking parts in like this was a key technique for snot building. Thanks for the kind words too, even with my best tricks Katy is pretty simplistic compared to your builds. That means a lot after seeing some of the wizardry that you both pull off in your builds. With the little twist in the pair of 1x1 plates below, the 1x6 tiles are surprisingly secure. You are very kind. It does help to start with great source material, and in that sense I can echo your praise as I direct it at Mr. Peet
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