zephyr1934
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Everything posted by zephyr1934
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The MOC is shaping up nicely! (and no problem about the tip, photo storage is one of the non-intuitive EB "features" that trips up a lot of people)
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I thought I saw that there was also a set of train book ends in the list. I'm sure the polar express is licensing issues rather than conceptual ones. We could always hope that the Canadian was rejected because Lego already has a Creator Expert train in the pipeline that is too similar (e.g., the Ideas Fiat that was rejected).
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Yes, those parts are great. In this case I am using them as originally intended by Lego in the 1970's except that I am using an assembly of tiles with studs instead of a single long plate. I tried real hard to come up with some clever brick built solution and couldn't come up with anything else that would give a better looking empty car. You can't really see it in the photos or videos, but the tile "ribs" meet nicely with cheese bricks on the base to continue the line seamlessly to and through the base. I still need to do a photo shoot of the engine and cars, when I do I'll post it back here. The parts actually are still current. Lego did away with the two pegs that can be used for tipping, but otherwise these are essentially the same as the current 30022, The only problem is that they haven't been made in black for quite some time.
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You need to upload your pictures to a third party site (e.g., flickr) and link to them from the forum. The EB storage is only for small things like your avatar and signature (possibly messages too). Can't wait to see more.
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You're welcome! They make a great set with the tiny Shay. Thank you for the kind words, I'm still amazed at the prototype, it really gives an insight into the rapidly changing early days of steam locomotives. And the movement is so hypnotic to be able see the quartering in action (on most steamers you only see one piston at a time).
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The Kof is hardly boring, it is a standard that many people eventually take a stab at because it is beloved. Though I must say, you gone beyond what I thought was possible.
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Yer gonna make me blush There were lots of challenges along the way, but I credit the great looks to the original source material. I just edited the bricks into the right place. Thank you (thank you all) but you are way too kind. I had some lucky insights first the roof, then the steps. Thanks! I've seen plates for siding many times by others and had to give it a go with this build. Wound up with 90% of the model studs back (forward to the face) as a result. -
Indeed, they should have considered having a separate Kof class given the popularity of this model (grin). But it looks like you are well on track for building the smallest self-propelled Kof I've ever seen, and highly detailed. Amazing work! I totally understand, the circuit cube definitely was not designed for trains, some of the connection points can be very challenging. You've done a great job surmounting those challenges though. It is surprisingly powerful though, I wound up with a long gear train in a build and it did not seem to slow it down at all.
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You definitely upped the game at the point where you were able to get a cabin AND have motorization. Great work!
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Pahhh! Compromises? Even after you point it out I don't see any loss of quality.
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As noted in my previous post, I got the digital build close enough to order parts and start building in real life. I wound up with 3 BL orders, now currently listed as "shipped" "shipped" and "pending". If I had known seller #3 was not very responsive I could have gotten some of the parts from the other two sellers (!@#$%). Fortunately, there are two other sellers in the US that have the critical parts if this one flakes on me. Good thing I'm building in red. Meanwhile, being this far with the digital build I can finally share what she will look like, Here's another on-line reference photo for those not familiar with the book
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Simply amazing!
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The Ikea locomotive, ships flat to save $$$, with easy assembly that only requires a few pins
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[MOC] OcTRAINber 2021: Coke Quenching Locomotive in 1/33
zephyr1934 replied to Sven J's topic in LEGO Train Tech
Very nice! Great build as always. -
Thanks for the operating insights! Yes, FX has said that motors and power pickups are in the near to midterm plans. While I have no inside information, I'd speculate they might be available as early as some time next year. In the mean time, don't sell your existing motor supply since nothing is definite until possibly after it happens
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That looks amazing! I don't think I've seen drawings of the original locomotive with a scale reference (it was always so much bigger in my mind), seeing how diminutive the real locomotive was you've done an amazing job capturing it at minifig scale. I would think there should be room to slip a downward pointing technic axle that slips into a 2x3 plate with hole. Most couplings on model trains are far from prototypical and few would notice anyway. Could you use the old 4.5v rail and run inside of the raised part of the rail?
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I think your answer is an excellent one. It sounds like with the right operation the 9v motors can have a very long lifetime. Do you have personal guidelines that you follow, e.g., for every N cars add a motor, make sure there is a power connection every M track segments, or do not run a given locomotive longer than T min/hrs without a break? I ask because with the FX Track I am dusting off my 9v equipment. I still have many 9v motors new in box and like most people who use 9v I want to make sure I keep the motors healthy and happy.
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On the snotted hoods you could replace the "bottom" (i.e., closest to the cab) layer of bricks with a layer of plates, which will increase the gap from 1/2 plate to 2.5 plates. Then fill that space with a 1 stud wide, 5 plate tall assembly that is studs up in the above photo. That should fill the gap.
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I have gotten close enough to the end of my first draft digital model that I placed my first round (and hopefully only round) of parts orders. Before I show off the build there is still some detailing to do, particularly the wood sides of the carbody. Here's my latest test build exploring the technique of snotted plates for wood siding with the occasional grove from tile-like parts to accentuate the board pattern
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TRAIN TECH Help, General Questions & Talk to the Staff
zephyr1934 replied to WesternOutlaw's topic in LEGO Train Tech
Jake McKee is featured prominently throughout the article. He's the one behind the first official contact with AFOLs in the form of the Lego Train Clubs (LTC). I think he was also behind the Ambassador program (it was a LOT more involved in the first generation than it is today). -
That's brilliant, I like the way you are making a (larger than life?) model of a model and preserving the functionality of the original. Okay, that might very well be the smallest Lego train MOC at stnadard gauge. Great work thinking small.
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I bet Geos blew your mind!
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Exactly that... but if you don't need to maintain 32 stud baseplate continuity, you can even lay the track out with a half stud gap to make the transition without an adaptor.
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Come on, marketing says you should say "over 1/4 km of track." In all seriousness, that is a very impressive claim, you are among the few who can rightfully use "km" to talk about their lego build. Wow! So have you become proficient at rearing and maintaining the 9v motors too? What sort of lifetime do you get out of a motor? (hours of operation?) And do you see any extra wear due to running so many motors at one time, the higher current, the steep grades, etc.?
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You are very kind! Thank you both. Yeah, it is a little complex with a lot of hidden work that I'll reveal in the coming weeks. No clips, no chain links and only one hinge in the above build. It's mostly gravity so don't turn it upside down (grin).