3D LEGO

Alban Nanty and hsousa, I wrote this up a while back on how to get mono on a number of Linux distros so you could easily run Bluebrick. In the meantime, Microsoft decided to open source a bunch of things including .NET, etc. So to be honest, not only are these instructions a bit dated, I am not sure what all has changed. But they should be a start. BlueBrick for Linux Maybe it is time for me to update them as well. ? 3D LEGO

SteamSewnEmpire, I remember reading on this very thing a while back and I recalled a note that referenced color variations. I was able to quickly refind the comment that I had read. Taken from the Great Northern Railroad Historical Society website, on the page for paint schemes. "Steam Engines: Most GN Steam engines were usually black with a large GN logo on the tender." "Some steam engines received what was unofficially known as the "Glacier Park" scheme which consisted of a green boiler, white or graphite smokebox and sometimes a mineral red cab roof. Since it was an unofficial paint scheme which differed from shop to shop, there were many variations." Source: GNRHS: GN Paint Schemes So when in doubt go black, otherwise have fun using the colors outlined and produce your "own unofficial Glacier Park shop scheme." Going off the last provided picture from the article, you have graphite grey (dark stone grey or old dark grey), somewhere between a dark sand green and a dark olive green (not much that can be done about this.), a mineral red (dark red) and everything else black except for the machined parts like the rods. 3D LEGO PS: that is a wonderful model that you put together. I hope this helps some.

Matteo1130 Welcome to the train corner. Things can be a bit busy and feel overwhelming but everyone is friendly and welcome to help. I recall seeing several Italian train MOCs the last few months in this forum. A quick search or clicking back a few pages on the list of threads sure turn them up. Perhaps you can find some inspiration there. But as others have mentioned you can also look around the area where you live for sources of inspiration. 3D LEGO

A couple things come to mind as I consider the video as well as comments by others. To respond, I will draw upon real world examples. First, regarding testing on serpentine track and flex track. This makes perfect sense. Sure straight running tests are also good but ultimately it is friction that slows things down or in the case of batteries as a power source, drains them faster. Serpentine track has long been the bane of many a railway. Some have suffered unduly wear and tear due to long rigid frames such as were common in the United States and Russia. UPRR DD40X comes to mind as a well known example. Another example I was just reading up on again was the EF-4/EP-4 of the Milwaukee Road. Serpentire track age across the Rocky Mountains coupled with the long wheelbase led to excessive flange wear. 2-D+D-2 or (2'D)+(D2') Regarding the split axle design over a a straight axle, if we recall that a slight coning is applied to railway wheels to help them track much better around curves. But not all trains employ straight axles. If my memory serves me correctly, intermediate axles on Talgo coaches use a split axle. They do just fine at speed and have an advantage over other tilting systems as there is no power tilt system to fail and they can work even on serpentine track that most other systems cannot. I am appreciative that they were well aware of limitations of their own product and sought how that they could improve them. While I have not as of yet owned any of the new wheel designs, they may in due time show their worth. I hope that these two thoughts were helpful to all. 3D LEGO

LifeIsLEGO, Would you mind elaborating on your situation? From what I read, the two sentences sound like contradictions. Are you looking for advice on higher torque drive trains? Or do you need help troubleshooting a design. 3D LEGO

ProvenceTristram, Excellent work on your design. I know it takes a lot of work and patience but your efforts have been paying off in the results. The unfortunate reality that many of us can attest to, myself included, is that things do not always translate well from 3-D model to real bricks and so we are forced to make compromises. We can all dream. But on the flip side, sometimes you just have to mash out an idea and digging into the pile is too much of a hassle so CAD it is! That being said, you have got to love those locomotives that are all about power. Whereas others threw on axles here and there to guide around curves and distribute weight, brutes like these come along and throw it all out the window. If it is not powered, then off with it. I was pondering little design changes that you could make but decided against them as they are so minute. If building, one suggestion would make is on the placement of the blind wheels. You would want to utilize a flanged-blind-flanged-blind approach with consideration to the articulation as it would greatly reduced binding on tighter curves. But on the flip side, your design is perfectly acceptable in the logging railroad realm. Below is a link to a picture of a locomotive in my area that I have seen on several occasions. It does indeed make use of the flanged-blind-blind-flanged configuration that you used. Polson Logging Co No 70 - Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum No. 5 3D LEGO

zux, The connecting rod that he was referring to is called a span bolster. It appears from time to time in various locomotive and heavily transport freight cars. But it is also found in over the road special transport vehicles. The bogies/trucks connect to the span bolster and can pivot. The span bolster in turns connects to the frame and can pivot. This whole setup spreads the weight and allows for some degree of lateral movement of the bogies/trucks. Some locomotives that made use of span bolsters were: Baldwin "Jawn Henry" (N&W), GE EL-2B (Virginian Railway), GE GTEL prototype and 1st and 2nd gen. (UPRR), ALCO C855 (UPRR), GE U50 (UPRR), GE BB40-9W (EFVM), etc. This is what the ALCO C855 configuration looks like per the various wheel arrangement standards. Whyte: 4-4-4-4 AAR: B+B-B+B UIC: (Bo′Bo′)(Bo′Bo′) 3D LEGO PS: pagicence, I was just going to ask you wither or not you designed it with one.

Barduck, I was close, just off by a stud. Thank you for catching that discrepancy in my observation. It is still one of those ingenious but rather limited solutions to a problem. 3D LEGO

pagicence, Excellent renditions of both locomotives. Also that is an interesting approach to the construction of one of those special use heavy carriers. With the EMD DD35A and The ALCO C855, all that is left is the GE U50 to round out the trio! But going back to your ALCO C855, with not too much work, you could whip up a C856, the cab-less "B" or booster unit. Two A units and a single B unit would give you the 16,500 HP (12,303 kW) triple combination answer from ALCO to Union Pacific Railroad's inquiry. Note that is 1,500 HP (1118.55 kW) more than the competition. Side note: we use the word trucks in place of bogies here in the states, so it would be truck frames that you were looking for. 3D LEGO

HoMa, Beautiful rendition of an ever iconic train. The Trans Europa Express trains in their various forms were all a site to behold. There is a certain intelligence, a type of class (I do not mean as in ticket type but rather more a society thing.) that they invoked. Between the red wine and creme of the Rheingold scheme to the silver and grays of the french counter parts, they came at the end of an era when you put your best image forward. You captured the shape, form and aesthetics of the DMU set, correction I mean train set. (Permanently coupled powercar and wagons.) Regarding the color issue, I would stick with the silver top on the power cars as that is how they were painted. If you want to add a weathered look, you could replace some of the foremost silver/light blueish gray pieces with dark grey to give it a sooty feel. 3D LEGO

Holodoc, I really think this deserves frontpage news. From what I have read, LEGO is partnering with Bricklink to offer a special 60th anniversary program for LEGO fans. Using the current available TLG brick palette (IE what is in stock/production at LEGO facilities.) combined with the newest version of Studio, v2.0, that will have said special TLG brick palette, AFOLs can design, create and submit projects for consideration. Note that established or previous IP or LEGO themes are out. (No 7740 remake.) In short, TLG is supplying the bricks, brick pallet, production and judges. Bricklink is supplying the software, platform and crowdfunding. Below are the guideline criteria from the aforementioned page: https://studio.bricklink.com/v2/build/afoldesigner.page 3D LEGO

Ashi Valkoinen, That rendition looks really good. Its unfortunate that the color bright orange is not more readily available. It would be great for anything from the US railcar pool company TTX Company. But colors aside, the irony in your model is there is an actual regional carrier in northern Hesse, Germany (Hessen, Deutschland) that uses just that color combination, minus the white stripe, which you came up with and in a very similar fashion. They own and operate the first Stadler FLIRT EMUs that were ordered for operation in Germany. Look up Cantus Bahn for pictures. I used to ride their trains on a regular bases, especially between Kassel, Hesse (Kassel, Hessen) and Göttingen, Lower Saxony (Göttingen, Niedersachsen). The blue is not quite a dark blue but more a violet tinged color, like Dark Blue-Violet. Cantus Verkehrsgesellschaft 3D LEGO

SavaTheAggie, Wonderful rendition of the EMD F7A unit. That curious part you used for the upper light is none other than this, 47452 Technic, Brick Modified 2 x 2 with Pin Hole, Rotation Joint Ball Half (Horizontal Top), Rotation Joint Socket, in yellow. 48169 does not exist in yellow but oddly enough, 47452 does. I was beginning to wonder if you have used some paint or something. (Close inspection of the picture of the cab end confirmed this. That does create a problem as that part/those parts only come in so many colors. Next up, a B unit. If it makes you feel any better, I am running into similar issues with those pesky nose mounted number boards but on a newer, boxy EMD unit. I think I found a solution. 3D LEGO

Freezingvettes99, Another fantastic rendition to your growing fleet of designs. Though I am curious as to what designs you chose this time. Obviously Union Pacific Railroad is on the table. You have done other Burlington Northern Railroad units before so that would be a given. Hum ... Norfolk Southern Railway? Or Maybe CSX Transportation in the old stealth scheme. Or, wait, I am sensing some vibes here: CONRAIL? (These are all original owners and none of the second or plus owners.) Fastlane250, The first thing that came to mind when I saw your picture was this: SOOOO!!!!!!.... 3D LEGO

Freezingvettes99, They booth look good, though I agree with you on the Sand Green version. It gives it a better forest green and haze feel to it. The other reminds me more rolling hills of grass. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not what I think of when I picture Northern Pacific Railway. All that said, these are great renditions. I hope you are able to build at least one of them. Speaking of building: two for the price of one! I say build both. That way you can haul freight all day long with out a care. And just in case the press shows up, do a quick engine swap to put your best face forward. You know, good old public relations. (Who pays attention to the second locomotive anyway? For all we care it could be fuchsia.) 3D LEGO PS: If you do, I suspect zephyr1934 may come looking for some loner power the next time the F units give out on grade.

Freezingvettes99, Wow, that was fast. Yeah. Now all it needs are some decals and it is ready to roll. Just out of curiosity, how does your original design look with the Bright Green swapped for Sand Green? 3D LEGO

Freezingvettes99, That is a very nice rendition of an EMD SD70ACe in the late Northern Pacific Railway's passenger scheme. My one observation from comparing the colors you used to those in pictures would be that the NPR colors look closer to a Earth Green - White - Sand Green (Dark Green - White - Sand Green), which incidentally may actually make it easier to build using the existing color - brick combinations. Bright Green (Bright green) as you used on the lower half would indeed be very difficult to produce. Or, as I found while digging about, there are other options that you could also consider. These include the late NPR freight scheme which would be really easy to do. Someone already has a nice rendition that I found that you could reference: Northern Pacific Railway - EMD SD70ACe - Late Freight scheme Or if you want something along the lines of a Union Pacific Railway Heritage unit. (They are highly stylistic unlike the Norfolk Southern Railway's Heritage units.) It uses the same color combination that you used with your model: Burlington Northern Santa Fe - EMD SD70ACe - Mock Heritage scheme: NPR Of note, most railroads ditched the fancy paint schemes when they ceased passenger service. Plus the bulky hood units are a artisan's canvas nightmare. (Warbonnets do not look very good on them. Cowl units yes, hood units no.) So for example, an NPR of today would most likely be the black and yellow. 3D LEGO

AE Bricks, I look forward to what you come up with. By the way, try searching for images of the Vossloh G2000BB. I found several different LEGO models that people have built. Such as Example A, Example B or Example C. If you stay clear of the two-thirds cab model then it should be fairly easy to design. (The other is not impossible, just harder.) The ends the locomotive are close enough to flat that you could get away with a lot in your design. Also sets 10219 and 60052 are good resources for inspiration on how to build the narrow mid section. 3D LEGO

AE Bricks, I know you asked for input between the two versions but would you mind if I offer some additional ideas to consider? My first idea would be wither or not you have you considered yellow grille instead of black? Black does give it the feeling of a large hole, which most radiator areas are but even more so. My second idea stems from the fact that most diesel locomotives are asymmetric in design with the radiator components shifted to one area. (Siemens Vectrons, Electro Motive Diesel and General Electric, etc, even the DB BR 210 is asymmetric.) There are exceptions to this and they involve the likes of dual engine locomotives as found of early generation diesel hydraulics or super locomotives. (Such as the BR V 200.0, EMD DD35 or DD40X, Baldwin Locomotive Works DR-6-4-2000, etc.) And my last idea concerns modern versus old. Modern locomotives tend to be less cluttered and more aesthetically pleasing design-wise (With the exception of most American designs.) while older ones tend to be more cluttered. (Again especially American designs. No I am not picking on them.) That being said, I vote for the left one but with half of the current grille area. But anything can be built. 3D LEGO PS: Most diesel-hydraulic/diesel-electric locomotives have a below frame fuel tank and or combo tank though exceptions do exist. (See New Zealand DJ Class.)

Ninja_Bait, Actually, in the aforementioned series, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and its sequel Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, these "Gundams" or specialty mecha (They cannot be accurately referred to as "Gundam" as that is the name of their special operating system in the series.) are equipped with "Variable Phase Shift Armor." The result is that when they are first introduced and or subsequently powered down, they indeed have a drab grey color scheme. But upon activation the color show that "Gundams" are known for comes about. Compare these two pictures of models of this Gundam for an example Variable Phase Shift Armor Deactivated to Variable Phase Shift Armor Activated : Mehul, Great rendition of the Strike Freedom. It has a lot of detail despite the small scale. 3D LEGO

Reza, Would it by chance be 7722? I seem to recall there being one of the 4.5v/12v era sets that came in two forms and I thought that it was that one. 3D LEGO

av_bossk, So it would seem that Blacktron went through some rough spots and reorganizations there but managed to land a few deep-pocketed anonymous beneficiaries. I would hate to think it just who they want it stuck to so badly that they would lay down the kind of funds necessary for this caliber of equipment and in the hands of notorious renegades no less. Let the political intrigue commence! That aside, I am sensing Blacktron are back with a vengeance. Ready to deliver mayhem and destruction in their wake. Armed to the teeth, this craft is definitively the type used in frontal brazen raids on light-armored cargo fleets or starliners packed with the complacent wealthy. Though the single pilot makes me think there is a serious AI system on board. Superb model none the less with elegance and yet still utilitarian. All the little things add to the model but there also is not too many top be distracting. I wonder what a pack of this would be capable of? 3D LEGO

Sunder, Thats some absurdly fast switching going on there. Lets not forget the close quarters on the curves too. This whole thing brings up the topic of a new loading gauge specification. Plate BX2+? Or is that HX2+? Craziness aside, you have designed a superb model. Oh and kudos for the OCS! Its the icing on the cake. 3D LEGO

Brickwolf, Cleaver idea and execution you have there! Proof that sometimes, simple is more. Alas, all things must come to an end as I see the dreaded scrap gondola. R.I.P. Metroliner. 3D LEGO

wallacechow2005, Its small, its transformable, its fast, its poseable and it packs heat for all who dare mess with the little guy. Well done! Zentradi beware, the little ones do not take well to being swatted or squashed. All I can say is, MACROSS Chibi Wars 3D LEGO