roamingstop

My guess is that the sales person heard something like the PF cargo train is being changed; and perhaps the PF passenger train is not doing so well... and from that the PF is removed. I would be very surprised if PF is removed after all the time spent integrating the product lines... what I could see is a slightly upgraded version (think RCX --> Mindstorms) where more channels becomes available (4 for a railroad model is a limit, same as with the big technic lines), and it could also be named something slightly different, but I doubt the underlying modularity concepts will change much. A DCC implementation would be great, but as pointed out by Sava, that will cause a change in the target audience (although Marklin clearly can sell DCC models throughout europe). To be fair though, most younger children like the 'push and play' scenario much more than the 'remote control' (which comes online at a later age) - so perhaps we will see more of the 'push' and 'upgrade with components' type models? ... but even then Emerald Night and Maersk sell well.

At one point yes, but I think it was confirmed by Grogall in one of his posts...

Yep it works... but the new ME Models 9V track is an even better solution...

This would be great, but as mentioned a temporary stop gap would be a list of code words which could appear in the sub heading.

Very nice; I missed this models the first time round and enjoyed reading back through the thread. Thanks for some great inspiration!

Is there a way to add 'tags' to the forum posts? That might solve many issues; allowing people to customise their view depending upon the tags (or keywords in the subheading?). One issue I can see if that people would start using their own tags, spelling mistakes etc... so perhaps a generalised list of tags maintained by the forum / theme master - who can also be PM'ed if there is a specific tag you feel the need to add. First and easy ones would be tags like ModelTeam, TechnicClassic, TechnicStudless, Mindstorms, PowerFunctions, MOC, MOD, Review... Then perhaps secondary Vehicle, Construction, Flight, Engine, Transmission, Gearing, TechniqueQuestion, PartQuestion, ModelQuestion, DLudersFind (im sure others could add generic ones which are still meaningful). Such tags would not split the forum up - it would enable everything to stay more or less as is, and traditional view for most people, but if you wanted to quickly find something the tags would help, and reduce the need for an index of MOC's or Reviews?... A few more $$ worth, I need to save for Bricklink!

Is it going to be used in reverse in other models? (like 3677 Cargo Train?)

Actually I see three different 'techniques'... within the Technics forum, and they can also all relate to each other. First up is really Model Team, here the Technic pieces are generally used to create scale models, which have working parts, and accurate renditions, often a mix of system, technic etc. Ralph_S models are a case in point. I can see a need for MOC's and techniques. Then there are older Technic style models - which can look cool, still have a combination of system, old technic and new studless construction, where the emphasis is on the gearing, controls etc. Once again MOCs can include simple examples (differential gear boxes, engines, etc) and techniques as well as larger scale models (some of the break down trucks with PF spring to mind). I would also include in here some system models which include elements of Technics; e.g. the Carousel. Finally the newer studless construction system which emphasises open frame, studless construction and perhaps minimal techniques (log loader, etc) However... there will always be an exception to the rule. For note: I generally keep a bookmark tab of 'inspiration' - techniques and models which I want to use one day in my models. Sometimes too much organisation stiffles innovation, and I would probably not see interesting models which are inspiring; but then threads which drop to the second page are quickly lost. So perhaps the thread index should show the last 20 or 30 threads with comments?

It seems the original set 3840 Pirates game is not listed in Bricklink, so it does not appear under the official sets list... but is there under available colours.

If you follow a non-100% technic (studless) system, you could look at the technique I used on my mini EMD design (link). By using multiple hinge plates, you could generate a radial design, However you would need to find a 'spring' mechanism to ensure the axles with studs return to a neutral position.

We can all swim All of us can swim

Next step... Lime Maesrk... Just dont drop hints to the EB community.... (No I wont build - a USA holiday means no time). But thanks for the reference picture.

Interesting; Bricklink does not recognise this colour as being in an official set... but I had wondered why it was available as a piece. It does look good - and if you ever were forced to wear School Uniform colours of GWR railway (there is a school like that in Dorset, UK) then you will understand why the brown conjures up.... memories (I wont say if good or bad). Certainly it looks a nice colour combination with the rest of the pullman set. Oh and a hint; the white balance is off on your photos which is why they look too creamy...

Thanks for correcting me. Although I remember the books I forget all the charactors... but yep - the green can work.

Actually I think this is a very nice idea, and a very nice MOC. There are plenty of structures which could be a mini-modular.. however I guess the product design / development time, marketing etc may not be significantly different for a Mini-modular versus a full size regular (unless they designed a mini-series in one go). A Modular Bandstand (based upon your beatiful example) would be great. Other ideas could be a small park clock tower; a small park Avery (bird?)... a fountain (of youth) taking some of the great sculpture designs from the recent D2C contest (Pharoahs). A minature golf / crazy golf set... (could be done as an advent calendar). Sigh... too many creative ideas popping into my head and I need to focus on (paying) work.

Reminds me so much of the colour of Gordon the Engine from R W Awdry.

So where is Mr Phil Harding? And Prof. Aston?... no Geophysics from John Gater?... I think an Archaeologists Working Life is great, but could be easily expanded to the people of TimeTeam.

Actually a reissue of Santa Fe (as mentioned in first post) would work pretty well - I have some Bley versions and they look good. A modification to use the same opening technique as Emerald Night would make a new 'classic' style set, and the size of the locomotive means it is easily PF compatible - even down to the lights. So like Metroliner, it is a 'no brainer'. But... does it making commercial sense? Would it not be better to build an equivalent legend series in a siilar vein? Like a modern Amtrak train (as an example). In reality as mentioned many colours have changed, and building techniques improved, so that it would make more sense to do a 'modern version' of the old classic. But that is obviously what happened to Kings Castle and did not fair well. So it is better to put resources into making a new classic models - im thinking some of the Modular Houses, or similar (insert your favorite model line here _____,_____,____) Perhaps an interesting - low cost solution would be to have some specific expansion packs, with online instructions, for inspiring creation of classic models. Hey wait... that is what the AFOL community provide

Yep. Effectively you need to introduce a reflectivity aspect into the material texture, and add lighting sources so that the light can reflect. At which point you are into full 3D graphic engines. Open source options like Irrlicht allow this, but are streamlined programming environments (C++ template), or script like (Unity). I guess a lot depends upon the graphic / physics engine being used, and overheads especially with respect to the 'snap' feature for the studs.

The clock will be worth it for the Modular towns... but the flying car is sure a spoiler for the film...

Actually when you program colours in windows, you have Gamma, R,G,B values. That is because the RGB Gamut does not reflect the full range of colours which the eye can see. If you look at professional photographers, they calibrate their monitors (with hardware) to have a wider Gamut range. It is likely that the design and marketing labs, working with colour calibrated screens, dont have the same look and feel as you and I do on our normal 8 bit computer monitors. Even if you have a 10 bit monitor (I use one for photography) most of our graphic cards (and windows environments) still work in good old 8 bit... (per R,G,B - Gamma is used as a transparency layer). Since this is a tool for children, a colour hue which is only a couple of bits different is unlikely to be spotted, unless the child is a budding artist... And will only lead to confusion. Anyhow I look forward to testing some of the old hinges, it will help make a complete index of legal model builds!

Thanks for the links - I had missed that post in Early April. So the main upshot is that the discharge time is a lot faster? Im also thinking of powering the LED's for the train, I just wonder how long it will run with a new PP3 / 9V and the new PF motor (he shows in the video)... Perhaps the thread should be shifted to the Train Tech environment??? (mods?) Oh and at 9$ a pop for the adapter it is not too expensive; but similarly priced to the larger adapter cable.

I was recently going through a bag of old lego and came across the old Small Battery Box - which used a 9V PP3 battery... Last night I thought wow - this is really neat for fixing inside small MOC's and possibly under custom train bases as it is not as high as the normal PF one. However it was not clear why the PP3 9V battery concept was discontinued, is it related to maximum power / current ratings? Together with the 9V --> PF adapter cable I could see this as a great solution for some future models. Something I will be testing out today...

Or 250 Swiss Francs... which equates to 284 USD. Slightly better than Norway, but I guess everyone considers everyone in Switzerland to be wealthy (not true). Oh well.. guess it will be bought in USA, and ponied across the Atlantic.

Combine with with the spiral staircase from the Pet Shop and it would be great; although it might need a bit of help to expand its girth. I think I know what to ask for a birthday.