roamingstop

Those living in Belgium and Luxemburg may be interested to know that Staples are going to be introducing a 3D printing service... which could be cool. http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/29/staples-easy-3d-printing-service/

ElectricSteam; it seems you have not been around the AFOL community for too long... (if AFOL?). Anyway the French LUG (Freelug) has a LGV (Lego Grand Vitesse) line they often use to break speed limits. The biggest issues there are not aerodynamics but keeping the train on the track at high speed whilst minimising the drag caused by poor wheel friction. http://www.freelug.org/ http://www.freelug.o...php?article1232 No two motors will be identical; but the differences should be minimal if the type of motor is the same (PF and RC are not the same). Secondly the linkage mechanisms and any friction will also be important. By the time you iron out all of these issues the aerodynamics will have little impact. No matter how you buld the studs will cause minor turbulance which will also cause back-drag. Making models smooth helps; but also consider how the air flows over the carriages. Look into the physics of aerodynamics to gauge whether a Lego design will really work well.

That is actually a very nice - elegant design. I think I might borrow some; as to revising old sets - I agree with most of the statements that any changes should only be for the better. That is what I did for the 4551 series... So perhaps it is more MOD then original. However it should be still instantly recognisable.

In England it was always Batman Smells Robin flew away Father christmas lost his hat On the M4 Motorway. But im sure that it changed a lot in the last 30 years.

Thanks Sergio; I thought it would look too overpowering using the medium wheel set from BBB but it seems i'm wrong. Adding the offset using a custom technic washer should not be a problem; although whether this places undue strain on to a custom rod would need to be checked.

Coming back to middle wheels for PF motors; the question is how would you attach Zephyr's custom rods? I too would love to reuse this design but I fear that BBB wheels (small size) dont have an attachment point for a connecting rod; which would mean that you would need to create a custom wheel; or use a CAM shaft brick. So Zephyr / BBB: Any chance of making a wheel set for PF motors which would allow a middle - and suitable connecting rods. As skaako demo'ed in this old thread Actually thinking about it - the middle wheel should not even be flanged... no wait.. actually we would need flanged and blanks with holes. @Zephyr: Actually seriously thinking how much would such a custom mould cost - I could easily see myself helping to set up some production of these as im sure there would be plenty of trainheads taking benefit. Perhaps even a custom deal with Ben Fleckes?

Loco-Annie - I thought you just wrote that old models (7740) should not be changed (instead expensive custom roof) and yet here you are saying that 7760 should receive Pantographs. What is the world coming to?

Looking at old TEE locomotives (assuming that was the inspiration for 7740)... we also see interesting diesel types So perhaps pantographs for 7740 were a simple addition? I know Seelanderpublished a real nice set of TEE (tan and dark red) carriages some time ago - but for nostalgia the 7740 looks good. German TEE BR103 by Thomas Selander, on Flickr And some nice carriage designs to be completing the 7740 series. Sorry gone way off topic....

Thanks for the feedback Seelander - I will definitely go in search of the Lug photos. As to other shunters; I have previously tried a EE 3/3 but getting rods / links working well was not so good. It will work well with Zephyr's custom rods; just not yet had the time to go back to the design / purchase stage. The BR 365 (V60) would also work out the same way. Since I had some spare 7760 bits I was thinking of some other similar sized blue locomotives for the harbour scene; I just have no idea what 7760 was even based upon (if anything). Im definitely not a train head. I did consider a blue 7755 locomotive as a bigger brother companion; but it will be hard to build without too many extra blue weights.

Im debating how to proceed with re-energising some of my older models; either leave them exactly as they were or bring them up to more modern designs; and it got me thinking about pantograph designs over the ages; and actually which ones work best. And importantly, if the models are updated (as in fact all real life locomotives were) would changing the pantographs make sense Taking as an example 7740: brick built pantograph (plates and studs) - which wont fit nicely inside a 10027 Engine shed Through some I used on a custom MOC to Steinkopfs excellent ones And onwards to the Horizon Express Which are about as modern as you can get. My questions really are what to do with the older models - does it really make sense to update pantographs to more realistic versions; and if so; which designs are recommended? Would you go for realistic; or functional (assuming imagary wires); or lego-istic (7740 style)...

I picked up a version to do something somilar but decided to switch to dark bley as getting all dark grey bricks was getting expensive. It will look fantastic when complete My only complaint is that it wont hold some of the older 7740 era trains because of brick built pantographs.

@Brickster: Sorry for the old bump. @Selander and others; I recently acquired a bunch of blue parts to make up a 7760 - unfortunately not the ulta rare windows but the rest is pretty much there. (I already resurected one 7760 reusing a black weight hidden in the front nose). I was considering a similar mod switching to using the PF motor and adding Zephyr's new custom rods to make it a PF 7760... (ish). Do you have any other pictures (I noticed some of the flickr links were not working). @All: Over christmas i will probably continue on my conversion of older models to look more in keeping with modern freight terminals (4x8 crates to become 6x16 etc). I have a load of container loading cranes; but the switching locomotives look a bit strange. Which other shunter / switcher style's exist which are perhaps similar to good old blue 7760 but not quite the same? I was thinking about some of BR's models - but when I look at the little shunters from Marc Bellis or Hrw-Amen im kind of inspired; but dont know a *** about switcher naming conventions or designs. I just know what I like.

A bit hard to add from my handy, but google image searching "experimental locomotives" brings up some nice responses This caught my eye: narrow gauge pneumatic road train http://cambrianmodels.co.uk/esxdetls.html Sorry cant link the photo just yet

There is a great auction for a model here in Switzerland... Please note this is not my model - but if someone is interested I am active on the Ricardo.ch site.

Nice photo of all the expensive bits... JUst wish it was cheap to buy them. My rebuilt 7760 still misses ine blue weight brick- but it is not noticable- a black works at front if locomotive offset by 1 stud with two 1x2 bricks at the front. A purist will conplain but 30 bucks for 1 brick is a lot of cash

The expensive parts in 7760 are the blue windows and weight blocks which were only ever released in that set. As you point out blue doors were also in a service pack so less rare Recreating 7760 without at least one blue weight brick is tough- otherwise you need to switch to red when it becomes much cheaper. But then it would be a very angry blue shunnter if it had turned red.

Kyphur: Make the best of both worlds: I have a spare tender without stickers. So keep one with the originals, and have a second with new replacements.

Im glad to see the museum idea is back... mine never got off the ground unfortunately. But I do have a couple of 131... and other older models wanting a new home. It is a pity to keep them in boxes; and they should be seen. Like Kyphur I enjoy the rennovation part - although I have not got into stickers too much. Occasionally it is a pain when a 1x2 black narrow slit window is missing - they sell for 20 CHF each. Ouch. Perhaps a job for a black 3D printing machine.

Here is a link to the work of Sava; Cooper et al who were trying to make a working PRR DD1: which can be found here The picture you link is the chasis only. The final engines looked like below Now the Big Boy... Actually called Koloss - on the SBB A/E 8/14 and a German page here

It looks lime the big boys of switzerland. The weird electric motors were attempted by cale et al in summer 2011 - but dont think they suceeded due to gearing / angle issues with standard studs

It should also work well with the PF track as well... pity there is still no option to match the spacing of the Indiana Jones track; so close and yet...

It looks nice; but I think you linked to the slideshow? The 3x4 plates from the Minifigs looks great; a good hint!

I have listed a load of old blue conducting track on ebay but I am happy to end these early if someone on Eurobricks wants to make a good offer for the job lot. Currently there are seperate lots listed; but the total job lot would be 160 Curved Conducting (60+60+40) 136 Straight Conducting (60+60+16) A load of automatic points / switches (left and right) And a couple of 12V blue power supplies (listed at Bricklink Train Sets Supplimental). Feel free to PM me and we can arrange something sensible for the lot. I also have many of the older Train models listed on my Bazaar Thread - where I am also open to (sensible) offers

Id be interested to know whether you are using a makerbot type device; have your own other 3D printing or reusing something expensive or from a company? When I get a little better organised I too will start getting some.

Does anyone know why this set disappeared from S@H in europe? Was it really only out for 2-3 months?