Carefree_Dude

Just an update, this is how it currently looks. Still have a ways to go though. It runs well so far. Ultimately I'll be putting a buzzwizz in for power but I don't have one yet.

I do something similar to what cptkent did, with the main difference of the camera being in front of the wheels just barely floating above the track .

The station is something that I'd buy in a heartbeat, I just don't see something like that actually becoming a set. The subway designer did a good job of reaching the intended build he was going for, I'm just not a fan of subways.

It all looks really nice! I have a question; what is the largest steam locomotive you've built so far?

I'm not a big fan of the subway train either. But, at this point ill take what I can get. Also the 10 wide is throwing me off.

This article has some info on the miniland scale, as well as picture of a bogie. http://www.x-brick.de/brick-valley/trains/index.php

That thing is so massive its hard to imagine it actually getting accepted

I'll check it out when I can! One thing that i would love to see is something that can automatically slow down the train around curves. I know you'd need a sensor of some sort and i've no idea how it would communicate with the app.

sadly i don't have access to a lathe or a drill press anymore. I do have a power drill which may work, I would just need a way to lock it into the "ON" position. I wish I had something to practice with before I put a BBB wheel on it. I haven't used a lathe in years

That is a wonderful method! I wouldn't have even considered using a lego motor for the spinning. How have your BBB wheels held up after almost 10 years?

I emailed Ben about the traction issue, and his response was to just push the engine with powered tender. Not quite the answer I was hoping for, so I am going to continue to pursue other methods since I really want to use the drive wheels.

Its possible i have cut them too thick, as they are almost the length of the wheel

I used bicycle inner tubes; got the size to fit a 28mm tire, since the wheels are a bit under 37mm. It initially fits fine on the driver, but as the drive goes around curves it slowly works the inner tube off.

Mine are not grooved; i may need to cut a groove or something. I'm just really nervous about having to cut these things.

Yup, my leading and trailing trucks go up and down as well. its crazy how much articulation you need to make happen.

Even with the Big Ben wheels, the locomotive sat a little high. I went back to the drawing board, and found a way to lower it while working in the same space for the gearboxes. Rather than using 4 springs, I reduced it down to only 2. Then I had the springs "Cross" from one side of the other so they were kind of like a big "X" inside the gearbox. This allowed me to make the wheels roughly a stud and a plate closer to the boiler. I've been able to do some test runs and for the most part it works pretty well. The main issue I have is the rear drive wheel set has the wheels farthest from the gears popping upwards and derailing. I need to find a way to force those down.

I'm trying to add the inner tubes to my xl wheels but they keep slipping off while running. Any way to keep them on? Any other good traction ideas?

Even if it is a limited employee gift, it is very likely easy to build from parts

This video reminds me of when I had my original Big Boy, and accidentally powered it on while it was on a shelf. It shot out an open window, fell two stories, and shattered on the ground below.

I feel like a train could pull a hundred of these, its so small and cute

Im thinking this too, but it is hard to tell in the blurry image. Also I didn't know those were called boat studs.

Even if the set isn't regularly available, it is made out of mostly common parts (except for the red buffers or whatever those are) so it would be easy enough to build your own. I probably have enough of the parts already to build a handful of them.

I mean if those are red buffers that is good enough for me. Actually, want to know what this set would be good for? Build a flatbed car to have this sit on and be pulled by another train.

Its very nice when places level their tables, but you can't always depend on it. The big tradeoff however is trying to fit the suspension, and the CV joint. I haven't put it under a full load yet, but I am very concerned the CV joint is going to break.

Get your coworkers offices involved too, have it visit all the cubes and bring snacks.