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| ***March 22, 2004***
Wanting to add a little more functionality and a little less HOG (LEGO fan term--if ya don't know what it means, dont' worry) |
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So I made this tonight--It's modelled after others I've seen a long time ago on the internet. It's a train car separator
It had to meet one criterium--the whole motorized unit had to fit under the loading dock of my small warehouse (3 bricks, 1 plate high) I may LDraw this up, but it's pretty straight forward. |
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I cheated just a bit--the motorized train car separator is located at one end of my large boxcar when the other end of the boxcar hits the track stop in the warehouse.
All that a locomotive has to do is backup until the boxcar hits the track stop. Then separate away! Of course, the motorized separator is tied into one of my train control switches (see below) |
| Note that the top of the motor and electrical contact are at the same level as the rest of the loading platform. Well, it's cleverly disguised by adding a few LEGO 'boxes' on top! (see first pics) |
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| Here's a quick preview of an ongoing project--the basis for a roundhouse. Yes that's a micromotor spinning the thing--it does the job. |
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The exceedingly simple gear train which does the spinning.
All this effort is leading to one thing--RCX control! I'm going to enjoy that part almost as much as this buidling process! |
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***March 18, 2004***
After making a few motorized switch points, I needed a control unit. Directly inspired by some cool frood who knows where his towel is (Jeff E), I came up with this |
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| The polarity switches work exceedingly well. The switch handles reset themselves to center when you let go, which helps when you don't want to burn out a motor.
I only have 4 polarity switches (anyone want to donate their polarity switches to the 'Dave needs Polarity Switches Foundation'--I hear it's a really good cause)--there's nothing quite like sitting in one spot, controlling trains via the LEGO remote (using LDCC) and controlling the track points with the above switches! Tres fun! Oh, and the 'switchbox' gets its power from a 9 volt train controller set to full speed. Eh, it's a jury rig, but 'tis better than wasting batteries. I do plan on tidying up the spegetti factory I call a wiring job at some time in the near future. |
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Few pics of the layout as it is today... |
| I just like taking pictures of this locomotive! |
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***February 6, 2004***
I received 2 sets of wheels from Big Ben Bricks and let me jsut say oh what fun! |
| So I put this little steam locomotice together tonight. |
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It was pretty nifty seeing this engine go around the track. |
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It's something I pieced together from memory, experimenting with the pistons. |
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This loco is a start. I may make more! |
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See, you turn your back for just a sec and see what happens? I have to redesign the small wheel trucks on the steam locomotive |
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| ***November 27, 2003***
Inspired by another picture at RailPictures.net, I took one of my engines and put it up on blocks. An overview of my yard--think I need a bigger one! |
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Fireperson mailing off a letter--Canada Post truck in the background
Canada Post vehicle picking up the mail |
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Little Timmy watches the happenings in the train yard
A quick mock-up of a turning track to see if I really want to put the effort into maing one. |
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| ***November 19, 2003***
Modified the locomotive just a bit to make it look more like the actual loco. I really have to stop working on this... Made my first skyrise, so now my minifigs can have desk jobs as well! |
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See what happens when you don't pay attention? Carnage! Mayhem! |
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A little landscaping and et voila! River fit for canoeing! |
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| ***November 16, 2003***
Inspired by this page (www.railpictures.net), I set out to build a 'closer to the real thing' engine. Looking at this pic, this one, and this one, I came up with the following... |
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The actual engine this is modelled after is the EMD SD70ACe. I have no idea what that means :) |
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Many ideas and concepts employed in the building of this loco were directly inspired by the great work of others as seen on LUGNET trains. |
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Yes, the engine can even make the track corners. |
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The three wheel trucks on the engine. Tried to make them look as authentic as possible. |
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| ***November 13, 2003***
Wanted to set up a semi-permanent layout at home, so this is what I've started with... |
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After the Toronto Hobby Show, my layout at home was a bit of a shambles, so I started over. |
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Made a Z-Nap bridge to span the 2 and a half feet--Works very well.
And, of course, the firestation makes an appearance. |
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| A new building! Inspired directly from Calum's cargo building, I made this one for my layout. |
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Added more detail to the interior of my existing train station.
The current TD design of the layout |
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