I was talking to one of the guys that builds the amazing trains and he generally powers the cars not the trains. Surprised me but then also didn’t. Quite challenging to get the motor in the engine and keep the details
Greg, rather than using the short, stud-like end of the technic half pin to connect those troublesome wheelsets, why not turn the pin over and insert it through both of the modified 2x3's using the pin end? That should provide a better connection. (Use the technic-pin side to connect both halves, rather than using the stud for one half, and the pin for the other)
That’s a good idea. I’ll try it. But, I think it’s needs the movement up and down that having it this way provides. I did since find removing one tile from each end gives enough movement to stop bottoming out.
I think 'pushing' is always going to be a bit of a problem but you seem to have got it to work. I used to put lead in my 'O' gauge' wagons but batteries may be a good substitute providing they don't leak!
I’m actually planning to swap it for pie weights. They are heavy, small and don’t leak or degrade. But yes, pushing only works if the thing ahead is heavy enough not to lift up
I built a powered tender to go with my 7810. I used a technic beam (3L) to connect them, while still providing enough lateral movement to prevent binding on curves and switches. Using this method, it wasn't necessary to remove the center axle or put additional weight into the 7810.
Awesome video and awesome work! I love the boxcar running around the track solo. I’m going to be bothering you constantly once my train line is connected because I have so many trains to motorize.
I'm really surprised at how difficult that train finds it to get around your loop. In several places it slows and even almost stops. That's a lot of resistance or a very bad connection. If it's the book's bogie design then it certainly needs a different system. I can't see how they would lift the motor off the track given how forgiving LEGO track usually is and how lose they are. Is this resistance a similar issue to what caused your batteries to run down so quickly before? Did you ever identify the issue there? Happy driving!
I think there’s a few things in play. Bits of my track aren’t quite flat but they are all the correct radius now. The train is being pushed which never works well. This can be fixed with a technic pin (same as the Hogwarts and winter train use for the same reason). It also has the issue of the wheels. I think I need to check the spacing on them as they might be too tight (I haven’t pushed them all the way in). And also the weight of it. Some pie weights will solve that. Now, the bogies on the wagon are a fairly standard design but I agree they could be smoother. I did find that removing one of the tiles on them helped. I’m also wondering if there’s a better hinge to use. I will play and report back.
I was going to email you to say that the video was up. There’s enough weight from from the Powered up and all the bricks, but the motor is similar weight so that helps. Did you like the button change? You could do that for the PF version by having 4 of the vents perhaps?
I wonder if I could make that boxcar for my Lego ghost train express.
It works for most trains. You might need to add some weight to the train given it’s being pushed.
i love ur videos! i publicly subscribed to u
Awesome! Thanks! Glad you like my videos!
the runaway box car. hehe. interesting way to make a unpowered train powered up.
I was talking to one of the guys that builds the amazing trains and he generally powers the cars not the trains. Surprised me but then also didn’t. Quite challenging to get the motor in the engine and keep the details
Greg, rather than using the short, stud-like end of the technic half pin to connect those troublesome wheelsets, why not turn the pin over and insert it through both of the modified 2x3's using the pin end? That should provide a better connection. (Use the technic-pin side to connect both halves, rather than using the stud for one half, and the pin for the other)
That’s a good idea. I’ll try it. But, I think it’s needs the movement up and down that having it this way provides. I did since find removing one tile from each end gives enough movement to stop bottoming out.
I think 'pushing' is always going to be a bit of a problem but you seem to have got it to work. I used to put lead in my 'O' gauge' wagons but batteries may be a good substitute providing they don't leak!
I’m actually planning to swap it for pie weights. They are heavy, small and don’t leak or degrade. But yes, pushing only works if the thing ahead is heavy enough not to lift up
I built a powered tender to go with my 7810. I used a technic beam (3L) to connect them, while still providing enough lateral movement to prevent binding on curves and switches. Using this method, it wasn't necessary to remove the center axle or put additional weight into the 7810.
That’s not a bad idea with the technic beam. Works well with the Hogwarts express. Hmmmm... I will try it. And some pie weights to keep it down.
Awesome video and awesome work! I love the boxcar running around the track solo. I’m going to be bothering you constantly once my train line is connected because I have so many trains to motorize.
Looking forward to it. Lol! And I feel like the boxcar needed some Benny hill music playing with it. Was so funny and awkward all at once
Cool
I'm really surprised at how difficult that train finds it to get around your loop. In several places it slows and even almost stops. That's a lot of resistance or a very bad connection.
If it's the book's bogie design then it certainly needs a different system. I can't see how they would lift the motor off the track given how forgiving LEGO track usually is and how lose they are.
Is this resistance a similar issue to what caused your batteries to run down so quickly before? Did you ever identify the issue there?
Happy driving!
I think there’s a few things in play. Bits of my track aren’t quite flat but they are all the correct radius now.
The train is being pushed which never works well. This can be fixed with a technic pin (same as the Hogwarts and winter train use for the same reason).
It also has the issue of the wheels. I think I need to check the spacing on them as they might be too tight (I haven’t pushed them all the way in).
And also the weight of it. Some pie weights will solve that.
Now, the bogies on the wagon are a fairly standard design but I agree they could be smoother. I did find that removing one of the tiles on them helped. I’m also wondering if there’s a better hinge to use. I will play and report back.
And my trains ran fine. They were just slow. But with two motors not an issue. The battery drain was a dud set of batteries it turns out 🤦♂️
That turned out great! I wonder if the Powered Up battery box doesn't provide enough weight compared to a gigantic PF box?
I was going to email you to say that the video was up. There’s enough weight from from the Powered up and all the bricks, but the motor is similar weight so that helps. Did you like the button change? You could do that for the PF version by having 4 of the vents perhaps?
Cool!
Are you in Sidney