PasDeChocolat Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Hello everyone. First of all, I’ve been following this forum for a long time now. I’ve always been amazed by what you guys are capable of. I don’t even dream of matching your bricking skills someday. I anyway tried to start somewhere and came up with a track layout that I want to submit to your critics. Context: According to the WAF I had to create something really compact (we have a small house) and rather cheap. With the help of BlueBrick, investigated quite a few options for track layout and came to the conclusion that to get at least a bit of playability, I had to build something over two levels. I also came accors the post of BrickBuff where I found the way to avoid having two inclines which, as you know, are really space consuming. (-> thx again). From that I had to find the cheapest and most esthetic support construction to put my second level on. After quite a lot of bricklinking, I figured out that the simples things are often the better. I decided to go for a full brick solution which has a really 80’s look that I just love. https://www.flickr.c...N06/16695656408 Result: This is what I get at the end. There is no landscape, it is rather raw but I’m really pleased with it: It is so compact, quite good looking to me (looks like it comes straight out of an old lego idea book) and my son and me just envoy the playability. https://www.flickr.c...N06/16695241680 https://www.flickr.c...N06/16262642743 https://www.flickr.c...N06/16694988488 https://www.flickr.c...N06/16882589535 https://www.flickr.c...N06/16696438539 And finally a little video to for you to see the whole thing in motion. Quote
Commander Wolf Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 I used to really like this kind of layout, but these days it's a little too cluttered for me. Still cool to watch it run, though; the trains run surprisingly smooth. Is it all just typical PF equipment? Quote
PasDeChocolat Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Yes, all train are powerfunctions. the two 3687 red cargo train are stock both on same channel. the 7710 push-along train has a medium power function overgeared, and the MOC does in deed hav a lot of power. It was actually the main criteria when I builded it. It has two train powerfuntion engines and, I'll say something special for a train this size, a technic power function battery box wich is heavier because of the AA batteries instead of the AAA. That gives a lot of grip. I'll try to create a topic about it. Quote
ecmo47 Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 That's a lot of train in a small space! I'm sure it is fun to operate since both the upper and lower levels loop back on themselves. Quote
kieran Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Fantastic, love the split level, lots to see Quote
Rail Co Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 First off Welcome to Eurobricks! I love to see what new members have to offer and this is good! Lovely use of space, too cluttered for myself to build but would still be fun to have. How many trains can you run at one time on this layout? Cool layout! -RailCo Quote
PastVPresent Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Great work fitting so much into the space - I really like the elevated track with the vintage sets in the middle Quote
LEGO Train 12 Volts Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Amazing layout ...really full of lego! Quote
lightningtiger Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Amazing layout......very busy and even more busy looking........Brick On 'PasDeChocolat' ! Quote
Man with a hat Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Very nice layout. Really fun to look at all those trains is such a small space. But no problems with overhang in the corners at the lower tracks because of the pillars? Quote
cgarison Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Very nice layout. That is a great concept to have a nice compact display that would be pretty portable for shows. Quote
PasDeChocolat Posted March 22, 2015 Author Posted March 22, 2015 Thanks for all the comments it is much appreciated And a lot of interesting questions… You guys know what you are talking about To Rail Co, -It is indeed cluttered and that was the intention as the goal was to get my 2y+ little boy to start with lego, I wanted the whole thing to look fascinating to him... and it worked -To me the maximum train you can actually run on the layout is tree. There would be one on each level running the loop at fixed pace and the hird one that you operate to navigate around that. To Man with a hat, There is no problem of overhang but the question is really pertinent. As you spotted, the pillars of the low level are rather close to the track. They actually don’t allow the red cargo train to pass, as he is too long. That is why I designed the yellow/red MOC so compact, to allow him to go on both track level. The push along train has of cours no problem there. To Cgarnison, Yes I’m really happy with the “compactness” of the layout. But I need to say that I’m not sure it is the best options to go to a show. The track is imosible to cary in big bits, when the tracks are disconnected, the structure tends to become quite fragile. The only solution is to put everything appart to move it. And belive me putting back all those pillars would take a lot of time before a show. Unless you spend half the night Anyway, thanks again for all the comments, don't hesitate to shoot Quote
dr_spock Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Great use of available space. Has there been collisions running 3 trains? Quote
zephyr1934 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Excellent, a lot of stuff going on in a very compact space. I too like all of the vintage sets on the layout (ah, the horse farm) and the 12v feel to the structure. The pair of turning loops is also great, lots of operational potential. One thing you might want to add is some form of transferring a hopper load from a car emptying on the upper loop to a car loading on the lower loop. Quote
stiggy07 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Love the layout, may have to do something similar myself Quote
Ex cinno Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Very nice layout, although a bit 'compressed: I like to see the trains changing level. Quote
Steph 104th Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Great layout, it's interresting to see so much in such cramped conditions, I particularly enjoy the changing of levels Quote
PasDeChocolat Posted March 24, 2015 Author Posted March 24, 2015 Many thanks for the comments. Has there been collisions running 3 trains? Indeed, there where collisions in the beginning. But after you get some practice in coordinating the track switch with the trains, the things run rather smooth. After a while, you definitely to get some driving skills while running the third train from one loop to the other. You also needs the train to be quite responsive as you need to accelerate fast and break often in order to synchronize with the trains running on the top and bottom loops. One thing you might want to add is some form of transferring a hopper load from a car emptying on the upper loop to a car loading on the lower loop. I came to such an idea but more in the form of an elevator being able to take some cars from one level to the other but I'm really lacking time to complete such a project. Quote
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