Red's railway V3

[Redimus]

So, I'm going to have to dismantle my 3rd attempt at a semi-permanent Lego railway due to it being situated under a building site. Also, I have bought some more appropriate tables which will allow it to bw properly level, and allow me some extra space to extend it and add another loop (on the station side), so now seemed like a good time to photograph it for prosperity.

Overview

The Rolling Stock

I also have a couple of modded HE sets (ie one full TGV), but due to space and it being the most awkward to operate, it's currently sat on my dad's far from complete 00 layout.

Sections

-The yard and MPD.

The Lone Ranger's escape!

Substitute Knights and Pirates for Settlers of Catan.

Dalek attack on the Bako Signal Box

Successful Police sting (or is this too many officers and too much equipment to capture one man who is on foot?).

-The bridge and container yard.

-Town Center and Station

ATM robbery.

Station Kiosk.

Near miss!

The final battle of a crap film...

-Angel Park and Firestation.

More detailed image of Angel Park.

Maintenance on the footbridge.

The firestation.

Fin

Edited December 1, 2014 by Redimus

[ScotNick]

I like how you modded some stuff, but especially like your mocs. I know you've said they're not finished or look bad, but could you pleaaasee show some of your carriages (MK I coaches and Pullman if I'm right?) and also the tank wagon? They really look good and would deserve some pictures

And nice for you to get more space, hope yo use t for some more mocs

Edited December 1, 2014 by ScotNick

[Redimus]

I wouldn't say I'm not happy with either of the coaches. The Mk1 designs were always a compromise, intended to look a little toy-like to fit the only steam loco I had at the time and the standard Lego style. Since then I have decided to adopt 7 wide and a much more realistic style. The Pullman I was *very* happy with, although again it's only 6 wide. I intend to look into upgrading the design to make it 7 wide when I have the time.

Pictures will come at some point (including the tanker, which I'm *really* happy with), and (once I've tidied up and made sure they're up to date) I have no problem at all sharing the LDDs to anyone and everyone who wants em (after all, I haven't designed a MOC yet that didn't take at least some ideas from other people's MOCs, even if I had to come up with the actual LDD myself). Wasn't there some talk of getting someone to be a moderator for this forum so we could update the resources thread?

[zephyr1934]

At least from this shot the blue engine and three cars look very sharp. It is a pity that you have to pack it up again, but I'm sure the next round will be even better.

[Redimus]

The coaches are good (and achieved exactly what was intended at the time) but I've never entirely been happy with the engine (despite *several* rebuilds). If I ever build more Pullmans, I will probably have to look into building one that is motorised or building a motorised baggage car, as it is a very heavy build, and the longer than normal bogies cause it to drag a bit too.

One issue I've come up with when designing both styles of coach is the issue or window spacing. What do the rest of you prefer, windows that a far enough apart to fit a couple of minifigs and a table behind each, or windows that are less well spaced out,but allow you closer to the actual amount of windows of the prototype? This question is of particular interest in regards of the Pullman, because it should have two toilet windows (the small round one) which would have either made it only have 2 main windows (which would have looked very silly) or it would have had to be several studs longer (which may have caused issues going round the layout and would have looked odd with the rest of the rolling stock I have at the moment).

[Kayaderosseras]

Nice layout -- I really like the table with rounded ends, which goes well with the curved tracks.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

May I see some more picture of your lovely signal box?

A really like those windows!

[zephyr1934]

One issue I've come up with when designing both styles of coach is the issue or window spacing. What do the rest of you prefer, windows that a far enough apart to fit a couple of minifigs and a table behind each, or windows that are less well spaced out,but allow you closer to the actual amount of windows of the prototype? This question is of particular interest in regards of the Pullman, because it should have two toilet windows (the small round one) which would have either made it only have 2 main windows (which would have looked very silly) or it would have had to be several studs longer (which may have caused issues going round the layout and would have looked odd with the rest of the rolling stock I have at the moment).

That all depends on your interest. I started out building stubby cars with interiors, but I rarely did anything on the inside and the roofs keep falling off when I pick up the cars. So now I don't bother with the interior and often exploit that fact to hide snot work for a fancier exterior. I am also tending toward longer builds now. Is that best? No way. There are some fantastic 8+ wide builds out there that are 50+ studs long. Those get into engineering problems though to overcome the limited power and tight curves of the lego system (both can be overcome, but it takes that much more work). There is still something nice about a train that has a retro design harking back to the 12v era or whenever. In short, big or small, all depends on the builder's interest. One thing you might want to consider is experimenting with other styles. Maybe keep most of your trains the same size you've been building, but then for the Pullman's make them larger and see if you like it. You can still run trains designed to different scales, just don't park them next to each other if the size difference bothers you. Then again, maybe you do not want to uncork that bottle because it may leave you wanting to enlarge all of your trains (grin).

[Redimus]

The only reason I haven't even tried to match scale length (other than the fact the lengths I'm using at the moment actually look OK) is the cornering issue. I don'y really have the parts or the space at the moment for scale curves, and I don't like the idea of a coach wiping out the scenery going around them. When I design my 7 wide Pullman, I've got a couple of ideas for the interior to allow me to squeeze another window, and maybe the second toilet in, by raising the tables slightly so the chairs can go half a stud under them. I have to admit I've also been considering just doing away with interiors too.

As for roofs falling off, I can't say I've ever had any problem with that. Mine tend to be rather stiff to take off (even with them being held on only by friction). Did you have the entire roof removable, or (as I do, mostly so I can keep the often more fiddly ends together) just have the middle bit removable and wedge it in between the permanent ends?

May I see some more picture of your lovely signal box?

A really like those windows!

The signal box is made out of a very old (and totally incompatible) building system called Bayko, which consists of metal rods (pushed into holes in the base plates) with plastic tiles slid between them to represent bricks/windows/stairs/doors etc. It was my dad's from the 60s and I always loved building with it when I visited my Gran's as a child. When I found out we still had it after her death, I had to include it on the layout, if only to give me something to remember her by.

I'll try and get a few more detailed photos for you shortly. :)