How to modify train set to 8 wide?

[mikezang]

My favorite is auto control train system, and I am not good at create train itself.

Yesterday I got 10233 and I want to modify it to 8 wide for my RCX, but I have no any idea, where can I find information for modification from 6 to 8 wide train?

[mikezang]

Because nobody gave suggestion, I have to modify it by myself, though I have no ny experience for 8 wide train, I am on my way, here is half works, pls give suggestion again,

[JopieK]

I like the idea, but I think it is not very easy to finish it. It is better to use a more simple controller in your train and make an external controller that controls the actual train.

[mikezang]

I like the idea, but I think it is not very easy to finish it. It is better to use a more simple controller in your train and make an external controller that controls the actual train.

Thanks for your suggestion, but my favorite is not only control train moving manual, it is auto controll train system, so I have to use RCX, it was controlled rail in past 9v system, now I tried to control train itself with PF system.

Here is what I did in past, all controlled by 4 RCXs, they keep in communications sync.

[JopieK]

I understand, but it is much easier to put a non-LEGO controller like an Arduino of some kind inside and then keep it in synch with the others (including the RCX systems).

[mikezang]

I understand, but it is much easier to put a non-LEGO controller like an Arduino of some kind inside and then keep it in synch with the others (including the RCX systems).

Though I know Arduino is cheaper, but if you found what I have, you should know what I want to do...

[JopieK]

It is not that Arduino is cheaper, but it is much smaller and much more versatile (not the UNO but the pro mini / Teensy / etc.) I also have a whole bunch of those from my high school (we switched to NXT / EV3).

[mikezang]

It is not that Arduino is cheaper, but it is much smaller and much more versatile (not the UNO but the pro mini / Teensy / etc.) I also have a whole bunch of those from my high school (we switched to NXT / EV3).

I am not sure what size about pro mini / Teensy? What size nod price? I will use them after I used all my RCXs...

[JopieK]

https://www.sparkfun.../products/11114

http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy3.html

DX or Aliexpress might have the first one cheaper (but then as clones)

[mikezang]

Now I got a 8 wide 10233 and put RCX inside locomotive, this is my first MOC of 8 wide train, because the height is also increased, I am not sure if I have to let side window higher one brick than now? Can you give me some suggestion ?

By the way, I don't have enough orange bricks, so using yellow...

[Lego Otaku]

I've had good luck getting some cheap Arduino clones off eBay. Arduino Mini is roughly the size of a gum pack so even with a few extra components like solid state relays for motors, IR receiver, and battery it is still a lot smaller than RCX.

[elicend]

hi

how do you manage the train with the RCX ? i tried out with reading barcode, but it was not usable, to i'm looking for using the "click" information with switch.

thanks,

elicend

[mikezang]

hi

how do you manage the train with the RCX ? i tried out with reading barcode, but it was not usable, to i'm looking for using the "click" information with switch.

thanks,

elicend

What do ou mean "mange train"? I use brickOS control move and stop train, and a rotation sensor to control train in constant speed, then use other sensors along track to switch points and train direction or pause to wait a express, there will be several trains with itself RCX.

Hope this is answer your question.

[elicend]

thanks for your rapid answer.

By manage train, i understood control train.

I try too to control train by RCX brick. In my mind, loco should only have a motor in, and RXC is in the first Wagon. By this way, i can have more train than i have RCX brick (at this time, 2). I don't have Rotation sensor, i understand that must be better to have constant speed, on curve i think.

But how you control start, stop, go faster or slower ? how do you send message to the RCX ? is there a connexion with sensors along the track ? or is there a RCX along the track, and IR communication to control the train RCX ? as i said, i tried out with code bar on the track, that should permit to send 6 or 7 different message (slow, fast, passenger stop, fret stop, pause, tut tut, etc...) but reading is not efficient and to much light perturbed., click should have a better reading but, might be longer, so may be less message would be possible.

i'm very interested by RCX control, i can give you my code, if you want, maybe we can grown them up together.

a, i've instruction for a complete RCX integrated loco too ;) if you are interested, i can give you link !

Sorry, very poor and school engish, i'm french ;)

Edited November 25, 2013 by elicend

[mikezang]

I use a RCX remote control to control if need, then I use program in RCX to be a auto control, communications between RCXs is by IR.

In past I controlled train by controlling track, this is my first RCX on train project, it is still on the way..

I'd like to share information with you, please show me your works, that is great, I hope that I can get hints from your creation.

By the way, my English is also poor as I am Chinese in Japan.

Edited November 25, 2013 by mikezang

[elicend]

no problem to share information :)

I'll start a news post, i hope tomorrow, in order to not going out of subject of this one

[Jan]

Because nobody gave suggestion, I have to modify it by myself, though I have no ny experience for 8 wide train, I am on my way, here is half works, pls give suggestion again,

Hi, in your photo it shows you have one of these modified bottomplates. You could use that to get rid off your heightproblem, I would also choose to skip these red windows you placed in the sides, and just keep the sides closed.

I don't have a rcx at home, so i don't know its exact measurements, but on the photo it looks as if you could win a stud by putting the side walls on jumperplates, that way it would be only 7 studs wide in the back.

good luck

Edited November 26, 2013 by Jan

[mikezang]

Hi, in your photo it shows you have one of these modified bottomplates. You could use that to get rid off your heightproblem, I would also choose to skip these red windows you placed in the sides, and just keep the sides closed.

I want to keep that original baseplate so that the structure will be tight, I think the windows should be moved higher two plates for blanche vertical. I want to use a window a small door because I have to power on/off RCX easier without take off to, but there will not looks fine, I am not sure how to do..

I don't have a rcx at home, so i don't know its exact measurements, but on the photo it looks as if you could win a stud by putting the side walls on jumperplates, that way it would be only 7 studs wide in the back.

good luck

I don't think 7 wide can work, because two plates wire need to be used on RCX, you can check picture as below, 8 wide is best for RCX on train.

[alainneke]

I see that you removed the battery cover to make the RCX slightly smaller. Why don't you try to separate the whole battery compartment from the rest of the RCX to make it even smaller: http://www.mralligator.com/rcx/ ?

Edited November 27, 2013 by alainneke

[mikezang]

I see that you removed the battery cover to make the RCX slightly smaller. Why don't you try to separate the whole battery compartment from the rest of the RCX to make it even smaller: http://www.mralligator.com/rcx/ ?

Good idea but only in theory!

I once separated a RCX, the battery box has to be together with RCX body or RCX doesn't work. The picture as above is the thinnest mode.

Edited November 27, 2013 by mikezang

[Lazarus]

Sorry to say but you have killed the train i think. That train would also take a lot of work to make 8 wide the front would be hard to make 8 studs and keep the same look. This is one of the best every train kits lego has ever done i think.

Also that train already weights a tone due to the brick count making stuff 8 wide adds even more. My 8 wide locos have as much bricks in just the loco than the whole horizon kit.

I like what you want to do but how you are going about it is a hard way. I know you proberly already own all that hardware so you dont want to buy stuff what is fine.

But all this could be done in DCC with 9v motors and track and it would be very tidy.

You could make it fit 6 wide with a little bit of cutting and hard wiring the cable.

[mikezang]

Sorry to say but you have killed the train i think. That train would also take a lot of work to make 8 wide the front would be hard to make 8 studs and keep the same look. This is one of the best every train kits lego has ever done i think.

Also that train already weights a tone due to the brick count making stuff 8 wide adds even more. My 8 wide locos have as much bricks in just the loco than the whole horizon kit.

I like what you want to do but how you are going about it is a hard way. I know you proberly already own all that hardware so you dont want to buy stuff what is fine.

But all this could be done in DCC with 9v motors and track and it would be very tidy.

You could make it fit 6 wide with a little bit of cutting and hard wiring the cable.

Thanks for your advise and suggestion. I knew LDCC, but that is controlled by LDCC firmware, I am a software engineer, I like to control all my trains by my program automatically.

You are right, modifying to 8 wide is not easy, at first I will change width to 8 for my RCX, then I will try to change front to 8, this is not so easy because special parts. I think the most important is process of modification when play Lego not result itself.

I am very bad at model design and creation itself, I am good at software developing, this is why I keep to use all my RCXs to trains, stations, and city around my layout, please give me idea for modification 8 wide train, thank you a lot.

[mikezang]

Sorry to say but you have killed the train i think. That train would also take a lot of work to make 8 wide the front would be hard to make 8 studs and keep the same look. This is one of the best every train kits lego has ever done i think.

Can you give me suggestion for modifying Roof Tile 6X8 25 Degrees? How did you modify to 8 wide train?

[alainneke]

I want to keep that original baseplate so that the structure will be tight, I think the windows should be moved higher two plates for blanche vertical. I want to use a window a small door because I have to power on/off RCX easier without take off to, but there will not looks fine, I am not sure how to do..

I don't think 7 wide can work, because two plates wire need to be used on RCX, you can check picture as below, 8 wide is best for RCX on train.

I think you can get the part of the train covering the RCX to 7-wide (and leave the rest 6-wide), by using (vertical) tiles instead of bricks: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=90498. You can cover them with printed stickers to match the colors/lines of the train. Mount them with 1x2 brackets (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=99780): this way, you can easily remove the plates when you need access to the RCX' buttons

Edited November 29, 2013 by alainneke

[mikezang]

I think you can get the part of the train covering the RCX to 7-wide (and leave the rest 6-wide), by using (vertical) tiles instead of bricks: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=90498. You can cover them with printed stickers to match the colors/lines of the train. Mount them with 1x2 brackets (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=99780): this way, you can easily remove the plates when you need access to the RCX' buttons

Your idea is not bad, but I don't think it is easier to find printed stickers. I will try other 7 wide if possible.