Posted January 28, 201411 yr A little over a year ago I made a PF Thomas which while a hit at model train shows, left me feeling I could improve on the original model. SO after some tinkering and a 2 stud drop in width to 8 studs wide I bring you Thomas 2.0. Much of the original model remains with a few tweaks. The head now has curved slopes instead of the original cheese. The receiver is mounted at the back rather than on top. The 2 stud loss was between the battery and the side wall. Originally the wall was 2 studs wide on each side. Now it is only 1. The rods have been purchased in zephyr's BL store. I think they look fantastic. Front and rear lights both work. James was the second project. After improving on Thomas I took what I learned and applied it to project 2. Battery box and receiver are hidden in the tender. Front and read lights work on James as well.The cab had me stumped for a few months. I could not find a combination of sloped parts with a small horse shoe curve no more than 2 studs in between. Eventually I tried thinking a little sideways and came to my solution. A 1x4 arch mounted sideways, with the rest of the cab built to match. The only problem then was to somehow mount it to the engine without leaving gaps. Alas. 2 pins mounted on top of the XL motor provided points of contact for the roof to latch onto. Problem solved! The only thing I'm not happy with is getting the proper curve on the tender sides, and the front bogie. They are functional, but I know it can be improved. Any suggestions would be useful! A few size comparisons are shown with the emerald night. James is almost as fast at the night, while Thomas is about half the speed.
January 28, 201411 yr :wub: WOW!!!! all you need is the red piping and you are set. I'm gonna show my son these pics, he loves Thomas, we collect the HO's:
January 28, 201411 yr Really nice work! It brings the best of Lego and Thomas together in a spectacular fashion. No wonder it's a hit at shows!
January 28, 201411 yr They look great. Are the faces from the duplo engine, with their bottoms cut off? If so, how do you attach them? Edited January 28, 201411 yr by MAB
January 28, 201411 yr I was also wondering where the faces come from? The engines look good, I like the James one as it is a bit bigger whilst keeping the older styling than the EN. Also everyone has Thomas, not so many James, but in your set up he has an equal place. Go James!!
January 29, 201411 yr Author The faces are exactly that. Duplo models with all the excess cut off. I used sticky tack wadded up into a ball to fill in the face and stick to the brick from behind. Works well and it's not permanent. The next train on the list is either Percy or Toby, then Gordon last. I plan to do only the original characters from my childhood. It is also a shame because Edward and Henry can't be done since there are no face molds. So I'm trying to outsource other faces for them.
January 29, 201411 yr Excellent work! I bet the kids will love them at the next show (memo to myself, I should try this some day too). So how did you rig the actual receiver, is it completely covered? In the back side of Thomas I think I see the channel switch but not the actual receiver. I plan to do only the original characters from my childhood. It is also a shame because Edward and Henry can't be done since there are no face molds. So I'm trying to outsource other faces for them. Kudos to you! I grew up with a few of the original books myself.
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