@playingwithechoes
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Personally, I think the Diablo GTR would make an excellent Speed Champion set. I’m still tinkering on it (such as detailed engine bay and interior) but as a standalone, it would be one awesome ride, and reason for Lego to make that windscreen part with printed yellow window frame. At the very least, I plan on making an instruction book for the Diablo with a “pick your own ending” kind of layout where one can finish the base build as any of the variants.
I want to thank everyone for the pleasure of partaking in this show with you. I was more than happy to provide trains, rolling stock and that Behemoth Bascule Bridge. Even after extensive testing of the bridge at home, structurally, mechanically, and electronically, I was still excited and surprised to see it working at the show for the first time. My only regret is that I forget to get a pen so everyone can sign the banner and give it to Josh as a momento on Sunday. Good news is that on Sunday, the bridge was easily dismantled into three sections and cleared out of the way for everyone else to do their teardowns within ten minutes. Trains and cars were likewise collected in a quick fashion for the MILS crew to get to their modules.
As for lessons learned for future shows, I think the Powerowl AAAs will need to be replaced with Enerloop AAAs to extend run time to well over an hour. Sure, constant battery changes comes with the territory of running massive trains and large rollingstock pieces on standard PF motors and battery boxes, but I can try to help alleviate some of that by looking at that brand. And a special thanks to Bob and Josh for allowing me to use the LUG’s rechargeable PF boxes. Those helped a lot when Powerowl needed more time on the chargers. On the plus side, we figured out the Big Boy’s motors by running that in reverse on Sunday. It’s nothing wrong with the train’s technic drivetrain during inspection but rather the L motors had worn out going one direction for years on end, LOL. The train is designed for easy service repair so I’ll pick up a couple new L motors, put them on the internal mounts, and she’ll be running great again like the Challenger train.
As for the Bridge, I may tweak some design aspects to increase angle of lift to go past the usual 45 that this style of bridge does, but I was certainly pleased with how much load it carried without the slightest bend in the frame. It lifted and raised with only one L motor. So it will certainly be back for the next HG show. 🙂
And I may be able to bring more trains next time, given that this hired driver of mine has the room in his SUV for more boxes. So we can have more than just two locomotives to switch about on the layout, along with the other idea Josh has mentioned.
Thanks everyone again for coming together and producing this amazing massive display. The skyscrapers, cranes, city, bridge, and trains from where I staffed were all phenomenal, as well the huge array of awesome world MOCs on the other half of the layout. I’ll be working on that video tour of everything soon. Can’t wait for next year. 🙂
So for printing on 2×2 tiles, look up Million Prints. They have no minimum order and Marc should have a ton of 2×2 tiles in white or black. Ask for an estimate based on a quantity you’d like and see about reduced cost for bulk orders. Tell him Phoenix Train Works recommended him to you. He printed my livery for the Big Boy, Challenger, Living Legend, PRR Mountain, and Santa Fe GP35 with UV ink so it lasts for years. Really good work and a determination to keep clients happy. (He even made a 3d jig to hold the Santa Fe nose parts for direct printing.)
If you guys like, I could also look into replicating the LUG logo on a coin that could be 3d printed by others en masse in solid yellow resin or filament. I have afterhours access to Sketchup and Ruby plugin that checks models being exported as STL files.
For reference if anyone wants to build in Lego nuclear energy related things as part of Pittsburgh’s history. Atom smasher and first commercial power plant- sound like something @carlsonf might be interested in.
Of course, I keep building the educational train models that helped that part of the STEM industry in keeping the lights on.
Glad to hear no trouble, @rcgrier3406. Keep me posted.
I plan on bringing the vintage Circus Train on Saturday to have that running for a while as I dust out the Big Boy internal drive train.
@joshhall, I’d like to borrow the RC race car and controller again Saturday morning to do a reshoot of a scene for the LUG compilation vid, if possible. 🙂Thanks @rcgrier3406 for the info. Keep using the better battery boxes on the Challenger 3985 as the main show runner. That thing was hauling the Schnabel Car and wasn’t complaining. I agree with using the AAAs on the Big Boy 4005. Fortunately, the weekday evening shows will be shorter so hopefully less stress on saving batteries. On my next shift Saturday, I’ll take a look at the Big Boy and see if something like Lego dust buildup in the drive train is causing extra resistance to the motors or if the motors are worn out. It is older than the Challenger and has gone through more shows. If you have to run the Big Boy on reduced runs, sure, especially when there are no crowds around.
@joshhall, I don’t have a battery tester. I don’t know whose it is, but I’d guess it was you or John, since we were using them last year to check some odd batteries.@rcgrier3406 I’d say the Challenger 3985 as that one’s thermal fuse is better than the Big Boy 4005 so it should be running the show better. (I notice the Big Boy gets cranky and needs to cool off after running for a long time though they’re identical PF drive trains internally.)
If it helps, remove the yellow UP water car from the Big Boy consist and replace with the lighter Uranium Fuel transport (the turquoise frame carrying two red stacks of triple dark gray cylinders). I noticed that the six axle yellow UP water car had an axle off track now and then which adds resistance to the train.
Also, take advantage of when the crowds are gone to let the trains rest between the surges. That can help save battery life. It’s curious to me because of how well the powerowl AAA were during CSC Locomotion Weekend. If they’re lasting just an hour now, I will have to look into more and better batteries for next time, so please keep me posted about their utility.
If anyone wants to use that rechargeable Lego Battery Box, sure. When fully charge, it does have a much longer life than my powerowl AAA or even Gabe’s long lasting Enerloop, I think. So anyone running the trains should try it for sure.
If staff need to augment the 64 powerowl AAA batteries on hand, I’m also fine with them using the Enerloop or other rechargeable AAA batteries in the trains, if anyone has some to spare. My chargers can recharge those batteries too as they are not limited to powerowl brand.
Today as I left, I had some of your AA batteries in the UFO (it can fit both types) from the RC car chassis that was used for the film idea. Thanks for that. After about four tries, I got some footage of a Lego minifigure driving up to the exhibit. 🙂
If it suddenly stops, it may need a cool down. If it crawls slowly for a while then stops, then it’s the batteries needing changed.
For cool down, simply turn off for a while to cool, like 30 minutes. Batteries should be about up to 90 minutes, though sometimes they go as far as 2hrs.
Overall, they were quite good when I ran them yesterday and today from 9:30 to 3:30 and they were great at CSC Locomotion weekend. @argonvesher, you might have gotten the tail end of the long day as weekends are extended hours compared to the coming weekday shorter shifts. So I understand the frustration.
Thank you for putting the batteries in the chargers. Whoever ends the shift tonight, please empty the trains of their batteries and put them all on the charger for overnight for a full recharge of all the batteries. (The chargers have a feature to not overcharge batteries left overnight.)
I know @gabevistica and @rcgrier3406 have some batteries about so if in need, you can ask them to see if they could spare a round. Overall, I have about 64 rechargeable Powerowls AAA (three chargers that charge 16 each) and a bag of disposable duracell AAA as backup/emergency power. I was able to pace both trains’ battery usage on Friday but if it looks otherwise through this week’s evening shifts, I may up my rechargeable AAA inventory to over a 100 for future shows.
@emperorofthenorthpole, at my suggestion @rcgrier3406 left the R104 clear for you to run your trains in the morning. I’ll be in 9:30 so if you show up at that time, I can help. Show doesn’t start till 10. Just text me if you need me to pick up the boxes. I have a small rolling platform with handle bar and elevator is near the escalator.
You should have a couple lines in the switch yard too to store some rolling stock. And that Behemoth Bascule Bridge was built with LGMS clearance (per advice from Monty) so full sixteen studs each track, 32 overall. Overhead clearance exceeds LGMS standard so plenty of headroom for your steam engines. We had both my giant trains rolling on the bridge at the same time so you shouldn’t worry about weight, given that the Schnabel car was 5 pounds by itself.
When we activate the Behemoth Bascule Bridge during the day for fans and LUG video recording, we’ll give you a heads up so neither of our trains visit the floor.
See you tomorrow. Hope you like the bridge. 🙂
Any chance there might be a room to borrow at the Carnegie Libraries
in Sq Hill or next to Pitt/CMU ?I’d might crawl out of the computer screen and be able to attend in person. hehehehe 🙂
Nice mechs and welcome to the LUG! Come to the Home and Garden Show. There’s room for more if you want to display them.
There’s also a MOC section here on the website’s Forum section, under the category MOCs. I post a bunch of my train stuff there.
That is looking fantastic. Great job. Love the skyscrapers. Missed them last year so happy to see them return. XD
I have sheets prepared for the trains and the bridge. As a heads up, if you feel uncomfortable operating the bridge, you can crawl under it. Just watch out for the Spiderman minifigure hiding there. LOL
As for the batteries, I am using three Power Owl UFO chargers which do have a stated feature to “stop charging a battery when it’s fully charged”. So it’s okay to leave those overnight, especially for logistics of keeping the trains running the next day. @rcgrier3406 @joshhall @gabevistica @amplef0rth They won’t bake overnight. Just pluck out the batteries that are green lit and put in more to charge in the morning.
I’d say always have at least 2 rounds of batteries for each train so 24 AAAs total at the ready because they last up to 2hrs but can take twice as long to charge and may need to cool a bit before putting them back in use. I have 64 powerowl batteries and now three UFO shaped chargers capable of charging 16 AAAs each. I also have a bag of Duracell non-rechargeable AAAs for back up in case. Basically, just keep charging anything spent to avoid a mounting battery deficit on the trains.
Be sure to stop trains and let them rest when crowds are gone, same for anything else motorized. If trains overheat, turn off and cool down for a bit. Run fewer cars if needed.
The bridge is hardwired to the 9v speed regulators so no need for batteries. But it can run off a hidden battery box if the Convention power goes out (in the control cabin).
Also, I’m on Channel 4 on the Power Function controller, blue and red for the trains. So heads up if anyone else is using power function controls to avoid interference. Bridge is not wirelessly controlled, for safety reasons.
I’ve got an Uber lined up for tomorrow and I’ll be there around 9am early to account for getting through check in and setting up the bridge and trains. Can’t wait to help start off the HG show. Thank you everyone for all that amazing set up work and for letting me roll trains with you all. 🙂
I really liked the idea from last year of having a print out of how to change batteries and maintain operations of the trains and other electric/motorized displays by everyone. I’ll generate a how-to sheet for my trains and bridge (bridge is really easy to operate as it doesn’t run on batteries and the trains ran well at CSC with battery changes done quickly).
Bob, please confirm if a extension cord and power strip are allocated at the train maintenance and battery zone for my two Lego 9v speed regulators (they are wall adapters) and 3 plugin powerowl AAA chargers (Not adapter, just standard cord plug). If not, I’ll have to get some from Amazon this week with my lil bro’s Amz Prime shipping.
Also, if spaces remained unclaimed over in train land, I’ll be glad to bring the Lambo tractor mentioned earlier to go with your wheat modules. Maybe the modules behind the train station and close by Tom’s food trucks? Just let me know so I can pack my travel boxes accordingly. 🙂
Thanks again guys for sending me those vendor lists and floor plans.
Southern Cinnamon Toast
Sliced white or whole wheat bread loaf
Butter
Cinnamon powder – use in teaspoon increments.
Half cup white granular sugar (Quarter cup for just a couple of slices.)Preheat oven to 325(F).
Mix sugar in bowl with a spoonful or two of cinnamon, add and adjust more spoonfuls to taste. Mixture should look tan or light brown.
Lay desired number of bread slices on baking sheet.
Use butterknife to butter the topside of the bread slice, to personal taste.
(Don’t use the entire stick of butter.)
Sprinkle sugar cinnamon mixture on toast until reasonably coated. Store unused portion in fridge.
Place in oven to toast for about seven minutes or until butter and sugar melt and seep into bread.
Warning: Do not burn toast. Underside of toast should be well toasted, not burned.Enjoy warm cinnamon toast as part of a balanced meal.
Thanks Gabe and Bob. Got the floor plan and the list of vendors from your links. If I find the bacon on a stick dude, I will let you both know. It’s really good bacon. XD
Girl scout cookies and the cinnamon almond vendors will be there too. 🙂
This might be off topic but do we have a map of the expo listing who’s where? If my lil bro comes along to help set and run trains, I’d like to treat him to some bacon on a stick they sometimes sell at these expos, etc.
Okay, I put in my expected shifts on the schedule. Like before, I’ll sneak in early the first Friday to get the trains rolling on the R104 and R120 and also set up the Behemoth Bascule Bridge. As long as the surrounding MILS are aligned, I can drop in both landings and then the bridge module quickly. (Overall is 7 baseplates, 4 being the bridge.) The three bridge modules can come together in about five minutes or so as I designed it for this quick assembly.
@amplef0rth @joshhall @rcgrier3406 if you have the wheat field modules, I’ll be glad to bring my tractor again. People loved it at the CSC. I also have a 1990s Lamborghini speed boat for a lake area. Oddly enough, the Lamborghini LM002 hauling it did come with an option for a Marine V12 too back in the day.
