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(film at 11) ;)
The long and short of it is that they were very impressed, and we got invited
down to Supertrain 2001 in Calgary - The Calgary folks implied that we could
have as much layout space as we wanted. :)
The top questions were, of course: "LEGO makes trains?", "Where do you get
these?", "How much LEGO do you have?", "What scale is that?", and "LEGO makes
trains?"
The pictures(1) are here:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=1439
(although several other people took more & better - poke, prod)
Enjoy. (we did)
James
1:Fair warning, they're large. Also, does anyone know how to turn an MPG
sideways?
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, James Brown forgets to cross-post:
> (film at 11) ;)
>
> The long and short of it is that they were very impressed, and we got invited
> down to Supertrain 2001 in Calgary - The Calgary folks implied that we could
> have as much layout space as we wanted. :)
>
> The top questions were, of course: "LEGO makes trains?", "Where do you get
> these?", "How much LEGO do you have?", "What scale is that?", and "LEGO makes
> trains?"
>
> The pictures(1) are here:
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=1439
> (although several other people took more & better - poke, prod)
>
> Enjoy. (we did)
>
> James
>
> 1:Fair warning, they're large. Also, does anyone know how to turn an MPG
> sideways?
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, James Brown writes:
(some snippage)
> > The pictures(1) are here:
> > http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=1439
> > (although several other people took more & better - poke, prod)
I'm workin' on it, I'm workin' on it... URL will be posted in due course.
In the meantime go enjoy JB's pics.
Kevin.
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Fantastic job, NALUG members! When do we get a show report? Size of layout,
unique features, who participated, anecdotes, new ideas discussed......
dan parker
PNLTC
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Dan Parker writes:
> Fantastic job, NALUG members! When do we get a show report? Size of layout,
> unique features, who participated, anecdotes, new ideas discussed......
well, now that I'm awake, I'll give it a shot. :)
The layout was 90" by 120", pretty small, really. As a result it was a bit
cramped, especially for whoever was operating at the time. Next time around
we should be able to get more layout space - we had the tables (and stuff) to
do 120"x150", but they wouldn't give us that much space. I'm not sure what
they were expecting, but I don't think it was what they got. We also got
invited down to Supertrain 2001 in Calgary, but we haven't really talked about
it yet - although they implied we could have all the space we wanted. :)
Participants/contributors were: Michel Magnan (tables, track, much rolling
stock and many buildings), Steve Chapple (monorail loop & bridge), John Koob
(NALUG sign & the guts of the working grain elevator), Chris Gray (logging
camp, some 'older' wooden box cars, other rolling stock?), Kevin Maynes ("Big
Red", other rolling stock, dry wit) & me (houses, Wink's convenience, monorail
platform & James Jessiman Memorial Park).
We had two loops that could be run as a continuous track(although we didn't do
so until late Sunday), and a few sidings. I think the general concensus was
that next time we'd all like a little more room. It felt compressed, and we
were quite limited in the rolling stock we could show at any given time - only
3 (4-ish) sidings that could hold 5 or 6 cars each.
I'd say the "cool things" were the working grain elevator (or at least,
working until us non-technic people got at it - John claims it's always had
jamming problems, but I think he's just being kind. <grin>), the logging camp
(narrow gauge logging train), the two bridges, and Kevin's Big Red. I'm not
sure what it was really called, but dozens of kids used empirical methods to
point it out ("The big red one in the middle"). :)
I'm fairly fond of JJMP, and it's very likely to survive and be a regular
feature of layouts (assuming no one else objects).
We were well received by the organizers, other hobbyists and most especially
the crowd. About 25 or 30 LUGNET 1-sheets got handed out (all we had), and
many parents were being harrangued for LEGO on their way home. :) At least 1
serious-looking hobbyist was honestly interested in cost & availability. He
didn't seem too put off by the (fairly unanimous) response of "5 figures."
James
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Dan Parker writes:
> Fantastic job, NALUG members! When do we get a show report?
> Size of layout, unique features, who participated, anecdotes, new
> ideas discussed......
Well, I forgot my camera, and it's not as good as Chris', Kevins, and
James', so I guess it's up to me to use words instead of pictures.
Friday
I leave work early in the hopes of having enough time to finish getting things
ready for the show. In doing so, I miss Michel’s e-mails and arrive after
much of the setup is already done. OK in a way, since my monorail has to
wait till the train track and buildings are in place anyway. We setup the
grain elevator and James manages to convince it (John’s functioning grain
lifting Technic) to work. I am aghast to discover that the train layout goes
right to the edge of the tables – there’s no room to run the monorail to the
“north” of the train bridge and container yard. The cranes for the containers
are the same height as the bridge deck, and cover that entire section of the
layout, from table edge to table edge. I decide that if I can’t go around,
I’ll go over. I put two pairs or monorail inclines end to end (without
support in the middle) and create a monorail arch over the container crane.
This turns out to be a favorite part of the show – “Watch - It’s gonna go over
the bump…” Several support pillars that won’t block the train track are also
improvised. Kevin and Chris are almost finished making 60 pillar extensions
out of black 2x2s when I mention that I only need 20. :-) Chris has made a
logging camp for the on top of the mountain-tunnel, and James has made a
monorail platform and some buildings, including a “James Jessiman memorial
garden.” The bridge falls into the canyon its spanning, and we’re kicked out
by security – they’ve already let us stay ten minutes past the scheduled
closing time. James’ pager hasn’t told him he’s a new dad yet, but we’re all
expecting it to beep at any moment…
Saturday
I arrive an hour early and finish off the setup – onlookers with questions are
already there. A few thousand people pass through our quarter of the aircraft
hanger (the only double long double wide WWII hanger left in the world, by the
way) during the course of today and tomorrow. The line of people around the
layout is usually solid, with excited kids on shoulders and the restraining
ropes seemingly moving inward on a continuous basis. Unfortunately the grain
lifter doesn’t like us, so the grain elevator is a static model for today. A
typical “best part” of the weekend is when a kindergarten age boy (already
excited by all the model trains) sees our layout for the first time. “LEGO!”
is exclaimed, and he lunges towards the nearest part with both hands. The
kids (and probably some of the adults) are jealous of Michel’s (8 yr. old?)
daughter as she operates the layout like the seasoned veteran she is,
directing which train to show where and when while daddy swaps them between
the layout and the Tupperware. A hottie from the local college is taking
photos and notes to do a report for her journalism course, and Chris (the
lucky dog) talks with her at length. (The relevant issue should be published
and available Oct. 11th – who’s going to ensure we each get a copy?) I spy
cameras from at least two local TV stations, but several local fires preclude
us making it to the airwaves. James – his pager still silent – heads out to
catch the 20% off SW LEGO sale at TRU, and half a dozen UCS sets go to new
homes Sunday evening. (Jokes are made about parking lot deals from backs of
cars.) We peruse the other train displays, marveling at the attention to
detail, and agree to charge John extra to view the mobile crane display. The
layout that (rightly) takes first prize features a large trestle bridge over a
mountain canyon stream, (including a millimeter tall eagle in its nest in one
of the trees) a mine, a train barge, and even a working lift bridge.
Hopefully Kevin and/or Chris took photos of the non-LEGO train displays,
and you can see for yourself. (nudge, poke, prod) I spoke at length with
one of the attendees, and I expect he will be our newest NALug member.
The end of the day arrives, bringing with it a blue ribbon. We suspect
a large contingent of underage voters have influenced the outcome. :-)
Sunday
Now that John’s finished with his wedding duties, he arrives with a NALug sign
made entirely of LEGO. He and Michel perform some minor surgery on their
baby, (James’ pager is still silent) and the north grain elevator wall swings
open 180 degrees to show the buckets now moving inside. The wall makes a
perfect backdrop for the ribbon, now proudly displayed. Four boys for whom
I’m “Uncle Steve” show up, and I get to make their day by letting them run the
trains for awhile. One of them (too short to see over the tables) is too
excited to keep the speed down, and derails the eight wide. (Don’t tell
Kevin.) Many family and friends stop by on Saturday and Sunday, including my
AFOL brother and John’s father. The two of them hang around long enough to
take a few group photos just before we begin the tear-down. Chris has wisely
brought a couple of brick separators which make a world of difference with the
1x4 plates. (Anyone who’s taken apart monorail will know what I mean.)
Dismantled pieces are distributed to their owners and the display quickly
vanishes. Michel somehow manages to cram all the display tables, legs,
trains, track, mountain, etc. into the back of his van, (with the back seat
still in place) and he sets off for home. Before he leaves, we ask if there’s
anything we can do to smooth things over with his wife, but he figures it’s
too late for that. Hopefully he has a comfy couch… 8-)
SRC
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Dan Parker writes:
> Fantastic job, NALUG members! When do we get a show report? Size of layout,
> unique features, who participated, anecdotes, new ideas discussed......
Hehe, did I miss you posting YOUR show report? We saw a lot of pictures but
not a lot of talk yet. Gotta agree, though, NALUG rocked the place. Nice work
guys, especially for an inaugural show. The hits (GMLTC, PNLTC, NGLTC,
WAMALUG, FloridaLTC, BAYLTC, etc. etc. and now NALUG) just keep on coming.
PS, Dan, your packages arrived safely, thanks (and prompted a whirlwind
design/prototype session, thank you very much, so glad to get my trolley
back!!!)
++Lar
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In lugnet.trains, James Brown writes:
> Participants/contributors were: Michel Magnan (tables, track, much rolling
> stock and many buildings), Steve Chapple (monorail loop & bridge), John Koob
> (NALUG sign & the guts of the working grain elevator), Chris Gray (logging
> camp, some 'older' wooden box cars, other rolling stock?), Kevin Maynes ("Big
> Red", other rolling stock, dry wit) & me (houses, Wink's convenience, monorail
> platform & James Jessiman Memorial Park).
Big Red is my fave engine from your group... nice and beefy. Just don't tell
me it's 8 wide. LOL.
> I'm fairly fond of JJMP, and it's very likely to survive and be a regular
> feature of layouts (assuming no one else objects).
Remember how I said every club needs a Thomas? I'm thinking every club that
has the space ought to have a JJMP on their layout. What a great touch.
Mundanes won't get it, though.
++Lar
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"James Brown" <galliard@shades-of-night.com> writes:
> (although several other people took more & better - poke, prod)
Yeah, yeah, they're coming. I'm just sitting down to the computer. :-)
--
Don't design inefficiency in - it'll happen in the implementation.
Chris Gray cg@ami-cg.GraySage.Edmonton.AB.CA
http://www.GraySage.Edmonton.AB.CA/cg/
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"SRC" <SteveRC@StarTrekMail.com> writes:
> Well, I forgot my camera, and it's not as good as Chris', Kevins, and
> James', so I guess it's up to me to use words instead of pictures.
Mine are still not uploaded. I've been busy catching up here, and watching
Kevin's videos. I'll let you all know when they are up, but having looked
at the other two sets, I doubt there is much extra, although I do have one
or two of the inside of the grain elevator.
> A hottie from the local college is taking
> photos and notes to do a report for her journalism course, and Chris (the
> lucky dog) talks with her at length.
Steve forgets to mention that he spotted a big diamond on her finger. Sigh!
> We peruse the other train displays, marveling at the attention to
> detail, and agree to charge John extra to view the mobile crane display. The
> layout that (rightly) takes first prize features a large trestle bridge over a
> mountain canyon stream, (including a millimeter tall eagle in its nest in one
> of the trees) a mine, a train barge, and even a working lift bridge.
> Hopefully Kevin and/or Chris took photos of the non-LEGO train displays,
> and you can see for yourself. (nudge, poke, prod)
Sorry, no, I didn't. I thought of it a couple times, but never did go out
taking pictures. I have a few shots of the EMRA layout beside us. I think
part of it was me trying hard not to go nuts and start buying trains! (I
used to be a member of the EMRA group for a few years.)
I should add some words about an event Steve missed out on. On Saturday,
the show organizers gave us invites to a BBQ at Fort Edmonton park (a large
historical park in the river valley). Kevin, James and I headed out there
after the show. The EMRA (Edmonton Model Railroad Association) has their
main layout in a building of their own there. The track zig-zags smoothly
back and forth in that area, on two completely separate (but joined)
levels. I was told that an operating freight train session can take up
to four hours for one run around the layout! I do have a bunch of pictures
from there, and will put them, up, but they aren't Lego stuff of course.
Also there is the old steam train, running a 10 minute loop within the
park. By being at the right place at the right time, and asking nicely,
I got to be one of those who got to ride around in the cab of the engine,
just around dusk. Wonderfull!
For visitors, I had the one friend from the EMRA, and a couple of
co-workers that dropped by with sons.
--
Don't design inefficiency in - it'll happen in the implementation.
Chris Gray cg@ami-cg.GraySage.Edmonton.AB.CA
http://www.GraySage.Edmonton.AB.CA/cg/
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Chris Gray wrote in message ...
> > The
> > layout that (rightly) takes first prize features a large trestle bridge • over a
> > mountain canyon stream, (including a millimeter tall eagle in its nest in • one
> > of the trees) a mine, a train barge, and even a working lift bridge.
> > Hopefully Kevin and/or Chris took photos of the non-LEGO train displays,
> > and you can see for yourself. (nudge, poke, prod)
>
> Sorry, no, I didn't. I thought of it a couple times, but never did go out
> taking pictures. I have a few shots of the EMRA layout beside us. I think
> part of it was me trying hard not to go nuts and start buying trains! (I
> used to be a member of the EMRA group for a few years.)
I took a few photos of some of the other displays. They'll be
available as soon as I find time to make some scans...
John
(remove the obvious to reply)
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> Big Red is my fave engine from your group... nice and beefy.
:) Thankyou! :)
> Just don't tell me it's 8 wide. LOL.
Um... Ok, I won't. ;)
A sketch of what it would've looked like if I'd gotten around to applying
(purists beware) the decals (gasp!) can be found here -
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=15950
It's not entirely complete, detail-wise, and the lettering should have a slight
italic lean, but you get the gist.
Actually, I overheard one Model Railroader commenting to another Model
Railroader at the event- "Look at the big red GP-38 in the middle."
Whee! Recognized even without the markings! Considering I was working from an
N-scale GP-38-2, (the -2 denotes updated electronics), that's just gotta be
pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
[ahem] Ok, I'm done self-agrandizing. For now. :]
A 6-wide version is pending though. BigRed is too fat to fit most places on
Michel's layout, so I'll need one that will.
Unless of course the layout gets a redesign.. ah, 'tis nice to have a dream :)
Cheers,
Kevin.
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I think I missed this one (Big Red) some how. What are the handrails made
from?
SteveB
PNLTC
In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Kevin Maynes writes:
> In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Larry Pieniazek writes:
>
> > Big Red is my fave engine from your group... nice and beefy.
>
> :) Thankyou! :)
>
> > Just don't tell me it's 8 wide. LOL.
>
> Um... Ok, I won't. ;)
> A sketch of what it would've looked like if I'd gotten around to applying
> (purists beware) the decals (gasp!) can be found here -
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=15950
>
> It's not entirely complete, detail-wise, and the lettering should have a • slight
> italic lean, but you get the gist.
>
> Actually, I overheard one Model Railroader commenting to another Model
> Railroader at the event- "Look at the big red GP-38 in the middle."
> Whee! Recognized even without the markings! Considering I was working from an
> N-scale GP-38-2, (the -2 denotes updated electronics), that's just gotta be
> pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.
>
> [ahem] Ok, I'm done self-agrandizing. For now. :]
>
> A 6-wide version is pending though. BigRed is too fat to fit most places on
> Michel's layout, so I'll need one that will.
> Unless of course the layout gets a redesign.. ah, 'tis nice to have a dream :)
>
> Cheers,
> Kevin.
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Kevin Maynes writes:
> In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Larry Pieniazek writes:
> > Big Red is my fave engine from your group... nice and beefy.
> A sketch of what it would've looked like if I'd gotten around to
> applying (purists beware) the decals (gasp!) can be found here -
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=15950
Beautiful - Ya gotta get those decals on before we do any more shows.
> Actually, I overheard one Model Railroader commenting to another Model
> Railroader at the event- "Look at the big red GP-38 in the middle."
I can just imagine your chest swelling whilst over-hearing that... :-)
> A 6-wide version is pending though. BigRed is too fat to fit most
> places on Michel's layout, so I'll need one that will.
What was the "Chelsie" modeled after? I thought it was the best one there.
Sorry - Big Red 8 doesn't really count, since it's in a different class.
If my layout is N-scale, a beautiful HO-scale doesn't do me much good.
Michel - who did you get it from? He's another LUGNet train nut right?
I'm hoping he either has a DAT file for it, or it's OK with him and you
that I borrow yours and make a copy of it - in red for CP if that is
a model of engine that they use (or used). I confess my train knowledge
is quite limited compared to many here, but I know what I like. :-)
SRC
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Kevin,
With the decals that model really rocks, we would have won first place if the
decals had been on the model at the show!
>
> > Big Red is my fave engine from your group... nice and beefy.
>
> A sketch of what it would've looked like if I'd gotten around to applying
> (purists beware) the decals (gasp!) can be found here -
>
> http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=15950
>
>
> A 6-wide version is pending though. BigRed is too fat to fit most places on
> Michel's layout, so I'll need one that will.
> Unless of course the layout gets a redesign.. ah, 'tis nice to have a dream :)
I intend to rebuild the bridge, how much clearance, widthwise does big red
need? The first layout I have been playing with, has three bridges, (all
the 30.5 inch size) two for trains and one for monorail. I can build a simple
second bridge with ZNAP, unless someone in the group wants to mechanize one.
James has offered to improve the tunnel/mountain, I am not sure if he can allow
clearances for 8 wides. It would probably take "rafters" made of technic beams
to allow the necessary clearance, yet be strong enough to support a roof or
upper level.
Michel
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The Chessie engine and caboose were built by Steve Barile, really great models.
Michel
> What was the "Chelsie" modeled after? I thought it was the best one there.
> Sorry - Big Red 8 doesn't really count, since it's in a different class.
> If my layout is N-scale, a beautiful HO-scale doesn't do me much good.
> Michel - who did you get it from? He's another LUGNet train nut right?
> I'm hoping he either has a DAT file for it, or it's OK with him and you
> that I borrow yours and make a copy of it - in red for CP if that is
> a model of engine that they use (or used). I confess my train knowledge
> is quite limited compared to many here, but I know what I like. :-)
>
> SRC
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Michel Magnan wrote in message ...
> I can build a simple
> second bridge with ZNAP, unless someone in the group wants to mechanize • one.
> James has offered to improve the tunnel/mountain, I am not sure if he can • allow
> clearances for 8 wides. It would probably take "rafters" made of technic • beams
> to allow the necessary clearance ...
Did I here someone say "Technic beams"? :-]
There are numerous ways to get the necessary clearance, and
Technic beams would certainly do it. Also, the second bridge
could be a trestle bridge with ordinary black beams rather than
ZNAP. Would look more realistic, IMO. You guys know that I've
stocked up on yellow, but Steve has a decent supply of black beams.
--
John
(remove the obvious to reply)
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Michel Magnan writes:
> I intend to rebuild the bridge, how much clearance, widthwise does
> big red need? The first layout I have been playing with, has three
> bridges, (all the 30.5 inch size) two for trains and one for monorail.
> I can build a simple second bridge with ZNAP, unless someone in the
> group wants to mechanize one.
> James has offered to improve the tunnel/mountain, I am not sure if
> he can allow clearances for 8 wides. It would probably take "rafters"
> made of technic beams to allow the necessary clearance, yet be strong
> enough to support a roof or upper level.
Well considering that train bridges are currently the prime focus of
StRuCtures, it's a natural for NALug to showcase them. The simple
monorail one at the show last week was a basic concept test - larger
and more elaborate ones are on the way. I just have to make sure I get
an accurate measure of the distance between tables... :-) (Inside joke.)
A minor expansion of the mountain/tunnel wouldn't need Technic beams,
but if you want to make a wholesale change to something double or
triple or more the size, John and James would be the right guys IMO.
SRC
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In lugnet.org.ca.nalug, Steven Barile writes:
> I think I missed this one (Big Red) some how. What are the handrails made
> from?
> SteveB
> PNLTC
Sadly, I've got no revolutionary new assembly technique to share here. It's
just a bunch of 1x1x4 antennae for stanchions, with the long plastic piping
found on podracers snipped to length for the handrail, and a wee tiny dollop of
"ShooGoo" at each attachment point to hold it all together. I figured since the
Goo doesn't attack the ABS in small enough amounts, I could allow myself that
bit of impurity, in the name of keeping the right "look".
There have been some great solutions put together by others, but I'm the sort
who plans to replace all the handrails on my N scale locos with 0.010" brass
wire, when I get around to it :)
Besides, I plan once I've finalized the design to add lettering and decoration
with either waterslide decals or handcut vinyl stickers, so once you take that
first step, the subsequent steps become ever easier...
Gaah; decals and glue, when will the insanity end?? :^]
Cheers,
KevinM
NALUG
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