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I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
Enjoy.
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
>
> Enjoy.
Larry,
Thanks for the write-up. While I dig the idea of being able to slot different
axles through the motor (possibly for uses other than trains), the idea of only
being able to pull a couple of cars bums me out. Still, I won't know for sure
until I get one for myself.
-Elroy
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In lugnet.trains, Elroy Davis wrote:
> Thanks for the write-up.
no prob.
> While I dig the idea of being able to slot different
> axles through the motor (possibly for uses other than trains), the idea of only
> being able to pull a couple of cars bums me out.
Me too. I think one reason for the large nose, thinwalls for windows, and large
roof pieces is to save weight.
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In lugnet.trains, Elroy Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> > I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> > reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> > http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
> >
> > Enjoy.
>
> Larry,
>
> Thanks for the write-up. While I dig the idea of being able to slot different
> axles through the motor (possibly for uses other than trains), the idea of only
> being able to pull a couple of cars bums me out. Still, I won't know for sure
> until I get one for myself.
>
> -Elroy
Thanx for sharing.
I like the possibility to use it with technic, but why not recievers on both
sides or radio-control?
Theories?
/Andréas
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In lugnet.trains, Andréas Rootzén wrote:
> I like the possibility to use it with technic, but why not recievers on both
> sides or radio-control?
Sorry if I was not clear, it does have receivers on both sides of the unit. But
there still are blind spots like when it is edge on to you.
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Larry,
Thanks for the review. I'm really disappointed with the big pieces. This set
looks like the new plane series on rails. The big pieces seem to work for
the new planes. But maybe not this passenger set.
Despite the disadvantages of the IR engine, I will be adding the new Cargo
train 7898 to my list just for the parts.
-- Bryan
"Larry Pieniazek" <lar(at@at)miltontrainworks(dot.dot)com> wrote in message
news:Iz2ssx.63w@lugnet.com...
> I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
>
> Enjoy.
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In lugnet.trains, Bryan Kinkel wrote:
> Larry,
>
> Thanks for the review. I'm really disappointed with the big pieces. This set
> looks like the new plane series on rails. The big pieces seem to work for
> the new planes. But maybe not this passenger set.
I speculate it's weight related. But yes, I agree with you. the bottom pic
really shows that well, those things are very much air.
>
> Despite the disadvantages of the IR engine, I will be adding the new Cargo
> train 7898 to my list just for the parts.
Nod. I see green crocodiles in my future. Good parts, many many good parts, in
that one. Of course Steve hogged the good set for himself when he was telling
LEGO who got to review which one. (KIDDING!)
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
>
> Enjoy.
cool write up. the pictures cleared up a lot of questions for me. it's good to
know that the company used they're heads somewhat in the design, allthough this
new ir train seems more like a fad product verses a system meant to last awhile.
a few questions
.do you know when i'm going to be able to get my hands on one of these sets? i
need one as quickly as possible so i can engineer a few add ons.
.how long before the the train times out?
.you mentioned the redesigned train wheels, how are they compared to the old
design and is there anything note worthy about the new design?
thanks,
ondrew
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In lugnet.trains, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> .do you know when i'm going to be able to get my hands on one of these sets? i
> need one as quickly as possible so i can engineer a few add ons.
>
> .how long before the the train times out?
Sorry, I am not totally sure there. See my pics from ToyFair on BrickLink, the
placards say the release dates but I forget what they are.
>
> .you mentioned the redesigned train wheels, how are they compared to the old
> design and is there anything note worthy about the new design?
Two advantages as I mentioned in the review...
1. The power unit can power anything that you can put on a technic axle. Not
just trains. I could see making some sort of tyred vehicle if one was clever
(although the receiver and battery being all in one piece, in the baseplate
makes that hard)
2. The unpowered axle holder unit now uses a wheel/axle combo that is seperable.
It's no longer even a tiny hack to take the wheels out, that's the way they
come, disassembled. The axles now just loosely press fit into the wheels. I
think the friction may be lower, and also it enables people (J2 et al) to do
other things to make trucks.
I thought I touched on these in some depth but maybe not.
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
>
> > .do you know when i'm going to be able to get my hands on one of these sets? i
> > need one as quickly as possible so i can engineer a few add ons.
> >
> > .how long before the the train times out?
>
> Sorry, I am not totally sure there. See my pics from ToyFair on BrickLink, the
> placards say the release dates but I forget what they are.
I think Ondrew was talking about the "time-out" mentioned somewhere, that the IR
electronics switches off after a certain time if there's no signal from the
controller. I'd be interested in knowing that too.
Also, if you get a chance, could you check the dimensions of the electronics
"box" that sticks up on top of the base? It looks about 4x10 studs and 3 1/3
bricks high, but I'd be interested in checking that, especially the height.
Thanks
ROSCO
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In lugnet.trains, Ondrew Hartigan wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> > I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> > reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> > http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
> >
> > Enjoy.
>
> cool write up. the pictures cleared up a lot of questions for me. it's good to
> know that the company used they're heads somewhat in the design, allthough this
> new ir train seems more like a fad product verses a system meant to last awhile.
I think this is my biggest problem with the line. I am sure it is fun for kids
but it is the "in thing" in play trains right now. There seem to be 100
different IR/Remote control trains for kids out there (And most are
significantly cheaper than the LEGO Train). I just fear they are entering a
crowded market.
I also don't like the trend of copying other companies products. Other
companies are supposed to copy LEGO. LEGO now has a Fisher Price Air Plane and
Fisher Price Train.
Eric
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"ondrew hartigan" <roj2323@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Iz3qB7.1KFI@lugnet.com...
[ ... snipped ... ]
>
> .do you know when i'm going to be able to get my hands on one of these
> sets? i
> need one as quickly as possible so i can engineer a few add ons.
[ ... snipped ... ]
I think they are supposed to be released in August but it seems that LEGO is
beating their target ship dates these days.
Mike
--
Mike Walsh - mike_walsh at mindspring.com
http://www.ncltc.cc - North Carolina LEGO Train Club
http://www.carolinatrainbuilders.com - Carolina Train Builders
http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=mpw - CTB/Brick Depot
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> I think they are supposed to be released in August but it seems that LEGO is
> beating their target ship dates these days.
If they ship at all... :(
--
Dean Earley, Dee (dean@earlsoft.co.uk)
irc: irc://irc.blitzed.org/
web: http://personal.earlsoft.co.uk
phone: +44 (0)780 8369596
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In lugnet.trains, Dean Earley wrote:
> > I think they are supposed to be released in August but it seems that LEGO is
> > beating their target ship dates these days.
>
> If they ship at all... :(
They won't ship silly, they'll train!!!!!
ROSCO
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
>
> Enjoy.
Very concise write-up, Larry! Thanks for the information!
Has anyone taken an 'old style' 9 volt motor, run a wire to one of these new
battery motors, putting them both on a powered track and seeing what happens?
Will the new motor work connected to an old motor?
Dave K
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
Thanks Lar. Interesting write up.
I would assume that for a "normal" metal clad 9v rail system, the new IR
baseplate can be designed into a rail car which has independent remote control
of a model feature. For example, assuming you can power a technic 9v gear motor
from the IR receiver, you could build a working crane. I think this is a nice
possible way to include this new functionality into the pro train line. Oops,
sorry, I mean hobby train line ;)
JB
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In lugnet.trains, John Barnes wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> > I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> > reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> > http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
>
>
> Thanks Lar. Interesting write up.
>
> I would assume that for a "normal" metal clad 9v rail system, the new IR
> baseplate can be designed into a rail car which has independent remote control
> of a model feature. For example, assuming you can power a technic 9v gear motor
> from the IR receiver, you could build a working crane. I think this is a nice
> possible way to include this new functionality into the pro train line. Oops,
> sorry, I mean hobby train line ;)
Yes. But you only get one control input so you may need to use reversible drive
mechanisms that do different things in different directions, etc if you want two
features... The RC cars have more than one control input but are too big to
build into train models (unless you're J2 working to 14 stud wide scale or
something)...
I need to do the experiments with 9V motors, train motors and etc as your post
is hinting at and as Dave K's post asks. If I get time this weekend I will.
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| |
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> In lugnet.trains, John Barnes wrote:
> > I would assume that for a "normal" metal clad 9v rail
> > system, the new IR baseplate can be designed into a
> > rail car which has independent remote control of a
> > model feature. For example, assuming you can power
> > a technic 9v gear motor from the IR receiver, you
> > could build a working crane. I think this is a nice
> > possible way to include this new functionality into
> > the pro train line. Oops, sorry, I mean hobby train
> > line ;)
In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> Yes. But you only get one control input so you may
> need to use reversible drive mechanisms that do different
> things in different directions, etc if you want two
> features... The RC cars have more than one control input
> but are too big to build into train models (unless you're
> J2 working to 14 stud wide scale or something)...
>
> I need to do the experiments with 9V motors, train
> motors and etc as your post is hinting at and as Dave K's
> post asks. If I get time this weekend I will.
This is what I wanted it for, but the big bulge above the baseplate will be very
hard to disguise. That's why I went to Maplin for an IR kit I could fit into a
brick-built box. It turned out a bit bigger than I planned, but I've hooked it
up to a crane that uses torque-management around a differential to control three
separate motions from one motor. Pictures to follow when I can.
I hide my 6x8 receiver box in a small steam engine, but if you build a diesel
around the controlled baseplate you could always do what I did and have a power
take-off lead to attach to your powered widget-wagon. I've been testing an
automatic uncoupler in a little shunting yard coal wagon, but something like
that is going to look a little strange behind a diesel.
My brain is currently in meltdown considering the possibility of building an
uncoupler into a bogey with wheels just pegged onto the side (maybe the drive
comes down through the pivot point from a motor above, operating a gear rack
mounted sideways to pull the magnet in).
If you could make all the doors on a train open and close together, that'd be a
neat trick to start with though.
Jason R
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"Larry Pieniazek" <lar(at@at)miltontrainworks(dot.dot)com> wrote in message
news:Iz2ssx.63w@lugnet.com...
> I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
>
> Enjoy.
Would you comment on the center hole between the two motor wheels on the
powered truck? Is it possible to utilize those holes to make a six wheel
truck?
-Rob
www.brickmodder.net
PS - I see mods in the near train future with this new line ;)
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In lugnet.trains, Rob Hendrix wrote:
>
> "Larry Pieniazek" <lar(at@at)miltontrainworks(dot.dot)com> wrote in message
> news:Iz2ssx.63w@lugnet.com...
> > I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> > reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> > http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
> >
> > Enjoy.
>
> Would you comment on the center hole between the two motor wheels on the
> powered truck? Is it possible to utilize those holes to make a six wheel
> truck?
It struck me as being a lot like the 12V truck, set up to do just that. I could
not find the right part to use to try to connect central wheels though. That's a
failing of checking every pin type on my part though. (it would be an axle/pin
sort of part because the new power wheels take technic axles, ala Ben's wheels
I'm getting a nice list of things to check this weekend, I guess, aren't I?
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| |
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Rob Hendrix wrote:
> >
> > "Larry Pieniazek" <lar(at@at)miltontrainworks(dot.dot)com> wrote in message
> > news:Iz2ssx.63w@lugnet.com...
> > > I was fortunate enough to get a pre-release copy of this set, and I have
> > > reviewed it. My review is posted at the ILTCO site:
> > > http://www.iltco.org/library/articleShow.php?articleid=51
> > >
> > > Enjoy.
> >
> > Would you comment on the center hole between the two motor wheels on the
> > powered truck? Is it possible to utilize those holes to make a six wheel
> > truck?
>
> It struck me as being a lot like the 12V truck, set up to do just that. I could
> not find the right part to use to try to connect central wheels though. That's a
> failing of checking every pin type on my part though. (it would be an axle/pin
> sort of part because the new power wheels take technic axles, ala Ben's wheels
>
> I'm getting a nice list of things to check this weekend, I guess, aren't I?
While you're at it, can you confirm how the motor box is seeled shut, glue,
screws or deformed tas like the old 9v motor.
Also the new technic axel wheels have the traction tire on them, perhaps that's
why they are solid.
Pity they didn't redo the gearing on this motor, slower speed and higher torque
would have been useful. As for the lack of power. I recomend a couple of
experiments. Swap in a track powered 9v motor and see how the engine does with
the 3 Sante Fe cars. And try the new ir motor with a 9v battery pack. The
problem may be the limeted power getting to the new moter. I'll most likely use
these motors consisted to a track motor and power them togather. Perfect for a
yard slug configuration!
Mat
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In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> I'm getting a nice list of things to check this weekend, I guess, aren't I?
Great writeup, Larry. Thanks for posting that and fielding questions.
Now that the weekend is over and you're probably sick of handling requests from
the peanut gallery, I have one more thing I was hoping to learn. Does the
controller use the same messages as the manas and 4589? As in, are the
controllers interchangeable?
--
Tony Hafner
www.hafhead.com
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In lugnet.trains, Tony Hafner wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> > I'm getting a nice list of things to check this weekend, I guess, aren't I?
>
> Great writeup, Larry. Thanks for posting that and fielding questions.
Except that I was stuck in BOS till saturday AM and had no time to do any of the
research... It will have to wait till next week.
> Now that the weekend is over and you're probably sick of handling requests from
> the peanut gallery, I have one more thing I was hoping to learn. Does the
> controller use the same messages as the manas and 4589? As in, are the
> controllers interchangeable?
Good question. I will try to see if I can find some of those controllers and try
that.
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