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I decided to model the very well known GG1 locomotive as a model available from
LEGO Factory. I took some liberties with the design and color scheme in order
to accomodate what can be done in LDD. Even so, I think the result is
inherently recognizable as a GG1:
I also developed both red and black paint schemes, intended to be reminiscent of
Pennsy’s Tuscan Red scheme and PC’s Midnight scheme, respectively. The cowls
fore and aft of the cab section are removable, in case one wants to add some
transformer equipment. I designed this model to use two motors since, as large
as it is, I think that two will be needed in order for the locomotive to pull
much more than itself.
Now, I’m asking for some assistance from the community regarding this design.
First, I’m not 100% satisfied with how the cab windows look - I’d like to have
them slant back a little more. Although things are fine as they currently
stand.
More importantly, this locomotive is big, like the real GG1 - about 48 studs
long. Will this make it through curves? The powered trucks are attached to the
locomotive, while the unpowered trucks are not and just trail behind the powered
trucks.
Red GG1:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jordan/TrainFactory/prr_gg-1_red.png
Black GG1:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jordan/TrainFactory/pc_gg-1_black.png
LEGO Factory gallery link, after moderation:
http://factory.lego.com/gallery/?parameters=2||0eb3f502-fae0-493b-a9f9-1d846e451a49
I appreciate your suggestions and comments.
Thanks,
Jordan
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In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
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I decided to model the very well known GG1 locomotive as a model available
from LEGO Factory. I took some liberties with the design and color scheme in
order to accomodate what can be done in LDD. Even so, I think the result is
inherently recognizable as a GG1:
I also developed both red and black paint schemes, intended to be reminiscent
of Pennsy’s Tuscan Red scheme and PC’s Midnight scheme, respectively. The
cowls fore and aft of the cab section are removable, in case one wants to add
some transformer equipment. I designed this model to use two motors since,
as large as it is, I think that two will be needed in order for the
locomotive to pull much more than itself.
Now, I’m asking for some assistance from the community regarding this design.
First, I’m not 100% satisfied with how the cab windows look - I’d like to
have them slant back a little more. Although things are fine as they
currently stand.
More importantly, this locomotive is big, like the real GG1 - about 48 studs
long. Will this make it through curves? The powered trucks are attached to
the locomotive, while the unpowered trucks are not and just trail behind the
powered trucks.
Red GG1:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jordan/TrainFactory/prr_gg-1_red.png
Black GG1:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jordan/TrainFactory/pc_gg-1_black.png
LEGO Factory gallery link, after moderation:
http://factory.lego.com/gallery/?parameters=2||0eb3f502-fae0-493b-a9f9-1d846e451a49
I appreciate your suggestions and comments.
Thanks,
Jordan
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Hi Jordan
Definitely recognisable as the GG1
48 studs is long - the same length as my GE ES44AC which runs OK through curves.
The only ‘problem’ will be clearance for the centre overhang. Mounting the
pivots at the end, the centre of the body the centre will step out quite a way.
Have you tried moving the pivots more towards the centre of the loco?
Chris
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In lugnet.trains, Chris van Lottum wrote:
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Hi Jordan
Definitely recognisable as the GG1
48 studs is long - the same length as my GE ES44AC which runs OK through
curves. The only ‘problem’ will be clearance for the centre overhang.
Mounting the pivots at the end, the centre of the body the centre will step
out quite a way. Have you tried moving the pivots more towards the centre of
the loco?
Chris
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Chris,
Thank you very much for your comments and insight. Agreed, pivoting from the
two inner trucks would reduce the overhang. There are two constraints affecting
this design decision: I would like to have the three-wheel trucks on the
“inside”, to better resemble the prototype; and, the motorized trucks have the
rotation pin protruding from them. Covering it the pin up would make for a very
tall set of wheels, so I opted to use that pin as the pivot point. Another
option would be a two-stage articulation resembling that on Bruce’s recent
Schnabel car - I will have to look into this. I think this would add some
height to the wheel assemblies as well.
Another reader commented that the pantographs are rather small compared to those
on the real GG1, which I agree with. Bob Hayes’ very well done GG1 on
Brickshelf has a more realistic example. I have yet to find a similar design
within LDD, though.
Thanks again for your design comments and suggestions!
-Jordan
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In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
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... Agreed, pivoting from the
two inner trucks would reduce the overhang. There are two constraints
affecting this design decision: I would like to have the three-wheel trucks
on the “inside”, to better resemble the prototype; and, the motorized trucks
have the rotation pin protruding from them. Covering it the pin up would
make for a very tall set of wheels, so I opted to use that pin as the pivot
point. Another option would be a two-stage articulation resembling that on
Bruce’s recent Schnabel car - I will have to look into this. I think this
would add some height to the wheel assemblies as well.
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I wonder if it might be possible to pivot where the two trucks join together.
We could have an opening for the pin on the motor trucks to move around in, like
you have done with the 3-axle trucks. And instead of the half-pin currently
used, use a longer pin that is connected to the chassis. Maybe I will
experiment a little using the GG-1 model that I’ve built...
--Bill.
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In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
| |
I decided to model the very well known GG1 locomotive as a model available
from LEGO Factory. I took some liberties with the design and color scheme in
order to accomodate what can be done in LDD. Even so, I think the result is
inherently recognizable as a GG1:
• ...
Now, I’m asking for some assistance from the community regarding this design.
First, I’m not 100% satisfied with how the cab windows look - I’d like to
have them slant back a little more. Although things are fine as they
currently stand. • ...
LEGO Factory gallery link, after moderation:
http://factory.lego.com/gallery/?parameters=2||0eb3f502-fae0-493b-a9f9-1d846e451a49
I appreciate your suggestions and comments.
Thanks,
Jordan
|
Looks like a great model! I just bought one (black, without motors) and will
report back when I get it built. In fact this is the first time I’ve ordered
someone’s model from LEGO Factory. I am amazed at how smooth the process went.
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In lugnet.trains, William R. Ward wrote:
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Looks like a great model! I just bought one (black, without motors) and will
report back when I get it built. In fact this is the first time I’ve ordered
someone’s model from LEGO Factory. I am amazed at how smooth the process
went.
|
Well it has arrived! I downloaded the instructions from legofactory.com and man
do they stink! I don’t think it is any reflection on the design - the software
just isn’t doing a very good job of coming up with the steps for creating this
model. Once I have it built I may create instructions for it using MLCAD if
anyone wants to give it a whirl. It is coming together fairly well though it’s
quite a struggle.
If you don’t know what I mean try it - download the .lxf file and use the step
by step mode (F7 I think) in LDD. The first 271 steps are one piece at a time,
many of which are just floating in midair, and then step 272 has dozens of
pieces being added all at once. Then back to hundreds of steps with one piece
at a time being added, mostly in midair (hopefully not too many being inserted
into the middle of the model!!)...
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In lugnet.trains, William R. Ward wrote:
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In lugnet.trains, William R. Ward wrote:
| |
Looks like a great model! I just bought one (black, without motors) and
will report back when I get it built. In fact this is the first time I’ve
ordered someone’s model from LEGO Factory. I am amazed at how smooth the
process went.
|
Well it has arrived! I downloaded the instructions from legofactory.com and
man do they stink! I don’t think it is any reflection on the design - the
software just isn’t doing a very good job of coming up with the steps for
creating this model. Once I have it built I may create instructions for it
using MLCAD if anyone wants to give it a whirl. It is coming together fairly
well though it’s quite a struggle.
If you don’t know what I mean try it - download the .lxf file and use the
step by step mode (F7 I think) in LDD. The first 271 steps are one piece at
a time, many of which are just floating in midair, and then step 272 has
dozens of pieces being added all at once. Then back to hundreds of steps
with one piece at a time being added, mostly in midair (hopefully not too
many being inserted into the middle of the model!!)...
|
Glad that you ordered the GG1! This isn’t the first complaint about
instructions generation in LDD, unfortunately. I would suggest trying the
different instructions modes (there’s one for vehicles, buildings, and Technic)
to see if you have better luck. You can also vary the number of pieces added to
the model in a given step. From what I can tell so far, the instructions mode
for buildings may be the best for many train designs, since it has a more
intuitive, ground-up approach. With that said, I’m sure it’s far from perfect.
Think of LEGO Factory models as part LEGO model and part jigsaw puzzle... it
makes negotiating cryptic directions a lot more fun.
Also, there was a patch issued for LDD just the other day. If you fire up LDD
2.0, it should get the patch automatically. From what I can tell, it corrects
some part placement issue. But who knows... maybe it does other things, too.
When you finish the GG1, put some pictures up online for us to check out!
-Jordan
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In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
| |
Glad that you ordered the GG1! This isn’t the first complaint about
instructions generation in LDD, unfortunately. I would suggest trying the
different instructions modes (there’s one for vehicles, buildings, and
Technic) to see if you have better luck. You can also vary the number of
pieces added to the model in a given step. From what I can tell so far, the
instructions mode for buildings may be the best for many train designs, since
it has a more intuitive, ground-up approach. With that said, I’m sure it’s
far from perfect. Think of LEGO Factory models as part LEGO model and part
jigsaw puzzle... it makes negotiating cryptic directions a lot more fun.
|
NOW you tell me :-) Actually I managed to get it built, but it wasn’t easy.
| |
Also, there was a patch issued for LDD just the other day. If you fire up
LDD 2.0, it should get the patch automatically. From what I can tell, it
corrects some part placement issue. But who knows... maybe it does other
things, too.
|
That doesn’t seem to help, as I did a fresh install of the program last night
just for this - my wife’s Mac didn’t have it installed.
| |
When you finish the GG1, put some pictures up online for us to check out!
|
OK, I will do that shortly. I need to get some track out of storage to test it
out on various turns and switches though.
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In lugnet.trains, Jordan Schwarz wrote:
| |
In lugnet.trains, William R. Ward wrote:
| |
In lugnet.trains, William R. Ward wrote:
| |
Looks like a great model! I just bought one (black, without motors) and
will report back when I get it built. In fact this is the first time I’ve
ordered someone’s model from LEGO Factory. I am amazed at how smooth the
process went.
|
Well it has arrived! I downloaded the instructions from legofactory.com and
man do they stink! I don’t think it is any reflection on the design - the
software just isn’t doing a very good job of coming up with the steps for
creating this model. Once I have it built I may create instructions for it
using MLCAD if anyone wants to give it a whirl. It is coming together
fairly well though it’s quite a struggle.
If you don’t know what I mean try it - download the .lxf file and use the
step by step mode (F7 I think) in LDD. The first 271 steps are one piece at
a time, many of which are just floating in midair, and then step 272 has
dozens of pieces being added all at once. Then back to hundreds of steps
with one piece at a time being added, mostly in midair (hopefully not too
many being inserted into the middle of the model!!)...
|
Glad that you ordered the GG1! This isn’t the first complaint about
instructions generation in LDD, unfortunately. I would suggest trying the
different instructions modes (there’s one for vehicles, buildings, and
Technic) to see if you have better luck. You can also vary the number of
pieces added to the model in a given step. From what I can tell so far, the
instructions mode for buildings may be the best for many train designs, since
it has a more intuitive, ground-up approach. With that said, I’m sure it’s
far from perfect. Think of LEGO Factory models as part LEGO model and part
jigsaw puzzle... it makes negotiating cryptic directions a lot more fun.
Also, there was a patch issued for LDD just the other day. If you fire up
LDD 2.0, it should get the patch automatically. From what I can tell, it
corrects some part placement issue. But who knows... maybe it does other
things, too.
When you finish the GG1, put some pictures up online for us to check out!
-Jordan
|
A brief update ... I got it built a while ago but only today tried putting it on
the tracks. Bad news, I’m afraid.
To make it work on LEGO curves, you need to remove the 4x6 tile with technic peg
from the 3-axle trucks and add some tiles instead. The peg would need to go
past the outer wall of the locomotive in order to clear the curve.
Worse news - even with that mod, it derails on switches unless you very
carefully push it through by hand. The tightest spot in any LEGO layout is the
S-curve of a switch. I think the issue here is the 3 axle truck itself. To
work on a switch you would need to float the center axle a little - I’ve seen
this done in LEGO trains before - so that it can make that really sharp bend on
the curved part of the switch track without derailing.
But since it works OK on regular straights and curves with the mods I’ve made,
I’ll be bringing it to Maker Faire in San Mateo and running it on our club
layout. I’ll post pics soon.
--Bill.
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In lugnet.cad.ldd, William R. Ward wrote:
| |
I think the issue here is the 3 axle truck itself.
To work on a switch you would need to float the center axle a little - I’ve
seen this done in LEGO trains before - so that it can make that really sharp
bend on the curved part of the switch track without derailing.
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My breakdown crane
has 3 axle trucks using standard LEGO wheelsets, and traverses points just fine,
although it does have 4 weight bricks holding it down.
ROSCO
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In lugnet.trains, Ross Crawford wrote:
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In lugnet.cad.ldd, William R. Ward wrote:
| |
I think the issue here is the 3 axle truck itself.
To work on a switch you would need to float the center axle a little - I’ve
seen this done in LEGO trains before - so that it can make that really sharp
bend on the curved part of the switch track without derailing.
|
My breakdown
crane has 3 axle trucks using standard LEGO wheelsets, and traverses points
just fine, although it does have 4 weight bricks holding it down.
|
It’s also not hinged to another truck; it only has to rotate around its center
point. Being attached to the motor truck, the 3-axle trucks in the GG1 are
being pulled a little bit off center as the wheels go into the curve, and I
think that’s why the 3-axle truck can’t make it in this case.
I’ll play around with the trucks at some point - but the layout won’t require
traversing the curved side of any switches at the show so I’ll live with it
as-is for now.
--Bill.
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In lugnet.trains, William R. Ward wrote:
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It’s also not hinged to another truck; it only has to rotate around its
center point. Being attached to the motor truck, the 3-axle trucks in the
GG1 are being pulled a little bit off center as the wheels go into the curve,
and I think that’s why the 3-axle truck can’t make it in this case.
I’ll play around with the trucks at some point - but the layout won’t require
traversing the curved side of any switches at the show so I’ll live with it
as-is for now.
|
Bruce Chamberlain postulated that the problem is due to one of the 3-axle trucks
being *pushed* through the curve rather than pulled. I suspect that a rubber
band between the two 3-axle trucks would help - I will try that sometime.
--Bill.
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