Subject:
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Re: TLG wants your input on the CITY line
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.town
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Date:
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Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:45:36 GMT
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Viewed:
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14684 times
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Monorail! Gotta have monorail!
I'm shure others would agree.
I've already posted this suggestion to Bricklink's forum in the thread of the
same name, but I've changed some details after running many a mind-based
simulation to find improvements over my previous ideas.
I know others even suggested it, but I taking it to the next level.
So, without further ado, the suggestion:
Theme: Monorail.
Set 1:
Monorail Starter Set.
A monorail train with 3 or 4 cars on a simple loop of track with a simple
station or 2.
Keeping it simple means lower cost, which translates into more potential buyers.
Set 2:
Monorail Station.
Have instructions to also rebuild into a second-level station, or into a first-
or second-level, end-of-track terminal.
Set 3:
Monorail Maintenance Shed.
Has everything needed to keep your Monorail train in top shape.
Set 4:
Level Crossing.
Like its railroad counterpart, it allows cars to cross ground-level Monorail
track.
Accessory sets:
Long straights, short straights, curves, ramps, and supports sold in packs
and/or individually thru online PaB. Extra cars, car bases, engine bases, and
other parts, too.
I was also going to suggest a larger, fancier set, like the Airport Shuttle, but
i decided it would be better to let the customer mix-n-match sets and
accessories to make the layout of his choice.
Feature suggestions:
There's many things to cover, so I'll start with,
The Trains:
The bases would be 6-wide, maybe 8-wide, allow bricks and plates to be snapped
to the bottom, for bottom details, etc., and have connectors on each end, so
they can be connected end-to-end, like a real Monorail train. The engine base
would have only its own remote sensor, stop sensor (more on that below) and
transmission. To motorize, add a Power Functions battery box and one or more
Power Functions XL Motors (more than one for more power). Without the motor, it
can be a "push-along train". This also allows the motors to be used elsewhere
when not monorailing.
The Track:
Most important: Keep the new track compatible with the old.
Now, instead of the monoswitch, have a small barcode sticker that can be applied
directly to the track, maybe on top of the rail, which would give more
flexibility as to where to stop, but stickers can take only so many
reapplications before wearing out. maybe the solution here is to supply a
multitude of barcode stickers, and even sell
them separately. The stop sensor mentioned above would read the barcode and stop
the train. The PF Remote can be used to override the barcode.
Personally, I would apply the barcode once to a short straight piece, and use
that piece for just that.
The switch points, as great as they are, may need mechanical improvement, or
make them user-serviceable, attaching the bottom with screws, not glue/welding,
to allow the inside to be cleaned, and repairs to be made, if necessary. Even
include a repair manual and have repair parts available. "If it's broken, don't
toss it, fix it!".
Also make the curve end the same as the straight ends.
The ramps are great, but when wanting to go more than 10-high, the usual
solution is to use 2 or more ramps. Why not have a slope piece that can go in
between the upper and lower ramp pieces? This piece can be 16-long, and 5-high.
2 of those + the 2 ramp pieces would make a 20-high ramp. Or use 1 to go
15-high.
Now, what if you want to go only 5-high? A one-piece 32-long, 5-high ramp would
be the solution.
The curves, instead of the 90-degree curves of the 90's (pardon the pun :) ),
have 1/2-curves, 2 or which would make a 90-degree curve. This would allow track
to run diagonally. The switch points would be updated accordingly, as suggested
above.
Maybe even add (or make instead) curves of the same radius and length as the
railroad track curves, for more flexibility.
Add a Cross Track. For that Figure-8 and more.
Finally, use 1x4 tiles, not plates, to connect the track pieces together, for
better aesthetics.
scott "If LEGO did it once, they can do it again" Frischmann.
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | TLG wants your input on the CITY line
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| Hi all, The CITY team at LEGO would like input on potential lines for 2010 and, as the LEGO Ambassador for LUGNET I'm asking you to help. Please use the following format to submit suggestions and check to see if someone has already covered your (...) (16 years ago, 7-Jul-08, to lugnet.general, lugnet.town) !!
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