57
votes
Accepted
Can LEGO City Powered Up trains be automated?
I've been exploring this recently, and I wanted to share my experiences in the hopes that they are useful to others. There are a few ways this can be accomplished. Some are possible out of the box, ...
33
votes
Accepted
How can I motorize the Hogwarts Express (76423)
There are number of ways to accomplish this. The locomotive traditionally provides the power for a train, so that is a natural place to start. Unfortunately, this locomotive is difficult to motorize ...
26
votes
Accepted
What are black sausage pieces used for in Crocodile Locomotive set 10277?
These are placed next to the magnets at the front and the back of the train. See step 142 in the instructions.
4 are needed and there is 1 spare.
BrickInstructions shows it here:
25
votes
Accepted
Why was the monorail system discontinued?
According to https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/comment/57906/#Comment_57906 :
The reason LEGO has stopped making monorail is threefold,
One, the motors and track molds ran out and would be very ...
24
votes
Can the Orient Express be motorized to run on standard track?
This train will run on standard track without modification. The gauge of the brick-built track is no different from the standard City track.
There are a number of ways that this set could be motorized....
19
votes
Is there an API for the Duplo 10874 train set?
There is now official documentation for the Bluetooth protocol used by the Powered Up product line:
https://github.com/LEGO/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs
The community has created some tools to ...
17
votes
Accepted
Multiple Powered Up trains on 1 Bluetooth controller?
Each train needs the following two components:
Hub
Train motor
I'll assume you purchased a second set of these to convert your 9V train with, since you're asking how to control both trains using the ...
17
votes
What piece is this? It's a hard one, and a very small one. It's 2x1 I believe, and it could possibly be an accessory
You are partially correct, it is made using two of Antenna Small Lever
You can relax, they are not glued, but slotted into the grooves of the 1 x 2 Tile with grille
The other wheels of the train are ...
16
votes
Accepted
Will Duplo trains fit onto a regular 6 stud LEGO track?
For this experiment we're using the wheeled Duplo push and go motor block and red cabin from Set #10874.
The wheel width of the motor is the same width as a non motor base.
So, for this train ...
13
votes
Accepted
How tall is a Lego train on a track?
LEGO tracks are 12mm high, train wheels go below the true height of the track and so in reality only add 7mm of height.
The structure gauge (also known as clearance) tolerance will obviously be a lot ...
12
votes
Accepted
6 x 14 plate with 2x12 plate molded on top and metal contacts on the bottom identification
Part# BB0054 - Electric, Train 4.5V Battery Car Roof.
(But Light Gray in color.)
11
votes
Why are there 4 wires leading to the Power Functions LEGO train motor?
The LEGO Power Functions connectors have 4 standard designations regardless of the usage:
9V power
"0V" Ground
C1 "control 1"
C2 "control 2"
It seems for motors that the 9V and Ground are unused. ...
10
votes
Website with layout plans for LEGO Duplo trains?
I'm not aware of any sites that are dedicated to DUPLO train layouts, but there are certainly interesting layout ideas out there. For example, this was included in set 2932:
There are also loads of ...
10
votes
What is the function of Duplo part# 38507 RAIL ACCESSORY, NO. 4
It's an interactive piece that makes the train perform a cool(ish) function when it rolls over it.
The train has a sensor on the bottom that reads the piece and does the deed.
When the train reads ...
10
votes
Accepted
Lego track switch doesn't close properly
Warning: LEGO pieces were harmed for this answer
How the switch works
So, how does it work then? Well, let's open it up!
The back plate is held into place by 14 pins. We'll carefully pry it open ...
10
votes
Options for powering Winter Holiday Train
If you want to “turn on and forget” you might want to look into obtaining a circle of old 9V track (metal rails produced by LEGO until 2007) and a power supply, plus a 9V train motor. It will not be ...
10
votes
Accepted
Train level crossing using 2021 road plates
It occurred to me that you could use 8-stud-long tiles, tilted ~3 degrees, resting on plates at different heights.
Side view from a quick LeoCAD mock-up:
Since clipping the tile to plates at ...
10
votes
Minimal mine track
I think you want to consider using the 4-stud-wide "rollercoaster" tracks, part numbers 25059, 25061 and 26022.
Here's how those to parts look like in set 60228:
The straight track are 8 or ...
10
votes
Why does my 60198 train get lots of wheel spin?
Slipping of a wheel is caused by a too low friction between the wheel and the surface. The most straightforward solution would be to reduce the mass of the carriages the locomotive has to pull, but ...
9
votes
Accepted
What is the length of a DUPLO train bridge?
Based on the layouts from this answer, a half-bridge seems to be 2 straight tracks + 1 quarter-circle (split mid-track at the end, because the middle of the bridge is centered with the crossing track ...
9
votes
Accepted
What is this "patent pending" part?
It's a tie plate from the original 4.5V train system, specifically from a "switch point right":
http://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=x879cx1#T=C
9
votes
Are only two new train sets available in August 2018?
Those are the two City-themed trains that are currently available. LEGO is currently transitioning to a new electrical system for trains, so that may explain the relatively low number of trains ...
9
votes
Are only two new train sets available in August 2018?
As jncraton noted LEGO is going through a transitional time now. Sadly trains are not a huge portion of their sales so it tends to ebb and flow through time anyway. So if you want a train definitely ...
9
votes
Is there any difference in the power, wheel, and track technology between 2018 trains and 2022 trains?
Most of essential bits are the same and used in all 4 sets:
Train motor
Straight track
Track switch
Driving wheels attached to motor
The only difference is in wheel used for cars. Instead of using ...
9
votes
Identify this part, looks like a black handheld controller
A quick image search points to part 40529c01, which appeared only in two sets from 2006: 7897-1 Passenger Train and 7898-1 Cargo Train Deluxe.
8
votes
Accepted
Long train Bridge tension and compression angles (minimum brick count)
The compression member in your design looks thin to me, and the tension member oversize (assuming they are the top and bottom respectively). I would use string for tension and the technic beams for ...
8
votes
Is there an API for the Duplo 10874 train set?
Official docs:
https://lego.github.io/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs/
https://github.com/LEGO/lego-ble-wireless-protocol-docs
Discussion:
https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/...
8
votes
Accepted
How to disassemble the propulsion wheels of the LEGO/DUPLO train engine base part# 28743 drivetrain?
My back wheels do the same thing. There is no metal axle that connects both back wheels like the axle design does for the front wheels, but I'm sure LEGO designed it that way.
So, imagine the train'...
8
votes
60197 Passenger Train control problem
I thought I’d update you on the situation for anyone else in a similar position.
I got in touch with Lego via email, it took a while for them to get back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is totally ...
7
votes
Accepted
Can the DUPLO My First Number Train fit on DUPLO tracks?
Not really - the wheels on "My First Number Train" are the DUPLO car wheels, so they will just about fit on straight and curved track, but they won't work on the points and bridge sections.
There isn'...
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