| | | | | has anyone tried to build a Lego(R) version of Thomas the Tank Engine, a
chrarecter in the Rev Awdry's Railway stories?
Given Thomas's popularity, I am suprised that no-one hadn't already.
Also I think that TLG/TLC should try and get the right to Thomas when they come
up again. ISTR they are currently with Hornby here in the UK and Brio(R) in
Sweden?
Alex
| | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.trains, Alex Farlie writes:
>
> has anyone tried to build a Lego(R) version of Thomas the Tank Engine, a
> chrarecter in the Rev Awdry's Railway stories?
>
> Given Thomas's popularity, I am suprised that no-one hadn't already.
I think I have seen two Thomas engines built by Lego bricks so far. The older
one is designed by Matt Bates.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/train_depot/ttte.htm
But I forgot who is owner of the newer one: I think it was someone from one
of the LTCs, but I'm not too sure....
Regards,
Ben
>
> Also I think that TLG/TLC should try and get the right to Thomas when they come
> up again. ISTR they are currently with Hornby here in the UK and Brio(R) in
> Sweden?
>
> Alex
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | > But I forgot who is owner of the newer one: I think it was someone from one
> of the LTCs, but I'm not too sure....
>
> Regards,
>
> Ben
Dan Parker of PNLTC has built one as well.
James
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In early 1997, I designed a LEGO Thomas tTE and compliment of freightcars at
the request of my daughter. It was the first TtTE of which I am aware. I
later sent original sketches regarding construction to Matt Bates, who
modified these slightly to produce the version featured on his website.
I should give credit to member Will Chapman who inspired me with his steamer
designs. Additionally, member Ken MacIntosh dabbled with a faced Interurban-
sort of consist and achieved great results.
dan parker/PNLTC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.trains, Dan Parker writes:
> In early 1997, I designed a LEGO Thomas tTE and compliment of freightcars at
> the request of my daughter. It was the first TtTE of which I am aware. I
> later sent original sketches regarding construction to Matt Bates, who
> modified these slightly to produce the version featured on his website.
I think GMLTC may predate you a bit but it's going to be hard to dispute,
those guys were terrible at taking any pics of anything back then. However I
do recall them saying that theirs had been around for several years when I
first saw it in 1998. Clearly they have been exhibiting for the longest of any
club (if you count Conan as "GMLTC", I've seen pictures of him exhibiting 12V
stuff when he was about 10 years old with his uncle Chuck).
That said, it's not about who is first, but about the great stuff that all the
clubs are doing to advance the hobby. Look at how far and how fast WAMALUG has
come along. Their downtowns are starting to get quite amazing and they may be
in a spot to give PNLTC records for most tall buildings in one spot a serious
challenge soon. (assuming, haha, that PNLTC stands still. Not likely.)
Even though I personally don't care for Thomas much, every club ought to have
one, and some cars to go with, it's a guaranteed draw when it's operating, and
it's not a very hard build...
++Lar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Has anyone ever done annie and clarabell? I would like to see someone
try that.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, Dan Parker writes:
> > In early 1997, I designed a LEGO Thomas tTE and compliment of freightcars at
> > the request of my daughter. It was the first TtTE of which I am aware. I
> > later sent original sketches regarding construction to Matt Bates, who
> > modified these slightly to produce the version featured on his website.
>
> I think GMLTC may predate you a bit but it's going to be hard to dispute,
> those guys were terrible at taking any pics of anything back then. However I
> do recall them saying that theirs had been around for several years when I
> first saw it in 1998. Clearly they have been exhibiting for the longest of any
> club (if you count Conan as "GMLTC", I've seen pictures of him exhibiting 12V
> stuff when he was about 10 years old with his uncle Chuck).
The GMLTC Thomas in question was my design that I built sometime in '96, years
before I knew about AFOLs or the guys in the GMLTC for that matter. My son was 7
and absolutely ga-ga over Thomas, and when the Blue Fury came out with its blue
half rounds, the train practically built itself. Shortly thereafter when the
Wild West sets came out, I built a Toby (My *first* 8 wide{:^D).
We brought a James which my son and I had built to the Kidvention; I'll have to
dig up some pics. We also are in the middle of building (among other things;) a
Percy and a Bill/Ben. After having seen the Thomas movie (God, I love Thomas and
everything, but that movie was brutal), I think we shall attempt a few characters
from that.
> That said, it's not about who is first, but about the great stuff that all the
> clubs are doing to advance the hobby. Look at how far and how fast WAMALUG has
> come along. Their downtowns are starting to get quite amazing and they may be
> in a spot to give PNLTC records for most tall buildings in one spot a serious
> challenge soon. (assuming, haha, that PNLTC stands still. Not likely.)
Yes, very nice work WAMALUGers!
> Even though I personally don't care for Thomas much, every club ought to have
> one, and some cars to go with, it's a guaranteed draw when it's operating, and
> it's not a very hard build...
Agreed (about the part that every layout should have one:) All the kids
recognize him instantly. We have Thomas pulling troublesome trucks, because
Annie and Clarabel are rather difficult to model, to say the least.
-John (J-2)
>
>
> ++Lar
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Farlie A <ba124@city.ac.uk> wrote:
> has anyone tried to build a Lego(R) version of Thomas the Tank Engine, a
> chrarecter in the Rev Awdry's Railway stories?
The GMLTC has one that we run on a small track loop lower than the rest of
the layout, so that the little kids can get a good look at it. It's in the
"ore pit" section of the layout. I believe that John Neal (J2) built it.
It's not unusual for a short one to walk up to the layout and say,
"Thomas!!", as his/her face lights up. :)
Steve [GMLTC]
--
Barb & Steve Demlow | demlow@visi.com | www.visi.com/~demlow/
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Steve Demlow wrote:
> The GMLTC has one that we run on a small track loop lower than the rest of
> the layout, so that the little kids can get a good look at it. It's in the
> "ore pit" section of the layout. I believe that John Neal (J2) built it.
> It's not unusual for a short one to walk up to the layout and say,
> "Thomas!!", as his/her face lights up. :)
My daughter *was* "James the Red Engine" for several years. She wore red
clothes all the time, and when she hurt her foot one day, declared that
she had "hurt my little wheel". I was Henry the green engine, Nana (my
mother) was Edward the Blue engine, etc. (None of this came from the TV
series or the toys, mind, this was before them - this all came from the
original little books). Her favorites when she got older, though, were
Skarloey and Peter Sam. We visited the Talyllyn Railway in Wales
especially for her to see the originals when we were back in the UK in
1991, when she was 7. The stationmaster at the top station let her
change the points - somewhere I have a photo of her pulling the lever.
Kevin
--
Personal Lego Web page:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kwilson_tccs/lego.html
eBay auctions: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/kevinw1/
Guild of Bricksmiths: http://www.bricksmiths.com
Lego Dacta sets (coupons 39574SVTR and 39613PRMT till June 15th):
http://www.vstore.com/vstorehobbies/kevinskits
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.trains, Kevin Wilson writes:
> My daughter *was* "James the Red Engine" for several years.
(snip)
How can this be, I am James :)
I have:
The Ertl cast toy
The Hornby OO electric model
and lots of other stuff. Most of my TTTE stuff is on loan to the Gangers model
railway club in Victoria right now. I have Thomas, Duck, James and Toby, along
with some cars to go with them.
James
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.trains, James Powell writes:
> > My daughter *was* "James the Red Engine" for several years.
> (snip)
> How can this be, I am James :)
No, I'm James. I've been a Rev Awdry fan since I was a little 'un. In fact
longer than I've been into Lego...
> I have:
> The Ertl cast toy
> The Hornby OO electric model
> and lots of other stuff. Most of my TTTE stuff is on loan to the Gangers
> model railway club in Victoria right now. I have Thomas, Duck, James and
> Toby, along with some cars to go with them.
In lego? or OO gauge?
James (the other red engine)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | > No, I'm James. I've been a Rev Awdry fan since I was a little 'un. In fact
> longer than I've been into Lego...
Ha! some of my books are from the _first_ run of them (they were my mom &
uncle's books)...and some of my lego was my sisters, so I have been exposed to
both as long as I have been around.
> In lego? or OO gauge?
OO gauge stuff.
James P
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Kevin Wilson wrote:
> Steve Demlow wrote:
> > The GMLTC has one that we run on a small track loop lower than the rest of
> > the layout, so that the little kids can get a good look at it. It's in the
> > "ore pit" section of the layout. I believe that John Neal (J2) built it.
> > It's not unusual for a short one to walk up to the layout and say,
> > "Thomas!!", as his/her face lights up. :)
>
> My daughter *was* "James the Red Engine" for several years. She wore red
> clothes all the time, and when she hurt her foot one day, declared that
> she had "hurt my little wheel". I was Henry the green engine, Nana (my
> mother) was Edward the Blue engine, etc. (None of this came from the TV
> series or the toys, mind, this was before them - this all came from the
> original little books). Her favorites when she got older, though, were
> Skarloey and Peter Sam. We visited the Talyllyn Railway in Wales
> especially for her to see the originals when we were back in the UK in
> 1991, when she was 7. The stationmaster at the top station let her
> change the points - somewhere I have a photo of her pulling the lever.
That is priceless:-) Both of my kids were nuts about Thomas, albeit from the
videos. We look forward to the movie:-) Actually, my son (10) and I just
finished up our LEGO version of James and are just about finished with Percy,
Bill and Ben. I also have built a Toby as well. In addition, Dan Siskind has
built a nice Rheneas. Pics will have to wait for the Kidvention I'm
afraid...:-(
-John
>
>
> Kevin
> --
> Personal Lego Web page:
> http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kwilson_tccs/lego.html
> eBay auctions: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/kevinw1/
> Guild of Bricksmiths: http://www.bricksmiths.com
> Lego Dacta sets (coupons 39574SVTR and 39613PRMT till June 15th):
> http://www.vstore.com/vstorehobbies/kevinskits
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
>
>
> That is priceless:-) Both of my kids were nuts about Thomas, albeit from the
> videos. We look forward to the movie:-) Actually, my son (10) and I just
> finished up our LEGO version of James and are just about finished with Percy,
> Bill and Ben. I also have built a Toby as well. In addition, Dan Siskind has
> built a nice Rheneas. Pics will have to wait for the Kidvention I'm
> afraid...:-(
>
> -John
I've built a Thomas and a Toby, both on 4.5v motors. The obvious candidates
are the blue, red and black ones though because even if you have enough green
bricks, they will not be 'Percy' or 'Henry' Green which is totally
unacceptable in the elite world of finescale Lego replicas of prototype
locomotives.
In my case I cheated a bit - Thomas had only four wheels and Toby was
black,red and grey (I'm a bit colourblind so I can get away with it). I used
grey plates (2x12) for the side skirts which completely cover the wheels so it
really does not matter which type of motor chassis is applied.
Anyone with the 12v range and the 6 wheel steam chassis will be able to
construct a really nice Thomas' Not only will the chassis be correct but the
huge blue battery box, so cleverly disguised as Thomas's water tank on my
model, will of course be redundant leaving you free to create a better
proportioned model.
Remember to leave room inside for the mouthy geyser with the beer gut & top
hat.
Jon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Jonathan Reynolds wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
> >
> >
>
> > That is priceless:-) Both of my kids were nuts about Thomas, albeit from the
> > videos. We look forward to the movie:-) Actually, my son (10) and I just
> > finished up our LEGO version of James and are just about finished with Percy,
> > Bill and Ben. I also have built a Toby as well. In addition, Dan Siskind has
> > built a nice Rheneas. Pics will have to wait for the Kidvention I'm
> > afraid...:-(
> >
> > -John
>
>
> I've built a Thomas and a Toby, both on 4.5v motors. The obvious candidates
> are the blue, red and black ones though because even if you have enough green
> bricks, they will not be 'Percy' or 'Henry' Green which is totally
> unacceptable in the elite world of finescale Lego replicas of prototype
> locomotives.
lol-- "totally unacceptable"?? It is a pity that the new light green which comes
in some plates doesn't come in the bricks one needs to properly create a Percy or
a Henry, but regular green works ok IMO, especially since the 7124 Flashspeeder
came out with the green half rounds:-)
> In my case I cheated a bit - Thomas had only four wheels and Toby was
> black,red and grey (I'm a bit colourblind so I can get away with it). I used
> grey plates (2x12) for the side skirts which completely cover the wheels so it
> really does not matter which type of motor chassis is applied.
>
> Anyone with the 12v range and the 6 wheel steam chassis will be able to
> construct a really nice Thomas' Not only will the chassis be correct but the
> huge blue battery box, so cleverly disguised as Thomas's water tank on my
> model, will of course be redundant leaving you free to create a better
> proportioned model.
Yes, the 12 volt motor with the 6 drivers is the natural choice for Thomas,
although the spacing of the wheels is wrong, as is the size of the wheels as
well. I just use a 9 volt motor and call it a day. But I do use the 4.5 volt
engine red buffer/plate-- that works really well. I am going to try and use a 12
volt on my James and run it off of the 9 volt motor which would be under the
tender. Unfortunately again, his tender has 6 wheels:-/
Of course, with Percy and Bill/Ben, one can get away with using a 9 volt motor
and simulate piston rods, etc. because they are 0-4-0 configs. BTW, just as a
teaser-- our Bill/Ben is *7* wide;-D
-John
> Remember to leave room inside for the mouthy geyser with the beer gut & top
> hat.
>
> Jon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
>
> Of course, with Percy and Bill/Ben, one can get away with using a 9 volt motor
> and simulate piston rods, etc. because they are 0-4-0 configs. BTW, just as a
> teaser-- our Bill/Ben is *7* wide;-D
>
> -John
I'm glad to hear this - I pioneered the 7 wide Lego train back in the 1970s,
but nobody was looking. Necessity was the Mother of invention, I'd run out of
6 wide plates/trainy elements and had to use the leftover oddments to build
some electric multiple units.
How did you manage the saddle tank profile? In green?
Jon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| Jonathan Reynolds wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
> >
> > Of course, with Percy and Bill/Ben, one can get away with using a 9 volt motor
> > and simulate piston rods, etc. because they are 0-4-0 configs. BTW, just as a
> > teaser-- our Bill/Ben is *7* wide;-D
> >
> > -John
>
> I'm glad to hear this - I pioneered the 7 wide Lego train back in the 1970s,
> but nobody was looking. Necessity was the Mother of invention, I'd run out of
> 6 wide plates/trainy elements and had to use the leftover oddments to build
> some electric multiple units.
>
> How did you manage the saddle tank profile? In green?
Well, first off, Bill/Ben are yellow-- You must mean Percy. The saddle tank
effect for them came using this element in yellow:
http://home.att.net/~partsref/images/6183.gif BTW train fans, I need a few more
of those buggers, so if anyone has a few to trade/sell, LMK:-)
The saddle for Percy uses the 1x4 half round brick spaced 3 apart (total 5 wide)
on the top, and the same element turned sideways for the undercurve.
Unfortunately, a picture is worth a thousand bytes, so full disclosure will have
to wait until I have time to photograph them.
-John
>
>
> Jon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
>
>
> Jonathan Reynolds wrote:
>
> > In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
> > >
> > > Of course, with Percy and Bill/Ben, one can get away with using a 9 volt motor
> > > and simulate piston rods, etc. because they are 0-4-0 configs. BTW, just as a
> > > teaser-- our Bill/Ben is *7* wide;-D
> > >
> > > -John
> >
> > I'm glad to hear this - I pioneered the 7 wide Lego train back in the 1970s,
> > but nobody was looking. Necessity was the Mother of invention, I'd run out of
> > 6 wide plates/trainy elements and had to use the leftover oddments to build
> > some electric multiple units.
> >
> > How did you manage the saddle tank profile? In green?
>
> Well, first off, Bill/Ben are yellow-- You must mean Percy.
No, I mean Bill and Ben - told you I was colourblind! Anyway, I've had it
checked out by experts and the printing in MY book shows these guys in green.
I can't wait for your picture anyway.
Jon
The saddle tank
> effect for them came using this element in yellow:
> http://home.att.net/~partsref/images/6183.gif BTW train fans, I need a few more
> of those buggers, so if anyone has a few to trade/sell, LMK:-)
>
> The saddle for Percy uses the 1x4 half round brick spaced 3 apart (total 5 wide)
> on the top, and the same element turned sideways for the undercurve.
> Unfortunately, a picture is worth a thousand bytes, so full disclosure will have
> to wait until I have time to photograph them.
>
> -John
>
>
> >
> >
> > Jon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Jonathan Reynolds <scorch@tinyworld.co.uk> wrote:
> In lugnet.trains, John Neal writes:
> >
> > BTW, just as a >>teaser-- our Bill/Ben is *7* wide;-D
>
> I'm glad to hear this - I pioneered the 7 wide Lego train back in the 1970s,
My EP-2 Bipolar (also part of the GMLTC layout) is also 7 wide. It fits in
well with the 6 wides but has a nice beefy look to it.
Steve
--
Barb & Steve Demlow | demlow@visi.com | www.visi.com/~demlow/
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Steve Demlow wrote:
> Farlie A <ba124@city.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> > has anyone tried to build a Lego(R) version of Thomas the Tank Engine, a
> > chrarecter in the Rev Awdry's Railway stories?
>
> The GMLTC has one that we run on a small track loop lower than the rest of
> the layout, so that the little kids can get a good look at it. It's in the
> "ore pit" section of the layout. I believe that John Neal (J2) built it.
Yes. Here is Thomas at our last show meeting the infamous world traveling
Colin and Wanda:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=6402
-John
>
> It's not unusual for a short one to walk up to the layout and say,
> "Thomas!!", as his/her face lights up. :)
>
> Steve [GMLTC]
> --
> Barb & Steve Demlow | demlow@visi.com | www.visi.com/~demlow/
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | In lugnet.trains, Alex Farlie writes:
>
> has anyone tried to build a Lego(R) version of Thomas the Tank Engine, a
> chrarecter in the Rev Awdry's Railway stories?
Both PNLTC and GMLTC have one, and I imagine it's a staple of most clubs of a
certain size and beyond since it's such an obvious thing to do.
++Lar (from Zurich)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | I know this is an old thread... I saw this on the Thomas web site:
"Historical Note
Thomas is based on the London Brighton and South Coast Railway 0-6-0 E2 with
extended side tanks."
--
-Rob.
=============================
New sets and parts for sale or trade:
http://www.doucettenet.com/lego/
http://www.brickbay.com/store.asp?p=doucette
"Farlie A" <ba124@city.ac.uk> wrote in message news:FwCxGJ.8MA@lugnet.com...
>
> has anyone tried to build a Lego(R) version of Thomas the Tank Engine, a
> chrarecter in the Rev Awdry's Railway stories?
| | | | | | |