Legos and Lionel Trains

[overall]

Have any of you ever tried using structures built with Legos on your Lionel Layout? If you did, how did it look? I know some of us use Dept 56 buildings on Christmas layouts. It seems logical that Lego buildings could be used too assuming the scale was close to the same.

Thanks,

George

[Penny Trains]

I haven't used whole buildings, but I have used some specialty parts to create details on locos, structures, etc.

Becky

[EIS2]

My granddaughter uses the Legos Mindstorms to build action models on her layout.  For those not familiar with Legos Mindstorms, Legos Mindstorms has a microprocessor that can be programmed with a computer to build various robots and other action accessories.  She has built signals that are activated when the train passes and structures to load cars.  No wiring to the layout is necessary. 

Legos Mindstorms has various sensors to control the action including touch sensors, sound sensors, light sensors, ultrasonic sensors, compass sensors, accelerometer sensors, and RF ID sensors.  I believe the kit includes three of the most commonly used sensors.  She built one structure to load a car of a specific color.  As the train passed, the structure waited until it detected a car of the proper color (e.g. red) and then it commenced the loading operation.  The kit also includes several servo motors.

BTW, my granddaughteris is 10.

Here is a video of a Legos Mindstorms structure solving a Rubik's Cube:

watch?v=eaRcWB3jwMo

There are way more components shown in the video then come with the standard kit.

Just do a search on YouTube for Legos Mindstorms and you will see some of the amazing things that can be done.

Earl

[runtime]

EIS2

My granddaughter uses the Legos Mindstorms to build action models on her layout.  For those not familiar with Legos Mindstorms, Legos Mindstorms has a microprocessor that can be programmed with a computer to build various robots and other action accessories.  She has built signals that are activated when the train passes and structures to load cars.  No wiring to the layout is necessary. 

Legos Mindstorms has various sensors to control the action including touch sensors, sound sensors, light sensors, ultrasonic sensors, compass sensors, accelerometer sensors, and RF ID sensors.  I believe the kit includes three of the most commonly used sensors.  She built one structure to load a car of a specific color.  As the train passed, the structure waited until it detected a car of the proper color (e.g. red) and then it commenced the loading operation.  The kit also includes several servo motors.

BTW, my granddaughteris is 10.

Here is a video of a Legos Mindstorms structure solving a Rubik's Cube:

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eaRcWB3jwMo&rel=1" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eaRcWB3jwMo&amp;rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed>

'); // -->

 

There are way more components shown in the video then come with the standard kit.

Just do a search on YouTube for Legos Mindstorms and you will see some of the amazing things that can be done.

Earl

WOW! Legos have come a long way since my kids' day (first grandchild pending)!

Makes (my) traditional postwar layout seem like something from the stone age.

Wonder if those sensors and servos could be utilized with non- lego strutures? 

Another thought: how does the sensor stop the train (looking for a particular color car for example), if it's all stand alone, and not connected to the layout? It must interface with the track power supply at least.

 

runtime

[EIS2]

runtime

Wonder if those sensors and servos could be utilized with non- lego strutures? 

Another thought: how does the sensor stop the train (looking for a particular color car for example), if it's all stand alone, and not connected to the layout? It must interface with the track power supply at least.

The sensors plug into the microprocessor module.  They probably could be used with another microprocessor, but I don't know how.  Likewise for the servos.

My granddaughter did not control the train with the Legos Mindstorms.  The device simply waited until a car of the proper color was stopped in front of the loader to initiate the loading action.  I am sure that there is a way for the Legos Mindstorms to control relays.

The structures are certainly not appropriate on a hi-rail layout because they are not very realistic, but the educational value of Legos Mindstorms is outstanding.  You don't need to be a computer wizard to write the programs.  You can write simple programs that control simple actions all the way to very complex programs that solve the Rubik's Cube as in the video above.

The program can either be downloaded to the Legos Mindstorms microprocessor module or they can remain on the computer and control the microprocessor through either a USB cable or Bluetooth.

Earl

[cnw1995]

I have more of a whimsical layout and have used Legos for some detail or background items - walls, and small boxes, loads for trucks...

[Demay]

My 8y/o son built some interesting Lego structures for his under-the-bed layout.  We were not concerned with scale or realism so the Lego structures and figures make the layout very fun. 

In one of the recent issues of CTT, the Reader's Photos section had a photo of how one person used Legos to build a very realistic looking subway station.  It was very well-done.

I would like to see some photos of the structures Earl's granddaughter has built.  Those sound extremely neat. 

Joe

[palallin]

I am considering using LEGO blocks to build bridge abutments:  filing the edges and painting ought to make for a decent looking cut-stone structure.  I think someone who did so was in CTT in the last year or two.

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

I use the Creator line of LEGO houses on my standard gauge layouts.  They fit quite well with my 500 series cars and 330 series of passenger cars.  

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Eriediamond]

I have never seen or used legos with the trains I had but used Lincoln Logs and American Bricks back in the 40-50's. Since Legos is mention here, I have toyed (pun) with the idea of building a complete small layout with lego trains.

[pjprevitejr]

I plan to do that very thing...mixing Lego buildings, structures and Mini-figs with Lionel (Traditional scale) trains. I already have a sizable Lego train layout with several Lego City modular buildings, vehicles and Lego trains. Since Lionel recently came out with their line of LionChief remote control engines complete with sound, it became a no-brainer to replace the Lego trains and track with Lionel LionChief engines, rolling stock and FasTrack. Should be fun.