I realize this site has been rather quiet but I also know we have a couple dedicated followers. Now that we have trains to talk about again I really want to try and ramp things up here. I am open to any and all discussions. This site is intended to promote community first and foremost. While we do informal reviews we don't have or plan to have formal news articles or lead event organization although if asked we could help.

So what would you like to see and how do we get things kick started? If we can get a good core of folks participating others are sure to follow. I am hopeful that the new PF trains are of sufficient quality to ignite interest in trains once again with a new crowd of fans to join our established base.

-Eric Kingsley

Something I'd like to see is how the new PF system really works and what parts are all in it, I have the 7939 cargo train enroute to my house from S@H, but I wish there was more out there on whats needed to convert my 9V's to PF. Maybe starting with an article on everything there is PF and what all the components are would be nice?

If you have room for the battery in you train and a place to put the IR reciever you have little problems.

LEGO sells a PF motor that is the same sizr as the 9v motor.

What you need cab be found under Accessories in Power Functions and Trains.

I was wondering how they could control 8 trains until i figured that the IR receiver has two connections.  In the Emerald Night one controls the train speed and the other controls the lights.  The IR has a switch to select 4 channels.  The controller also has a switch to select 4 channels.  the controller has a right and a left dial to control the speed. Depending on which connection on the IR receiver, Right or Left it will be conrtolled by the controller by one side or the other if the channel matches.  The new IR receivers are color coded red and blue.  The new train are Blue for the Passanger train and Red for ther Freight train so they can be run on the same channel.

Hope this helps some

Larry

Quote by: Chris Henry

Something I'd like to see is how the new PF system really works and what parts are all in it, I have the 7939 cargo train enroute to my house from S@H, but I wish there was more out there on whats needed to convert my 9V's to PF. Maybe starting with an article on everything there is PF and what all the components are would be nice?

Chris,

Interesting thought. Lawrence hit on most of the points although the motor available at S@H is the RC motor not the PF motor and there are significant differences. The RC motor has low torque and high RPMs which means it goes fast but can't pull a very heavy load. The PF motor is more like the 9V motor as it has high torque and lower RPMs which give it greater pulling power but a lower top speed.

This makes the PF motor much more desirable to traditional model railroaders and clubs that like to run long trains.

As I mentioned in my review the battery box is interchangeable with the rechargeable battery box. Unfortunately the dimensions of the battery box still make it difficult to integrate into a traditional 6 wide GP type train like the BNSF LEGO had out a couple years ago. You will also need to integrate the IR receiver into your trains. I am considering putting the battery box and IR receiver in a box car directly behind the engine. This will let me keep the engine out during a show by replacing its "power plant" while the original recharges. When possible I will integrate everything into the engine but most of my designs don't allow for that to be done simply.

I too have a Cargo Train on the way, it has shipped and I hope for it to arrive before the end of the week.

-Eric

Eric, and for all those interested,

I built a GP38 (based on the LEGO BNSF version) and an MP15 both in 6-wide with all PF components installed and used custom stickrs to cover the battery box.  Pics can be found on my flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/18414760@N02/

On a side note, I have come up with a way to "bolt on" O scale Kadee magnetic knuckle couplers, pics can also be found on my flickr.

Sal

WFB, WI

Very nice job Sam.  I can see that the only problem is if you are at a show the engine would be out of service while recharging.

Is the motor one of thr newer PF's or as Eric mentioned an RC notor?  If it is the newer PF motor where do you get it?

Larry

Pictured are the old RC motors, but I recently got the new cargo train and took the new PF motor and replaced the RC motor on my MP15 (its the only engine I run at the moment).  Hopefully Lego will release the new PF motors and the decorative sideframes.

Sal

WFB, WI

Sal, Nice job. Your sticker is effective, I am impressed you got that good a color match. I like the Kadee couplers as well although I don't know if I could bring myself to that significant a none LEGO modification. -Eric

Thank you Eric.

I ws surprised as well at how well the sticker workd, it is MS Word's generic red printed on a glossy sticker paper I found at a local hobby shop.

If you do alot of switching of cars to different locations on your railroad, vs. just running trains in circles, the knuckle couplers make it a whole lot easier.

Sal

WFB, WI

Sal, Sorry about calling you sam.

Who makes the sticker sheets that you used?

I am thinking about printing some stickers for containers.

Larry