First Module Rebuild - Part 2

 Progress on this rebuild.  

In the last blog entry, the module looked like this.  I have made some progress.

I used this large motor, mostly because originally I had the space for it.  I still do, so I am continuing to use it.  But I am changing over the drive to a worm gear.  I used to two small bevel bears to change the axle direction 90 degrees, before attaching the worm gear.

A different view that shows the two bevel gears and their arrangement.

Here is the structure installed.  The brick controller will go on one side, probably the blue.  While they look equally empty, the purple side still needs a gear reduction set installed.

Here you can see the reduction gear set installed.

In keeping with the original design, I have two minifigs, one on either end.  They control this portion of the module. The large red gear protruding through the floor is driven by the worm gear.

Better view of the gear reduction set.  Also there is an alternate control panel setup behind the minifig on the right.

This is the completed housing.  It is very similar to the original model.

In the lower left hand corner of the module is connection point for the left tower of the module.  The axle will turn the radar module at the top of this tower.  Unlike the previous version, the wires will run down the tower and into the bottom, where the brick controller will be located.

This shows how the motor was incorporated into the module.

One item that is missing so far is lighting and wiring.  Right now I am just building out the module in rough form.  Then I will determine where the lights will go and how the wires will run through the module.  This will entail some rebuilding to hide the wires as much as possible.

Train Progress over Holidays

I worked mostly on the oil refinery and oil processing area.  The above pictures shows some of what it looked like.  I finished building the oil refinery models.  Then I built one more large oil tank.  

These two pictures show what the area will look now.  It has four oil processors, two medium size tanks and one large tank.

This picture shows the four oil loading/unloading stations. 

What is left to do:

• Brick retaining wall around the area.
• Gravel/ground cover around the facility
• Stairs to get in and out of the facility
• Ballast next to all track areas
• Build a piping system from the refinery to the loading/unloading area
• Install the overhead lighting

I have been playing with the small side track area near the oil pumps.  This actually on the other side of the layout.  This is what I think is going to happen .  There are two track side oil loading/unloading stations.  Then I will take some of the small oil tanks that I have that are built, but have no home and turn them into small temporary storage near these two pumping stations.  At the end of the left track you can see on small tank placed on its end.  The tank to the right of all the track will be taken apart (probably cut with a Dremel Tool).  Then I can continue to built a small storage area.  Then some piping from the oil pumps themselves will finish out the detail.  Then I just need to place the final road and gravel areas and this corner of the layout will be done.

 

First Module Rebuild - Part 1

 

This is the first module I built. It formed the basis for all the work that followed.  But it did not conform to the latest module standard I am using.  In particular, the cliff would never fit behind it.

 

This is actually the first incarnation of this module.  This is before I thought about the Space Outpost.

This is the first implementation in the module form.  It shows the basic look, but not the right color scheme.

And now it looks like this.  

Every module has a name, mostly so I can know what module the Android app is connected to.  This is called Main Defense, since it had the first space guns on it.  I like the two antenna towers, so they will stay.  The supporting buildings in the center and on the right will probably merge into one large structure.  I am also going to keep the gears in the front, since this is what attracts people.

More as the rebuild progresses.

Brick Shows in 2024

 

March 23-24th in Omaha Nebraska.  This will be the third time we have been there.  This is one of the best shows that we attend.  The light show on Saturday Night for members only is the highlight.

 

This is the corporate show that travels the country.  It has a large selection of prebuilt MOCs as well as multiple areas of interactive play.  Here are the locations and dates we are looking at.

• May 4/5  Oklahoma City OK
• Jul 13/14 Pasadena CA
• Aug 3/4 Long Beach CA
• Aug 24/25 San Diego CA
• Sep 14/15 Sacramento CA

 

Will this happen?  At this time, it is still unknown what will happen here.  If it does, happen, we will be there.

New Year 2024

 

Break time is over.  We wish all of you a Happy New Year for 2024.

Here are the upcoming topics and plans through at least May.

• Finally rebuilding the very first module
• Finish the cliff area on the left side
• Work on detailing/texturing the top or plateau areas
• Build the living quarters with bar
• Finalize Space Outpost ONE for the coming show year
• Lego Conventions this year
  
• Android updates
• Train updates
• Finalize all the electronic projects
• I need to revisit my solar panel on the outdoor shed 

Sounds like a lot of work for someone who is supposed to be retired.

Thus it is

 

or actually it is back to work 😏

 

Holiday Break

 

We are taking a break for the holidays.  I might post some train work that I intend on doing.  Putting the Lego Space Outpost to the side for right now so that I can regenerate so new ideas.  Be back in 2024.

In 2024

Brick Palooza - Part 2

 

Here is a link to the Brick Palooza Facebook page.

And a link to a video of our display.

And here are some of the more interesting MOCs at the show.

I was interested in the detailing with the plants in this one.

This and the three pictures that follow show D-Day on Omaha beach.  It was a very impressive display.

This one was very colorful and detailed.

Interesting use of sand green color.

A collection of castle sets.

This was a depiction of the Mad Max world.

I really liked the water simulation.

Pictures of some kitchen ideas for when I detail out the kitchen area of the cafeteria.

A recreation of the bar from Cheers.  I may have to put in a bar when I do the living quarters. 

Yoda and Christmas.

Then there were a group of COS Players there as we see in these pictures.

 

The Omaha Beach MOC was best in show.

 

We were the winners in the Space Category.