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@joshhall, the crossing gates look great! I had to zoom in on the photo to see the strings
does the LUG have rechargeable C batteries? they could come in handy for a battery-powered L-gage train that I want to run at the CSC show
@rcgrier3406, this reminds me that I have a mindstorms sensor controlled crossing gate … I need to double check that it still works@joshhall, if the clearances are too tight for stuff Glenn or Michael are running on the R104 and R120 tracks, we can always try to incorporate it on the R40 double track loop where John has his winter village.
@greg, if you find it and it still works you should definitely bring it. We can find a good spot for it on one of the R40 single track loops.@joshhall, and @rcgrier3406, I’ve attached a render showing the widest point of the Schnabel car, along with red/white bricks to visualize the exact size. Good news is that it’s a typical 8w base up to the platform with the control arms. So low boxes near the track won’t be a problem.
Then it’s 12w at the upper shoulders. The cargo platform swings over (hence why I will be using the R104 loop this time to avoid hitting Glenn’s trains running on the R120 loop) but the platform is at least 5 bricks over the ground plain, plus a few plates when you calculate the track raised by ballast plates. Like the Home and Garden show, I can tear off a portion of the shoulders so it’s a 10w in case there’s any points it may rub against the bridge sides or crossing. Main thing is to make sure the draw bridge or crossing is in the middle of the long straightway to avoid the overhang hitting anything inside the curves.
The cargo platform is a generous 8×32 platform if you want to try something other than a flask cargo. Or I can see about putting the LUG logo on the flask with my printer and sticky paper. 🙂
Also received the Winner’s Brick from Brick Train Awards (US, Best Consist of Danger) so I can add that to the display or on my name badge. I figure Glenn got his too for his category if he wants to show it off at the CSC. His engine (Best Steam Locomoitive, US and Global) definitely earned it.
Awesome render. Thanks for whipping that up quickly!
Greg, how many Cs do you need and is it stationary? I have a few of these blank adapters that you can slip AA into (since it’s all 1.5 volt). I have to dig around for my C adapters. If they aren’t moving though, I was able to use the ac to battery adapter and I can work through setting that up if a wired solution is possible.
I just sent the set-up details to Bob but in short, load in for Steel City LUG will be next Friday, January 12 at 1:00 pm.
Time to bump this thread! Load-in and set-up are just 1 week away, Friday, January 12th!
Load-in time for us is 1 PM on Friday. We’re the last ones on the list, so if you can’t get there until a little later in the afternoon, it shouldn’t be a problem. Here are the directions to the loading dock:
Here are instructions from our special events department:
DROP OFF DIRECTIONS
*The best option for drop off is the PointView Hall loading dock. There is direct access to the freight elevator that loads directly into PointView Hall.
*To get to this loading dock from North Shore Drive, you will go past our main entrance.
*The first right turn (after the main entrance) is the entrance for the loading dock. It will come up quickly on your right immediately after our main entrance. If you are traveling from the south on North Shore Drive, the entrance is on your left.
* Please buzz in at the door as a staff member will have to meet you at the loading dock and escort you to your space.
*You are welcome to load and unload but may not leave any vehicles in the dock for an extended amount of time without arranging this with a staff member prior to arriving. Vehicles may not remain running while in the loading dock.
*Sometimes there are carts available to help you load into the hall, but they are not guaranteed.
*You will need to move your vehicle into a parking spot after you load in. Please ask a Special Events staff member for the best place for you to park.
The loading dock is on the east side of the building, the side facing Heinz Field (see the attached pic). Their email said “no guarantee of carts being available” but they were last year. If you have a cart, bring it just in case but I’m guessing there will be carts.
For those of you who can’t make it for set-up on Friday, the event hours are 10 am – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th. Last year we were able to get in at 9 am on each day, and I would assume the same for this year. The museum doesn’t open until 10 am, so you have to enter through Security if you arrive before that. The Security entrance is on the Casino side of the Science Center (see attached), through the double red doors. Tell them you’re there with Steel City LUG for Locomotion Weekend. They’ll probably ask you to sign in.
The event is in Pointview Hall, which is on the 3rd floor of the new PPG Pavillion. You’ll be entering Security on the Ground floor of the Main building. Once you go through Security, go to the far end of the Cafe (towards the Rangos theater) and there will be a set of elevators on your left. Take those to the 3rd floor.
If you’re there for set-up, staffing or teardown, make sure you bring your parking ticket in with you so we can get a “chaser” sticker put on it and you won’t have to pay for parking.
If you’re interested in displaying, we still have (14) 32×32 spaces and (12) 16×32 spaces open for MOC’s in the layout. You can sign up for one or more of those by using the link below. Once it opens, click on the “Displaying” tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet, and follow the instructions for reserving your space(s). If you just want to staff, you can do that as well on the “Staffing” tab of this spreadsheet.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vWmKpb3CU2WryFoCcPzS8nyaYhNHf9k6OCCM2OvZGLQ/edit?usp=sharing
Bob, Just clarifying, if we do not need the loading dock are we able to just park in the main lot and walk through the main entrance doors? I was planning on bringing my Wagon which should be more than enough space for what I am bringing. So I likely wont need the loading dock.
@willmcdine, we’ll check, but I would expect that if you’re bringing your wagon in with boxes they will want you to go in through the Security entrance and sign in. That would actually probably be easier anyway in that you wouldn’t have to figure out a path from the lot to the main entrance that doesn’t involve stairs.
@timf, can you email Nikki and check?we’ll check, but I would expect that if you’re bringing your wagon in with boxes they will want you to go in through the Security entrance and sign in. That would actually probably be easier anyway in that you wouldn’t have to figure out a path from the lot to the main entrance that doesn’t involve stairs.
Oh yes, that makes sense. Sorry I wasn’t even thinking about that aspect. For what its worth, I work the night before so I likely will not be there right at 1. More thank likely between 1:30-2. Right now I am planning on bringing my buildings and fire trucks mentioned. If needed to fill space I can bring all the stuff for my Brush/Forest fire scene.
Greg, how many Cs do you need and is it stationary?
@joshhallh, there are 3 C batteries that go in the train car right behind the engine (see photo)
the crossing gate mechanism requires 6 AA batteries that add up to 9V, but there is no power adapter to keep the brick going … although @randomdan did suggest soldering some wires from a 9V adapter to the contacts of an RCX
I’ll keep looking for my AA to C casings…
for the brick power, I can send one of these – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QVHDSYP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
it worked fine for something else I did.
I can send one of these
Oh that’s cool, it has alligator clips, no need for soldering!
Hey @rcgrier3406, the battery-powered train loop takes up about 25″ x 35″, so that space in the middle of the Locomotion 2024 spreadsheet, where the words currently are, seems to have enough space. (Unless that is going to be an open area for presenters.)
Also that location appears not to be easily accessed, considering that the train has to be manually stopped and started and may need occasional battery changes. Anyway, there is a prominent switch on the side to turn the train on and off which could be reached with a long stick.
@greg, we’re leaving the “space where the words are” open so we can access things from the inside of the layout that would be difficult or impossible to reach from the outside. For example, we put any 9v speed controllers on the strip of exposed table that surrounds that opening, and we need to be able to get at those.
Will your battery train will run on standard LEGO track with R-40 radius curves? We’re using 9v track on the two single track loops on the left and right sides of the layout, but that doesn’t mean we need to run 9v trains on them, or even power them. Last year we ran RC trains on those loops with no issues. As long as it runs on standard LEGO track with R-40 curves, we’ll just plan on running it on the single track loop on the right side of the layout (where your buildings are), and not connect any 9v power to that loop (see attached). Hopefully we can put fit your crossing arms on that track too!!
can you email Nikki and check?
@rcgrier3406 @willmcdine Yes, you should use the Loading dock entrance with your wagon. It is super easy to use and the freight elevator takes you right up to the display room.
I plan to be there for setup and tear down. I will bring my track and we can use whatever is needed.
Bob, I will bring what you posted earlier (16 16×32 and 3 right switches) and will have the rest in my vehicle as backup. My understanding is you need stanchions as well. Do you have a number in mind, or should I just bring what we have? Anything else needed from Josh?
I plan to be there for setup and tear down. I will bring my track and we can use whatever is needed.
Bob, I will bring what you posted earlier (16 16×32 and 3 right switches) and will have the rest in my vehicle as backup. My understanding is you need stanchions as well. Do you have a number in mind, or should I just bring what we have? Anything else needed from Josh?
Those track and switch numbers still sound good @pnbrenem. We’ll use yours primarily in the rail yard in lieu of some of the LUG Bases where the track isn’t fully ballasted.
The table layout is 18 ft. wide by 10 ft. deep. I’m pretty sure the retractable belts go out 6 1/2 ft. from each post, so if you can bring 10 stanchions, that would give us a max. belted perimeter of 19 1/2 ft. wide by 13 ft. deep which should be sufficient.
As a heads up, I will dropping off my trains Saturday morning long before the show starts. I’ll arrive quite early with my brother. Train set up for me will only take a few minutes and I’ll use the rest of the time to help with anything that needs worked on before the show starts.
For people using the Power Function controllers, watch your frequency.
Glenn Holland on R120 likes to use Channel 1 “aka Player 1”.
I on R104 like to use Channel 4 “aka the unlucky channel”.
Inner small loops, Channel 2 and 3 as needed.
If we need to, we can split between “left and right” to have up to 8 power function trains running.Be ready to press the stop button if an emergency happens, like if catzilla attacks. LOL
If you use the Powered Up Blue Tooth, they sync to the single train so that’s not a problem of cross interference between trains.
@rcgrier3406, will there be a secondary display table for static trains like last time? Do we need to provide our own straight tracks for that?@rcgrier3406, will there be a secondary display table for static trains like last time? Do we need to provide our own straight tracks for that?
@playingwithechoes, we’ve asked for the same set-up as last year, which means we should have those two back tables again for static trains. We’ll know for sure when I get there on Friday for set-up.I will have some extra straight track for those back tables. I’ll try and let you know how much we have after we get everything set up in case you want to bring more.
I’m still hoping to come and staff at least one shift, because I want to see the display in person. I haven’t put my name on the sheet because my schedule is still TBD, but it will probably be either the afternoon shift Saturday or the afternoon Sunday. I don’t plan to bring anything for the display.
I got all my modulars mils’d and the museum built. I’ll also bring the table runners and signage. Anything else you need me to bring?
@bengood921, sounds good!
@knb112, are you bringing your stuff on Friday? Didn’t see anything on the staffing plan. If not, I’ll need to get the table runners from you ahead of time so we can get them down before all of the MILS’d track bases. If you still have LUG Doug, please bring him as well. Thanks!@rcgrier3406 I will be there tomorrow at 1 with my crew and plenty of things for the display. I updated the sheet too. Not sure how I missed that.
So just an update here on my end of things, I am still coming tomorrow for set up, I plan on being there around 2. That should be plenty of time for me to set up what I have planned and then head out. As of right now I’m bringing 3 buildings (no “UP” house unfortunately), a bunch of fire trucks and my forest fire scene. If we use it, great. If not, that’s great too. I am not planning on bringing the MILS plate for the scene though. My plan was to just use the MILS plates already down on the table instead of pulling some out and putting in mine which right now look less than natural.
Due to work and some other plans I can not staff at all on Saturday. I will however be there in part Sunday. My plan is to get there between 1 and 1:30ish and stay through tear down.
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