gravel loader and other buildings from Lego

[a98087]

Heres Something I’ve been working on over the past few weeks.

Ive always liked the piko 62049 gravel loader however, I don’t like the price so much.

I also wanted a double track version, so I’ve decided to create my own version.

the build is as a follows:
Lego 33 degree roof pieces
20mm pipe conduit for the legs
Then Clad in foam with a wood brick effect

It’s a slow progress as it’s a make it up as you go, but it looks promising so far

ignore the rocks holding the roof up, they will be replaced but they were handy for testing purposes
Dan

 

[Gizzy]

Paint it up and it should look fine!

Never thought of using Lego for G scale buildings....

 

[dunnyrail]

Paint it up and it should look fine!

Never thought of using Lego for G scale buildings....

A fellow G scaler that appears to have left us has made quite a few buildings out of Lego, you can of course build wagons with Peter Spoerer’s Lego Blocks with a wheel on.

 

[Paul M]

Paint it up and it should look fine!

Never thought of using Lego for G scale buildings....

Sounds reasonable, Lego will certainly outlast us all!

 

[a98087]

Sounds reasonable, Lego will certainly outlast us all!

That’s my plan!

also the range of ready made of roof tiles, is usefull, as I don’t want to do a Mike Duffy, and cut a sheet of 8’ by 4’ foam board into hundreds of roof tiles!

The only downside I’ve found so far is the large amount on bricks needed, and also the weight as Lego is heavier than you think

Dan

 

[PhilP]

The weight, could be an advantage, if your site is a little exposed?

PhilP

 

[Paul M]

That’s my plan!

also the range of ready made of roof tiles, is usefull, as I don’t want to do a Mike Duffy, and cut a sheet of 8’ by 4’ foam board into hundreds of roof tiles!

The only downside I’ve found so far is the large amount on bricks needed, and also the weight as Lego is heavier than you think

Dan

If you're going to clad the bricks, the cheap rip off versions of Lego might be lighter

 

[FrenchChuffed]

I always love a man with a Plan.

 

[a98087]

I’ve been doing some more creating/ building

I had spare roof pieces, so Ive started making a small site office, this is a chance to test ideas, and get use to the Lego and foam board construction techniques.

The latest photos show the two roof sections joined together, and a test for height, to see how it looks.



in its approximate location, and about the correct height
Another angle


Side on, the multicolour affect be hidden via paint or cladding



under side of the small building, the rafters are essential for strength, the the pink thin bricks provide extra strength for the lowest roof bricks, as they are vulnerable to knocks


Testing indoors, and testing some windows, only had 1 so need to order more. But it’s looks promising
I intending to paint this building grey once finished

 

[a98087]

Latest update, front face of the building is done, just need to make a door from foamboard and then paint.

the gravel loader is ongoing, it’s size means it’s consuming a lot of bricks and is getting very heavy

Dan

 

[a98087]

Time for an update, I’ve changed the thread title and the Lego idea has been used for several buildings

The small yard office/waiting room is done and awaiting painting.

The old coach body has a new roof, and is now a station waiting room.

So far it’s going well, and seems to be working quite well, just don’t under estimate the amount of bricks needed, as you always need hidden reinforcing bricks to ensure strength.

The yard office, has a few bricks inside to provide strength and glue points for the superglue and foam board to attach.

Foam board is a very more cost effective of covering large areas than lots of Lego bricks.

 

[a98087]

Next update

If anyone is tempted to copy my idea, I use www.bricklink.co.uk to source lots of bricks.

The gravel loader is now single track, solely to reduce the number of bricks needed, I’ve also started using Lego panel bricks to fill the larger gaps and reduce the amount of bricks.

The side tower has grown to nearly the right height, and gained a porch, covered area.

It’s still a work in progress, so no foam board will be glued until I’m 100% happy with the shape.

One photo also shows the importance of positioning it correctly, as I tend to run 4 wagon trains, then ideal I need to be able to fit all 4 wagons past the loader.

I

 

[a98087]

Final update

Had a brief mock up of a loco shed, this has 45 degree slope pieces and opposed to the 33 degree used else where, it another future project when time and bricks allow

But you need several hundred bricks for the roof alone . . .

Dan

 

[playmofire]

I don't know how I missed this thread before, but it's great what you've done so far. Look forward to seeing more.

 

[a98087]

I e done some more thinking/creating and come up with a covered waiting area to protect passengers from the extremes of the British weather.

It’s not finished yet, as need to do the support legs, there going to be either round Lego bricks or 20mm round electrical conduit.

 

[Madman]

More possibilities.....

 

[PhilP]

I e done some more thinking/creating and come up with a covered waiting area to protect passengers from the extremes of the British weather.

It’s not finished yet, as need to do the support legs, there going to be either round Lego bricks or 20mm round electrical conduit.

View attachment 291183View attachment 291184

On the grounds I need to get rid of 'stuff'.....

PM me your address, and I will send you some cut-down conduit..

 

[a98087]

I’ve been doing some more creating and rebuilding,

I’ve found out the hard way that leaving Lego buildings out is strong wind, results in the building reverting to a pile of loose bricks!!

I’ve also started glueing bricks together, these allows me to use fewer bricks, and is much stronger,

I use the same technique as for when I glue playmobil, that is glue into various subassembly parts, and then don’t glue them together.
The logic is should the building move due to wind of damage, it will break into sub assemblies, and absorb the energy,
And in theory won’t break the glued joints.


For the actual glue, I use pure acetone, it’s about £8/9 for a litre bottle delivered, Which works out way cheaper than superglue

Also by using duplo blocks they are worth 4 x normal 4x2 Lego bricks, so a real saving in bricks.

Latest views of the gravel loader

The start of a goods shed, Lego roof and supports, and will then be clad in foamboard,

 

[Gizzy]

I’ve been doing some more creating and rebuilding,

I’ve found out the hard way that leaving Lego buildings out is strong wind, results in the building reverting to a pile of loose bricks!!

I was wondering about painting them but the foam board is a much better idea....

 

[dunnyrail]

I’ve been doing some more creating and rebuilding,

I’ve found out the hard way that leaving Lego buildings out is strong wind, results in the building reverting to a pile of loose bricks!!

I’ve also started glueing bricks together, these allows me to use fewer bricks, and is much stronger,

I use the same technique as for when I glue playmobil, that is glue into various subassembly parts, and then don’t glue them together.
The logic is should the building move due to wind of damage, it will break into sub assemblies, and absorb the energy,
And in theory won’t break the glued joints.


For the actual glue, I use pure acetone, it’s about £8/9 for a litre bottle delivered, Which works out way cheaper than superglue

Also by using duplo blocks they are worth 4 x normal 4x2 Lego bricks, so a real saving in bricks.

Latest views of the gravel loader
View attachment 295235View attachment 295234
The start of a goods shed, Lego roof and supports, and will then be clad in foamboard,


View attachment 295233

Ah well a spot of superglu or even external grade pva in the holes should resolve that.