Monorail Mk1
My first Monorail, featuring a single large loop with two simple stations.
Datasheet:
Completion date: 09/03/2011
Power: electric (Power Functions)
The LEGO Monorail system, which has been surprisingly discontinued in 1994, has been my childhood dream. It was only recently that I realized that I can still make it come true, as the prices of Monorail pieces are relatively affordable, and in some cases they are actually cheaper than their LEGO Trains counterparts. So, I started gathering Monorail pieces as fast as my budget allowed.
My first Monorail creation features a simple loop with two basic stations, with major portion of the track elevated. The Monorail itself has been fitted with the LEGO 8878 rechargeable battery and a Power Functions IR receiver, making it fully remote-controlled, but taking up almost the entire space inside one of the cars. I have also fitted this car with headlights. The other car was entirely taken by minifig-sized seats, and could open up on one side. One of the stations also included lightbar-like thing to illuminate the Monorail from below, but the effect turned out to be barely visible.
If you are curious about the detail of LEGO’s ingenious Monorail system, take a look at these diagrams:
I intend to continue developing my Monorail network (I’m still missing track points and monoswitches), and to release Monorail MOCs every now and then, some of them probably using the Monorail’s original 9V power supply, making them not remote-controlled. It’s going to be a peculiar line of constructions, as they have fixed propulsion system, no suspensions, and their dimensions are hard to calculate (if we include tracks). Still, I’m sure I will enjoy it, and a little variation from the usual trucks and tanks won’t hurt.
Photos:
@Sam
That sounds like what’s happening to my room right now 🙂
A good first start. This was pretty much me half a year ago with LEGO 12v trains. It starts as a couple of rail pieces and a small track, next thing you know you’re whole living room is gone and you’ll be trying to jump over it all as you walk through…
@T.F
BRICKLINK.COM
Where have you got the Railroad tracks from ???
@T:F
Use English.
Wo hast du die schienen her
@Sariel
oh well. Looks like you’ll have to make do with a multi-level monorail system.. 🙂 It seems fun, it’s strange why Lego hasn’t come out with any more sets..
@Mike
Nope, the shape of tracks does not allow that.
from the camera’s viewpoint the whole thing looks like a roller-coaster ride. Saaaay… can you build a roller-coaster with it, i mean is it possible?
some train driver you are.. the passengers are waiting while you’re having fun! 🙂
Outstanding! I am looking forward to more of your monorail creations. The monorail system appears much smoother than the LEGO train systems.
@Marq
Silnik, podstawy wagonów, tory i wsporniki pochodzą z zestawów Monorail, kupowałem je osobno.
Działa, jeździ zróżnicowani pasażerowie i super wystraszony maszynista . Trochę ponura niemniej jednak bardzo fajne daję 8/10. Mam tylko pytanie ten silnik i tory to twój projekt czy gotowy set z nową kolejką?
@Alessandro
“Session” by Linkin Park.
Hi Paul, great job! May IO ask you who is the soundtrack from? You always manage to get interesting songs as background .. thanks!
@lewis
No, I doubt he would enjoy it… unless some food is provided with the ride, of course 😉
it’s good to see ‘of topic’ creations like this one, i never really knew about the lego monorail system i’d only herd of it. it runs quite smooth as well. has Lucius had a ride?
Your minifig Hazmat workers inside the monorail transformed the waiting passengers into minifig skeletons! I like your two excellent pictures that explain how the Lego Monorail system works.