(Written by William)
Ever since the LEGO Creator Fairground sets looked like they were going to make up a regular series, I was eagerly looking forward to each new addition, and I was also secretly hoping for a roller coaster. To fuel my hopes, the background graphics of the previous LEGO Creator Fairground sets featured an amazing roller coaster, so you could say that the #10261 LEGO Creator Roller Coaster had years of hype and dreams to live up to. 🙂
After building the set, I’m happy to say that the #10261 LEGO Creator Roller Coaster more than delivers. Not only it’s massive in size, but it’s a blast to play with, and it also demonstrates building techniques I haven’t even considered. All in all, building this set was an interesting and engaging experience full of delightful surprises. And, the end result is a very impressive and dynamic display piece. In fact, this is now my favorite LEGO set, even above the #75192 LEGO Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon. That’s how good the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster is!
The only thing that might bother some LEGO fans while building the set is the number of pillars you have to put together. But just looking at the box, you should know what you’re in for. I would also note that the set does a fantastic job drawing the eye away from some of the more mechanical aspects of the model, while giving you fun details, like the park map, lost hat, and the many “NO” signs. This was also the first time I noticed that the park employees are wearing LEGO-branded clothing, so with all the LEGO Creator Fairground sets released so far, we are literally building a LEGOLAND amusement park! Now, let’s talk about building techniques…
➡ BUILDING STAB LE VS. STURDY WITH LEGO
Normally, when we build something sturdy, we also mean stable. Creating something that doesn’t fall apart and has both qualities is a good thing. However, there is a slight distinction between the two, and the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster gives us an example of how to use one quality and not the other.
To be clear, I refer to something as sturdy when it won’t fall apart. A sturdy model can also support a lot of weight, and it’s designed to resist (or absorb) certain types of impact such as lots of play or repetitive motion. In order to achieve this, most of the times the model has to be stable as well. When I refer to something as being stable, I’m pointing out that it has a strong support structure that will prevent it from falling over. Or, it has a durable framework that keeps it rigid and maintains its shape well. The LEGO Creator Roller Coaster is a great example of how something can be stable without needing to be sturdy.
As you can tell, the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster has a very open design, and pillars are used to keep the tracks up. If any of the tracks get misaligned, the model simply won’t work, so the design definitely needs to be stable, However, considering that the coaster and tracks aren’t heavy, we can go easy on the sturdy quality a bit.
To accomplish this, several techniques are used, the first of which is coring. We saw this technique in sets previously reviewed, but as a brief reminder, the concept of coring is to gain additional stability by having a piece that can run through the core of others. In the case of the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster, LEGO Technic axles are going through a lot of the round bricks to build stable pillars.
Another technique is to use struts to interconnect pillars. This concept is pretty simple; by connecting more pillars you are creating more legs for the model to stand on. The easy rule about legs is that the more you build and connect, the more stable your model will be.
Finally, to increase stability, the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster mixes connection types. (You can also increase stability by connecting in different directions, but here we mostly have different types.) There are basic stud connections, LEGO Technic pin connections, ball-joint connections, and clip and bar connections – just to name the most obvious. By varying the types of connections, each lends its unique benefits while minimizing their weaknesses.
For example, let’s take a look at shoes. If they tie, there is a chance they can become untied. If there is Velcro, there is a chance that can become undone. Now imagine a pair of shoes that can be tied, Velcroed, buckled, snapped, zipped up, and magnetically locked. Those would be some really irritating shoes to put on and take off, but chances are you wouldn’t have to worry about them coming loose. This is because each additional fastener brings with it an inherent benefit and can rely on the other methods to help prevent what it may be vulnerable to.
Speaking of vulnerable, as stable as the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster is, I wouldn’t call it sturdy. This set is not made to handle a large amount of weight, nor is it ideal for moving around in its completed form. However, LEGO designers did address this second issue, which we’ll be discussing shortly. All in all, this is a stable, not sturdy model, which is perfect for what it is designed to do.
➡ CREATING A LEGO MECHANISM WITH TRACTION
By traction, I’m referring to having pieces connect with one another just by rubbing against each other. Essentially, the very thing a good set of tires do. Speaking of which, tires are the main feature of this technique!
We have previously talked about using tires in various unconventional ways. For example, in the #76105 LEGO Super Heroes Ultron Edition Hulkbuster, tires provide traction just by resting on their sides. And in the #10257 LEGO Creator Carousel tires power simple rotating mechanisms. In the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster, we see a technique with tires that’s a little more complex; helping to power motion rather than capitalizing on motion as a by-product.
In the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster, there is a section of track that is relatively flat, so something is needed to push the cars along. In the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster designer video, it is mentioned that several techniques were considered until settling on a technique that relied on traction. The last time I saw this technique used was in the #10247 LEGO Creator Ferris Wheel, where it helps to move the giant wheel. When I built that set, I didn’t fully understand the technique or the pieces that were essential to make it work, but after seeing it again, I’m more clear on how it’s done.
The first thing you’re going to need is some sort of tire. Tires are soft, so they don’t scratch up anything, and they grip due to their material and texture. In summary, tires are ideal for traction, especially because most LEGO tires have threads, which helps with traction even more.
The tire you choose will then be attached to some sort of axle. This is how the tire can receive force from a given power source. However, there is an important part to the axle you need to consider; since there will be some give to the mechanism, the axle will need to be able to flex. This is why you add linked bushes; they allow angled axle rotation as well as moving axles to still be connected to their fixed counterparts. Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need the immediate axle to flex. The flexing only comes into play to help deal with whatever movement you ultimately allow the tire to have.
The next component you’ll need is a shock or spring to absorb unusual textures the tire may run across. Typically this is created with a rubber band and some sort of working hinge or piston. The hinge or piston provides possible movement while the rubber band gives the much-needed resistance.
Finally, the last thing I would recommend adding is a stop to limit the movement of the hinge or piston in some way. This allows you to keep tension on the rubber band without it causing any issues. In the case of the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster, right under each tire is a second wheel hub that rests against the coaster’s track to keep the tire in the correct place.
So to recap, here’s the mechanism; a tire is connected to an axle that can flex, which is then connected to a limited moving piece that has tension, and there is a stopper (or two) to keep things aligned. All that is left is to figure out how you want to turn the moving axle and you are good to go!
Interestingly, later in the building process, you will find a slightly different approach to a traction mechanism. All the same elements are there, except that instead of the tension element being a rubber band, LEGO designers used a rubber LEGO Technic connector. This does two things; it still provides flexible motion, but it also keeps what it is connected to centered. Centering the mechanism means that it doesn’t automatically press against the object you wish to push. Therefore, we have to introduce one new element; a human operator! That’s right, in order for this version of the mechanism to work it is required that the operator provides the tension in order to complete the needed requirements mentioned above.
➡ SINGLE DIRECTION GEARING WITH LEGO
I’m the first to admit that I’m not the best when it comes to working with gears, however, I’ve always wondered if there was some way to make it so that, no matter how you rotate a crank, gears will only respond when they are moving in the right direction. Thankfully, the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster gives us a perfect and really simple example.
First, you start with a gear that will turn with a crank. Then, you place a gear that you want to turn next, but make sure it doesn’t touch the first gear. Now let’s place a gear on lift-arms that connect to the first gear. It’s important that the lift-arms are free-moving and, when the gear that is attached to these lift-arms is in the right position, it can form a bridge to the second gear.
Before moving on, let’s talk a bit more about these lift-arms and gear. Because the lift-arms are free-moving, they will move with the gear due to general pressure exerted by the first gear. So, if the first gear moves clockwise, it will also move the lift-arms clockwise. This is because the lift-arms put up no resistance to that type of movement. The other gear will still turn, but it is the lift-arm movement that’s important.
Now back to the build; once you’ve made the bridge to the second gear, you will need some sort of stopper to prevent the lift-arms moving too far back. Ideally, you want the stopper to be just far enough for the gear bridge to disengage. Once you have that, you’re done! Turn the crank one way, and you complete the bridge and activate the gears. Turn it the other way, and the bridge disconnects causing absolutely no movement. And this is how you make a mechanism that has single direction gearing!
➡ BUILDING A LEGO CHAIN DRIVE
Throughout the building process of the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster, you get glimpses of where the chain will go, but some parts of it just seem like a mystery. Especially the cams (they look like teardrops). But once you attach the chain mechanism, you will see that it’s rather plain. However, even though the basic function and hooking up of the chain are simple, the mechanism does have a couple of oddities that may be worth mentioning.
First up is the top gear section. Here, you’ll build a gear surrounded by two reels, really close to a sideways minifigure head. The only purpose of the minifigure head is to make feeding the chain through a tight fit. You’ll actually need to turn the wheels to move the gear, which needs to grab the chain in order to get it past this point. The reason for this design choice is rather clever; 200+ links is a lot of chain to play with. If the chain was loose, it could get tangled, slip, or otherwise be a pain to deal with. The pinching action acts as if you had a free hand holding the chain and making things run a bit easier. Just the thoughtfulness of this foresight in building is rather remarkable.
The other part of the chain-drive that is interesting is down at the bottom. Here, you have all the basic gears and an oddly shaped lever. Once again, the cam pieces make an appearance, but this time they are pointed down. It isn’t until the end of the building process where you place a rubber band on this part, which pulls it up. The goal is to place just a slight amount of pressure on the chain while still allowing it to run without snagging. The purpose of adding just a bit of tension is to allow the roller coaster cars to more dependably catch onto the chain. Turns out, a straight chain is much more useful than one with a lot of slack. Tightness also prevents the chain from bunching, which could slip it off its gears.
➡ MODULARITY OF LARGE LEGO MODELS
I mentioned earlier that I will talk about the modular capabilities of this set. Keep in mind that modular doesn’t mean mobile. Although the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster is built in a modular fashion, once it is finished and put together, it’s not something you would really consider taking apart.
The LEGO Creator Roller Coaster belongs to a rare class of LEGO sets that is built in modules, which are then connected with a mess of other parts. To give you an example, once you are at the end of bag #10 and start bag #11 (the final bag) you’ll need to attach the left and right sides of the roller coaster together. You start with some finger-hinges and clips at the bottom. Next, you move on to some horizontal crossbeams. Then, a whole double track section is added. This is followed by three different track sections, and finally the chain. Honestly, the chain alone would discourage me from ever taking this set apart, as they aren’t friendly to fat fingers.
Building in modules is all about how to put together a very large model It’s a daunting task to try to make something the size of the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster as a single built structure. Thankfully, with clever planning, you don’t have to solve every one of your issues in one go. Building in a modular fashion means that, at some point, things will connect, but you can devote real time and focus to a smaller section.
I’ve built a few large LEGO creations in the past, and I can say from experience, that your model will look better when you can break up the building process. In smaller portions, you can focus on and incorporate more details, rather than trying to figure out how you are going to span a really large gap. Ultimately, the larger of a model you build, the more likely it will have large plain areas. This is not always bad, but your model can be more impressive if you focus on smaller modules at a time.
➡ APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARN
We covered a lot of techniques while talking about this set, so let’s try to summarize. When you are building something big, stability is a must and durability can be a nice bonus. But, if you’re looking for stable, try varying the types of connections you use. Studs, LEGO Technic pins, clips with bars, and finger-hinges are just some options to mix and match to make your project more stable.
When it comes to traction, it is probably the least likely option you’ll think of when wanting to build something with motion. But this technique has one key feature most other techniques don’t have; forgiveness. It is one of those mechanisms where you can be close, but not perfect, and it will still work. It never really makes a solid connection, but it doesn’t have to. It forgives the sloppy builder by being dependable and rather uncomplicated in how it makes things move. Granted, you do need a lot of parts to make it work the best, but it’s worth the effort. Even the LEGO designers of this set thought so.
Probably the coolest technique I learned from the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster is single direction gearing. It is simple to build and has a good array of uses for builders. It is one of those techniques you can use to ensure your machine runs smoothly, and can’t be run backward, which may jam the mechanisms. Granted, it may take a bit more space, but you only really need it in one or two places to see it work properly.
Let’s face it, most of us have very little experience with chains in LEGO models (unless you’re a LEGO Technic fan). So, it is nice to see some simple but interesting elements to add to a chain design. Dealing with a long chain may mean a tight feed is required, and finding a way to add slight tension to the chain may help in its operation. I will say, discovering this technique is making me take a second look at some of the LEGO Technic sets I haven’t considered buying before.
Finally, there is modularity. In the past, I’ve built a skyscraper, a football stadium, and a convention center, all of which had a fairly big presence. In building those, I found the more I could break down a model into smaller elements, the better it looked. However, the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster brought a new aspect of modular building for me to consider; making a non-mobile modular set. Ideally, this would be for a centerpiece rather than something I’d take to display at one of the LEGO conventions, but I can imagine at some point down the line I may just want to build something truly massive and this is the technique I’d use to get it done.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Creator Roller Coaster? Do you have the set already? What was your experience with the building process? And How do you like the techniques discussed here? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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