PennLUG Camera Train

A few of you knew I was cooking this up. For others, its time to let the cat outta the bag.

This is my camera train, I designed it to meet certian specs.

1. Can mount various digital cameras.
2. Run under its own power, so no need for help from another train.
3. Run on just about any LEGO train layout.
4. Adjustable camera mount. This way we can film a layout from from any angle, film the crowd around layouts, or even film a LEGO train chasing the camera.
5. Look like it was thought out, and not just slapped together.

It's still technically a WIP, as it needs a few finishing touches. Let me know what you think. I will have it at the november meeting, with a small track to play on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30252834@N03/5113117060/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30252834@N03/5113146076/

Evil Jack wrote:A few of you knew I was cooking this up. For others, its time to let the cat outta the bag.

This is my camera train, I designed it to meet certian specs.

1. Can mount various digital cameras.
2. Run under its own power, so no need for help from another train.
3. Run on just about any LEGO train layout.
4. Adjustable camera mount. This way we can film a layout from from any angle, film the crowd around layouts, or even film a LEGO train chasing the camera.
5. Look like it was thought out, and not just slapped together.

It's still technically a WIP, as it needs a few finishing touches. Let me know what you think. I will have it at the november meeting, with a small track to play on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30252834@N03/5113117060/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30252834@N03/5113146076/

Looks sweet Joel. Can't wait to try it out on a layout.

Cale

wow
you made a camera train
that runs on a washing machine
with its own spin cycle no less
that is awesome I am sorry Joel
I could not resist
that is cool looking
is it for a camera phone
or will it hold a small sony handy cam??
Tony

Yeah I added the spin cycle to clean up the images.

It will only hold a handy cam if its a very small one. which they do make these days. However it was designed mostly for a iPod nano, but can fit cell phones as well. For the best use the camera really shouldnt be wider then the train or you lose the use of the turn table.

I like the spin part it adds a director factor to the shoot
most train vids on flickr are just straight track shots
the panaramic aspect is a great idea
along time ago lionel made a caboose like car with a spotlight on it
if you can get that look to work with the car it would be a stealthy moc

Good work, man. I'd like to see it in action. Could we set it up to run CCTV at KidsFest? ("There I am, mom! Look!")

If someone has or is willing to purchase a wireless camera I have a 7in LCD monitor we can hookup too. So yes it's possible.