(MOC) Class J 611 by NCX

[ncx]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here (besides comments made).

I have been working for a few months on a LEGO train model with the help of Lego Digital Designer and other third party softwares to build this.

 

This is the famous Class J 611, currently under restoration and scheduled to be back in service starting May 30, 2015.

To celebrate I have been working on the LEGO version of the 611 for a few months and I think its a thing of beauty and I am very pleased with the results.

Note: The wheels are not correct because i haven't quite figured out how to manually add BBB XL wheels to my LDD file to make the renders with them on it.

I started out using LEGO's train drivers but found they were too small for what the 4-8-4 should have. Class J runs on 70" drivers in real life so they had to be big!

I am not quite finished with the running gear yet but I am hoping to start build this soon and would like everyone's opinion on the design and what I should change or suggestions to improve.

I also made some other train models (see attached below)

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2022 by ncx
remove images - design was stolen by another AFOL

[Murdoch17]

Looking good! The 611 looks stellar, as does the green 4-8-4. However, I would suggest using Flickr or mocpages for your LEGO file sharing needs. Eurobricks is not a image hosting site. Not trying to min-moderate your thread, just a heads-up in case you needed to know.

What's the green engine numbered anyways?

[ncx]

Looking good! The 611 looks stellar, as does the green 4-8-4. However, I would suggest using Flickr or mocpages for your LEGO file sharing needs. Eurobricks is not a image hosting site. Not trying to min-moderate your thread, just a heads-up in case you needed to know.

What's the green engine numbered anyways?

The green engine actually is fictional, not really based on anything but i guess i did kinda get inspiration from Henry on Thomas and Friends or Flying Scotsman, but its more American than European style though

[zephyr1934]

Your MOC looks good and well proportioned, only a few small suggestions. It looks like you may have already done the first- replace the studs on the top of the boiler with tiles (the top image shows the studs, but the bottom with the green... Southern RR? engine they appear to be gone). Second, in my opinion the streamlined bullet shaped nose is the most distinctive feature on the J, have you contemplated other solutions for the nose? There is no perfect solution, but did you also consider 3x3x2 faceted bricks

or the 3x3x2 dome top?

as I look again at your build maybe it is equally good as these two alternatives.

On the prototype the red stripe does an impossible bend (in lego at this scale) on the nose of the locomotive. Have you tried one of the arches?

Here too, I'm not sure if they would be any better than what you have, but it might be worth trying if you have not done so.

Finally, the cab window seems way too orange. I suspect the details of the window are way too small to attempt in lego. Perhaps trans clear 1x2 or 1x1 plates stacked sideways would be a good tradeoff between size and features.

[ncx]

On 4/20/2015 at 10:49 PM, zephyr1934 said:

Your MOC looks good and well proportioned, only a few small suggestions. It looks like you may have already done the first- replace the studs on the top of the boiler with tiles (the top image shows the studs, but the bottom with the green... Southern RR? engine they appear to be gone). Second, in my opinion the streamlined bullet shaped nose is the most distinctive feature on the J, have you contemplated other solutions for the nose? There is no perfect solution, but did you also consider 3x3x2 faceted bricks

or the 3x3x2 dome top?

as I look again at your build maybe it is equally good as these two alternatives.

On the prototype the red stripe does an impossible bend (in lego at this scale) on the nose of the locomotive. Have you tried one of the arches?

Here too, I'm not sure if they would be any better than what you have, but it might be worth trying if you have not done so.

Finally, the cab window seems way too orange. I suspect the details of the window are way too small to attempt in lego. Perhaps trans clear 1x2 or 1x1 plates stacked sideways would be a good tradeoff between size and features.

That is a detail I have missed (the studs on top of the 611 isn't intentional, I wanted to put tile instead of studded plates)

I have tried multiple methods for the nose and like the blocky design that LEGO used to be known for, (not cheap realistic looks like they have today). i even looked at the only other model of the 611 built in LEGO and I didn't like how the nose took away the studs needed to make the front "face" of 611. I am still playing with the idea of extending the nose more like a bullet but have been a little lazy with it since i wanted to build my prototype with real bricks (which I have already received 50% of the parts needed).

I was never satisfied with the windows I did on this model, while they might look too orange, the real Class J has bright orange windows, which was why I went with this color. I didn't know the windows were that color until the FireUp611 facebook page posted a picture of them showing the stencil 611 will wear when it comes back to service "Spirit of Roanoke" (I plan to be on one of those trains in June, never got to see her in real life)

Thank You for your suggestions and I will play around with them for a bit. As for the stripe on the front plow, that was changed about 5 times. Its also very difficult to get Tuscan Red without paying a fortune on pieces...

I wish LDD would only let you work with pieces that are actually available or have been made, (colors that is) I have made too many changes because of this....

I see you are the member here that sells the driver rods. What size would I need to use with this configuration with the BBB XL wheels?

edit: Revised nose attached.

 

Edited October 28, 2022 by ncx

[Commander Wolf]

I also think the quarter domes are a better nose than the brick-built solution. Maybe a stud's worth of transition would help as well.

The dark red arches at the front of the running board are also pretty clever, even if it's not quite the right shape.

[zephyr1934]

I was never satisfied with the windows I did on this model, while they might look too orange, the real Class J has bright orange windows, which was why I went with this color. I didn't know the windows were that color until the FireUp611 facebook page posted a picture of them showing the stencil 611 will wear when it comes back to service "Spirit of Roanoke" (I plan to be on one of those trains in June, never got to see her in real life)

Oh, I know what you are talking about. The window frames are kind of like the pinstriping- a fundamental feature of the prototype that is way to fine to easily do in Lego. Yet another challenge for the builder. One thing to keep in mind is that the windows on a steam engine were usually open when running (it gets very hot in there), so perhaps you could go for the look of an open window, e.g., using one of these, snotted sideways,

Thank You for your suggestions and I will play around with them for a bit. As for the stripe on the front plow, that was changed about 5 times. Its also very difficult to get Tuscan Red without paying a fortune on pieces...

I wish LDD would only let you work with pieces that are actually available or have been made, (colors that is) I have made too many changes because of this....

Glad they were helpful (and glad they were not taking as criticism). Yeah, there are a lot of features like that that would make LDD more powerful for AFOLs, e.g., just using the parts from a specific set, or similar. But ... probably will never happen. When I build in CAD I always keep an eye on bricklink for parts availability and cost. It can be surprising how much a simple change can save money, e.g., in colors like dark red, three 1x4 bricks might be significantly cheaper or significantly more expensive than two 1x6 bricks. It all depends on what sets the parts came in, so the smaller arch is fairly cheap because it came in a Star Wars set that lots of folks are parting out for the figures.

I see you are the member here that sells the driver rods. What size would I need to use with this configuration with the BBB XL wheels?

edit: Revised nose attached.

The revised version is looking good. And yes, I've been known to make a custom rod or two (grin). Given the nearly infinite different configurations folks could use for driver wheels, I do not have a blanket, "this solution will work". I suspect the 4 hole 16 long side rods will work for you, but definitely double check by counting the holes between the wheels. As for the connector rod to the cylinders, that is typically design specific. Probably would be one of my stock 2 hole N long rods. If you are still not sure, I could probably count from a detailed shot of the running gear.

[ncx]

Oh, I know what you are talking about. The window frames are kind of like the pinstriping- a fundamental feature of the prototype that is way to fine to easily do in Lego. Yet another challenge for the builder. One thing to keep in mind is that the windows on a steam engine were usually open when running (it gets very hot in there), so perhaps you could go for the look of an open window, e.g., using one of these, snotted sideways,

Glad they were helpful (and glad they were not taking as criticism). Yeah, there are a lot of features like that that would make LDD more powerful for AFOLs, e.g., just using the parts from a specific set, or similar. But ... probably will never happen. When I build in CAD I always keep an eye on bricklink for parts availability and cost. It can be surprising how much a simple change can save money, e.g., in colors like dark red, three 1x4 bricks might be significantly cheaper or significantly more expensive than two 1x6 bricks. It all depends on what sets the parts came in, so the smaller arch is fairly cheap because it came in a Star Wars set that lots of folks are parting out for the figures.

The revised version is looking good. And yes, I've been known to make a custom rod or two (grin). Given the nearly infinite different configurations folks could use for driver wheels, I do not have a blanket, "this solution will work". I suspect the 4 hole 16 long side rods will work for you, but definitely double check by counting the holes between the wheels. As for the connector rod to the cylinders, that is typically design specific. Probably would be one of my stock 2 hole N long rods. If you are still not sure, I could probably count from a detailed shot of the running gear.

I will have to work on the pistons a little better but the running gear is something that I already accounted for, its just not connected to the pistons yet. (I need to revise that a little)

I made a new render with the revisions last night (took a few hours).

see here:

Edited April 22, 2015 by ncx

[zephyr1934]

That cab window looks a lot nicer now (the first one was 3 snotted studs tall, this one is only 2). Could you get an orange tile below and orange plate above (both studs up) to make the horizontal part of the frame? Oh, and clever use of the unicorn horn.

[ncx]

That cab window looks a lot nicer now (the first one was 3 snotted studs tall, this one is only 2). Could you get an orange tile below and orange plate above (both studs up) to make the horizontal part of the frame? Oh, and clever use of the unicorn horn.

made some modifications based on your suggestions and a few of my own after looking at some higher res photos of 611.

I think its very close to completion like the real thing is (today they just re-installed her nose)

[Murdoch17]

made some modifications based on your suggestions and a few of my own after looking at some higher res photos of 611.

I think its very close to completion like the real thing is (today they just re-installed her nose)

+++SNIP+++

Great work! I can't wait to see a real picture of this. Do you have any plans to make a topic / more pictures about your green 4-8-4?

EDIT: spelling fix

Edited April 23, 2015 by Murdoch17

[ncx]

Great work! I can't wait to see a real picture of this. Do you have any plans to make a topic / more pictures about your green 4-8-4?

EDIT: spelling fix

I am planning to modify that engine the same way I did my 611 design to accommodate the BBB XL wheels so I will need to rebuild the design from the ground up

After looking at photos online, i might model it after Southern #4501 when it wore the Crescent Limited green paint scheme. I haven't really decided yet on that though.

I have nearly 60% of the parts to build the 611 so i hope to have it completed by the time the real 611 travels back to Roanoke under steam which is May 30th

Edit: I just finished placing orders (including a set of Custom Driver Rods for the wheels) for the remainder of the parts needed for the model. I hope to have it built next week (hopefully)

Edited April 25, 2015 by ncx

[bryangardner]

Beautiful!! I can't wait to see, hear and feel the 611 on the tracks this year!

[harnbak]

Good work - very old-fashioned futuristic, something like back to the future

[ncx]

It has begun!

Here she is, coming together nicely but due to some errors that BrickStore and LDD made, I am missing a decent amount of parts that were NOT on my BOM list. You can clearly see where they are missing. The front cow catcher/plow/pilot guard is most apparent, the boiler sides, rear truck and grab rails along the boiler.

I will continue to post images as it reaches completion. I have also begun designing my next project, the Southern 4501 (I'll post a render later when I get some time)

I have tested the PF motor functions as well and it works great. You really need driverods for this engine to move though its so large it just dwarfs the Emerald Night.

RENDER of future project:

Edited May 6, 2015 by ncx

[Daedalus304]

That engine is coming along great! You've got a really nice looking building style with these two - can't wait to see them finished!

[zephyr1934]

Indeed, she's looking fantastic, and I like how you've incorporated the crane in the assembly shots.

[ncx]

Indeed, she's looking fantastic, and I like how you've incorporated the crane in the assembly shots.

Yes!! I did that on purpose, I even placed my minifigs as if they were working on the engine lol I am such a kid at heart, probably always will be.

[marook]

Really nice build.. it takes those minifigs a long time..

Espesially when some of them is just hanging out drinking coffee.. ;-)

[Man with a hat]

Wow, that's looking very impressive.

[ncx]

My 611 is almost finished, just have to do the hand rails and tweak the side piston chambers. They do not work well on LEGO radius curves, but they probably would work on ME tracks.

And my latest progress of SOU 4501

[THERIZE]

It looks wonderfull!!

[Chewbacca2503]

Absolutely Amazing!

[Parasoth]

Sorry to necrobump this thread however I cannot find another 611 in lego form anywhere on the net and I cannot send private messages until I have 10 messages.

I've started collecting 611's in regular train sets (N,HO, etc) and would love to add this to my collection; would you be willing to share the LDD for this?