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In 1928, the New Zealand Railway took delivery of three new Garratt type locomotives. These double Pacifics, named the "G class" were purchased to satisfy heavy hauling needs over the tight curves and steep grades of New Zealand. Unfortunately, these locomotives proved to be too strong, damaging the light freight cars used on the line, and were too hot in the many tunnels that dotted the landscape. They were eventually scrapped in 1937 and rebuilt as six standard Pacific class locomotives.
This is my kit bash of two copies of LEGO's set #10194 "Emerald Night". This "Emerald Garratt" is equipped with two medium Power Function motors, one inside each tank. The IR receiver is placed in a similar position as the Emerald Night, but the battery box (while I as of yet do not own one) sits inside the boiler where the firebox would be. There is also a Power Functions switch inside the cab (plus a bunch of wires) to reverse the direction of the rear motor so all the wheels turn in the same direction.
While the original G class garratts were scrapped and each turned into two Pacific class locomotives, I took the opposite route and rebuilt two Pacifics into this G class garratt. I quite literally built the locomotive on top of the chassis of the Emerald Night wheelsets.
I tried building this locomotive without using any outside parts, but it proved impossible. However, the number and type of extra parts were pretty low, and the majority of them were basic bricks and plates. No extra cheese slopes were needed.
--Tony
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