MOC: Italian Steam Locomotive Gr 625 100

[MusicaRibelle]

This is my first attempt at building a steam locomotive, and it gave me the opportunity to learn something new, as well as starting a small inventory of Technic pieces, which I hadn't seen since owning and building set 852 as a kid... a long time ago.

I picked an Italian humble locomotive from the Gruppo 625, a 2-6-0 workhorse that remained in use for over fourty years.

http://www.microsoft...comotiva_FS_625

In fact, some of them are still in working order and they are used for occasional 'revival' rides in various old lines around the country.

It's thanks to their longevity and the fact that some are still in limited service that I was able to find recent photos online to get insipiration:

https://www.flickr.c...in/photostream/

I used all 'regular' Lego pieces, though now I'm curious to try out BBB wheels and possibly the custom rods built by Zephyr.

In the original series, a few different models of tender were used, some with 3 axles, some with two 'conventional' trucks.

For simplicity, I used a single truck which is also a PF motor. That said, I definitely see how the best option is really to have a motor geared up to the main locomotive: the current design is not reliable, especially for the front truck, is rather 'temperamental' when traversing points or flex tracks. I've tried several ways to connecting the truck, and the one I arrived at is generally stable, but not 100% perfect, especially after a while.

I see this model as an evolution of the toy locomotives from the 80s, e.g. the 7750, but this time with PF elements. I'm still not skilled enough to do a 'serious' reproduction and get enough of the details right, but this was fun, and this is really my goal at the moment.

This locomotive is now pulling (technically, the tender is pulling :) ) my Ratische Bahn wagons from a Bernina Express inspired design I built earlier.

It would be better to couple this with maroon or black passenger cars with "many doors" and narrow windows, as it was the style of the early XX century.. maybe a project for another month.

Here's the train next to the HE, coming to my regional station on my home layout:

[Gioppa]

Hi my friend, Greetings from another Italian crazy for Steam loco.

The Moc you have made is excellent.....but....

There is a mechanical error..the same there is in the emerald express..

All the mechanism of the wheels have to be in line with the center of the wheels.. in that way everything work better, and don't forget the quarter rule... the mechanism of the wheels have to be one side a quarter past the other... is difficoult to explain very well this in english, but if you install the lever in one side at 12 o'clock, the other side have to be at 3 o'clock.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Very nice work!

I never knew this italian model (too focused on german steam locomotives) and I'm surprised to see that this beauty has worked until 1976!

I like your compact design in a perfect Lego Company style: this locomotive could run also on a 12 volts layout with the 77xx original sets!

I love also the old style passengers wagons that I can see in your pictures!

[MusicaRibelle]

Thanks, guys.

I don't understand well this: "All the mechanism of the wheels have to be in line with the center of the wheels". Could you explain what you see that is wrong? I'd like to fix it :)

[you can send me a private message in Italian, if it's easier, I am a native speaker]

And yes, the two sides are 90 degrees out of phase.

[Skystorm87]

Nice loco :) (I am italian too) and I am surprised nobody noticed your great station!

[helos]

Nice to see a reproduction of this common machine which worked for long time . Even in the 70's and especially in frosty or snowy days I could see those steam locos parked nearby the main stations and ready to work for emergency service . At that time the 625 were still working better than mostly of diesel machines.

Following the comments of the two friends of mine, I can add my opinion that the wheels are of the right size and the Lego ones work proper. You can really improve your model with Zephir rods. Then you can try to put a pf motor into the loco body and realize the boiler with curved slopes like the ones on the coach roof. This solution allows you to realize the correct three axles tender with a shifting central wheels holder.

[zephyr1934]

That certainly is a great build in the spirit of 12v designs, like 7777. You suggested that you are not completely satisfied with the build, if that is the case continue tweaking the design as you get ideas. Or before undertaking a major rebuild, make a submodel to make sure you like a potential change.

Now I THINK Gioppa was talking about the fact that the piston is not in line with the center of the wheels (which is the case on most, but not all steam engines). Googling the prototype, it is clear that this locomotive had an external cylinder in a plane above the center of the wheels, and no piston in line with the wheels. From the look of the design, it seems as if that cylinder is actually for the valve gear. Translating the Italian wikepedia listing for this locomotive, it appears to be originally of German design and it has two internal cylinders (i.e., between the frame). Also, the unusual square sand dome on your model is consistent with the prototype. So you did a good job catching the unusual features of this locomotive (or at least unusual from a N. American perspective).