Murdoch17 Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 First uploaded in November 2012, this passenger train originally had six 8-wide cars consisting of a baggage car, four passenger coaches, and a observation car. It was pulled by my 2-8-4 steam engine for a while before I whittled down the number of the (slightly heavy) cars to a more manageable total of four. Over these two years I have modified them a lot, taking out the detailed interior and replacing the complex window assembly with something less fragile. The last time I changed the train was October 2014, when I modified the baggage car to a half baggage / half passenger coach (this is known as a combine) and lengthened the 2-8-4 Berkshire type into a 2-10-4 Texas type. After I originally had built the six cars I realized the only thing that could pull my 8 wide cars was a 8 wide engine. The coaches just didn't look very good with a 6 wide locomotive at the front, but the opposite was true about 6 wide coaches with an 8 wide engine. So after much internal debate over the possibility of reducing the size of the train cars, I found a workable solution that looks good. This is that solution, plus their is an added bonus of having enough parts left over from the "slimming down" of the four 8 wide train cars that I could build a third passenger car. This makes me happy, because a full size 2-10-4 that can pull 10+ heavyweight cars in real life looks silly as a LEGO model pulling only 4 coaches of the same style. (although five isn't much better, it's good enough for my purposes) In case anyone want to see my original inspiration for these cars, here is a vintage 2009 LEGO model of "Galaxy Express 999", which caused me to select reddish brown heavyweight coaches as the color / style of choice. (Link to Brickshelf: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=374748 ) The name 909 Limited is a combination of this train and the Beatles song "One after 909", which is sort-of about a train. (If you are looking for said song, it's on the album, "Let It Be") The rear of the 6 wide train cars feature an observation platform, with a single tail light under the roof. Statistics for the coaches: Train name: 909 Limited Car Types: Baggage / coach (1) Coach (3) Observation (1) Configuration (per car): 4 wheels on two bogies Designer: Pullman Car Company Build Date: 1924 Builder: Pullman Car Company Current Owner: Brick Railway Systems Length: 28 studs Width: 6 studs Height: 10 â…” bricks Here is an updated look at the 2-10-4 I modified from Anthony Sava's Berkshire. I didn't do much this time, except for rounding out the originally flat middle segment of the boiler. As before, the letters spelling out "Brick Railway Systems" go on the tender sides, while "6297" goes on the cab sides and tender rear, next to the ladder. Background for the locomotive: Engine Type: Steam, heavy freight Configuration: 2-10-4 Engine Class: Texas Designer: (unknown) Build Date: 1939 Road number(s): 6297 Builder: Lima Locomotive works Current Owner: Brick Railway Systems Length: 81 studs (with tender) Width: 8 studs Height: 10 bricks Top Speed: 100 MPH Please note: the pistons rod are missing two pieces that are laid off to the side of the locomotive. They do work in real life but LDD doesn't like them being attached. LDD file for the whole train: http://www.mocpages....1424626224m.lxf And if anyone doubts the fact that I've built this engine and have photographed it and the prevous version of the coaches here's the proof: (Please note, these are cellphone camera shots... they are not the best, but they work for me.) Steam loco #6297, in real life (this photo show an older form of the model, as the tender is now closer to the engine and the tender wheels have been changed to the form in the LDD screenshots. Combination baggage car / passenger coach in 8 wide The two 8 wide heavyweight coaches ...and finally, the observation car (8 wide version) with rear deck and number board. (The black tiles on the rear say "909", the name of the train.) Comments, questions, and complaints are always welcome! Quote
Vkng070 Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Great looking locomotive! I've been contemplating wether I want my 2-8-4 to pull passenger or freight. I'm pulling freight right now. Again, great job! Quote
Murdoch17 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Posted February 22, 2015 Great looking locomotive! I've been contemplating wether I want my 2-8-4 to pull passenger or freight. I'm pulling freight right now. Again, great job! It's based off of Anthony Sava's 2-8-4 as seen in his photo-stream: This is his original model. Quote
Vkng070 Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I started looking through his Flickr yesterday, and he has so many amazing trains, I don't even have time to look through them all in one sitting. His Polar Express is my favorite of his work. How does your 2-10-4 handle curves? Quote
LoneBrickerSG Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 The only criticism I have is that the tender is waayy too far from the loco, I think. Other than that it looks nice. Quote
Murdoch17 Posted February 23, 2015 Author Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) I started looking through his Flickr yesterday, and he has so many amazing trains, I don't even have time to look through them all in one sitting. His Polar Express is my favorite of his work. How does your 2-10-4 handle curves? It handles them okay, I just can't put a switch facing outwards immediately after a curve, because the yellow switch stand gets in the way. Also, two straights are needed to "lead" the engine into my XL shed after a curve.... I'll post a picture if you don't understand what I'm trying to say. EDIT: here are the pictures: The green switch represents something the engine can do without issue, while the red means it will bump into the switch stand and derail. However, if you move the red switch to the left two whole straight tracks, it will work fine. The green curve represents a the healthy distance from the shed from which the engine can enter safely. Any further away than two tracks, it becomes a bit pointless, but any closer and you enter the territory of the red curve. That red curve means the engine will hit the side of the shed and derail, plus it will damage the shed wall. I hope this helps! The only criticism I have is that the tender is waayy too far from the loco, I think. Other than that it looks nice. If you are talking about the real life photo, I have since fixed that, as that picture was taken in mid-November 2014 and is now out-of-date. Edited February 23, 2015 by Murdoch17 Quote
cgarison Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Very Nice Train. You cannot go wrong using Anthony Sava's creation as a starting point for your MOC. Well, maybe that would be a problem for me as I sit in the same room as Cale for our monthly LUG meetings. It handles them okay, I just can't put a switch facing outwards immediately after a curve, because the yellow switch stand gets in the way. Also, two straights are needed to "lead" the engine into my XL shed after a curve.... I'll post a picture if you don't understand what I'm trying to say. EDIT: here are the pictures: The green switch represents something the engine can do without issue, while the red means it will bump into the switch stand and derail. However, if you move the red switch to the left two whole straight tracks, it will work fine. Hmmm... I bet my new creation won't make that green turn either at 8 studs wide and 42 studs long. Quote
Murdoch17 Posted February 25, 2015 Author Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Very Nice Train. You cannot go wrong using Anthony Sava's creation as a starting point for your MOC. Well, maybe that would be a problem for me as I sit in the same room as Cale for our monthly LUG meetings. Hmmm... I bet my new creation won't make that green turn either at 8 studs wide and 42 studs long. What creation are you talking about? I'd like to see this 8-wide 42-long monster! Also, the green switch should work with almost any train... it's the red one that's the problem! Edited February 25, 2015 by Murdoch17 Quote
cgarison Posted February 26, 2015 Posted February 26, 2015 What creation are you talking about? I'd like to see this 8-wide 42-long monster! I have been staring at my base frame with trucks and motors for 5 months trying to come up with an idea on how to fill that much frame with that much locomotive. This past weekend, I got a brainstorm on how to build the cab along with my color scheme (which will be similar to a "classic" sub-theme in the past.) So I have jumped on Bricklink with the first set of orders. With other building projects also in queue, I expect to have the the beta done by the end of March and the final completed model ready at the end of April for Philly BrickFest. If I am very, very nice, Cale and Nate might just let me try it out on PennLUG's big sweeping curves. I guess I will have to work extra hard setting up the layout at that event. Quote
Murdoch17 Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) I have been staring at my base frame with trucks and motors for 5 months trying to come up with an idea on how to fill that much frame with that much locomotive. This past weekend, I got a brainstorm on how to build the cab along with my color scheme (which will be similar to a "classic" sub-theme in the past.) So I have jumped on Bricklink with the first set of orders. With other building projects also in queue, I expect to have the the beta done by the end of March and the final completed model ready at the end of April for Philly BrickFest. If I am very, very nice, Cale and Nate might just let me try it out on PennLUG's big sweeping curves. I guess I will have to work extra hard setting up the layout at that event. Sounds great! Please keep me posted, I can't wait too see it! EDIT: Typo fix Edited February 28, 2015 by Murdoch17 Quote
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