Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Class B 0-4-0

[ShrikeArghast]

Affectionately known as the 'toy train,' the real DHR Class Bs still putter around the foothills of the Himalayas in far northeastern India, performing a vital double-duty as viable passenger carrier and (increasingly) tourist boon for this eternally depressed region. Because of their diminutive size, classic British styling, and cozy 2" gauge, these locomotives have been widely modeled in everything from home layouts to live steam, and I seriously doubt I am the first person to take a crack at them in Lego. First, the prototype, beginning with

And photos:

And my version:

Technically speaking, I think a 2" gauge locomotive would probably be closer to a 3-stud track width, but I decided to go with 4 because this is the standard in Lego narrow gauge. There were also a few concessions made to aesthetics, most notably the non-functioning valve gear (I played with it for like 4 hours before deciding that making it work would ruin the locomotive's appearance overall [and, to be fair, I don't think I've seen anyone successfully design one that looked decent in narrow gauge]). But, in spite of that, I am pretty darned satisfied with the final product... and one of the best things about it is that it is only 203 bricks - so like a $40 project!

Edited May 8, 2016 by ShrikeArghast

[ShrikeArghast]

I knocked out a few carriages, too. They're boring, but so is the prototype:

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Edited May 8, 2016 by ShrikeArghast

[ShrikeArghast]

And I promise henceforth to stop spamming my own thread, but here is a bluerender:

Edited May 8, 2016 by ShrikeArghast

[James Mathis]

Nicely done.

James

[ShrikeArghast]

Nicely done.

James

Thanks. I'm a little disappointed with the cab... I really wanted to be able to wedge a seated minifigure in there somehow, but it doesn't seem to be possible. Best I can do is put one holding one of the railings, with his feet perched on the coupler. This isn't as bad as it would be in other trains - half the photos of the DHR I see have employees hanging off these locomotives at all angles, or leaning bodily into the wind.

Edited May 8, 2016 by ShrikeArghast

[Paperballpark]

Nicely done! The only thing I'd say is that you have the cab roof overhanging the back of the train by quite a way, when in reality it doesn't overhang at all.

[ShrikeArghast]

Nicely done! The only thing I'd say is that you have the cab roof overhanging the back of the train by quite a way, when in reality it doesn't overhang at all.

Yeah :) That was part of my dissatisfaction with the cab - in addition to the fact that it was a god-awful mess, and useless as a for-play feature (which I consider a necessity in all minifig scale models). However, I haven't been idle - I went and tore the cab apart right down to the frame, then completely rebuilt it. The minifig can now sit fully inside, sideways, and nearly stand (and can stand if you get a little cute with it and pop his head out the window).

The flanks of the cab and coal bin also present a prototypically-smooth, single face, which is an enormous improvement. This is the best I am going to be able to do:

And one more picture of the real deal. This is my favorite photo of the B Class:

Edited May 8, 2016 by ShrikeArghast