Narrow Gauge White Pass & Yukon DL-535E (powered)

[ShrikeArghast]

Ah, there's nothing like an ALCO.

Well, a MLW.

Or maybe it's a Bombardier?

Regardless, the DL-535Es - the workhorses serving as the backbone of White Pass and Yukon's freight and then passenger operations for more than a generation - certainly have that classic ALCO styling, sound and smell. From the gentle curves of both hoods and the cab, to those boxy air intakes, to the long, low-slung profile, these locomotives beg to be modeled. After 8 hours of labor, I feel like I've come about as close as is possible to capturing the essence of the beast. Plus, it's minifig friendly and powered!

Proto video:

Proto photos:

Model:

Edited May 14, 2016 by ShrikeArghast

[Rotundus]

Nicely done! What is the prototype gauge? Also, what technique did you use for the center wheelsets?

[greenmtvince]

Okay, this is a cool prototype. I gotta look into this one a little more.

Oh, and nice model. Great work!

Edited May 14, 2016 by greenmtvince

[Paperballpark]

I want one of those green Technic Pins!

[zephyr1934]

Another excellent build ShrikeArghast! Although I'm going to have to insist you stop all of this prolific-ness, you're making the rest of us look bad (grin), no no no, just kidding, keep it up it is neat to see this steady stream of designs.

[gotoAndLego]

To get the two-tone at the top of the front piece, could you could have used the 2x2 wedge plates?

[ShrikeArghast]

Nicely done! What is the prototype gauge? Also, what technique did you use for the center wheelsets?

Prototype is 3-foot cape gauge, and runs from Skagway, Alaska to Carcross, Yukon (although the tracks are largely intact all the way to Whitehorse). It was built for the Yukon gold rush at the turn of the 20th century, but missed the rush by about a year, and spent the rest of its existence in receivership off-and-on until being abandoned, then revived as a tourist hauler catering to cruise ship passengers. The wheelsets use an outside frame method with LDD parts 32017, and then 48729 supporting inverted, black cups that serve as the base for the arched bricks.

To get the two-tone at the top of the front piece, could you could have used the 2x2 wedge plates?

I think I'd lose the curve on the top of the nose then, though, wouldn't I? If I built it, I'd just slap a few stickers on to even out the yellow in several places.

I want one of those green Technic Pins!

*Shrug* It's LDD - it's fantasy. It probably wouldn't look at that bad to use light grey ones instead there, provided I introduced the color discretely in some other locations.

Another excellent build ShrikeArghast! Although I'm going to have to insist you stop all of this prolific-ness, you're making the rest of us look bad (grin), no no no, just kidding, keep it up it is neat to see this steady stream of designs.

Thanks. Only part I'm unsatisfied with the railings... but looking around on the web at various GP builds, I couldn't find anyone who had come up with a better solution (well, that's not entirely true - I have seen some using hoses, but that's not possible to represent in LDD). They're just so thick and awkward looking.

There.

Problem solved.

Edited May 14, 2016 by ShrikeArghast

[LoneBrickerSG]

I think the truck design needs to be re-visited.. what I see in the render is basically opposite of the photos. Flatter truck frames would help facilitate the narrow gauge look, although I realize doing so is very difficult.

Other than this, I like it. I actually just read an article in Trains magazine about this railroad yesterday.

Edited May 14, 2016 by LoneBrickerSG

[ShrikeArghast]

I think the truck design needs to be re-visited.. what I see in the render is basically opposite of the photos. Flatter truck frames would help facilitate the narrow gauge look, although I realize doing so is very difficult.

Other than this, I like it. I actually just read an article in Trains magazine about this railroad yesterday.

I could do something like that, but I don't know if it's really as visually appealing:

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Another stunning creation!

It's a pity that some pieces are missing with these colors :standard:

[Rotundus]

Prototype is 3-foot cape gauge, and runs from Skagway, Alaska to Carcross, Yukon (although the tracks are largely intact all the way to Whitehorse). It was built for the Yukon gold rush at the turn of the 20th century, but missed the rush by about a year, and spent the rest of its existence in receivership off-and-on until being abandoned, then revived as a tourist hauler catering to cruise ship passengers. The wheelsets use an outside frame method with LDD parts 32017, and then 48729 supporting inverted, black cups that serve as the base for the arched bricks.

Funny you should mention that... I was one of those tourists. In 1966 my parents and I went to Alaska with a tour group. After a trip up the "Inland Passage" on a ship that was converted from a WW-II freighter into a passenger liner, We boarded the train and went all the way up to Whitehorse. I've loved riding on the train ever since.

[JayLJohnston]

Very cool!! I'm visiting Skagway next week and am planning on taking this train up the mountain. I've done it a few times in the past and it's a wonderful trek!