Bricklink something close to Santa Fe Cars 10022

[LegoDW]

Hello, missed the Santa Fe sets when they were out (not into Lego at the time).  Love the look of these passenger cars.  Planning on Bricklinking something close to this for a replica.  Are their any rare parts that can be switched out to keep the cost down (know its going to expensive, its Lego I'm used to it).  Looking for a little guidance before I get in to far.  Will be making a Santa Fe engine also.  Going with PF or the new PF2 for power.

[JopieK]

Well, you could replace the portholes of the engine with stickers. An other color scheme (e.g. Union Pacific) ell. might also work well? Do you already have the engine?

[NathanR]

If all you want is set 10022 (passenger cars, no locomotive), then most of the parts look doable.  

Keep in mind that around 2000, Lego changed the light and dark grey to the more modern light bluish/dark bluish grey.  If you swap the entire set to modern greys, then some bricks such as 4181 train door become impossible to obtain (unless you use spray paint).

On a quick inspection of set 10022 inventory, the rare parts seem to be the old-style train couplings and magnets (modern style couplings may not fit, I would check with LDD or bricks you have to hand), 30357 round corner plate 3x3 dark grey (4 sets only), 4093a dark grey  6x28 train base (rare even used... try dark bluish grey maybe?). 2878c01 train wheels (common in black, rare in light grey, never made ion light bluish grey I think), 4181 and 4182 train doors, 6936 tap with handles white.  Each one of these would set you back several euros.

Since each kit includes extra parts to make one of three different coaches, you may not need all the parts to complete a specific coach.

Hope this helps!

[supertruper1988]

I would think that swapping to a different railroad will get you the greatest bang for your buck. i know that the silver/red is iconic but something in black would be cheap. If you go to LBG in stead of old gray then you can also save some money but you will have to brick build the doors to stay in pure lego. 

[zephyr1934]

Definitely to LBG instead of old gray (in fact the Santa Fe cars had pearl gray grill bricks for the sides). I personally did not like the dark gray baseplates under an essentially light gray build (the real cars would be the same color on those parts... stainless steel... but what have you). If you are going for reproducing the cars, then dark bluish gray would work fine. For the roof, I'd suggest using 1x3 curved slopes or 2x4 curved slopes. The gray train wheel holders and buffer beams are pricey, black will be a lot cheaper.

 

Like the others, I would recommend doing a repaint with bits and pieces updated here and there. Many of my first MOCs included repaints of the Santa Fe cars, here are some links if you want inspiration CB&Q/DRGW, C&O, GN, CMSTP&P, and N&W.