MOD - Emerald Night based 4-8-4

[CDM]

Following the release of the 10277 Crocodile Locomotive I've become really intrigued by the static-display style that allows for added detail without having to pack in Power Functions, or now Powered Up. Wanting to add to my collection without having to wait for the next Lego release, if that happens, I decided to Bricklink parts to build one and settled on a steam locomotive. I'd missed out on Emerald Night but like a lot of you I always thought it was a bit flawed and I didn't want to make an exact copy so I modeled my own in Digital Designer. Inspired by Cooper's 4-8-4 version I lengthened by 4 studs and added 2 drive wheels and 2 trailing. It was a pretty straight forward process but I did spend a little time figuring out how to add to the trailing bogie without moving the coupler back beyond the cab of the locomotive. I can detail that solution if anyone is interested.

I spent the past few months ordering parts from Bricklink and the last bits are trickling in later this week but I wanted to throw up some renders. Here's the first one. I just downloaded Studio 2.0 and I'm still figuring it out on an old, under-powered compy so I'll update this with some more renders and, eventually, the finished product.

I'm not 100% sold on the style of smoke deflectors modeled directly from the Emerald Night so I may alter to make them more US-accurate, or remove them altogether. I haven't decided and I'm open to feedback.

https://imgur.com/a/HTQ0agB

[zephyr1934]

Looking good so far. I also like your idea of continuing to tinker with it to make it look more like what you want. For example, replacing the dish on the front with a 6x6 round plate (perhaps with a 4x4 round plate and 4x4 dish, or round tiles, or...)

[Dorino]

Looking good! few years ago i also changed it a bit but only to 4-6-4. Cooper's one looks so much better in original colors! 

 

[CDM]

The last of my current Bricklink orders arrived yesterday so I'll probably finish this build this weekend. In the meantime here are some better renders:

The second image better illustrates what I mentioned about the trailing bogie and how the coupler still aligns with the cab like the original model. This helps keep the tender tight to the locomotive. I also made the steam cylinders larger even though they might interfere with the steering on the leading bogie. If I add power to this I may have to modify or go back to the original arrangement. Another mod was the smoke stack...the Emerald Night stack is far too tall for my taste. I used an up-side-down hose cone held in place by a bar and 2x2 round brick. I'm planning to add some gauges and whatnot to the cab but I haven't bothered to model that.

Thanks @zephyr1934 and @Dorino for the comments. I think I'm going to stick with the dish for now. I'm not opposed to adding studs but the 6 x 6 round plate is a little much for my taste. I like both the green and red color schemes (in fact my first draft was red and black) but I was going for an American look, which is also why I ditched the wheel humps. I think I may tweak a few things on the physical model, mainly adding some minor greebling and playing with the deflectors.

Also the more I think about it i'm more and more intrigued by adding Powered UP, even if I never run it. Being able to add power without the complication of an IR receiver is really nice, even if the system has other flaws.

Edited February 3, 2021 by CDM
Adding direct images

[CDM]

A few weeks later than I'd hoped but here is the physical model. Gonna live with it for a little bit before making any changes. I want to add some mechanical greebling and maybe add power and lights so long as it runs curves (which I haven't yet tested).

Edited February 3, 2021 by CDM

[zephyr1934]

Looking good. If/when you get to revisions I'd suggest moving the connecting rod from the first driver to the second driver. In terms of trying the engine on curves, the 3 axle trucks on the tender will probably give you troubles on R40 curves, but you can drop to 2 axles or there are many ways of building 3 axle trucks that can handle R40 curves (sliding middle axle, articulated end axle, omit one set of wheels, etc.)

[Man with beard]

Thanks for sharing, CDM! I really enjoy the way this mod looks. Seeing it reminded me of the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle 700, which I have seen at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland.

[CDM]

Thanks for the suggestion, @zephyr1934, I'll add that to my list of tweaks. Also looking at modifying the steam chests to make them more realistic / substantial. I'm waffling on powering it so negotiating curves isn't really a concern, more of a curiosity. I built this as a display piece and that's how it will live most of the time. I may experiment with some lettering prints as well.

Interesting resemblance, @Man with beard. I didn't intend on replicating an existing locomotive, just taking the Emerald / Scotsman and adapting some American elements, but I may use that as future inspiration for changes.

Edited March 1, 2021 by CDM