[MOC] Renfe S-269 "Japonesa"

[Ferro-Friki]

Here’s my latest MOC, RENFE’s Series 269 locomotive in the Estrella livery.

Designed by Mitsubishi, crew and train fans alike resorted to calling the S-269 “La Japonesa” (the Japanese).

(Photo by Felix Serrano on Listadotren)

Due to her versatility, there were 269s all over the country. By themselves they were adequate at pulling freighters, could always be coupled together for more power, and were more than fast enough for pulling passenger trains. One of the services they provided was the Estrella express night trains, which featured this iconic tan, brown and orange livery. Out of all their liveries, by far my favorite.

Although RENFE has long retired these engines from its fleet, the Japonesas have found a second life working for private companies in Spain, most notably Alsa, which uses some of them for pulling historic tourist trains.

(The design went through some minor modifications since the making of this render)

This MOC is designed to be powered by two PF L motors and a BuWizz battery box, although it’s spacious enough to fit alternative power options. It has M wheels from HA Bricks geared 1:1 with the motors and can navigate R40 curves. I used silver TrimLine modelling tape for the windshield and side window frames, a detail that in my opinion really captures the look of the engine.

Some of the part choices and techniques I’m particularly proud of are the whip pieces for the double heading cable, ribbed hose pieces for the secondary suspension, black sausages with minifigure hands for the brake and main air tank pipes, or the entire not-quite-flat, slightly angled cabin front. It also features a 9V era magnet from HA Bricks at the cabin 2 end, and a more realistic but non-functional hook at the cabin 1 end.

Also, thanks to Flickr for not letting me post full quality picture links of photos that I uploaded myself. What is wrong with you :)

[Toastie]

1 hour ago, Ferro-Friki said:

Some of the part choices and techniques I’m particularly proud of are the whip pieces for the double heading cable, ribbed hose pieces for the secondary suspension, black sausages with minifigure hands for the brake and main air tank pipes, or the entire not-quite-flat, slightly angled cabin front.

OK. Honestly? Your list is way too short: The entire appearance of the locomotive? The simply >perfect< match with the original? The vivid colors? The choice of the original? The angles? The colors? 

This is so incredibly well "done" - "created" is much better - I am in total awe.

Congratulations, and thank you very much for sharing.

Best wishes
Thorsten

P.S.: If these are not full quality pictures, I am thanking Flickr - otherwise I may have fainted. 

  

[L-Gauger]

I know these locomotives are really boxy, but I think I might have a new favorite Spanish electric locomotive.  

Lots of NPU all around - you did a fantastic job modeling this locomotive! I echo @Toastie's comments in this regard!

I do have one thought regarding the couplers - I can't quite tell how you have everything arranged on the bufferbeam, but for my European-prototype MOCs I have chosen to forego magnet couplers. Instead I use plates with Technic holes like this: 

or this: 

For the coupling proper, I use a chain, 5 links: 

I incorporate one end of the chain into the model, and attach a Technic half-pin and a Pneumatic T-bar to the other. This system allows two coupling options, 1) attach the chain from one coupler to the Technic plate of another, or 2) use a 5-long Technic half-beam as a drawbar. Method 1 looks better but requires functional buffers and is best suited for wide curves, so normally I only depend of method 2 as a backup option. So far though, I'm happy with the deign. Maybe you can adapt it to give this locomotive a functional front coupler? 

So you can see what my coupler design looks like assembled, here's a link to my model of Thomas the Tank Engine, equipped with bufferbeams and couplers of the type I've described: 

https://www.bricktrainawards.com/entries/north-western-ry-no-1-thomas/

 

If I didn't make it clear, your work is excellent! I especially love how you were able to replicate the slightly angled nose... that must have taken a lot of SNOT! 

Edited 2 hours ago by L-Gauger

[Sven J]

What a tremendous job with the livery, the angled fronts and all the details!
Absolutely outstanding!

One detail I really love is the design of the headlamps, with rollerskates above (no idea for what purpose they serve on the prototype).
Only question, where did you get those white rings?

Edited 38 minutes ago by Sven J