[MOC] RENFE 251-004 "La Reina"

[Ferro-Friki]

Hello everyone! I have another MOC I’d like to share here, the 251-004.

After the success of the S-269 (“La Japonesa”) in Spain, RENFE ordered Mitsubishi an advanced, more powerful version of the engine. Which turned out to be the S-251. As such, both locomotives share a lot of similarities, most noticeably, an almost identical bogie design. Although as you can probably tell, the S-251 has 3 bogies instead of the S-269’s 2. This earned the S-251 the nickname “Japonesa y media” (Japanese and a half). You might even notice the similarities with JNR’s Class EF66 locomotives, very closely related to the Series 251.

(Photo by Javier López Ortega on Flickr)

Despite being very capable of providing passenger services, the S-251’s power was better suited for pulling freight. Since the beginning of their work life, they were employed in the treacherous mountain pass of Pajares, between Asturias and León. Unfortunately, since the opening of the new Pajares tunnel, the reign of the S-251 in the mountain pass is not what it used to be anymore. They can still be seen running around the region, as well as pulling containers and other cargo between Barcelona and Zaragoza.

In an effort to homogenize the corporate image, since the late 80s, RENFE applied a new livery to all of its locomotives. With yellow cabs and grey bodies, the age of the taxi livery begun. It lasted until 2005, when RENFE was split into two public entities, ADIF, for infrastructure operation, and Renfe Operadora, for train operation. Accordingly, a new locomotive livery followed. Very similar to the taxi one but replacing the yellow for white (borrowed from the AVE) with a magenta stripe, the new company colors.

With the recent introduction of the S-256 (Stadler Euro 6000) into its fleet, Renfe revealed a completely new livery out of nowhere. Bravely embracing the striking magenta color with broad diagonal white stripes, I really thought all locomotives would adopt this scheme. Years later, all engines apart from the 256s have kept the boring old 2005 livery, and it doesn’t seem like that will change anytime soon. Maybe one day... I really think it suits the S-251.

The 251-004 is the only engine of its kind to preserve the original blue and yellow livery. This is due to a successful effort by the Railway Friends Associations of Gijón and Madrid, and Renfe employees. This earned her the title of “La Reina” (The Queen).

My MOC of the 251-004 has 12 M size wheels and a 9V style magnet from HA Bricks. It is designed to be powered by two PF L motors and a BuWizz battery box. It’s a bit cramped on the inside, so it can’t fit LEGO battery boxes since they’d be too tall.

The challenge with this engine was creating a functional middle bogie. Not only does it need to pivot, but also slide side to side. After many overengineered failed attempts, a very simple combination of two 1 x 4 bricks with channel and an upside-down 2 x 2 tile with technic pin connected to two 1 x 2 plates with door rails did the trick. This also allows the middle bogie (unpowered) to move slightly up and down, which ensures that the other two bogies will always be on the rails when running on uneven track. Unfortunately, the locomotive can’t navigate R40 curves, and it’s restricted to R56 or higher.

Some of the part choices and techniques I’m particularly proud of in this MOC are the windshield assemblies, a technique similar to many amazing diesel-electric locomotive MOCs I’ve seen out there, the blue sword spikes at the fronts, the boomerangs as the number plate nose fixture, the blue claw pieces as the windshield visors, or the SNOT side grills, which although not too complex, took a few attempts to get right. It also has some silver TrimLine tape to recreate the iconic steel “whiskers” and custom stickers.

[Sven J]

Well, the original is rather ugly in my opinion, but your model is simply breathtaking! Awesome attention to detail and crazy building techniques make this a gorgeous piece of LEGO art!

[Ferro-Friki]

1 hour ago, Sven J said:

Awesome attention to detail and crazy building techniques make this a gorgeous piece of LEGO art!

Thank you! I don’t think anyone has called one of my trains a piece of art before :)

1 hour ago, Sven J said:

Well, the original is rather ugly in my opinion

Be careful! If other Spanish train nerds heard you they might come after you!