Lego 7813 Shell wagon upgrade

[LL1982]

I've been eyeballing the 7813 for a while but the prices are steep. When I saw these dome pieces in a local lego bricks and pieces store I decided the upgrade the set into my own vision on it. The spheres are internally locked with some pins on their own. I did not put a top 2x8 or 2x10 plate on it to fix it at the top also. I found it looking better without, though with a top plate would be stronger. Not 100% sturdy now, will not pass the Lego team test, but they survive picking up, driving R40 switches and most importantly my kid :D

I opted for two spheres which seemed more appropriate to me based on what i've seen on industry lines (no expert here, so do not shoot me) and it gave me a better wheel base for fixed axles without causing too much drag in corners. I wanted a top platform for access to valves on top so I added that. I am not to sure yet about the old type hose, I may remove that completely and make it more sterile. Missing some parts, but the intend is to make it a string of three wagons. 

Any thoughts?

 

 

Locomotive design not my own, I bought instructions for that and modified it a bit.

 

 

 

[Murdoch17]

Nice work in updating this classic set!

[LL1982]

Thanks

[JopieK]

Really nice work. The "Hippel" is of course also really nice to go in front of the car.

[Shiva]

Nice wagon and nice loco.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Beautiful work, it respects the style of the old model while making it more harmonious! 

Is the platform loose or does it stay in place? I can see that it is only attached to the ladder.

[LL1982]

17 hours ago, JopieK said:

Really nice work. The "Hippel" is of course also really nice to go in front of the car.

Indeed. Wish I could make it run better. It's horrible on bends and with pulling wagons. Considering rebuilding the drive train or different gear. I've tried rubber bands but then the wheels loose their edge in the corners and it derails 🤣.

Idea is to build more NS locomotives, but then my own MOC. Thinking about a SIK at the moment with cube motors.

13 hours ago, Shiva said:

Nice wagon and nice loco.

Thanks.

6 hours ago, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

Beautiful work, it respects the style of the old model while making it more harmonious! 

Is the platform loose or does it stay in place? I can see that it is only attached to the ladder.

The platform is just attached via the ladder yes. Stays perfect in place whilst driving. In reality you would have tank brackets ofocurse. I wanted to avoid that top plate which would have fixed it ofcourse. But it also works like this. 

Edited Thursday at 02:10 PM by LL1982

[Vliebricker]

Nice work LL1982, I really like this smaller wagon and not very difficult to make......🤪👍.

[Feuer Zug]

Nice modification of the Shell wagon. It works well paired with the shunter.

[LL1982]

2 hours ago, Vliebricker said:

Nice work LL1982, I really like this smaller wagon and not very difficult to make......🤪👍.

Thanks. Indeed pretty simple setup. Was also the intention. Had to do with only parts I have. A Christmas break build. I only used a special car base for the base, which makes it less ideal to reproduce for me at the moment. But some black plates will do too. 

I love all the super detailed models I see around, but sometimes easy and clean also works imo.

58 minutes ago, Feuer Zug said:

Nice modification of the Shell wagon. It works well paired with the shunter.

Thanks!

[zephyr1934]

Looking good