My HSB in 1:41 Scale

[Brockenlok]

My HSB in 1:41 Scale – Update #1

 

Hello everyone, attached is a brief preface: This post was actually supposed to be published back in March, but I have only just uploaded it now. Therefore, you will find Update #2 immediately following this. Best regards, Niklas

 

Hello everyone,
Today, I’d like to introduce you to my latest project.
After building several locomotives in 1:22.5 scale, I decided to try my hand at narrow-gauge rolling stock designed for 4-wide narrow-gauge tracks (21.5mm gauge). Naturally, this time around, it just had to be the HSB again! ;-) Down the road, I also plan to build a small (modular) layout to go with it—we’ll see how that goes.
Kicking things off is my favorite locomotive class: the 99.23. For this build, I chose the specific prototype locomotive 99 7239-9.

When scaled to 1:45—a scale widely adopted by "Gauge L" railway enthusiasts—the Class 99.23 (which has a real-world width of 2,645 mm) translates to a width of 7.4 studs. (I personally consider the width to be the most critical factor for a locomotive's visual appearance; if certain components appear disproportionately large relative to the overall width, the locomotive can very quickly end up looking too narrow. Therefore, I decided to let the width of the 99.23 dictate the specific scale for my model.)
I ultimately decided to build at an 8-stud width rather than 7 studs, as a 7-stud model of the 99 7239 would have resulted in a scale of 1:47 or 1:48. The consequence of that would have been that minifigures would no longer be correctly proportioned relative to the locomotive (given an average adult height of 1.73 meters, minifigures actually correspond to a scale of 1:41). Furthermore, working at an 8-stud width allows me to implement most of the details in the first place—such as the lights using "Tile Round 1x1 with Bar (20482)," the snowplows using standard tiles, or the windows using specialized molded parts (60592 and 60032). This would not have been possible at a 7-stud width, as the individual bricks would have been too large, resulting in a model that was neither true to scale nor nearly as detailed.
Likewise, I would not have been able to fit the full, true-to-prototype valve gear—complete with all its connecting rods—underneath the locomotive at a 7-stud width without it protruding beyond the sides of the chassis.
The 8-stud width establishes a scale of approximately 1:41 (or 1:41.32, to be precise) for the locomotive; the length and height were adjusted accordingly to match this 8-stud width and the 1:41 scale, ensuring that all dimensions remain proportional to one another.
The track system that best complements a 1:41 scale is the 4-stud gauge (with a track width of 21.5 mm); consequently, the locomotive is fully operational on standard 4-stud narrow-gauge tracks.

I take a particular sense of pride in the lamps, which I was able to recreate with remarkable fidelity to the original prototype. In theory, LEDs could even be integrated into these lamp assemblies.
As with my other models, both the windows and the side panels of the tender feature the characteristic inward taper seen on the prototype. Furthermore, by utilizing a combination of brackets and slopes, I was able to shape the cutouts for the leading and trailing wheels to mimic the appearance of the original locomotive as closely as possible.
The air reservoirs located beneath the boiler have also been included in the design.

The locomotive is designed to negotiate curves with a radius of R84. In the real world, this corresponds to a radius of approximately 35 meters—a figure well below the 60-meter minimum radius permitted on the HSB (Harz Narrow Gauge Railways) network. To ensure it can handle such tight curves, only the two outermost driving axles are fitted with wheel flanges. Initial running tests have yielded very positive results. The gap between the snowplow and the tracks is also prototypically narrow, yet remains wide enough to ensure safe operation.

Due to the frame being only 2 studs wide, I decided against installing a motor inside the locomotive; doing so would have rendered the frame extremely unstable (even now, with the clear line of sight between the locomotive and the tender, the structure is quite delicate—though still sufficiently sturdy). Furthermore, I intend to use Powered Up (PU) motors for propulsion, in order to remain within the "Danish" ecosystem.
Consequently, my next project is to build a baggage car equipped with its own drive unit.
Shunting the locomotive at the terminal station will be done manually—which, frankly, I find genuinely enjoyable and therefore perfectly acceptable.

For couplings, I use the familiar magnetic couplers featuring an exposed magnet (parts 73092 or 2920). If necessary, thin Liftarms can also be installed using pins to serve as rigid couplers. Additionally—for aesthetic purposes—I have the option to install a brick-built coupler (featuring a Jumper Plate [15573] and Minifigure hands acting as coupling hooks) on either end of the locomotive, or whenever it is displayed in a cabinet, to enhance its visual appeal.

The cylinders and valve gear have been replicated as faithfully as possible; however, certain sections of the linkage could only be implemented as static, non-articulated parts. Nevertheless, the entire assembly has been fully reconstructed and features the correct, prototypical width.

For both aesthetic and technical reasons, it was impossible to complete the model entirely without custom parts. For this locomotive, I utilize custom-designed wheels, a custom-developed crosshead, and custom-made connecting and coupling rods. All of these components were produced using an FDM 3D printer. All other bricks are genuine parts from Billund.

I have endeavored to replicate all other details as accurately as possible; however, any piping or lines that would have been disproportionately small were omitted—as, in my opinion, it is better to leave something out entirely than to represent it using parts that are visually too large.

For this locomotive, bricks are used (wherever possible) to reduce the total piece count; I resorted to using plates only where there was no other option (unlike with my Gauge II models).

In the cab, I was also able to place an engineer and a fireman, who are clearly visible from the outside as well.

I hope you enjoyed this excursion into the world of the Harz Narrow-Gauge Railways.
Perhaps my Class 99 will make it to the BSBT someday ;-).

Best regards,

Niklas

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My HSB in 1:41 Scale – Update #2

Hello everyone,
Attached is the update regarding my Brocken locomotive that I announced back in March:

I have now reached Version V8 of my 99 7239-9. Compared to the last version shown, the following modifications have been made:
- A completely new front boiler section
- A more prototypical mixing preheater, now offset by half a stud and recessed into the boiler
- A more accurate smokestack, now modeled using a tire element
- Corrected positioning for the upper headlight
- Rear lighting that now sits flush with the tender, with no visible gap
- Valve gear/linkage in Light Bluish Gray
- A revised staircase leading to the cab
- More prototypical snowplows
- A sturdier mount for the front headlights
- Added piping/lines to the boiler and frame
- The tender, which was previously one stud too long, has been corrected (it is now just 5 studs long)
- New, more detailed coal load
- Stickers featuring text rather than solid colored fields
- A more prototypical radio antenna on the roof
- The ashpan is now also represented
- Revised running boards around the smokebox

You can find the video featuring the latest images here:

I will also be uploading the images to my Flickr channel shortly: https://www.flickr.com/photos/201318707@N05/

Best regards,
Niklas

Edited June 2 by Brockenlok

[zephyr1934]

That's a great build, loaded with details, good job

[PossumPatrol]

That's great! The valve gear and all the details around the boiler are really impressive.

[Brockenlok]

Thanks a lot!

[idlemarvel]

Amazing. That has set a new standard for a narrow gauge Lego track locomotive. Unbelievable levels of detail. Looking forward to more HSB rolling stock!

[Brockenlok]

4 hours ago, idlemarvel said:

Amazing. That has set a new standard for a narrow gauge Lego track locomotive. Unbelievable levels of detail. Looking forward to more HSB rolling stock!

Thank you very much!

[rjr]

What a beautiful locomotive, great details everywhere! Can't wait to see it going around the track!

[Feuer Zug]

Stunning work. Looks spot on from the few times I visited the HSB.

[Daiman]

yes, love to see it on track. Beautiful indeed.

[Brockenlok]

Thanks a lot, everyone! I'm glad the locomotive is being so well received 

[Thomas Waagenaar]

She looks great! Honestly the sweet spot for narrow gauge really seems to be 8w! 

You said you wanted to do it with Powered Up, but how about a circuit cube? Those motors are only the size of 2 stacked 2x4 bricks. So they're really small, and you might be able to get away with it that way?

After all, only one axle needs a gear, the coupling rods will do the rest, haha

[Brockenlok]

Hello Thomas,

thanks for your answer. I heard about Circuit Cube but my main idea is to have many different engines but not needing a motor for each of them so I decided to look for a wagon with motor. But for sure it should not be impossible to fit in a Circuit Cube motor in the engine, even if I think then the frame would be very instable.

Best regards,

Niklas

Edited June 7 by Brockenlok

[Cheeseyfeet and Oreo]

Amazing work.

I struggle to get all the electronics to fit in 8 wide so this is remarkable. 

[Darkkostas25]

Outstanding work on the narrow gauge locomotive! Such a charming tank engine that exudes raw power.

[LL1982]

Wow impressive work and love those slopes and little details. It looks really great, just watched the movie. 

[Shiva]

Nice :)

[Brockenlok]

Hello,

thank you all for the great feedback.

Below, you'll find a preview of my next project: I am building my own version of the well-known low-loader of the Pressnitztalbahn used to move narrow-gauge-vehicles. The image shows the first test fit alongside 99 7239-9, the MOC is not yet finished:

Best regards,

Niklas

Edited June 28 by Brockenlok

[Shiva]

Looks good :)

I guess it is this one. 

 

Edited June 28 by Shiva
Added youtube link

[Brockenlok]

2 hours ago, Shiva said:

I guess it is this one. 

Exactly ;-)

[zephyr1934]

They truck the steam locomotives while they are hot and under pressure? That's insane.

[LL1982]

already looks pretty good. nice to see that movie to understand what they do.

[CastleRail]

17 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

They truck the steam locomotives while they are hot and under pressure? That's insane.

That wouldn't be usual at all. Both in the video look to have been hauled on using the trucks cable winch after a period of stationary cooling. That's certainly how I've seen locomotives moved in the past.

[zephyr1934]

5 hours ago, CastleRail said:

That wouldn't be usual at all. Both in the video look to have been hauled on using the trucks cable winch after a period of stationary cooling. That's certainly how I've seen locomotives moved in the past.

I only skimmed the video, but towards the end it looked like the locomotive powered itself up the ramp and then it might have been winched onto the truck but still, if it self propelled up the ramp it would have been hot. Who knows.

[Shiva]

I am quite sure that they winched it up the ramp. I did get to the bottom of it, or close on own power.

[idlemarvel]

Regardless of the answer, it's a great model combination! Well done (again!).