MOD: 4512 with Power Functions

[roamingstop]

I very much liked the 4512 Locomotive from years gone by, the colour scheme worked well, but it was really only 9V compatible. As a 3 hour jaunt this afternoon I decided to see if it is possible to convert it to PF... inserting a battery (9V PP3 to PF converter), IR receiver and of course connecting to Power Functions motor (old 8866 type).

The first task was to widen the nose (5 wide) of the locomotive so that the PP3 can sit inside comfortably. Next I took the opportunity to lengthen it a bit - but am not convinced and might shorten again.

Finding a location for the IR receiver was also not easy; the new 3677 Red Cargo train uses shutters to hide the light bley. On this case with dark grey no longer made, and very few parts, I decided to sacrifice the first set of 1x2 green bricks (next to the cab) and replace them with a 1x2x3 panel. This allows the IR receiver to point along the nose of the cab, and provides sufficient space to attach the PF cables. It also leaves the cab clear for Engineer Max to stand tall.

Because of the spacers, the height is now two plates taller, but it does not detract too much.

Does it work having the IR receiver hidden inside the cab windows... yes, but it is far from ideal. Although I tried other options, colour wise it was the best alternative. In the end, running on a PP3 9V battery, this locomotive is destined to be a yard switcher (shunter) with short trips along the main line.

Questions:

• Is the new nose length better?
  
• Should the end's be square (i.e. 5 wide, and not using the 4 wide light bricks)
  
• Any other constructive comments?
  

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Nice MOD!

I like the 5 wide studs nose!

The new shape is amazing, I miss only the yellow bar on the front. The back side is great!

Edited July 16, 2011 by LEGO Train 12 Volts

[roamingstop]

Yep - the yellow bars should go back. The original yellow ones; or the more normal train yellow ones (same as most other trains?)... cant decide.

I made a moc-up in LDD which keeps the same size nose; slightly taller; and somehow I think it works slightly better?... Two variants; one with a full 5 wide green top; the other 4 wide; slightly offset...

LXF File

Any comment which looks better before I spend a few $$ on BL to complete the conversions? Should the dark grey light bricks with prisms remain? or be sacrificed for better PF connections?.

Edited July 17, 2011 by roamingstudio

[roamingstop]

For this thread I decided to see how long the 9V PP3 solution would last; and got a total of about 85 minutes continuous puling with 3 4512 Wagons (with stiff axles) and 2 7938 cargo trucks; at power 5.

Nothing to write home about, but for smaller models probably sufficient. Thus to make a nice heavy duty locomotive out of 4512 would require either a rechargeable battery box housed on a different wagon, or sacrificing the colour scheme and hiding it behind some vertically mounted SNOT plates.

Edited August 28, 2011 by roamingstudio