MOC: DB 365 V60 - Compact PF-based shunter

[Selander]

This is a build I've wanted to do for a long time: A compact 6-wide, Power functions based shunter, like a modern version of the classic 7760.

My main problem was to create an elegant and well-functioning 3-axle brick-built chassis (truck). Since I had no experience of such (except for assembling my Emerald Night) I had to start from zero. After a long trial and error process (from which I 've leard a lot) I finalized the below 3-axle chassis with 2 powered axles and a vertical PF medium size motor. Initially I used BBB medium size wheels, (flanged+blind+flanged) but I wanted to use normal PF-trains wheels as they are better in size (especially width) for my "narrow" shunter. But 3 of those PF train wheels in a static design cannot manage curves! I found the solution for this problem in a Railbricks article + advice from Flickr user Shuppiliumas, about replacing PF train wheels stock rubber with slightly bigger o-rings for the two powered wheels, and to remove stock rubber from mid-wheel to give the little clearence needed to manage points and curves for a static 3-axle chassis design. This set-up works real good !

Battery box and IR-receiver are integrated as compact as possible, filling the driver's cabin with motor + cabling and a part of the IR receiver. Since the motor powers the axles "direct", the loco is quite slow, but I think that is only appropriate for a train yard shunter.

Having a fully functional base, I could now start dressing it with a body with the aim to keep the design from prototype as closely as the limited scale allows. The nose is only 4 studs wide by using the new red 4-wide battery box as part of the structure. I applied (rather ugly) red stripes to hide the light grey upper part of battery box. The rear is partly slightly wider having big 4x4 tiles to cover sides of the grey IR-receiver. Windows are old TrClear from Santa Fe since I had a few extras as spares.

Since it is a 3-axle static design, the loco pivots over mid axle, and since mid axle is NOT physically placed at the mid-point of locomotive, I had to make a special assembly for front magnet so it rotates on a short technic beam to allow following rolling stock in curves, otherwise it can push waggons to derail.

Last I enclose a picture of the prototype.

[Sokratesz]

That looks pretty good, althought the front end seems a bit long in comparison to the rest of the loc. I wouldn't mind it being slow as long as it is strong enough :)

- Sok.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Very nice diesel shunter!

I like the engine with 3 axles and the beautiful roof.

Great work with the PF motor and the other PF stuff

[peterab]

I'm very impressed you've got working PF and such a realistic look in only 6 wide.

I like your choice of engine too, I've been considering building something similar, but am currently leaning towards a 218 because it's slightly larger and more boxy so it's a bit easier to hide the PF.

[Selander]

I'm very impressed you've got working PF and such a realistic look in only 6 wide.

I like your choice of engine too, I've been considering building something similar, but am currently leaning towards a 218 because it's slightly larger and more boxy so it's a bit easier to hide the PF.

Thanks peterab and all,

I acknowledge it was a challenge to fit all PF-stuff and still maintain the "sleek" look of prototype within 4/6 wide,

especially considering the bulky battery box !

My goal was to make a PF-based loco with the 4/6 wide proportions from locomotives like 7760 / 4564 etc.

Edited September 5, 2011 by Selander

[lightningtiger]

Excellent looking shunter 'Selander', only missing the 'DB' decals....though is there a gap between the second set and rear set of wheels for the transmission ?

Still it's a wonderful engine in any case......Brick On 'Selander' !

[greenmtvince]

I was just wondering if BBB medium drivers would be more scale appropriate and also allow you to incorporate the (crankshaft?) and drive rods. Otherwise, nice interpretation of the prototype!

[LEGO Guy Bri]

Another fine engine 'Selander'. I was looking at the actual photo, is there any room to add the counter weight in between 2nd and 3rd wheel? Great job anyways

[Sokratesz]

I just realised you could make it faster by putting a larger bevel gear on the motor shaft, someone else posted a way to get that to work in one of the other threads here.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Sokratesz

[Selander]

Another fine engine 'Selander'. I was looking at the actual photo, is there any room to add the counter weight in between 2nd and 3rd wheel? Great job anyways

Thanks a lot, everyone.

@Leg Godt Gud:

I actually already got a detailed proposal from Flickr user Shuppiluliumas, to do just what you propose:

These forums are really a great help for sharing ideas

Let's see where this ends.

@grennmtvince:

No plans to add rods for this narrow version. I already tried BBB medium wheels but they don't look correct on this 6-wide version.

If you include rods on those BBB wheels you are (at least) on 7-wide, so that would mean I have to redesign the whole loco body to an 8-wide version.

Then I could also build much more details around the battery box, to add some interesting surfaces similar to those of the prototype.

But I think 6-wide is more fun, and a bigger challenge to work with, to my point-of-view

@Sokratesz:

I don't want a faster engine. For a railyard shunter is just an advantage to be slow, but strong.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Selander

[Badger]

Excellent creation 'Selander' , The roof is pure genius ! Keep on Building.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Badger

[gambort]

This is great.

And it would make a great entry to the 7777 contest if it wasn't a loco.

Tim

[roamingstop]

Although I agree it is sometimes useful to use stickers to make a model look like the real thing; I sometimes wonder _why_? A paint job is purely arbitrary, and what would the shunter look like with a light bley stripe (to match the battery box top) instead of the white?

It is a great design; and someone asked about using BBB wheels. I made a EE 3/3 Moc (unfinished) using medium BBB wheels and rods; and to be honest it looked way out of scale. Using EN / BBB large wheels worked much better for rods with the loco (which had larger wheels than passenger cars / trucks). One solution I did see was using technic engine cam-shaft pieces (SavaTheAggie) which worked with 1/2 width beams; but once again made the model wide and out of proportion. Unfortunately the old 12V shunter rods are too small for this wheel set... :(