MOD: BR1020 / 4551 Crocodile

[roamingstop]

Back in the 9V heyday, Lego released the 9V 4551 Crocodile Locomotive in red and white livery. A bit of a search around shows this to be a rendition of the BR1020 locomotive in Austrian colours. However some things were wrong in the simplification to Lego standard.

Recently I acquired some half built 4551 models, but missing many parts. So I decided to update them to the BR1020 standard. This included

• Longer base, with (nearly) correct panels
  
• Attempt to emulate the classic open beam base structure
  
• Nose Job
  

The classic Red with White stripe now works with a 12V motor and includes working lights in both noses. Unfortunately no interior drive unit: Ive not found good representation yet. Since the locomotive often saw work in the Alps, it needs some wagons, and so will shortly be joined with a couple of red and white coaches (similar to 7740). Since this is a scenic route, it will also have a red / white version of the classic 7812 Observation car (finished, but no wheels).

4551 Red 12V lower profile by roamingstudio, on Flickr

At the same time I decided to see if it was also possible to fit all the PF components inside. Since the chassis is now longer this is not a problem, but still the roof line for the IR receiver was a bit of a challenge.

4551 Green PF Side view by roamingstudio, on Flickr

More pictures are in the Set on Flickr. If people have some specific questions I will link in the additional photos.

Edit: LXF File is here. It includes different wheel base options for 12V / 9V / PF bases.

Edited May 20, 2012 by roamingstudio

[EuroTrains]

At the same time I decided to see if it was also possible to fit all the PF components inside. Since the chassis is now longer this is not a problem, but still the roof line for the IR receiver was a bit of a challenge.

4551 Green PF Side view by roamingstudio, on Flickr

More pictures are in the Set on Flickr. If people have some specific questions I will link in the additional photos.

These look good, especially the green one. You captured the look of the real green locomotive well.

What are the pieces on the front of the cab? It looks like a window piece but I cannot place it.

Edited May 20, 2012 by EuroTrains

[JopieK]

Very nice! I also like the green one best!!

Almost like the real ones! ;)

[lightningtiger]

I agree with 'JopieK' the green one is the best, nice work there 'roamingstudio'....neat pantographs !

[Lego Otaku]

These look good, especially the green one. You captured the look of the real green locomotive well.

What are the pieces on the front of the cab? It looks like a window piece but I cannot place it.

Maybe this one: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=2924b

[roamingstop]

Very nice! I also like the green one best!!

Almost like the real ones! ;)

Thanks for the photo link - had not seen that one. There are some clear variations in the originals - especially if you look at #2 in the photo, the roof line and light placements are quite different. I also think I need to make the nose slightly higher - probably one plate... or tiles? Certainly dark green would look good.

In the LXF file I started trying out some other ideas for the roof transformers to make them more realistic; especially the red power lines running along the outsides.

I cant take credit for the pantographs - I saw them made similar elsewhere but im afraid I dont remember the link.

The front pieces are the windows - in green from set 7898, and in red from either 4551 or 4653.

Edited May 21, 2012 by roamingstudio

[peterab]

Thanks for the photo link - had not seen that one. There are some clear variations in the originals - especially if you look at #2 in the photo, the roof line and light placements are quite different. I also think I need to make the nose slightly higher - probably one plate... or tiles? Certainly dark green would look good.

That image has two different classes of German loco; the E93 (later 193) and the 194, there was also a similar looking 144 in Germany. I'm pretty sure the 194 is the equivalent of the Austrian one you linked.

[roamingstop]

That image has two different classes of German loco;

Yes indeed - now i see the difference between #2 and #1 - but it is hard from first looks. #2 is definitely shorter. Time to do some more searches... I hate different naming conventions between countires as im not really a trainhead - and just know what looks good.

[JopieK]

Bochum Dahlhausen Eisenbahn Museum has at least one of the two:

http://www.bundesbah...che%20Krokodile

Translation to English:

About those german crocodiles

[Steinkopf]

Yes indeed - now i see the difference between #2 and #1 - but it is hard from first looks. #2 is definitely shorter. Time to do some more searches... I hate different naming conventions between countries as im not really a trainhead - and just know what looks good.

Nice work Roamingstudio its good to see a new take on a classic design, I was tempted to make my own version of the 4551 loco years ago when I bought the 7898 set in the end I went for a mix of design mainly the RhB Ge6/6 Class and the OBB 1189 Class Crocodiles.

Don't worry you will eventually become a trainhead as you start looking at more and more places for inspiration you will get thirsty for the knowledge about different classes. With the OBB 1020 Class they were a development of the DR E94 Class which in itself was a development of the earlier DR E93 Class, the Austrian locos had a longer lifespan compared to their German sisters as they received a variety of upgrades over the years, mainly to the electrical components.

Edited May 21, 2012 by Steinkopf

[roamingstop]

Well, living in Switzerland, I get to see many of your (Steinkopf's) models on the tracks (I travel by Train to work) - although slightly different colour scheme. The real classic Crocodiles are also on the to-do list. However the German / Austrian variants are a slightly smaller beast... For me creativity comes from making something look real, even if it is not 100% accurate. How to describe... it is the 'look'. For that reason I probably would never care about a fan type; or exhaust inlet / outlet difference, or slightly different wheel mouldings.

In fact if I were to model properly the locomotive then I would use the more recent technic axle wheels and make my own chassis... but that was not the point. Rather to capture the look using older parts to be completely 12V compatible etc. I probably have enough parts to finish a second red locomotive; and if I sacrifice an old 7898 then a second green one.

If doing technic axle wheels then I would use Dark Green througout - but that would be expensive.

[Steinkopf]

For me creativity comes from making something look real, even if it is not 100% accurate. How to describe... it is the 'look'. For that reason I probably would never care about a fan type; or exhaust inlet / outlet difference, or slightly different wheel mouldings.

In fact if I were to model properly the locomotive then I would use the more recent technic axle wheels and make my own chassis... but that was not the point. Rather to capture the look using older parts to be completely 12V compatible etc. I probably have enough parts to finish a second red locomotive; and if I sacrifice an old 7898 then a second green one.

If doing technic axle wheels then I would use Dark Green througout - but that would be expensive.

I agree with your points about building Lego trains, it's more about capturing the look and the essence of a design rather than trying to build a 100% accurate model which in many cases is pretty much impossible to do , that is why I enjoy building freelance models as it gives me the ability to build trains to the style and look that I like .

ps: I envy you in the fact that you get to ride on the trains as often as you do, my dream is one day to travel to Switzerland and ride the trains on the RhB network as well as a number of the other great railways you have in your country.

Edited May 21, 2012 by Steinkopf

[JopieK]

I agree with your points about building Lego trains, it's more about capturing the look and the essence of a design rather than trying to build a 100% accurate model which in many cases is pretty much impossible to do , that is why I enjoy building freelance models as it gives me the ability to build trains to the style and look that I like .

ps: I envy you in the fact that you get to ride on the trains as often as you do, my dream is one day to travel to Switzerland and ride the trains on the RhB network as well as a number of the other great railways you have in your country.

Well, believe me, riding trains isn't always fun, I travel approx. 12 hours a week by train. Although we don't have such a nice classic trains in Holland anymore (except in musea of course).