LDD MOC: Wasteland Express (WIP)

[Laura Beinbrech]

I realize that I've been inactive around these parts for quite some time, but I've been busy with other things, as well as out of inspiration for train-based MOCs.... The basis of this project has also been sitting around since sometime late last year, when I bought the Toy Story Train Chase set with the intentions of turning it into an awesome train for my Post-Apocalyptic dieselpunk setting. After partially designing the Locomotive tender, the armored mail car, a Passenger car and the caboose, I ran into a brick wall concerning the locomotive.

However, recently, due to a number of things, not the least of which was seeing the new Monster Fighters Ghost Train (which I plan on acquiring and turning into a Chaos battle train called the "Doomtrain"), I finally got a working design for the locomotive finalized and partially built (I shall be making a bricklink order this weekend for the few remaining parts I need... Mainly glass for some of the windows, 9m black technic liftarms and the 4x4 radar dish I'm using for the smokestack screen). Part of what got me moving again was deciding to go with an 8-wide design instead of the standard 6-wide design. This, of course, will require me to re-design the caboose and other rolling stock, but so be it. I'm nearly done re-vamping the first class passenger car anyways.

Well, enough talking, here's the Locomotive and Backstory:

The year was 2100, ten years had passed since the Final War, and the Federal Republic of America (as the remnant of the legitimate North American Union calls itself) had just made contact with the Free State Redmond, an independent republic on the West Coast that, despite being surrounded by the undead Tomb Kings to the south, the Chaos Wastes to the north and the wild and wooly Wasteland to the east, had managed to survive and maintain civilization. What made this possible was an alliance between BrickArms Heavy Industries (a prime military contractor for the NA Union), the Microsoft business empire, as well as a coalition of Native American nations led by the Haida and Klamath peoples.

It wasn't long after contact was reestablished and trade began that the Free State applied for admission into the Federal Republic of America. The agreement was beneficial to both parties, since it would give the Federal Republic a safe port on the Pacific Ocean and access to BrickArms Heavy Industries knowledge base, while the Free State would benefit from the Federal Republic's resources and industrial capabilities.

The only problem was how to get raw materials, money and consumer goods into the Free State and Weapons and Munitions out, since the Free State was separated from the Federal Republic and the nearest friendly territory (the Republic of Lakotah) by about 1200 miles of barren, bandit and monster-infested wasteland.

The solution was the construction of the Wasteland express, a heavy-duty mixed freight/passenger train that would depart New Saint Lois, Missouri Border Region, and arrive in Seattle three days later, making stops in the Republic of Lakotah (Omaha, Porcupine and Pine Ridge) and other friendly Wasteland City-States along the line. Equipped with the most advanced steam engines designed by the Federal Republic's engineers and crewed by the Federal Special Operations Command Dragoon division commandos, this train, along with bi-weekly Dragoon-guarded caravans solved the problem of getting goods and people safely across the wastes, since only the most psychotic wasteland raider gangs or devout followers of Khorne would even think twice about messing with the elite Federal Dragoons.

The Locomotive:

WE Loco Front (Final) by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

The Locomotive is a 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler" tank engine built by BFG Heavy Industries, with an advanced, electronically controlled boiler designed by Frick Heating and Air Conditioning. The water tank is located parallel to the boiler in order to give the engineer a better view. In addition, the Locomotive has a large water tank in the tender as well.

WE Locomotive Side (Final) by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

The reason for so much water storage capacity is that, even with the steam recirculation system (so that instead of jetting the spent steam out the side of the pistons and into the smoke box to improve draft like most steam locomotives do, it sends it through a condenser and back into the water tank, much like the radiator of a car), there is about a 500 mile stretch of track with little or no water available, and the Locomotive needs to be able to clear that section of the route without having to stop for water.

Train WIP by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

The boiler is a high-pressure, high-efficiency flex-fuel type made from welded unobtainium, and capable of burning anything from wood, buffalo "chips" and wood pellets to biogas and biodiesel.

WE Loco Rear (Finished) by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

Inside the cab is enough room for the engineer and fireman (who are also fully trained Federal Dragoons) with large, opening windows made of armorplast so that they can take up their Cosmo Tanegashima laser rifles and fend off attack if need be.

Coming soon: The First Class Coach/Dining car.

Comments and critique appreciated. BTW, the white shields on the side are supposed to be Brick Forge "American Hero" printed knight shields, which are standard issue for the Dragoons, as well as their symbol.

EDIT: Completed Locomotive Photos added.

Edited September 15, 2012 by Hikaro Takayama

[Laura Beinbrech]

Well, in case anybody is interested I've got the First Class Coach and Armored Baggage Car done. I'll be adding the Tender to the first post when it is finished, and all other rolling stock here.

The Armored Baggage Car:

Baggage Car Side (Finished) by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

The Armored Baggage Car is used for transporting money and high security raw materials (I.e. Unobtainium or Mithril ingots) to the Free State, and finished Weapons and munitions from it.

Baggage Car Interior (Finished) by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

The design of the car is based on European Mail Cars (namely the one from 7722, my first ever LEGO Train ), and is manned by an armed Federal Dragoon guard 24/7.

The First Class Passenger Coach/Dining Car:

First Class Coach Side by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

The First Class car is a comfortable dining car with good accomodations and a chef available to cook food to order whenever the high-rolling riders wish to order some (needless to say, first class tickets on this train are VERY Expensive). The Wasteland Express policy of giving free rides to registered mercenaries and Wasteland City State military personnel (in exchange for protecting the train if it comes under attack) normally only applies to Economy class seating. The exception is the Airborne Demolitions Unit (ADU) commandos who are descendents of a North American Union special forces unit of the same name. The reason for this exception is that these particular mercenaries have a rigid code of honor and a high level of training that is considered by the Federal Dragoons to be equal to their own.

First Class Coach Interior by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

And now some technical detials:

Coach Ends by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

This is how I finally figured out how to connect the doors to the car so I could use Emerald Night style functioning doors, and this is how I have the seats connected so I can seat two minifigs side by side in a 6-wide space.

Coach Seating Technique by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

Coming soon: Economy Class coach and Caboose... I already have a 6-wide version of both done, but will have to redesign them to account for the new 8-wide plan.

EDIT: Added Pics of the completed Baggage Car (9/14)

Edited September 15, 2012 by Hikaro Takayama

[Hrw-Amen]

A sort of post apocalypse train sounds like a good idea, but would it not be better toned down a bit, it seems a bit bright and happy, or is the idea to have it bright blood red to confuse all those followers of Khorne that it is in fact the blood gods own train so they don't attack it?

I imagine that there will be a few of those armoured trucks though for transporting the weapons in and also plenty of guards. It looks like you have only used two of the doors from the Toy Story wagon so are you building a second?

I am interested to see the finished train to see what it looks like. I imagine it to be a sci-fied up version of the old western steam trains, maybe a bit steam punk?

[Laura Beinbrech]

A sort of post apocalypse train sounds like a good idea, but would it not be better toned down a bit, it seems a bit bright and happy, or is the idea to have it bright blood red to confuse all those followers of Khorne that it is in fact the blood gods own train so they don't attack it?

Actually it is because the Federal Republic Military's uniforms prime colors are Red, Black and Blue (depending on branch)... The Special Operations command is mostly Red and Black, the Federal Marine Corps' are Red and White (except the officers, which are blue and white) and the Naval uniforms are Blue and White (officers are black), so the train being primarily Red and Black with brass trim (a practical solution since brass is about the most economically feasible corrosion-resistant metal available) is basically like advertising in 10-ft tall letters that this train is owned by the Federal Dragoons (a division of the Special Operations Command or SOCom tasked with patrolling the Wastes). I.e. it serves the same purpose that the bold coloring of a Monarch Butterfly or Coral Snake does....

I imagine that there will be a few of those armoured trucks though for transporting the weapons in and also plenty of guards. It looks like you have only used two of the doors from the Toy Story wagon so are you building a second?

The second set of doors is for a generic Box Car... The idea is to have the locomotive & tender, the Armored baggage car, three passenger cars (first class and two economy class), three freight cars (one box car and two flatbeds/intermodal cars) and the caboose, which serves as a rolling barracks/armory for the Dragoons crewing the train.

I am interested to see the finished train to see what it looks like. I imagine it to be a sci-fied up version of the old western steam trains, maybe a bit steam punk?

Yeah, that's basically the idea. I just placed an order for the parts I'll need to finish up the Locomotive... Trying to get a working piston/running gear scheme that would work with my pilot truck was a pure nightmare... It took the better part of last weekend to figure it out...

[TenorPenny]

It does look a bit too happy and bright to be post-Apoc.

[splatman]

It does look a bit too happy and bright to be post-Apoc.

Someone will have to out there and cheer things up a little.

[Laura Beinbrech]

It seems that some people here are forgetting that there is more to the Post-Apocalypse genre than Fallout... I.e. My setting is more along the lines of Palladium Games' "Rifts" series or The Hunger Games... I.e. a cataclysm that didn't quite affect all areas the same and didn't leave behind a bunch of nasty radiation... As a matter of fact, the current version of the LEGO world that my brother and I started when we were kids is HEAVILY based on Rifts (although Rifts did seem to "borrow" some ideas from Fallout, since the Coalition States power armor and flag looks almost exactly like the Enclave's from Fallout), with a LOT of tongue-in-cheek humor and sci-fi/fantasy references.

In addition, the various factions have been rebuilding for the past 40 years, so a lot of the initial scavenger world aesthetic has faded away, with the big exception being the various city states and raider gangs in the Wastes.

Anyways, I've got the Baggage Car finished, and have got a good start on the Business Class coach... I'll try to get pics of what I've got done thus far posted tomorrow.

[1974]

This looks like a beefed up TS3, sorry I don't get your idea? (I've seen you do much better MOCs, btw)

What is 'a post apocalyptic world'? It seems so undefined?

Anyway, as a techhead I could make an electric+combustion engine train, not sure I'd want to dabble with steam. I could make the e+c train with a mechanical gearbox (allthough that would be quite inefficient compared to modern IGBT controllers, as those might be wiped out in the 'great EMP stroke' .. (<-- which I think would happen in that 'a post apocalyptic world')

Also, I don't see much 'diesel punk' here, more like .. hmm .. ordinary steamtrain?

Edit : I don't know what 'Hunger Games', 'Fallout' & 'Rifts' are so I may just be and old fart talking out my behind - sorry

Neat idea with a sidemounted tank though

Edited September 14, 2012 by 1974

[Ferrik]

This train looks great. I think the red, black and yellow colour scheme is excellent. The passenger cars look terrific and well-detailed.

[Laura Beinbrech]

Well, as promised, albeit a few days late, I have posted some pics of the actual construction progress... Thus far I only have the locomotive and the armored baggage car completed (my Brick Link order arrived today), and a good start on one of the Business Class coaches:

Train WIP by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

I've also updated the first two posts with pictures of the completed locomotive and armored baggage car.

Now to address a few things:

This looks like a beefed up TS3, sorry I don't get your idea? (I've seen you do much better MOCs, btw)[/Quote]\

Actually, that's the basic idea I had: Take the Toy Story 3 Train and turn it into something useful in my scenario... Do keep in mind that this is far from finished, and I need to design the tender and the rest of the rolling stock... I may soon have a workable Caboose design, which I'll post (I may just skip the LDD part of that one and post the finished product since I've pretty much got everything I need for that). Also note that I decided that the "No. 1" green printed brick didn't really look that good on the side of the Locomotive, so I decided to move it to the tender (which will have a nice, convenient green stripe down the side).

What is 'a post apocalyptic world'? It seems so undefined?

Post-Apocalyptic Fiction.... Wikipedia is your friend.

Also, here is an updated (and more refined) version of my Post-Final War map of North America showing the various factions:

North America, Post Final War by Hikaro Takayama, on Flickr

Which brings me to this point:

Anyway, as a techhead I could make an electric+combustion engine train, not sure I'd want to dabble with steam. I could make the e+c train with a mechanical gearbox (allthough that would be quite inefficient compared to modern IGBT controllers, as those might be wiped out in the 'great EMP stroke' .. (<-- which I think would happen in that 'a post apocalyptic world')

The reason for using steam is that, while most of the railroads in the Federal Republic's core territories are electric, and Biogas/Biodiesel-electric hybrids in the Borderlands (the dashed line territories), the wasteland express has about 1800 miles (2880 km) of virtually untamed, lawless, barren wastes to cross to reach the Federal Republic Exclave of the Free State Redmond, meaning that they needed a locomotive that could use ANY fuel that would burn, be it buffalo "chips", wood (including wood pellets and cactus skeletons), charcoal, etc.

Edit : I don't know what 'Hunger Games', 'Fallout' & 'Rifts' are so I may just be and old fart talking out my behind - sorry

Neat idea with a sidemounted tank though

The Hunger Games is an insanely popular series of books, and as of 2012, movies... My Avatar is based on the mockingjay pin that Katniss Everdeen, the main character, wears to the 74th annual Hunger Games as a good luck charm, and my sig quote is the standard greeting given by sponsors to the tributes (gladiators chosen by lot) that they are sponsoring in the games.

Fallout is an insanely popular series of real-time adventure/RPG games for the PC (and more recently, with Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, PS3 and X-Box 360 as well). Fallout is set in a post-nuclear future where much of humanity survived in giant fallout shelters called Vaults... There are several excellent Fallout MOCs in the Sci-Fi forum.

Finally, Rifts is a fairly popular tabletop RPG (well, fairly popular by tabletop RPG game standards) set in a world where a minor nuclear war between two South American nations in 2098 that, due to the massive amount of people dying, causes their spirit energy to re-awaken the Ley Lines that have been dormant since the ancient Atlantean disaster that caused them to go dormant and transported Atlantis to a pocket dimension. The end result was massive Ley Line storms that caused more death and inter-dimensional portals to randomly open up, and various aliens, demons, vampires and other mythical creatures to invade Earth, not to mention re-awoke magic, so you have a mix of high-tech areas (like the Coallition States), high magic areas (like Great Britain), and areas where the two mix (the Techno-Wizard player character class is all about mixing magic and science)....

This game, which my friends and I whiled away many a boring hour while at sea when I was in the navy, heavily influenced my LEGO setting, with particular emphasis on the random inter-dimensional portals and both magic and technology coexisting.

I hope that clears a few things up. I'm glad you liked the side-mounted tank, though.

Edited September 15, 2012 by Hikaro Takayama

[Henchmen4Hire]

Post apokaliptic? Y u no make it all grey and black and add moar gunz!

Haha, just kidding! Always fun to see people do their own thing instead of sticking to the same ol', same ol'.