LEGO 7820 Mail Van

[Locomotive Annie]

I was planning on building a 4 wheel guards van for the Kotanga Tramway so I was looking around for four 3644 Door 1 x 4 x 6 in red. On impulse I decided to see what sets used this door and I was delighted to discover that the 7820 mail van set used these doors.

I can't really afford a genuine mail van, but using Google again I was able to find a scan of the instruction sheet and the parts list. I thought I might update the mail van with the later style wheelsets, but otherwise build it according to the instructions. I will still build my tramway guards van like I planned on doing, but it will be good to have a classic mail van to go with the varnish as well

Just as a by the way I'm going to experiment with using the '4180c01 Brick 2 x 4 with Black Spoked Train Wheels, Modified Small 23mm D' 12v wheelsets to build logging disconnects. These wheelsets are just about spot on perfect for this purpose so I'll be working on making some of these as well.

[Axis600]

Damn thing is older than I am, I think Still, the old stuff was pretty good. Can't wait to see how it turns out. Those doors actually look pretty useful...I hope they're not too pricey on Bricklink.

[Locomotive Annie]

To my surprise the doors are reasonably priced on Bricklink and this is because they aren't an exclusive train part and are found in a number of other sets.

They mount onto '3581 Brick 1 x 1 x 2 with Shutter Holder, Modified' which also cheap and reasonably available.

To my mind they are just the job for older style light railway good vans and the like.

[JopieK]

It is a nice van indeed!!!

[WesternOutlaw]

Great set Annie. I would certainly try recreating if you can obtain the right parts. In looking at this wonderful set, it reminds me of a build from a few years back. I've always been a fan of the mail car in 7735 Freight Train Set so thought I'd try building my own version. I didn't have the yellow parts so attempted to build in green. The result was this:

Pulled by my own red shunter (like the classic blue shunter by LEGO):

Take me to More of this Red Shunter

These classic train restoration projects can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, you have to sometimes substitute very difficult parts to find (like the wheels for your Mail Van). Good luck with your build and make sure you share your final creation.

[JopieK]

@thebrickster:

other colors are also giving it a nice touch of course! I like that 7735 car in green, just like the old railways used to have for a baggage car.

I still don't seem to agree with your trans lime front lights of your 7760 recreation though (b.t.w. you knew we have those stickers reproduced on transparent materials didn't you?!)

[WesternOutlaw]

I like that 7735 car in green

I still don't seem to agree with your trans lime front lights of your 7760 recreation though (b.t.w. you knew we have those stickers reproduced on transparent materials didn't you?!)

Thanks J.

Agree with you on the lights. I didn't have any clear ones close by at the time - minor thing for me.

In regard to the decals, I didn't know that. I make them myself. How does one print transparent stickers?

[michaelozzie]

I have that mail van in my collection and i always liked it very much. Recently I widened it to 8 studs to better fit in with the rest of my trains which are all built in this scale.

[Locomotive Annie]

Oooooo that 7735 Mail Car is nice too and would be a good subject for a retro-build as well Yours looks good in green Brickster.

I had no trouble rounding up the red doors and the shutter hinge posts to go with them on Bricklink as for the rest of the bricks and parts I'll sit down with the list and all my storage boxes and see if I have everything else I need. I'm a bit torn between making it 8 wide to suit my MOC locos or leaving it 6 wide for the full retro experience. The designers of these old sets definitely had some great ideas and I will be on the prowl to find more cars and wagons to add to the build list.

[Staalis]

I had a lot of blue parts over so I made a blue version of the 7820 for my 2011 X-mas layout.

Edited November 23, 2012 by Staalis

[Hrw-Amen]

I really should make up some of my old stuff. Trouble is I only have bits and pieces at the moment. One day I will get the main box back. But all these old trains make me feel nostalgia for the ols blue 4.5V days of my youth.