[MOC] Diesel Shunter

[Rail Co]

Hey Guys here is my work in progress Of a Shunter. It may look complete but it is not as I need your help to give suggestions on what to add!

Link: https://www.flickr.c...06/14749146646/

The back of the train you cannot see is just a red brick wall so I hope you can also tell me how to make a back of a shunter look better!

Thanks Guys

-RailCo

P.S. I know the buffers are grey but I do not have any black cow catcher buffers, and also just realized i forgot hand rails on the cab so that why it's a WIP .

EDIT: I would really enjoy your help. I have added windows which makes it look 10 times better. This is my first ever MOC of a shunter so any suggestions are welcome!

Edited July 29, 2014 by Rail Co

[Rail Co]

Hello Guys I needed a shunter and I love the locos so I decided to make one. It is not based on any shunter in particular I just thought of a design and build it in LDD first and transferred it to actual bricks. I hope you like it and enjoy!

Lego Diesel Shunter by Railco1, on Flickr

The model uses as best I could all smooth tiles, I believe there is only 5 studs showing in this model (Headlamps, guardrails, exhaust).

Lego Diesel Shunter by Railco1, on Flickr

If you notice the nose of the Loco has a light incline. This was unintentional but it looks GREAT, So I kept it.

Lego Diesel Shunter by Railco1, on Flickr

The front isn't too fancy but it has a couple details like lamps, guard rail, and for the front windows I used the 2x1 guardrails (not well versed in the exact names of the bricks) which makes room for a short enough roof.

Lego Diesel Shunter by Railco1, on Flickr

The back is very bland, I hope to change it to something better I am just out ideas at the moment for that bit.

The idea is to actually make it run on PowerFunctions in the future. The plan is to have a 9v sqaure battery hooked up to a 9v to PF conversion cable connecting to a partially disassembled IR Receiver. Than which would connect into the motor and all the wires will be hidden in the nose of the loco.

Hope you enjoyed! Leave comments and ALL suggestions are welcome!

Thanks,

-RailCo

P.S. Could someone delete the post titled MOC/WIP Shunter? Thanks!

[JopieK]

For a shunter it looks quite nice Rail Co, but it would be better if you add more details. Also, unless the driver has a screen and a camera, it will be hard to see signals and everything else in front (and at the back) of the train :)

[Rail Co]

Got any ideas? I tried to make it detailed but my parts are basically in mixed tubs right now so it is hard to find that one piece you need.

P.s. It's my first shunter MOC too.

Edited July 29, 2014 by Rail Co

[Murdoch17]

I would have to agree with JopieK. It need as windscreen, plus a red light on the rear wall.

Good luck!

[Rail Co]

I feel like a wind screen would be too big for the shunter. Any suggestions for small windscreens without changing to much of the model? I honestly think that the windscreen is fine. Maybe it's the angle but i even put a camera where he would (or should) be standing and you can see out it fine (maybe me personally).

Edited July 29, 2014 by Rail Co

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Not bad Rail Co but like JopieK I think you need more details ....the back side is an empty wall, you can add the back lights for example or some decals with yellow and black stripes

Keep on!

[zephyr1934]

I'd suggest replacing the 2x4 tile on the front with either grill bricks or 1x2 tile with grill to create the impression of a radiator under that hood. I personally think your forward view is okay already, but you could improve it by using 1x2x2 panels in front of the side windows on the cab, thus creating a 2 brick tall front window instead of the current 2 plate tall forward windows. Shunters typically have many rear windows too, I would suggest replacing the back of the cab with either the old style 1x2x2 windows (which are among the more common old windows and you should have a bunch if you have a pile of old lego). Or new style 1x2x2 windows if you don't have any of the old. You could even create the impression of a center door on the back of the cab using 1x2x3 window or door for the middle window on the back of the cab. Finally, if you want to go over the top, start studying how others create their illusions and borrow good ideas from them.

[Rail Co]

So I took some of your advice and put my own twist on it zephyr1934. I used the old style 1x2x3 windows on the side of the cab for the look of doors. not sure How I feel about them yet.

2014-07-30_11-00-05 by Railco1, on Flickr

Then on the back I added red/back lights (a lot of people suggested) along with some small windows at the top, which I think look very nice!

2014-07-30_11-00-40 by Railco1, on Flickr

[Murdoch17]

Much better! I especially like the doors.

Personally the color scheme reminds me of the 2005 Train engine shed:

What have got planned or built to go along with your engine?

Edited July 30, 2014 by Murdoch17

[Rail Co]

The plan is to have some coal/hopper cars for it to shunt around. I do not know when I will get to this I'll have to design them first anyways.

As I do not have much space for a layout right now I'll just have to let it run in a small circle . The color scheme almost matches the engine shed Perfectly! Wow never noticed that

Thanks Guys

-RailCo

[jtlan]

That's a charming little loco. If you're short on space you might consider doing a point-to-point shunting layout (no loop).

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Very nice improvement! The doors are a great touch!

[Hrw-Amen]

That is much better now you have put the rear windows in.

I would never have thought of using those old doors for a train, but on a little one lke this they do look better than it was before so well done for that.

[JopieK]

I totally agree with Hrw-Amen!

[Rail Co]

Anyone got some ideas on what this should shunt? I was thinking small flat cars, coal cars, or oil tankers.

I am leaning to Oil cars but also small coal cars.

Any other ideas?

Thanks SO much guys

-RailCo

[opn2]

Edited September 27, 2014 by opn2

[Rail Co]

I would have at least tried to put those old style 1x2x2 windows in the back but I sadly only had one! I may check again but I do not think that is happening...

[JopieK]

I think the addition of the old style doors makes a big improvement! It might look nice if you have any of the old 1x2x2 windows in red and add them to the back to break up the monotony.

There are some yard shunters in real life that are controlled by radio control. This way the operator, who wears large control equipment on their chest, can move around the yard outside the cab while he moves cars around. Sort of like a full size model train! So you could always use that as an excuse for few or no windows if you build a minifigure to control it for you. Here's a picture of an operator:

Then it would be a robot shunter. The might have small windows, but some look like 'black boxes on rails':

[Murdoch17]

Anyone got some ideas on what this should shunt? I was thinking small flat cars, coal cars, or oil tankers.

I am leaning to Oil cars but also small coal cars.

Any other ideas?

Thanks SO much guys

-RailCo

You could build any number of cars. It really depends on what you want to haul, be it anything from coal to finished automobiles.

Here is a site with some great inspiration (and most of it has instructions!)

http://lgauge.com/