raised Posted February 25, 2019 (edited) It has been a while since I posted something new here, but don't worry, I have been building regardless, I've just been lurking a lot ;) Anyways, today I want to present my rendition of a MaK / ABB DE 6400 in DB Cargo design. Formerly the main diesel workhorse of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), nowadays a locomotive that also runs in Belgium and Norway, and which you can find even in Poland. I've always had a soft spot for these bulky machines whose design esthetics are mainly following the principles of modularity and usefullness (meaning they aren't styled at all to begin with) and to be honest, I already build it twice, but never to full satisfaction. I had several main goals while building this loco: Keeping it as closely scaled to 1:45, making sure the cab windows consist of 3 parts just like in the prototype (long live flags!), having it run on PFx Brick with it's own power, and hiding all the electrical components in such a way I didn't have to use any stickers for cover up. Also, due to the space available inside the loco, I knew I had to use the PF Lego Train Motor, which made doing proper shourding around the wheelsets a lot more difficult, since there is only one hole available in between the wheels. Thanks to a Lego Minifig Neck Bracket this turned out to be possible. In the end I think I managed to fullfill all objectives; I must however admit the loco only started to run properly after I bough a Lithium-ion rechargable 9V battery, because regular alkaline 9V batteries were emptied by the Lego PF train motor in less than 10 minutes. I never knew there was so little mAh in those blocks... Due to the way the frame is build it's actually a pretty stable locomotive, even though the hoods are only connected to the cab and only held in place by friction to keep them from wobbling. BTW, normally I model one particular number in the fleet, due to it for example having a specific name that reminds me of a town I used to live in. With the 6400 series this isn't really possible, since only several of them are named, and all of them after their drivers or people from within the company it runs for. (Acutally, three of them run with the same name as my grandfather, so maybe some day in the future it might become the 6407, 6434 or 6438!) NS 6400 #2 by raised, on Flickr NS 6400 #1 by raised, on Flickr NS 6400 #3 by raised, on Flickr Hope you guys like it! Edited February 25, 2019 by raised Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pdaitabird Posted February 25, 2019 Very nice engine and lovely scenery too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LEGO Train 12 Volts Posted February 25, 2019 WOW!!! The locomotive is beautiful (the windscreen are too much for me!) and the diorama is something special: the little river to irrigate the fields is perfect! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feuer Zug Posted February 25, 2019 Good work. The locomotive is utilitarian, but well detailed. The scenery is sweet for such a locomotive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Selander Posted February 26, 2019 This is a quality build. However I Iike to see some close up photos of motor decor and those three part side windows to fully appreciate what you built. Is that possible? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raised Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, Selander said: This is a quality build. However I Iike to see some close up photos of motor decor and those three part side windows to fully appreciate what you built. Is that possible? Ofcourse! See first below the shrouding and greebles of the motor, which have been altered a little bit (mostly the sandboxes) compared to this picture, to improve running conditions: Wheel set by raised, on Flickr And now the piece de resistance, the cab. Warning, it's a bit messy ;) Cab of 6400 - now with less clutter and more & clip by raised, on Flickr 21 hours ago, LEGO Train 12 Volts said: WOW!!! The locomotive is beautiful (the windscreen are too much for me!) and the diorama is something special: the little river to irrigate the fields is perfect! 18 hours ago, Feuer Zug said: Good work. The locomotive is utilitarian, but well detailed. The scenery is sweet for such a locomotive. Thanks both! I have to admit the old designs of MaK and ABB aren't really mothers prettiest. The Voith Gravita for example is an absolute beauty compared to the DE 6400 ;) However, it really had a lasting impression on me as the main workhorse for the NS, exactly because of the ultiritarian design it has. The diorama is part of a collab build we did with several Dutch 8-widers at Legoworld 2018 in Utrecht. I'm still planning to write a follow-up about this over at BMR, but for the time being you can have a look at our Flickr Group for more pictures :) Edited February 26, 2019 by raised Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roadmonkeytj Posted February 26, 2019 Really great work here! And putting it on a lovely scene. The photographers are my favorite part Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zephyr1934 Posted March 1, 2019 That locomotive is a thing of beauty. The cab is insane. I'm going to have to borrow that trick. There has got to be a way to move it away from clip snot, something for my todo list I suppose. The way you attached the handrails is also clever and there are many little details (e.g., the studs in plates making up the underframe. The landscape is also beautiful, looks like a great layout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Man with a hat Posted March 4, 2019 Oh wow, that cab is amazing. And the rest looks perfect as well. And also that scenery is really nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nemo57 Posted March 10, 2019 Awesome model accuracy !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
traintraum Posted March 16, 2019 I just can say: really good work! ;-) A nice- looking engine. And your way of presentation was so well-made! I look forward seeing more from you! :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
