MOC: Santa Fe Super Chief 10th Anniversary in ONE

[James Mathis]

In recognition of the 2002 release of the Santa Fe Super Chief train, presenting the micro scale ONE stud wide Santa Fe Super Chief.

LEGO Cuusoo project page:

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/23345

MocPages:

has LEGO Digital Designer® LXF file.

http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/336864

BrickShelf:

deep links before moderation:

parts list page 1 of 2:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jamathis/MiniModels/microTownAndTrain/microOfOfficialSets/SuperChief10thAnniv/micro_santa_fe_super_chief_10th_anniv_v02_parts1of2.jpg

parts list page 2 of 2:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/jamathis/MiniModels/microTownAndTrain/microOfOfficialSets/SuperChief10thAnniv/micro_santa_fe_super_chief_10th_anniv_v02_parts2of2.jpg

Should you like this Super Chief in ONE, you are invited to vote for the Cuusoo project equally as well as simply sourcing the parts from the above links and information using element in your own collection, BrickLink, Shop at Home Pick-a-Brick, etc..

Potential expansion. I can envision add-ons to this concept, which I would love to see what others' might come up with, such as:

- wooden bridge over waterfall, lake, or stream/river

- Train station from Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles, USA

- Super Chief diorama set in a city OR Mid-Western USA farmland (corn, wheat fields) OR ???

Thanks for checking it out.

-James Mathis

PS: A bit of history of the LEGO version of the Santa Fe cars 10022 and 10025-- I was an original design contributor/collaborator to make these sets (please note: I did NOT work on the Santa Fe locomotive set 10020-- just want that to be very clear.) I later designed a couple of versions of a dome car (privately, unofficially)-- as did quite a few other excellent LEGO train builders-- and this ONE scale micro Super Chief has a dome car in the consist. Again, my thanks to you for checking out the concept and model, if nothing else than for the novelty.

Edited August 13, 2012 by James Mathis

[fred67]

Nice! As a proud Super Chief owner (sadly, not L.E.), and a microscale enthusiast, all I can say is this is really neat and well done and definitely gets my CUUSOO vote (supporter #3).

Edited August 13, 2012 by fred67

[Wedge09]

Nice work, I will support it on CUUSO (4# supporter)

Edited August 13, 2012 by Wedge09

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Very nice mini-MOC!

The tunnel and the desert are gorgeous too!

[GRogall]

Hi James, great idea for a great set!

But since you are the original designer of 10022 & 10025, maybe you could give us some more insight to this great train which was released 10 years ago?

How did TLG come to approach you in making the cars for the Santa Fe Super Chief? Did you have any design influence into 10020?

Why didn't TLG do a B-Unit or dome car for this train? I know that you sold the Dome car as set through your webpages maybe you could make the pdf. instructions available to the community!?

Was there talk of you designing other train sets for TLG?

Please give us some insight in to the process which where involved!

But besides that, thanks for helping TLG, in my mind bring out one of the best train sets in the 9V era!

The Super Chief actually got me out of the dark ages!

Edited December 22, 2012 by GRogall

[fred67]

Agree with GRogall... especially would like to see some instructions. I have a non-limited edition Super Chief that I got on auction before BL stopped doing auctions. I had to build the cars myself, as the sets were too expensive. Over the years, I've kept collecting the kinds of pieces used to make those cars so that I can build more (the only difference is the roof - I can't afford the gray curved slopes), so I have enough to probably build a couple more at least.

I would love to get some more back-story, too. I always felt that the M.O.T. was largely a failure because it wasn't well advertised. I didn't even really know about it until around the time they stopped selling those sets, unfortunately, and like GRogall, LEGO trains are mostly what got me out of my dark ages.

[James Mathis]

Imagine:

It's December 6, 2001.

You're a big LEGO® train fan.

You work hard on a lot of train designs.

You've been sharing, learning, and showcasing your trains online.

You're "blown away" by seeing LEGO Train Club layouts.

You meeting and making LEGO Trains "friends" online.

You remember rec.toys.lego.

You're reading and posting to Lugnet.

You got to participate in the First LEGO Train Summit in 2000, NYC, LEGO Direct.

You met some of your LEGO Train designer peers for the first time face to face in NYC at LEGO Direct.

You met Jake McKee, Brad Justus, and Joern Thomsen.

You got to see previews of concept train models and the (then) soon-to-be-announced re-release of the classic Metroliner train.

Then, later in the summer of 2001, you got to see Brad Justus at a BricksWest at LEGOLAND® California-- talk trains, be a fan, have fun, and eat all day at the theme park.

Then, on December 6, 2001, an e-mail arrives, and blows you away!

"Hi James:

"I'd like to talk about commissioning some train car designs from you for

sets to be produced next year. The cars need to be based on historic

prototypes and will be part of a series that we'll be introducing starting

early in the year with a new locomotive (already in production). I think

you'll really like the project -- it's something that's pretty close to home

(based on what I've seen from your existing designs). Hope this piques your

interest!

"Could you send me your phone number and a good time to call?

"I look forward to talking to you soon.

"Best Regards,

-- Brad

Brad Justus

Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct"

Imagine that!

To be continued...

-James Mathis

[roamingstop]

Imagine how this might occur in 2012... a great experience and I look forward to the next installment!

[lostdriveway]

Imagine:

It's December 6, 2001.

You're a big LEGO® train fan.

You work hard on a lot of train designs.

You've been sharing, learning, and showcasing your trains online.

You're "blown away" by seeing LEGO Train Club layouts.

You meeting and making LEGO Trains "friends" online.

You remember rec.toys.lego.

You're reading and posting to Lugnet.

You got to participate in the First LEGO Train Summit in 2000, NYC, LEGO Direct.

You met some of your LEGO Train designer peers for the first time face to face in NYC at LEGO Direct.

You met Jake McKee, Brad Justus, and Joern Thomsen.

You got to see previews of concept train models and the (then) soon-to-be-announced re-release of the classic Metroliner train.

Then, later in the summer of 2001, you got to see Brad Justus at a BricksWest at LEGOLAND® California-- talk trains, be a fan, have fun, and eat all day at the theme park.

Then, on December 6, 2001, an e-mail arrives, and blows you away!

"Hi James:

"I'd like to talk about commissioning some train car designs from you for

sets to be produced next year. The cars need to be based on historic

prototypes and will be part of a series that we'll be introducing starting

early in the year with a new locomotive (already in production). I think

you'll really like the project -- it's something that's pretty close to home

(based on what I've seen from your existing designs). Hope this piques your

interest!

"Could you send me your phone number and a good time to call?

"I look forward to talking to you soon.

"Best Regards,

-- Brad

Brad Justus

Senior Vice President, LEGO Direct"

Imagine that!

To be continued...

-James Mathis

MIND BLOWN!!

Thanks James!

[GRogall]

Imagine:

--Snip--

Go on!!!!

[wondermonkey]

Amazing. The Santa Fe train coincidentally has been on my mind today. I took it apart (every piece) and cleaned it with a soft cloth before rebuilding it. I can't imagine how amazing it would be to be a part of the team that is responsible for designing something that so many people love so much. Thank you for sharing your microset and a little history with us!