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Chief Justice Lego

4563 Load and Haul Instructions Needed

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My wife and I are setting up the christmas tree, and I am rebuilding this Lego train that I have had since I was a kid to put under the tree.

Apparently, two versions of this train were released: one with part #2924 and one with #2924b.

All of the instructions I can on find Peeron & etc are for the version I don't have. Mine has part #2924b.

Someone must be in the same boat as me, or can help me with this. I need to know how to build the train's engine when it comes time to start putting the windows and doors on.

Help please, and happy holidays!

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The large red piece? The last page of the peeron instructions should show the alternate build - it was a supplimental sheet. The construction of the nose piece is tweaked slightly - unfortunately im at a lunik concert and dont have the pdf handy. I have both versions. If you beed help on sunday pm me

http://www.peeron.com/scans/4563-1/107

http://www.peeron.com/scans/4563-1/108

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I'm afraid I don't fully understand the difference... I bought this set used earlier this year and built it with no problem. I'd like to better understand what the difference between the two. :classic:

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The difference is in the large red window piece. In some the space for the bricks (which it sits over) is 4 studs wide and two bricks high. In the others it is three bricks high. Im not sure why there was a mould change; perhaps to make it more versatile?

Anyway the difference is only apparent when building either 4563 or 4551 - and is easy to rectify. There was only ever one mould in green.

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Interesting, I'd always thought that the 2 x 4 cutout was for load n haul 4563 and the 3 x 4 cutout was only used on 4551 crocodile engine. I've got 2 of the 4563 and they were both 2 x 4's.

It's strange as both sets were released in 1991, there must be a good reason why they choose to make 2 molds? rather than just add a 1 x 4 brick?

Paul

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maybe a different mould in EU from US?! Interesting stuff for our LEGO Historian... (sent him PM)

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Well this is one of those mysteries that I like to call "LEGO Mayhem".... why TLG made a change is unknown to us... but at some time during the 1991-94 production period of the 4563 (shorter period for the 4551), TLG switched from having a 4x3 opening under the window to a 4x2 opening (not the other way around as Peeron seems to indicate).

So the part with the 4x3 opening was from circa 1991-92... and the part with the 4x2 opening dates to circa 1992-2006. Note: Peeron is incorrect with regards to the green part of the 2006 dated 7898 train... here's an image from Bricklink of the green part... and the opening is NOT 3 bricks tall...

http://www.bricklink...&colorID=6&in=A

The switch from a larger opening to a smaller opening involved some other parts being needed for the set.... if you scroll down to the bottom of this Bricklink parts page, and look at the "Alternate Parts" at the bottom... all the red and white parts listed are involved with this 2924 part redesign.:

http://www.bricklink...nv.asp?S=4563-1

Early versions of the 2 sets had the 3 brick tall opening... and just the regular instructions. Later after the part was redesigned to only a 2 brick tall opening, TLG likely continued to ship out the original earlier instructions, and just sent along a supplemental sheet to show the part change and the building instruction changes that went along with it.

Here's the original build instructions...

http://www.peeron.com/scans/4563-1/107

And once the part was redesigned, here's the supplemental sheet with changed instructions (note also there is only 1 white plate)...

http://www.peeron.com/scans/4563-1/7

Why TLG redesigned this piece? No clue... They sometimes made changes for no known (to us) reason....

Edited by LEGO Historian

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You are most welcome... i'm going to have to visit some of the other Eurobricks forums from time to time in case I can help out... :classic:

My 2,800 page Unnofficial LEGO Sets/Parts Collectors Guide as DVD/download... goes back to day 1 of LEGO Trains (1966)... such as this "Ben Beneke" produced earliest LEGO couplings diagram...

7763299698_0095485893_b.jpg

It's available in Eurobricks Bazaar...

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The difference is in the large red window piece. In some the space for the bricks (which it sits over) is 4 studs wide and two bricks high. In the others it is three bricks high.

Thank you for the info! Makes me want to find mine to see which part I have... Do you know when they changed the mould from one to the other? :classic:

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