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I've started this project more than two years ago, with the aim to make a train model in the right scale with LEGO; this means taking into account the fixed geometry of the LEGO products. Eventually the charm of the largest european Mallet in regular service (the russian P38 were experimental locomotives) has taken me on, also because the Emerald XL wheels are, for coincidence, exactly in scale 1:38 with the real ones (the LEGO train scale based on the track gauge, the usual train model scale). For who doesn't know this charming locomotive, by the way the tank engine with the greatest tractive effort ever produced (not the most powerful), I suggest the beautiful page of Nino Carbone on marklinfan Italia (Italian only): http://www.marklinfa...t/br_96_drg.htm In english you can try the exhaustive page: http://www-personal....erived/BR96.htm The LEGO tracks geometry prevents any possibility to make a real Mallet design (with the first boogie fixed); the BR 96 was able to negotiate a minimum curve radius of 180m, which means 592 studs at LEGO scale (a bit more than ten times the locomotive length!), it is clear that such a curve is not practically feasible indoor (4736mm!), perhaps in a garden layout (my dream). The shape of the wheels is not helping too, with the very high flange. The reference model is the first one (n.5751), yellow painted, which was presented at the Munich fair in November 1913, interestingly I started to think about this project exactly for his centenary jubilee. To do an exact scale model I accepted the idea to cut and paint LEGO pieces, when necessary, and to build by myself those not existing. However with the BBB, ME-Models and recent 3d printed rods offered on the market, there are several non LEGO pieces for NON purists. Painting LEGO pieces means taking into account the extra coating thickness (except for Vinyl Dyes). The project was carried on with Ldraw but the software is not sufficient, the practical realisation has changed several things. The electronic side, based on LEGO products, has needed some customisations for which I referred (also for plastic handicraft) to the work of Uli Meyer on Railbricks n.6 and: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=ulimy Some technical images: I hope you'll enjoy, a video will follow Sergio http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=559302
