Srbandrews

Looking very nice indeed. You've captured most of the proportions and details really well. I know it's impossible to put all of the livery details in, but have you considered making the tank tops black and have that continue as a stripe across the cab back to the bunker (as in the miniature and the prototype images)? It looks like it would be quite straightforward to achieve and might break up the green-ness of it all. The dye sounds like an interesting idea. I'd be very interested to see how that turns out.

Looking better all the time. I liked the recessed arch doorway and, like others said, the brickwork. What is the purpose of the big grey plate on the side of the building that's set at an angle?

Sorry to bump, but I've been puzzling over this for a while and wanted to share the results with which I'm quite pleased. This may have been thought of before but I don't think I've seen it. By adding the light grey connector, I've essentially lengthened the useful length of the 'cylinder' while trying to disguise it as part of the valve gear. Runs really smoothly and doesn't poke out at the front too much to get in the way of the wheels. And a short clip of the motion http://youtu.be/Eq1ILNiXJu0

Welcome Chochacho. Amazing first MOC!

I'm glad the moc in general is shaping up nicely so that I don't feel bad saying this first post was just about the worst thing I've ever seen.

This, for reference, is how I've attached my articulated axles, using a technic piece anchored to the driving axle. http://flic.kr/p/rguZiN (Posting from a mobile so if I try to actually insert the image, I think it'll be the giant version)

Actually, I realise some of what I just said didn't make sense because a) I didn't realise you had the blinds at the front and b) I didn't take note of where you placed the motor. So yes I think the one modification you're most likely to need to make is just making the front axle pivot a little further back. What happens is that they have to rotate more than the tracks to achieve the necessary left or right displacement and end up grinding against the rails. I'm not an engineer so can't really explain it at all properly. So, I only just made the connection but I actually saw the last surviving pair of these locos at Haverthwaite yesterday. They really are HUGE for tank engines.

Ah, I didn't realise your drivers were spaces across a base of 12 studs. 11 drags pretty badly and you might find 12 jams altogether. At least the rear drivers are slightly covered by the tanks so you could move that axle forward without affecting the appearance too badly. One thing that I learned making my 2-6-2 tank loco (fair bit smaller though https://flickr.com/photos/93540898@N06/sets/72157650393249259 ) was that you want to pivot single articulated axles as close to the centre as you can get. That is, the front axle probably wants to be anchored on the front drivers.

Looking fantastic so far. The black top of the IR receiver might not look too bad in the top of the bunker as a possible alternative. Alternatively, would you not consider powering the train from a wagon or coach? I know it's good to have the motive power inside the loco, but it seems a shame to compromise a very good, clean design.

Well, if you can access it (I'm unable to access some US on-demand television service from the UK) it's worth searching up 'Steam Days' and 'The Train Now Departing'. Decent documentaries from the 80s with lots of interesting reference footage.

No worries. I recently saw one working on an old documentary. Can you get access to BBC Iplayer in the US?

Some coaling towers were equipped with a truck lift:

Very cool second loco there. Is it based on a real world engine or from your imagination?

This is very similar to Scotnick's Henry design; you might want to give him some credit. The tender in particular is identical.

Aha, thank you. That works quite nicely. One thing I haven't mentioned is how much of a tough time I've had making the articulation of the front and back axles work how I wanted it to. Finally I think I've cracked it and got it taking corners smoothly. Quick video of it running: It's really difficult holding the phone steady and operating the PF remote.

Thanks! And finally the valve gear is in place. It works perfectly but it does seem to sag out to the sides a little bit. I guess this must be the same for everyone who used the same technique though: C12 Pretty much finished by Srbandrews, on Flickr C12 pretty much finished by Srbandrews, on Flickr C12 Pretty much finished by Srbandrews, on Flickr I think now I just need to add some small locomotive number stickers and tweak a couple of details and I'll be there.

Going for the pin between two bars method. Here's how it looks after the first bricklink order. The rest should be here soon, I hope. Japanese C12 WIP by Srbandrews, on Flickr

I've scoured this inage for ages and no. No, I don't notice any train logo! Where is it? It's driving me crazy.

The fact is, however, that Lego have not designed this set with you in mind; nor me, nor any AFOL. Kids like cranes and diggers and, for those to whom this is presumably intended to appeal, this is the first time a set just like this has been available in their lifetime, or at least in their Lego-consuming lifecycle. I'm not trying to pretend that the set is hugely innovative, just that I can really see why they would want to put out this kind of set.

I fear you may be missing the point a little. The target demographic of this set are unlikely to be able easily to source vintage lego sets that have been out of production for decades.

I wouldn't be surprised if the cargo train were to disappear as the heavy haul train is incoming, but they've just discontinued the red passenger train I'd be surprised if they were dropping 60051 too.

I had to do a lot of digging, but I finally found this kernel in the OP: Chris, this whole layout is totally amazing and easily one of the best lego builds I've ever seen. I just can't help it that my first thought on seeing it is how does he keep the dust off that?'

Ah, that's useful to know. Thanks Zephyr. I've decided to take this build 'to the physical stage' and have ordered a load of parts, including a miscellany of liftarms both thin and thick to experiment with. However, I do think that of all possible projects this is the most likely to convince me to go custom with the valve gear. Hard to imagine a satistying purist solution.

Crikey! That's amazing. I've always felt A4s were a bit overrated, but you've done a very nuce job of this one. It would be interesting to see what it looked like with red wheels. They'd probably look too garish though, I imagine.

This is a very nice build, but I'm not sure it was necessary to bump two old topics for it. Great idea though.