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In effect I was wondering if is possible to make an exact scale model with LEGO; the train community is on a bridge, I think, between the model railway world and the LEGO toy. Perhaps the direction I've explored doesn't carry anywhere but it has been fun to try. Many thanks, it's an honour said by you. Well as I said elsewhere this was a sort of an experiment, also LEGO has tried SNOT techniques: the unforgettable 721 was immediately LEGO, the Emerald is more like a Rivarossi model. I think the possibilities offered by the "sophisticated system of joint bricks" (The Lego Movie) deserve to be explored in any case.

Thank you, I think that some imperfections give more "real world" appeal.

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

Please take a look at : http://www.bigbenbricks.com/track/track.html unfortunately He doesn't produce them. regards

Very nice projects indeed, but have you produced something real up to now? We are fan of Sodor railways since my son Eros (7 y.o.) discovered them on tv, here is the result: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=546967 with our best compliments Sergio and Eros

very nice works, since you know we are involved in vintage Lego pieces you can understand how we really love the old fashion blu cranes. Only one question: how can you find the time to produce so many lovely models every months? we are really in troubles to finish the long awaited Br loco because of lack of time... best wishes Sergio and Eros

As regard the painting I've some experiences and I can suggest you to use a sandpaper (1000) before you paint, a good primer is almost mandatory too. There is an important question about the tolerances, since the Lego has 0.1mm space between the bricks your coating should not exceed this thickness in order to avoid difficulties in clatching. Taken in account all theese things you can reach a satisfatcory result as you can see in: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=546978 and http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=546970 good luck Sergio and Eros

Hallo, many compliments for such a huge work, along with the Sava's Allegheny it is the largest steam loko in Lego world, I guess (except for the legoland trains of course). Sergio and Eros

Thanks to everybody. It's true that I'm involved in Lego vintage, since I came out of my dark-age, washing my old bricks for my son. I'm agree with G.B. Shaw when he said: " a man does not stop to play because he's old but he's old because he stops to play". More picture will soon follow when another project about an historical steam locomotive will be finished. It'a another story about the possibility to model at an exact scale (1:38) with Lego, not an easy task due to the severe limitations in wheel diameters and odd studs pieces. play well to everybody Sergio and Eros(7 years)

Hi and happy new year to everybody. Who was a child in the sixties will remember the beatufull blue crane in the idea books 241 and 242. Now I've realized that dream, http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=551836 http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/404503 . I've made some updates, with a better base, another motor and an improved lift system, but the layout is that. Sergio ed Eros

that's depends on your final goal, do you want to build an exact replica of the model in LEGO train scale? the right scale for me is 1:38 (based on the gauge of tracks), but perhaps it will suffer for playability, too long, too large, wheels simply not available ecc. Otherwise, if you want to play with it, well it is simply upon to you judging when is long enough. It is the old topic of train scale for LEGO, there are no simply answers. play well Sergio and Eros

Hi Duke Many compliments. It's really impressive I like the cure for details, as in your wonderfull BR53. Just a question about the scale: since we are talking about LEGO modellism it is not trivial going 7 or 8, what's the exact width of the original? LEGO has discrete step, I know some compromise are necessary, for that I'm working (as you know) on a BR wich will fulfill the request for a 1:38 replica. Sergio

Hallo, I've posted on MOCpages the images aof another MOC, an express train. It was a project about a 8studs wide 12v express train with shared trolleys, the project has not gone over a first attempt, but it was interesting for the technique used for the cars connections. They are not only able to pivot but also to basculate in order to negotiate the ramps, and it was achieved using hinges as links. Perhaps for someone could be an interesting idea. http://www.mocpages....s.php?id=115253

I have both and can say that the old one has more torque, so if perhaps the new is a bit faster alone, the old is better to pull a bigger load. At lower voltage the old is still faster (you cannot run always at 12v).

When I came out of my dark age, getting out of the box my old Lego for my child, I had only my old 4.5v trains, you can see the results at: http://www.mocpages.com/mocs.php?id=115253 and http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=erosergio so they are very interesting for peoples that "play well"

there is a lot of confusion in the community about the exact scale for trains: for me the only way is to follow the model railway community which measures the gauge, 38mm/1435mm = 1:38 scale. That said the problems arise: the wheel are not in scale, moreover their shape is not that of a real train. So the question is: are we modelling in scale or modelling for pure fantasy fun? and the answer is: both are possible, for Sodor the fantasy fun is mandatory, for the wonderfull realizations of many others (Tony Sava or Ulimy) the scale modelling can be maintaned only for selected themes. play well Sergio and Eros

thanks a lot, we are always involved in Sodor railways, there are several projects still in work, but what you mean as an official Lego theme in system scale? by the way: your pages are impressive too.

any more comments ABOUT THE TRAINS? Mocpages are working. Let me say we mean LEGO as a way to exercise our fantasy, not a religion, if necessary we modify and paint the pieces, as you can see. We have been influenced by the realizations of: Ulimy http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=ulimy (unfortunately still down), and Brickjournal n.6 pag.38. play well to everybody Sergio and Eros

Why not to try MOCpages? Brickshelf is still down, but it has collected a lot of wonderfull creations in the past. http://www.mocpages.com/mocs.php?id=115253 http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=erosergio

Hi folks, now the MOCpages are open, unfortunately Brickshelf is still down.. http://www.mocpages....s.php?id=115253 comments are welcome

I don't understand what you mean exactly with coming along, they are put on a table with a painted (by my son) background which should describe the Island of Sodor. By the way some galleries are not yet open to the public. S.

I know, I know, I was kidding, but when I'm outside and not on a computer it is true. Anyway being not reachable by wife or similars is still a good thing.. or not? S.

Brickshel is working bad in the last time, it's true, anyway is the home of some of the best Lego crations. You can see our creations also at: http://www.mocpages.com/mocs.php?id=115253 I don't use flickr simply because I've no cell-phone (it look strange but there are still persons not reachable by the NSA.. or not?)

Hi I would like to submit to your attention our realizations: the Sodor railways built by me and my son Eros (6 years old) who has painted the faces of Harvey and Gordon and the background too. http://www.brickshel...cgi?m=erosergio there is also my very first Moc: a double motorized Meyer loco. Here some spoilers waiting for Brickshelf approval: Sergio and Eros

The Bauereihe 96, the greatest european mallet ever build, the Chapelon 242A the most powerfull european steam or the bavarian Rheingold train, the train of Ludwig.