SteamSewnEmpire

Thanks. I had absolutely no idea that part ever existed. What an amazingly useful piece. As for the color issue, use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPCRQI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Black vinyl dye works so well on Lego that you cannot tell the part wasn't originally that color.

Here they are:

Neat. What part is the center side window?

Looked up the original - very Swastika-y :P. You did a good job capturing it... but why didn't you elect to do the version where the cladding had been dropped? Moderator Message: Warning Train has Nazi propaganda on it (but is at least to some extent in that way true to original):

I gotcha. I think a lot of smaller excavators lack a windshield though, so ditching it is likely okay in that regard:

If you need help, let me know. I enjoy truck design a lot. Overall, I'd say you're like 98% of the way there - this thing looks like a complete beast. How many motors do you have inside? As an aside, it's nice to see someone from China admiring American locomotives. I had actually been considering doing one of these myself!

Nice. Not a huge fan of the central trucks, but everything else is great.

Unless the middle cab bar is integral to support, I'd dump it. It looks too much like a jail.

Looks just like the real deal.

No money. Like no money. If we get another stimulus, maybe I'll build the locomotive. If the loco gets done, the cars would eventually follow at some far-flung date.

William Brewster: #8600: Trainset: The cars are probably about 4-5 studs shorter than they should be, but at some point, this is Lego, and it has to be able to run around some tracks.

Thanks man. You're always really kind.

Added some additional details, starting with the three-port exhaust on the skylining (utilizing a part I've never conscripted into this role before): Pumps to the rear of the last driver, right side: Completely redone tender trucks to better match the prototype (also a technique I've never used before):

Yeah, I thought the pavement/street running was neat, too. Would be cool to see it incorporated into, like, a quayside scene.

Not a clue. I'm too poor to build them.

Some people believe these were the world's most beautiful locomotives. This version is only 1,600 pieces, so it's pretty tidy for an engine rivaling the NYC J3a's in scale (it's a full 600 pieces smaller than my J3a design), and I am very happy with how it turned out (it looks a little plain to my eyes, but, then again, I'm not sure how a black locomotive could look anything but a bit dull next to the 490). I actually started this engine about 6 months ago, got about 70% through, and wound up completely forgetting about it. When I came back yesterday, I gutted the entire thing just to assure it was up to my current standards. So, the first question out of your mouth is likely "where is the rest of it?" The parts to finish the nose cone exist, they just aren't implemented into LDD: I believe that with 4 of those, the front would look the proper blend of angular and smooth, like in the prototype. I have plans to do some of the Yankee Clipper stainless steel cars introduced in 1948 at some point, but need a little break for now.

I like everything here except the roof line and the front windshield. I know you were being creative with the angled parts - and it is smart usage - but IMO it just results in something that looks a little too streamlined compared to the real car, which has boxier (a smoothed box, obviously) proportions. Also, I'd just use... ... and just accept the slight overhang. *Edit* You might also consider flattening the front a bit more overall with 24309.

Thanks. I have a third 4-6-4 that will be finished tonight.

Pretty sure you'd wind up having to chrome just about all the silver parts.

I am very happy with how this turned out.

I'll change the colors. Unfortunately, the boiler playing precludes using anything but tiles on the sides.

I don't know why, but after like 10 hours of working on this, it still looks off to me. The photos line up, and I incorporated a lot of extra SNOT stuff (I'm particularly happy with how the steps to the cab turned out - I feel like they are about as slender as they could be) to push the envelope... but something still feels wrong. Sigh. Oh well.

I'm just hoping it gets through. The Canadian would be the first 6w train set I've had any interest in since the Southwest Chief.

I have been considering doing one of these myself. Always liked the prototype. And the smaller wheels make it a cheaper project that many typical passenger locomotives.

This is neat. The only problem is the track itself, which still looks far too much like a roller coaster. If you could successfully embed it in a street, then I'd definitely buy the light rail thing.