Amoreternum

Pretty sure that both are no option for Lego. Mould King already has announced a quite good looking A4 and with a price tag of around 120 to 140, I don't see Lego releasing a loco based on the same prototype for a bit less but sans the coach, motor, smoke generator and tracks. With the Krokodil, they were the first, here, they would not be. Same goes for the Big Boy, there are already a few kits out there (although most look like rubbish like the Bluebrixx one or are stolen MOCs) but here the Krokodil set a standard for a more or less accurate locomotive - a Big Boy in that scale would demand new wheels and it needs a lot of them, and it would be huge both in size and parts count. Not sure if Lego would 'risk' that, and that's not even counting in the potential issues with R40s.

A tutorial for this would be... the icing on a cake that's already to good to be true. Seriously, this is the best Lego Köf so far, deserving of winning. Wishing you the best of luck and success!

I see your point, but I have to disagree. While the Krokodil is pretty succesful, no doubt about that, it caters to more than just train fans that have a demand for more 8w stuff. For example, I do know that youtubers Jangbricks as well as Sariel both own a Krokodil, and the first never mentioned any interest in going more train heavy in his city while the latter never showed any interest in trains at all. The set itself is a novelty and does satisfy a lot of potential customers at the same time. The problem with the theme is just that every addition, like rolling stock or more locomotives, either have to rely on an existing layout at home, thereby making the number of potential customers smaller, or these additions have to have the appeal to be displayed without such a layout but then these have to be very, very recognisable. Sure, the demand is there, with other manufacturers pushing into it like Mould King with their newly announced 18201, Mallard and SL7, but I just don't think Lego sees the theme as something profitable - just like most other own IPs at the moment, unfortunately. Maybe the Croc changes this, would be nice to make an understatement. As jburgt put it: I'd like lego to be both, a supplier of kits as well as bricks. Regarding your points, 1) could be totally possible but I think Lego would find a solution to that if they wanted to release more trains, 2) I don't see... well, since we all are using these parts just fine :D and 3) is a sensible thing. No idea how much a new piece costs in development, but using just parts that are already out there sure makes it cheaper, or at least less expensive. //I totally agree with your last post! Just what I am thinking.

Why would Lego not like trains? If they did not, they would have discontinued the line long ago and never would have released the Krokodil. It's just a niche and for a huge company like Lego too big an investment, especially when you consider the small size of the train hobby in general.

Drooling over this. I wanted to build a Köf II as well using the Circuit Cubes since every single Lego Köf is far, far too big and the cubes finally make it possible to build one that fits scale wise. Truly, a work of art and easily the best rendition of this icon I've seen so far.

Very, very interesting, never seen that prototype before but I love that the Circuit Cube make it possible to build such small vehicles, finally. Have you tried out the decoupler already? I imagine it would need quite some torque to work, but if it does, this could be a serious contender for a spot on the podium.

Well, even though their style is less realistic than most other commercials, I'd say their pretty spot on :D especially during corona.

Pretty sure it's this one:

Lookin' good, but just as with your other locos, this one has a major problem - all drive wheels are flanged, meaning that the loco would suffer from very high friction in curves or simpy derail. It's hard to tell how the lead truck and the one behind the drive wheels are constructed, those need to be able to swivel side to side as well.

Lookin' great! One of my favorites, I eventually want to build one myself. What size of wheels did you use? With a diameter of 1250mm on the prototype, I find it tough to decide between M and ML - both are the wrong size.

Does the have to be a closed circle of track? If so, I'd add a siding, but I'd suggest hinking about a yard layout for switching. That allows for a, in my opinion, more intersting play and theme that can be enjoyed for a longer time than simply watching a train doing circle after circle. But as the others suggested, definately try using Bluebrick! It's an amazing software.

Must be quite satisfying to have something like this. Easily has more pieces than other peoples whole layout! Absolutely stunning and something to dream about.

Well, I too am a bit bummed, a new loco or whatever we would've gotten would have been nice - but I do enjoy my bonsai and Mustang, these kinds of sets do have their audience, even though they might not be comparable to a train which gets to be driven on a track. And that audience might be even bigger. I#d love to see sales numbers for the crocodile compared to other sets just to get a perspective.

Wrong on my end then, thanks for clearing that up!

So far I have been using wheels from BigBenBricks and Bricks-on-Rails, and both are great. BigBenBricks are of a higher quality but at least for me are more expensive due to the shipping to Germany, so I will most likely stick to BoR for future projects. Their wheels are a little bit rougher, but after a tiny amount of sanding, everythings just as smooth. Color is almost the same as the real deal, you'll hardly notice a difference from a little distance if any. Fit might be a bit tight, but far away from what I'd consider too tight. Of course, these wheels are not cheap - I paid around 90 Euros for the wheels I needed for my current project, 12 wheels in total but it's totally worth it. You get a model that's much, much closer to the prototype, especially when building something bigger and more complex. Then again, the Lego train hobby on the level most of us on here pursue is at least in my book the most costly one to begin with. I can recommend both brands of wheels 100%, don't expect a perfect product though - the product is great and I would not want to build without them, but at the end of the day, it's a printed part and that might show a little. I'd say, if you're considering buying wheels, start with a little prototype and give it a shot!

Great looking! Just a quick question, what is this 'fine scale'? Does that just refer to 7w? Never read that term anywhere before. And regarding the cutting, I guess with the current Circuit Cube motors that cannot be helped.

And here I thought this would be a matter of a simple 'no' :D thanks alot so far for your answers! I think I should consider switching to PUp at least for some projects, seems to offer what I'd need for this one - unfortunately, it's also the solution that requires the most space, more actually than I have. The 10001s tender, at least according to HoMas instructions, is supposed to house the PF battery box, the IR receiver and those sit on top the two train motors, switching to PUp would not get me that much space. I already tried building a dummy tender in roughly the same size for two PF L motors (which I can power with a custom supply via one or two rechargeable 9V battery, so no problem with a battery box although the gearing is a friction nightmare), but doing the same with PUp would not be possible due to size limitations. I might have to somehow try to move the motors into the loco, but again, this would require some rebuilding. Well well. And here I thought this was going to be easy! By the way, I think Toasties description of hell breaking loose is pretty close to what actually happens.

Hello everyone, at the moment I'm building HoMas BR 10001 and while I'm still waiting for the final order of bricks to arrive, I'm already tinkering with what I have with me. The loco is powered by two PF train engines in the tender, but i noticed that from standstill to moving, there's a serious spike in acceleration - fitting for a streamlined high speed engine on the main line, but not something that I want to do while maneuvering the engine in my yard. I do own a SBrick and intend to use it, is there any way to slow down the engine output by manually programming a custom control interface on the app? I'd like the engine to be slow as well as fast, if possible. Replacing the motors for, for example L motors would require serious rebuilding. Thanks ahead!

John Schuster of Tenka Inc. replied to my E-Mail this morning, the webshop now features the option to order and pay via PayPal, if anyone had the same problem as I did. Great customer service, I have to say. Already looking forward to build withe the cubes!

I don't think there's a real alternative performance-wise. There are a lot of PF-compatible knock-offs (even of the buggy motor) but I doubt those are an option for you and I would be surprised if there's anything with useful quality. You could try to find a cheap 42095 in a sale, I got one for me at the last Prime Day on Amazon for 40 Euros, which is not a bad deal for two L motors, an IR receiver and some not so useful stuff - regret not getting more. Can't say anything about PU performance though - the L motor in the crocodile seems to be doing just fine, but considering the prices on Bricklink, two hubs and three L motors cost about 90 Euros plus shipping. Not that much of a difference.

US Amazon only, and the problem prevails. I even bought a gift card, but as it seems, the ones I can buy in Germany are not valid for purchases in the US shop.

Would love to buy these - incredible potential for train AFOLs, I already stumbled across them a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I can't order since their shops only support credit card purchases and so far the company has not reacted to my mail if a different way of purchasing would be possible. Possible game changer!

Thanks for the answer! Will try that out, would be great if I get it to work - your loco is a good example of the advantages of a custom power source.

Great model! Really love the greebling in front, might have to pick up some of those pieces for my own locos. And you are using the same batteries that I do - may I ask how you solderered the wires to the Lego plug? I'm really not to experienced with these things and so far could not find a way to power my SBrick with a custom battery. Also, great job on the interior!

While I always admire your models, I feel like this one is very unterrated - right now, I'm trying to roughly replicate it for my layout based on your pictures, since I wanted to have a Q1 for quite a while and yours is astounding. It's difficult to say the least, and especially the frame below the boiler is far more intricate than it seems on first glance. Really says a lot about your skill and attention to detail. Thanks for sharing all of these with us!