Locomotive Annie

I've started to have a look over the design in the lxf, only since I run Linux the software is running a bit slow and buggy. I'm not too worried about that though as I find I think better with actual bricks in hand. Since I'm modifying the design to represent a NZGR 'Di' Class in the form I remember them best colours aren't so much of a problem as they were essentially red, grey and black. Even the shade of red was variable as it could range from being quite dark to almost crimson depending on where and when the loco had its last overhaul. Of course in service with general dirt and exhaust soot the shade of red darkened off into an almost grubby maroon so really the standard Lego red brick colour should work out just fine for me. My plan is to build up my own powered bogies using Technic parts and probably an M motor as I don't think the standard RC or PF motorblocks are going to look the part. Fortunately as a transfer loco it won't have to be able to haul much so I may be able to get away with just the one powered bogie.

Yes that's very true and I'm glad I made the change to the roof because it's so much better. Actually this MOT 10015 coach has a few more detail mods than just the roof and if I was to need another example of posh varnish for the Kotanga Tramway I would just buy in the windows and the doors from Bricklink and build the rest from the contents of my brick storage boxes. It's very nice having the original set box and instruction sheet, but for a second coach I don't fancy paying set prices again if I don't have to. Some further building has been done and the tramway now has a late 19th Century 4 wheel guards van, - though in somewhat modified condition as is usual with anything purchased second hand from the government railways. Since passenger trains on the Kotanga Tramway will be mixed trains it was necessary to devise a standard design of goods van and after about four goes at it I finally ended up with something I liked. The information plate on the solebar is just a placeholder btw until I make something more appropriate. I need to build at least two more of these, only I'll need to order some extra bits from Bricklink before I can do that as I've run out.

It's like an up-dated 'galloping goose'.

And people wonder why I buy clone bricks just so I can keep on having fun with this hobby (sigh)........

That's quite alright, - more than happy to help out. I just wanted to make sure Michael was Ok with it.

train02.lxf Here is the .lxf file for the diesel locomotive. Thanks for giving me permission to pass it on And this is the parts list: Train Engine Black 3005 4 3004 1 4589 4 4070 18 87087 24 30241 2 2877 14 52107 2 30414 18 6541 8 54200 4 4287 2 61678 2 85970 2 3024 14 3023 14 3794 3 3623 12 2420 12 3022 6 3710 22 92593 2 3021 1 3666 2 3020 3 3460 12 3795 3 60479 4 4282 3 3958 2 4073 30 3070b 4 2412b 14 2555 13 3069b 7 4085c 4 6019 14 63864 4 4081b 8 2431 2 2540 8 6636 18 44300 2 4162 4 87079 2 44728 5 4510 6 4175 4 61409 8 43093 8 75c09 1 87994 6 30374 10 63965 4 55423 8 4033 2 3938 4 3937 4 98313 4 42446 4 73092 2 2920 2 3680c02 2 Red 3004 20 3010 14 2453 2 3009 9 54200 58 85984 1 50950 42 3024 10 3023 36 3794 6 3623 6 2420 2 3710 11 3021 2 3666 15 3020 4 3795 11 3032 2 3033 1 3028 1 3069b 21 63864 60 2431 25 3068b 16 52031 1 Light Bluish gray 3005 6 3004 7 3010 2 3002 3 2456 1 4070 8 87087 12 30414 1 4150ps4 1 3024 12 3023 11 2420 2 3022 5 3710 3 3021 2 3020 1 4477 6 3795 2 60474 2 44728 1 Dark Bluish Gray 85984 13 3020 1 3069b 1 2412b 1 3068b 5 Green 3024 2 3023 7 3710 1 Trans Clear 3065 8 3024 2 4073 3 Trans Yellow 4073 3 Please Note 75c09 is a little longer. It only needs to be 08 long, just trim the 09 a little. The only reason I do this because there are more 75c09 on bricklink. Anything longer than the 08 will do, just trim to fit.

Thanks for the advice peterab, I think I might try that first as I've suddenly lost all interest in buying instructions on ebay after my experience with a certain locomotive .lxf plan I recently purchased.

Unfortunately I don't think I can pass on my .lxf file due to it being a pirated copy. Perhaps if you could contact Michael Irvine directly he might be willing to pass on a genuine copy to you. By the way I think your avatar is absolutely hilarious.

There's just so many amazing details with this station. Very impressive.

The seller's name is Michael Juenemann. I can tell you I'm feeling pretty darn upset right now.

Oh dear! - now I'm feeling really disgusted to have been taken in by someone stealing another person's very clever and original work. The link for the loco plans can be found here...... http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1497.l2648 ...... and he has quite a few other loco and rolling stock plans up on ebay as well. I really don't have any objection to paying for a train plan just so long as the money is actually going to the person who actually owns the plan and the intellectual property associated with it. In fact I would be more than happy to give Michael the $5.00 I was going to spend on his plan because I really like it and it would have taken me ages to come up with something as good on my own. Edit: Oops, we crossed posts.

True enough. This is what the 'Di' Class looked like......... Not a complete match for the plan, but close enough for me to fettle it a bit so it will look the part. I travelled on an enthusiast's special hauled by one of these locos on the last passenger train journey on the Thames branch. The driver told me that the 'Di' class were quite light on their feet, but with having six powered axles some drivers tried to make them do the work of the heavier 'Da' class which they were never intended to do. Interestingly two of the class were withdrawn due to severe engine failure ( one threw a rod, I'm not sure what happened to the other one), - so it seemed the poor things did tend to get thrashed. One made it to preservation, one was written off in a level crossing accident and the rest finished their days on shunting duties,

I must be getting old and my willpower must be fading because I've just purchased the plan for this diesel........ What appeals to me is that it is very similar to the 'Di' Class diesel locos that were mainly used on branchlines and secondary lines here in New Zealand. Steam is still very much my thing, only I needed a loco that could undertake transfer jobs between the heritage steam railway and the modern day railway line that represents the rest of the NZGR. Operationally speaking the steam locos aren't allowed to stray onto the government railway lines unless they have a special permit to do so such as when an enthusiast special train might be run. Soooooo that's why I need this diesel since the heritage railway will have no overhead electrical lines which means that the modern electric locos can't operate over their tracks.

Moderators please don't beat me for resurrecting an old topic, only as a keen steam railways type person I wanted to use something very much the same as this on my own layout. Yonlev on e.bay seems to be selling plans for almost exactly the same design of coal loader and I'm seriously thinking about buying a set of plans from him as I was attracted to it right from when Lego Train 12volts started this topic. I'm planning my layout around the idea of having a working preserved steam railway next to a modern day line that mostly hauls coal and minerals. The modern day line is overhead electric using RC controllers and since the preserved railway is steam using the 12 volt system it should create some operational interest when it comes to running trains. Anyway back to the coal loader, I was wondering if anyone knew how much of a difficult model it might be to build and also how generally sturdy it was as a model.

Nice looking refueling depot Lazarus. That reminds me I'm going to have to come up with something similar for my steam locos.

I must admit that the Lego flex track is something I have no interest whatsoever in buying. Thanks for the tip about the interrupt rails though.

That's a really good tip, thanks for sharing that.

The upgraded pictures look really good and are a big improvement. That's a really great looking loco shed.

Ha ha, that's true. Most tramway locos that had names were usually named after native New Zealand birds such as 'Kiwi, Kea, Tui & etc

Lots of useful train parts with this one, but the set price here in New Zealand is bound to be outside my budget unless I was to part out all the bits I don't want. The loco itself would be the only part of the set I'd want,

Paul, - that's the same ebay seller that I purchased my tyres from. Good to hear that they're Ok.

Delightful, absolutely delightful.

Hey that's great bricks n bolts, - so it seems I'm not alone in my madness Rubbing out those tabs with a file definitely looks like the way to go. I hadn't gone as far as trying that with my experiments, but I will be doing so now. I want to try modifying the RC points too as the original 12 volt ones are a wee bit on the pricey side and with the geometry not being ideal cutting them about would be a pocket wounding experience if I was to get it wrong. I'm using a variety of wheels as well with my steam locos being fitted with 12volt and BBB wheels and my electric locos, passenger coaches and goods wagons being fitted with RC wheels, Yes it will be good to compare notes as we go along with our projects and it's nice to know that I wasn't entirely out of the ballpark with my ideas on updating the 12volt system.

Bother! Bother! Bother! I was so beautifully deceived at first because the 12volt contact rail assemblies fitted the RC curves perfectly. Then when I tried to add in a piece of straight track the contact rails seemed to be short on one end. No doubt all you wise and experienced Lego patriarchs are now smiling into your beards because I didn't know about this problem, but I certainly do now. Finally I'm starting in on planning the main Kotanga town board for the Kotanga Tramway and the 12volt system is what I've decided to use, - at least for steam traction anyway, My overhead electric locos will all be working on the RC system. I've been studying the Train Tech archives, namely; - http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=38423 http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=31962 I got myself completely wowed by Ondrew Hartigan's modifications. Discovered that the clever 3D printed adapter available at, - http://www.shapeways...lego-rail3.html , - is cheap enough, but will cost me $NZ19.90 to get it sent to me here in New Zealand via UPS. So that's definitely not going to happen is it? So I've decided to basically use Enlighten track and saw it up and mod it so everything fits, because as everyone knows cutting up clone bricks is not a crime. I will have to employ some of Ondrew Hartigan's methods for modifying switches too as I want the station yard at Kotanga to be laid out as economically on space as I can get it and actually look reasonably realistic as well. I have got some grey 12 volt rails and sleepers coming from Bricklink, but I mainly want those for flatcar loads rather than using them to run trains on. Watch this space for diabolical track mods as I start in on building the Kotanga station yard. Oh and by the way, who was surprised to see that I do actually own some genuine Lego RC track

It's held on with industrial strength chewing gum Thanks Hrw-Amen. Here in New Zealand there were quite a few imports of small tank engines for tramway and industrial use, - most ended up being modified in service to better suit the job at hand which means that they didn't look all that factory original anymore. With that in mind I found it fairly easy to come up with a generic design that looked reasonably plausible. More photos soon I promise.