Barduck

my advice would be to really look at Jayhurst's Big Boy and do the changes you see. I've made that mistake aswell, getting those plans. Was just when I returned to LEGO and had no idea on how to but really wanted to have a big train. So, the same mistakes were made and after finding out it didn'nt run all to well the hard way, I took a closer look at Jayhurst's solutions. I've even made it more powerfull now, as mine now has 4 XL motors instead of medium ones in het belly

from the brand Memorex. I've found them to be very good, bit high priced maybe (about 1/3th more expensive than the Energizer ones) but well worth it

I'm using 1100mAh AAA batteries and trains run about 3 hours with them. Only thing you need to watch, which I found, is that it's better not to use a fast charger, I'm using one that takes about 12h to charge the batteries but the result is far better than with the previous charger that only needed 4 hours to do it. They just keep their load longer

I guess with all the bricks with studs in the body, the plan to put the motors in there is of the table?

And a BSNF version, only have to check orange parts if they excist EMD SD-70 Diesel BNSF by Barduck12, on Flickr

EMD SD-70 Diesel Union Pacific by Barduck12, on Flickr And done in MLCad

you can find speakercable with about the same color and gauge in some electronic store or order it there. Electric cable is electric cable, no matter what you use it for

yeah, the trains used in europe for longdistance cargo would only be used as shunters in the states or viseversa. Of course, shunting places in the states are sometimes as long as what we consider longdistance.

The links to the pictures you've shared helped a lot. As for making her in bricks, I'll have to wait till finances are better. At the moment, not counting the trucks, she's at 1437 bricks, guess she'll end up around 1600 in total. I still have to put her in MLCad to make instructions and be able to actually add the trucks aswell

Take 4: Changed cabin roof a bit, put some cuved sloped where the horm is and changed the nose just that tiny bit for just a little more detail. Comments welcome

doing changes goes quick in LDD, much quicker than in MLcad, that's why I always start working on models in LDD. Done some more, added side panels so the side doesn't look so plain Union Pacific EMD SD-70 take 3 by Barduck12, on Flickr Union Pacific EMD SD-70 take 3 other side by Barduck12, on Flickr

like this?

You mean raising the nose a few plates so it goes in front of the window a bit? One plate should do it I thinkedit: went 2 plates and also added the rosters on top of the engine Union Pacific EMD SD-70 take 2 by Barduck12, on Flickr

Working on my own version of the SD-70, this is the first draft. As usual I use LDD to do the first versions, so the trucks not being there is only because of LDD not letting me build them as they should. Those trucks will be like the new ones I've put on my SD-60, so a train motor on each end with faked 3-axle look. I'm kinda stuck on the details on the body though, so any comments, idea's, etc are more than welcome. I also feel like she's a bit short but that can just be the impression in LDD, I'm not sure and won't be till I can build her. Union Pacific EMD SD-70 WIP by Barduck12, on Flickr

I'd go for a L-motor, it's only 1 stud wider than the M (compared to the app. 2 extra stud off the XL) so that should help fitting it in. It also has much more power than the M so that'll help too, because 1 M just won't pull anything

there'll be railing but can't put them in with LDD, not like they're supposed to go anyway

BNSF EMD SD-60 Diesel.lxf by Barduck12, on Flickr Slowly getting there I'd say

I'm planning on building 1 or 2 UP diesel switchers but haven't made up my mind on which ones yet, some cago rolling stock maybe (mostly boxcars I think, maybe a flatwagon) and bring out my SD60 in different colors, BNSF for one (allthough I might end up never building it myself and just put the plans on my bricklink for that one). Been slow going for the moment as I got other fish to fry at the moment, being in divorce (but got myself a nicer, Russian, girl who actually loves LEGO herself so that's working out for the better)

for me it's not that you've painted parts, it's that you've painted parts that exist in the color you painted it in. I've no problem with the first, sometimes you just can't get around it and if and when LEGO finally makes that part in the needed color you can always replace. But painting parts that do exist in the color you're painting it in is just lazy. Sorry but just my 2c For the rest, beautifull moc and some very interesting techniques used to solve some building problems. 9 wide it is? What made you go on that road? And that's not a negative comment, just a question on what you had in mind. Did you start in 9 wide from the start or did it evolve in to that? edit for typo's

with love, blood sweat and tears, lol. Seriously though, it's not hard, just takes some try and error

I've used the same plans to do mine and then changed the mistakes in it to be more like Jayhurst one. But mine is being powered by 4 (yes FOUR) XL motors. She might be slower but the raw power she puts out is crazy

Challenger 3977 by Barduck12, on Flickr Still in WIP mode, some details to do which I can't right now as the parts are to be custom made. And the lettering offcourse

Might be worth filming it and post on your Flickr for all of us who aren't able to go there for various reasons (like being to bloody far away). At least who ever is interested in it can watch it and learn

I've ordered thru Bricklink a few days ago and the order is allready shipped (allthough the R104 where not on their Bricklink atm, so I'll need to wait till they are for those)

The build is ongoing, but progressing slowly waiting on parts and still need to order the valvegear rods. And wait on a collegue from work to make me something special for it (which I'm not going to elaborate on now, just wait and see). I hope to have her done end of june