zephyr1934

[ available here] The Lego Corporation has built a fine collection of model trains with many train sets aimed at the adult fan of Lego (AFOL). These instructions replicate the design of the locomotive from one of the most famous of these sets: the Maersk Container Train, set 10219. These instructions are intended to be a gateway for the AFOL looking for a more detailed build beyond the regular sets. The locomotive from 10219 most closely resembles a GP40 or GP40-2. The choice of Conrail was driven by part availability. This build was intended to minimize costs wherever possible, e.g., at the time of this writing the 6x28 train base is quite expensive in many of the colors. However, set 60052 the city cargo train has two blue 6x28 train bases and is currently available from Lego.com as well as many retailers. This set also has most of the expensive components necessary for the build, including power functions components to power the locomotive, wheels and couplers, and even a bit of track to run it on. You will need to add a lot of parts to the build, but whenever possible I used common parts. One key thing that is lacking in most fan-designed models are stickers or decals to decorate the final creation. Don't worry, I've thought of that too and I am working with a sign shop to print white on clear stickers for this model. If you are familiar with North American railroads, you know that locomotives like these usually run with multiple units. So the sticker sheets include the lettering for two units, each with different road numbers. These instructions include two variants. If you build power functions trains you can build a powered and unpowered unit to run as a set. If you build 9V trains you can modify the unpowered model with one or more 9V motors. To complete the locomotives (and help encourage more instructions like these) be sure to pick up the corresponding decals either from bricklink (via http://TrainedBricks.com and look under "stickers") or drop a private message to zephyr1934 on Eurobricks. The instructions are available at http://CR-GP40.TrainedBricks.com At the moment I am offering two different sets of road numbers (3051+3166 or 3108+3245). If someone wants to buy stickers for more than four locomotives just let me know and I could add more road numbers. The actual stickers will be on clear material and look similar to this prototype. Here is an earlier thread on the build, and brickshelf gallery of the model Click here for the instructions Click here for my bricklink store where you can buy the stickers

That monorail is fantastic work. Great colors and great shape to the body. While you are clearly aiming for a modern look, the front kind of looks like a PCC streetcar to me.

Don't worry, you'll be all right (yuck yuck yuck) Seriously though, the two CSX units look great together... and all sorts of other fascinating toys in the background (nice looking UP car)

Excellent work (but that is par for the course for your builds). You did a great job navigating the awkward challenges of PF too.

Yeah, that is a hazard of virtual building, but I wouldn't say "unbuildable", wait a little while and either the parts you need will come available or you will get some clever insight as to how you can work around an unavailable part.

Hey Peteris_Sprogis, those are some really nice trains you've built. While not based on any specific train you did a great job capturing the look and feel of real trains. Keep up the good work.

Well, there's a great monorail idea in the 4.5v idea book from 1971 (see p94 in case the photo link breaks)

Oh wow, look at that cut, one darn nice piece of railroad.

Ah ha! It is a tram engine... or I guess in American terminology a "steam dummy". Someone happened to send me a photo in front of the preserved Mammoth Cave RR equipment and look at that... Looks even better from the front

Indeed a nice build, especially for your first time out. I like the look of the blue, keep up the good work.

Exactly Phoxtane, I think I can replace the vertical connection on the left of the original image with four parallel diagonals. If/when I get more ME track I'd definitely attempt it. Still need more track before I can attempt it though... so many projects so little time.

This train looks fantastic, great work. The cars look like they they are long enough to be a challenge to work on standard lego curves (doable, but challenging). Among the details that I like, I like how you were able to continue the curvature of the roof so far down.

That build looks great. Indeed, getting the long cars to play nice on lego curves adds some challenge, but it can be done. If I follow your original post that this is your first train then that is really impressive.

The railjet looks great, the prototype has great colors for lego and like so many of your builds you did a fantastic job making the translation to brick.

I do have over 100 pieces of rolling stock and most live in copy paper boxes or plastic tubs. Some of the more delicate ones get wrapped in a bag so that whatever pieces fall off can be quickly found and stuck back on without much problems. At some point you get so many boxes that you can use them in place of table legs (grin). I do tend to keep a few trains out on the layout at any given moment, but they often get swapped out. Like several other folks, my kids have been playing with my trains since before they were 5. They still like to push by hand, so I just keep the most delicate models in the box when they are playing. Lately the trains go into boxes simply because I don't have room, but indeed, protecting the lego from sunlight is part of m logic for boxing the trains.

Indeed, I remember your post from a show a few months back and that is far deeper open loop than what we did. Much more like a real railroad- the trains run to the end of the block and wait for permission. Do you have a single track main in portions of your layout? Or is it directional double track? Do you also service various industries along the way or otherwise branch the trains off? I can only imagine the detailed wiring has got to be as impressive as the buildings and other structures on top of the layout

Oh wow, great little box cab. Unbelievable that you were able to fit all of the PF inside. Then on top of that such a good job detailing this little locomotive, excellent work!

That collection is fantastic and well fitting for the fine occasion, great work!

Oh wow, that is really nice. Great colors for this already great MOC.

Oh wow, that looks like a really great build both in terms of the structures and the trains. The detail really comes alive.

Generally looks good. I would suggest laying out the track and the equipment before building the actual board. Play with it (literally) for a day or two and see if you are happy with the flow. I would also suggest a second crossover going the opposite direction.

Looks like a great first layout that will then continually grow organically. One quick space saving suggestion would be to make single crossover switches, e.g., as discussed here.

Now wait a second PasDeChocolat, I thought you said you were new to all of this. (grin) You are doing some pretty sophisticated building there. If I follow your design correctly, the pivot point for the front truck can move left and right on curves, right? That is clever. Now on your adjustable cylinders, after finding the best spacing, after finding the right spot you might want to lock it in place using technic bushings, etc. Otherwise, your assembly will slowly move over time and could eventually cause problems.

Nice... nice and clever, good work.

Greetings new friend, while indeed there are all sorts of interesting bits in old threads like this, please do not bump an old topic just to add a small comment or ask a quick question. Few of the readers will remember the original discussion and it just becomes confusing for the regular readers. If you have questions for the original poster you can try sending them a private message. You can also start a new thread if you have a related topic that is not a direct continuation. Of course if you do have a substantial follow up to an old thread it is sometimes appropriate to do a bump like this, e.g., "I finally built this and found...."