Comments on: Sleek like a fox

By: Matt Hamann

Matt Hamann — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:01:48 +0000

It is such a treat to see the whole train run in real life. It is truly a feat of Lego engineering. My only complaint is the the back of the boiler isn’t angled like in the prototype, but, as Benn says on Lugnet, he has fixed that problem with cheese slopes. Hopefully I’ll get to see it at the next train show we do.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:48:54 +0000

Wow. In my dream life I build train stuff, so I always enjoy a beautiful locomotive. But not only is it pleasing to the eye, but he’s got the whole train to go with it, and it’s not just a display model?

Pure, raw, awesome is what that is.

By: Cale Leiphart

Cale Leiphart — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:14:54 +0000

The term Anthony is looking for is valve gear. And it can be a particularly hard item to replicate with out it getting in the way of the pistons and connecting/drive rods. Ben built this engine with the goal of good reliability so I’m guessing he didn’t want to get to elaborate here and muck up performance. Over all I think this is a really nice engine and passenger car set. Great work Ben.

By: SavaTheAggie

SavaTheAggie — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:42:48 +0000

If I’m not mistaken, the axle at the top is representing the mechanism that switches the piston from push to pull depending on the orientation of the wheels. This not only allows for the piston to have two strokes per one wheel rotation, but allows for a method of setting the locomotive in reverse. It has a name but I’m too lazy to wikipedia it.

By: Ca'gerrin

Ca'gerrin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:04:49 +0000

Couldn’t the axle at the top be shorter? That’s really the only problem.

By: Gambort

Gambort — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:27:17 +0000

Maybe you can demonstrate how to do it better, Patrick. A lot of very skilled and very experienced train builders have tried it but I’m sure you’d have something excellent and new to offer.

By: Melfice

Melfice — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:17:52 +0000

“Patrick Says:
November 15th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

meh. the axle thing kinda kills the sleek-ness”

While the driving rods DO stick out a bit on the LEGO model, this isn’t too different from a real streamliner.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:06:52 +0000

meh. the axle thing kinda kills the sleek-ness