Tag Archives: Diesel

Very cool catch-up trains

I’ve got a little time this evening so figured I might as well post some old things from my bloglist.

First up is Caleb Randolph’s Swedish Class B. As though packing in the details wasn’t enough, Caleb has gone where others fear tread and added sound. As for the model itself: I’m particularly impressed by the running gear (the bars that move hypnotically on the wheels) as it’s nice and thin.

Swedish Class B

Secondly there is Cale Leiphart’s “K4s”. This pair of beauties are SNOTtastic in their details, in particular using panels to obtain a nice thin board next to the boiler (the big round bit).

IMG_2246

And last but not least is Peter Norman’s (swoofty) Hiawatha Beaver tail wagon. In case you’ve never noticed I do like me some streamline moderne design.

Hiawatha Beaver Tail Parlor Observation

Big Red Train

L&N #295 'Big Red'

Peter Norman (Swoofty) is usually more of a LEGO diesel man. But sometimes he’s a LEGO steam man and this is one of those times. It’s an ugly prototype made well.

10219 Maersk Train unveiled [News]

The latest LEGO Exclusive kit is the 10219 Maersk Trainicon arriving in April 2011 [UPDATE: It’s now available]. Click here for the complete set of pictures.

icon

Below is the official press release from LEGO:

10219 Maersk Train

Ages 14+. 1,234 pieces.

US $119.99 CA $159.99 DE 119.99 € UK 91.99 £

The highly-realistic Maersk diesel-electric freight train has arrived! A replica of the real engine that operated on the railroads of America, this Maersk train features exceptional detailing and functions, such as opening driver’s cab, removable side panel revealing a detailed, 16-cylinder engine, and authentic Maersk branding. The model also includes 2 wagons and 3 containers with opening doors (1 with refrigeration detailing). The set also includes a shunter truck and detachable trailer for loading and offloading the containers. Add LEGO® Power Functions accessories to motorize!

• Includes 3 workman minifigures!
• Train measures 36″ (92cm) long!
• Building instructions include a historical description of the LEGO Group/A.P. Moller Maersk Group cooperation and a timeline of the products launched!
• Containers can be loaded side-by-side or stacked!
• Motorize your Maersk train by adding LEGO Power Functions 8878 Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box, #8887 Transformer 10V DC, #8884 Power Functions IR Receiver, 8879 Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control and 88002 Power Functions Train Motor!

UPDATE: check out the designer video by LEGO.

To the point

LEGO train tram

I sometimes feel I have a bad habit of blogging LEGO diesel and steam trains even though I’m a big fan of electrics. Esben Kolind has helped cure me of this with his fantastic Copenhagen metropolitan train. Most impressive of all, in my opinion, is the accurate taper of the sides achieved by (in his words) “extreme use of SNOT“. I can’t argue with that. I’ll also use this as an excuse to exercise some parochialism and link to Esben’s Queensland Tilt Train. Check out the movies.

Thanks to Rodney Bistline for the (non-space) heads up.

A train contest no less

Baldwin contest banner

I started a little building challenge for trainheads (and those that might want to have a go) and Peter Norman donated a prize so it became a contest. An interesting aspect of train building in LEGO is that it’s one of the few areas where a number of people work from the same or similar prototypes. For these challenges I decided to take this one step further and get everyone to work from exactly the same source material.

The rules are in the flickr trains group but I’ve copied them here for those who don’t use flickr.

This time we can all build a US diesel switcher: a Baldwin AS-616 as it comes in a variety of liveries. I found a nice side-view projection and there’s a flickr group dedicated to Baldwin’s.

Peter Norman has graciously donated a prize to the first challenge so there will be judging. The winner will receive a very valuable Lego train related item. Peter, I and possibly a third judge will decide the winner based on no fixed criteria. There will not be a rankings system.

* The deadline for entries is February 28, 2009. Deisgns must not have appeared in public before the 1st January 2009.

* To enter the contest provide a small link to the image in the flickr thread using the [FLICKR-URL] technique (copy the URL for the model’s flickr page and surround it by square brackets). If you are not a flickr member email a direct link to a 240px wide version of your entry to me and a link to more pics and I will enter for you.

* The Challenge is open to 6, 7, or 8 wide, powered or not. All entries must be able to at least navigate Lego train track.

* Entries may be in CAD format but the file must be available for inspection and must be deemed to be buildable by me to be eligible for the contest. Similarly non-LEGO components may be used but it is best to be aware of the judges’ prejudices.

If you have any questions just post them here but read through all the text first.

Dieselton, USA

Swoofty AC6000

Jaster GP40

Matt Hamann (jaster) and Peter Norman (Swoofty) have been busy making excellent US diesel trains lately. As with any good LEGO diesel design the devil is in the details and none of these disappoint. The rear grilles on Peter’s AC6000 (top) and the middle flare on Matt’s GP40 (second-top) are particularly worthy of note. They’ve both also posted their own takes on an EMD GP15.