LNER A4 Class Mallard No. 4468 'Recordbreaker' Steam Train

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported this project, passing the 3000 supporter milestone is fantastic, and significantly earlier than the first attempt for this train. Thank you everyone!

I've been busy trying to turn my Stud.io model into the real thing and had the opportunity to test the engine and Dynamometer car at a recent local Lego show. Honestly a great feeling to see it running.

A couple of quick points about the build and motorisation. Building requires some substitution from the digital model as a small number of pieces are not currently produced in the colours I need - so the engine may not look exactly the same and I've adopted a different build approach for the Dynamometer car which ends up making it a bit longer (main difference is style of window used changes the build technique). Please take that into consideration when looking at the video below.

Additionally motorisation is challenging using Lego's XL motors - the default connection does not allow the motor to be 'ramped up' and requires some coding changes, as going from 0-100 speed tends to cause issues with the gearing. As an alternative for the time being I have powered the tender using a standard train motor and battery box concealed in the tender - and I must say I've been impressed with this (its a modified version of what some have been using to motorise the Orient Express with great success). Under full load the single train motor could push the engine, as well as the Dynamometer car plus four Orient Express carriages without issue - that is definitely a vote of faith in the good old train motor. That said, battery life is drained considerably under this method, so my view would be a 3 car train is likely ideal. I am still working on the XL motor option as well, but my feeling is train motor provides better speed, XL motor might provide slower speed, but better pulling power. I am a little out of my depth here so its definitely a learning experience.

I've received a lot of feedback about the size of the train with a number of suggestions to reduce the overall number of carriages - which I think is probably a good idea - from a cost perspective and and ability to increase detail in other parts of the train (like interior to the cars, and engine).

A lot of other feedback has turned to the size of the driving wheels being a bit too small - and I agree - but have to work within the Lego Ideas rules. I'd love to see a bigger drive to really give the engine its true presence. Only time will tell!

Please let me know what you think of the train in action and if you have friends who might like this as a Lego set, share with them. This Lego Idea is no longer just a digital model.