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Designer’s Description: This LEGO creation is a model of an EMD SD40-3 freight train engine. The colors I used are based on the paint scheme CSX Transportation uses on their locomotives, and the SD40-3 is exclusively used by CSX. I designed this creation because it combines two of my favorite things: LEGO and trains. While there are many LEGO train sets, there are not many sets that focus on freight trains. This set is a great display piece because of its real-life accuracy, but it is also interactive. The train is fitted with LEGO train wheel pieces, so the engine is compatible with LEGO train track pieces. The trucks can pivot, and the train can be guided by turning tracks. Also, the cabin roof can be removed to reveal a furnished cabin with chairs and a control board. Two roof panels as well as two mid-section side panels can be removed from the body of the train to reveal the anatomy, which consists of a photorealistic V-16 engine (EMD 16-645E3), an electric generator, and a battery box. I specifically tried to use pieces with a large surface area so that stickers with the CSX logos and numbers could easily be applied to the front, back, and sides. Piece-use efficiency, structural integrity, interactive potential, and realism were all taken into account in the design process, and this model has been fine-tuned multiple times to fit these categories. The full creation is 2378 pieces.
L/W/H in LEGO: 75 Studs x 12 Studs x 14 ⅔ Bricks.
L/W/H in Imperial: 24 inches x 4 inches x 5.5 Inches (Approximated).
List of changes in the updated version (3/22/2022):
CSX logos and number decals added to the images to show sticker potential.
Truck design changed:
- Made wider from ten to twelve studs to be more realistic to the real-life subject matter.
- Replaced previous self-made wheels with LEGO train wheels (4.6x4.6, guides).
- *Made compatible with LEGO train track pieces
Fender/stairs design altered to allow for the trucks to pivot more.
Piece total changed from 2379 to 2378.
New Images:
- All images are now 4K resolution renders.
- Added LEGO track for better display and to show compatibility.
- Background color changed from white to dark gray.
*How 3 axle trucks work: Most trucks, or bogeys, used on trains have two axles and four wheels. Train cars and small engines have these. These trucks can be guided by curved tracks with fixed axles because geometrically, four fixed contact points always line up with the radius of the track. However, on larger engines, including the engine this LEGO model is based on (EMD SD40-3), the trucks have three axles and six wheels (HT-C). The turning mechanics on these three axle trucks is drastically different from two axle trucks. If the middle axle is ignored and only the outer axles are considered, the truck is similar to a two axle truck. The axles are too far apart, though, making too much of an angular difference for the tracks to fit the flanges. So, the two outer axles need to pivot. To do this, I added turntables and technic brick apparatuses that hold the wheels on a seven-stud-long axle. The wheels are fixed in place with technic bushes. Next, the middle axle. In order for the middle axle to be guided by the track, it needs to be able to “float.” Since the pivot of the entire truck is in the middle of the middle axle, the middle axle will always be perpendicular to the tracks. Therefore, the middle truck doesn’t need to pivot. However, it needs to be able to slide side to side to be guided by the tracks. I enabled this by not placing technic bushes outside of the wheels, which allows the beam to slide one stud length to either side. This is more than what is needed to allow for the truck to turn on LEGO tracks, on which only about 7/10 of a stud length is needed.
By
Nosnits
Help your fellow builder by leaving your feedback based on these three criteria:
- Originality: How original is this - never seen before?
- Building Techniques: How much skill do you think the creator of this MOC has, in terms of building technique?
- Details: Express how much you like the details of the build.
Your feedback is only shown to the creator as well as yourself. It is not available for other users to see. The creator won't see your user name.