MOC/MOD: RABDe 4/16

[Steinkopf]

Hello Everyone

A while back when pictures were leaked of the new High Speed Passenger Train 60051 I looked at it and thought of the possibility of a modified version gracing the rails of the LBB. I had wanted to build a High Speed Train earlier on but I was rather disappointed with the nose of 7897 and with 4511 the cab was too futuristic looking, with 60051 however I could see the potential for a nice looking train straight away. The original design is quite nice but there were a number of things that I wasn't happy with, I wanted to see what could be done to improve the overall design. These included the number of cars in the train, the length of the coaches, interior detail, lack of defined doors on the coaches as well as the profile of the roof and the pantographs. I then set about on a program of deciding what parts to use and then collecting them from Bricklink while I waited for the set to be released, then finally when the set became available it was off to work, now to the backstory.

In 2001 the LBB made the decision to provide high speed passenger trains for use on the cross border inter city services between Legodtenstein and San Antonio, they embarked on a program that saw the introduction of five 4 Car trains into service on the LBB network. The RABDe 4/16 consist of a 1st Class Power Car, 1st Class Coach, 2nd Class Coach and 2nd Class Power Car, the whole consist is capable of reaching speeds of up to 200km/h.

Shot of the overall length of the train

View of the 2nd Class Power Car and Coach

View of the 1st Class Coach

Interior of 1st Class Coach

Rooftop detail showing the Pantograph

Trackside shot

[snowvictim]

Although the differences you've implemented are quite subtle when looking at the train as a whole, I think the details are a significant improvement. It took me a while to spot all the things you've changed, and I must say you've done this train a good rework. I'm particularly fond of extending the coaches; the original one's coaches are quite squished (one of the reasons I pooled all my savings into buying Santa Fe Cars rather than 2x 60051...), and I'm not really a fan of reworks/mods. But I must say, when I get this train, which probably isn't anytime soon, I'll definitely implement some of your improvements.

Oh, and a massive thumbs up for the 9V.

[ScotNick]

I saw your model a while back on flickr and was fascinated how much better the 60051 could look when modified! The new look fits much better and even the nose piece seems to have more potential then I would've thought! Great work on the pantographs and the train as a whole

[detjensrobert]

Nice use of the <insert that tiresome argument> nose piece.

What are the top of the pantographs made of?

Edited October 18, 2014 by detjensrobert

[KringlesBricks]

I like the pantograph! I find it interesting how we all seem to make them in different ways. These work well with this train.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Delightful work Stenkopf ...as always!

[Steinkopf]

Although the differences you've implemented are quite subtle when looking at the train as a whole, I think the details are a significant improvement. It took me a while to spot all the things you've changed, and I must say you've done this train a good rework.

Oh, and a massive thumbs up for the 9V.

Thanks, the main idea was to maintain the overall look of the train but in a much refined version akin to polishing a rough diamond. The main thing that bugged me other than the coach length was the profile of the roof, given that the model is supposed to be of a High Speed Train you would expect nice clean lines, I chewed through quite a number of these http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=2875&colorID=1 to get the nice clean lines that I desired. I also lifted the nose up by one plate which helps lift the window panels up to a point where the passengers eyes can look straight out, this is an issue I noticed with the original design and the Horizon Express, by extending the bottom band using Dark Bley plates its maintained the continuity of the livery and made a substantial change look very subtle.

Switching her over to 9v was also a big must on the to do list, the battery box and receiver spoiled the look of the train as well as taking up space for passenger in the power car, I will eventually use the PF gear in a model but it will be one where all of those components can be well disguised within the build.

Nice use of the <insert that tiresome argument> nose piece.

What are the top of the pantographs made of?

Thanks, despite the arguments about the nose I really like it, I have several copies of 4511 which were scrapped for parts and my son has a copy of 7897 so I am pretty familiar with the past offerings, yes there are some things that could have been done better with it, but when compared to past offerings the new nose wins hands down. With the pantograph shoes I use these http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=42013&colorID=66 , I use a mix of 3 mm Rigid Hose and minifig hands as well as a number of other parts to finish it off.

Thanks everyone else for your kind comments.

Edited October 28, 2014 by Steinkopf

[King Aragorn]

I'm really fascinated by high speed trains!

This MOD looks really cool!

[dr_spock]

Good improvements. The pantographs are cool. Nice touch with the yellow to mark the 1st class sections.

[Man with a hat]

Nice modification with a lot of splendid extra details. Quite impressive.

[Hrw-Amen]

Looks very sleek and the longer coaches i think are a must.

[harnbak]

Nice work and good exploit of the nose. I think it would have looked better with longer car length though. The cars look a bit 'boxed'. I remember seeing a post where somebody had increased the Horizon Express car length which made it much more realistic. I think it is this post: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=94234 (PS check the altered boogies in this post too).

Edited October 20, 2014 by harnbak

[Steinkopf]

Once again thanks everyone for the comments.

Nice work and good exploit of the nose. I think it would have looked better with longer car length though. The cars look a bit 'boxed'. I remember seeing a post where somebody had increased the Horizon Express car length which made it much more realistic. I think it is this post: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=94234 (PS check the altered boogies in this post too).

The coaches are 32 studs in length using the 6 x 28 Train Bases with 2 x 6 plates either end, I generally stick to 32 studs as a maximum length for bogie stock, I have found that when running an average length passenger train of 3 or 4 coaches and locomotive using longer stock the train slows down substantially on standard LEGO curves. A lot of this is due to having to transmit the drawbar pull over multiple pivot points, this observation comes from many years of running trains on exhibition layouts as well as at home. I have built coaches in the past that were 36 studs in length but ended up reducing them in length to 32 studs, I still do have one coach that is 36 Studs in length that is used as part of a 2 Car Push Pull EMU set, given the short length of that train there are no issues with it being pulled through the curves.

Another reason why I don't like longer stock is that I don't like the overhang of the centre of the coach when going through standard LEGO curves, it looks rather ugly seeing a lot of track exposed underneath the train as it negotiates the curve, it looks like it is doing a sideways drift rather than being on the track. I don't use the straight curve technique on my layouts and have no intention of doing so, but if you are using longer length rolling stock straight curves are a must as it makes it much more aesthetically pleasing as well as operationally functionable.

[peterab]

I don't use the straight curve technique on my layouts and have no intention of doing so, but if you are using longer length rolling stock straight curves are a must as it makes it much more aesthetically pleasing as well as operationally functionable.

Man up Dave, you know you want too ;-) I happen to like your dedication to six wide and short rolling stock, it has the appearance of being designed by TLG.

I agree that anything near scale length looks silly unless it's on straight curves. My TEE rolling stock are 50 studs long and they are unsightly on normal curves, but look sweet on straight curves.

[Feuer Zug]

Very nice mod. It takes the set from a passing copy of the ICE train to a more believable one. I do like your mod as it seems more practical as well.

[Feenix]

Hi @Steinkopf I know this is basically thread necromancy, but I love the mods you did to this train. My kid wanted us to get it and even though I am a more traditional train fan, it has grown on me. We are going to build it over Thanksgiving and I know it would be a lot to ask you for all the mods you did, but I do wonder if you would be so kind as to let me know how you did the Pantograph and also doors? I am new to the Eurobricks forum and am not sure if there is a way to private message you, but I figured I would at least post here and hope for the best.

 

Thanks!