So what Locomotive is the Maersk Train?

[xboxtravis7992]

A matter of thought in my head: set 10219 is considered one of the highlights of the Creator Expert Trains. It is detailed, beautiful, has rare colors, and just is fun. It really captures the spirit of North American Railroading.

However there is a problem when it comes to the prototype... The Maersk Engine looks like a classic EMD unit. In fact Norfolk Southern 3329 is almost an exact match to 10219... http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/locomotive/images/8/82/NS_3329.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121121081432

That is until you look at the trucks, those very distinct six axle trucks that weren't in Lego form... The real NS 3329 is an SD40-2... While our Lego version looks like a GP40. Yeah, a bit of an annoyance as far as prototype is concerned.

But it gets worse. The GP unit that was a Maersk unit in real life was ATSF 146, a GP60-M. If you know something about a GP60-M, the only railroad to buy them was the ATSF. While from the cab down they look a lot like our Lego set, the cab itself was a modern North American Safety Cab!

And of course there is one other Maersk Engine in real life, and the only Maersk Engine to be preserved, Chris Fussell's Dyna Rail 644 (my own photo here:) http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4259191 This engine doesn't look a lot like the set though.

So what type of engine is 10219? A SD40-2? A GP40? A GP-60?

Edited May 6, 2016 by xboxtravis7992

[Dutchiedoughnut]

Well, a mix of all of the above I suppose. I dont think Lego is trying to replicate a model perfectly. You'll likely find similar imperfections in the other creator trains. Feel free to modify them,i its Lego after all!

[dr_spock]

I'd say EMD GP40. Although, there is no real life GP40 in Maersk colours. Keep in mind that LEGO are toys. Toys are a simplified representation. They aren't necessarily an exact model replica of real life prototype. I think trying to read too much into a toy can lead to bouts of madness.

[Dan-147]

The Norfolk Southern 3329 is the one that the LEGO Maersk is based on. 2 axle trucks were substituted for the 3 axle trucks as a compromis since the LEGO train motor has only 2 axles. Other compromises in the design include a shortened “rear porch” (it is distinctively long on SD40-2s) and MAERSK SEALAND replaced with MAERSK on the side.

I bought the Maersk since it was fairly accurate figuring that a few easy mods would make it even more accurate. While I was at it, I figured I'd make it 7-studs wide like my other locomotives and rolling stock. My “easy conversion” took a life of its own and after adding more than half as many parts into it as it had to start with I was done. It now has three axle trucks and the large rear porch of the SD40-2. Compared to starting from scratch, it wasn't really less work but I now have a piece of LEGO history adapted to my preferences.

Dan-147

Edited May 7, 2016 by Dan-147

[zephyr1934]

Not to mention the fact that the lego windows are all wrong on the Maersk set. It is one of the best looking official train sets (operationally it literally drags, but...). Given the lack of an entry level AFOL train set these days, I made a MOD in Conral that uses 60052 for a lot of the parts, with more info and instructions here.

[LoneBrickerSG]

The Maersk locomotive is Norfolk Southern 3329. Despite the design compromises of trying to render an SD40-2 in official Lego form the paint scheme is pretty accurately represented. That's the most obvious tell as to the real identity. We're spoiled with the Horizon Express which does not leave any doubt as to what it is, despite being a monster of a train in size compared to the real-world, ground-hugging TGV train it is based on.

60052 is very much a GP-series american diesel design, although in need of a great deal of fleshing out for details. The Maersk loco looks much more like an SD40 than 60052 does.

It now has three axle trucks and the large rear porch of the SD40-2.

Do you happen to have pictures available, or perhaps advice? This is something I constantly wrestle with in loco designs I would like to build.

Edited May 7, 2016 by LoneBrickerSG

[xboxtravis7992]

Not to mention an SD40 has a long front porch to, unless it's a Union Pacific "Snoot Nose" type... (Actually same porch, just a longer nose!)