Glaskasten (Bavarian PtL 2/2)

[jtlan]

Greetings, Train Tech. It's been about a year since CommanderWolf and I built the GE boxcabs, so here's another "boxcab":

... "glass box", that is. These locomotives were originally built for the Royal Bavarian State Railways with the designation "PtL 2/2". The unusual design featured a semi-automatic coal feed system, which did away with the fireman and allowed single-person operation. The boiler was surrounded by a cab with many windows, leading to the nickname of Glaskasten ("glass box"). During nationalization they were lumped into class 98 ("branch line locomotives"). Some survived the war to join the Deutsche Bundesbahn, which is the livery I've chosen to model here.

This is another model with a large amount of SNOT-work; there are studs pointing in all directions. The frame is built studs-forward, the body features studs facing left/right for the doors and sides, and the side windows are upside down.

Did I mention it's powered?

The entire thing is powered by a micromotor driving the front axle:

Note that the jackshaft doesn't actually extend through the locomotive; the 2x2 round plates on either side are carried along by the connecting rod between the front and rear axle. I used this technique to try to give extra grip to the BBB medium wheels.

The battery box is in the cab. The smokebox comes off for access to the power switch:

Here it is with the two-axle passenger car I posted a couple months ago. This loco struggles a lot more in turns than the 23-ton boxcabs did...

Brickshelf gallery here (pending moderation). Thanks for reading!

Edited July 25, 2016 by jtlan

[Sven J]

Very cute!

And amazing how you managed to sqeeze all drivetrain components into that tiny locomotive.

[M_slug357]

Now this is awesome to see!

I just found a micromotor in my collection... but I don't remember it sounding more like a buzzer than a motor...?

Is it b/c the motor is so small?

[jtlan]

I just found a micromotor in my collection... but I don't remember it sounding more like a buzzer than a motor...?

Is it b/c the motor is so small?

Mine all sound like that, although some are a bit quieter. I suspect the smaller gears have a worse profile and thus make more noise. I've noticed a sizeable variation in the speed from motor to motor as well.

[zephyr1934]

Aw, look at that beautiful little locomotive. Amazing work with so much detail and electronics packed in such a small package.

[Duq]

I was impressed before I realised it's motorised!

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Amazing little steam machine!

Very well executed and fantastic final result!

[Dread Pirate Rob]

Splendid little locomotive! I love the use of the red 2x2 round plates with the connecting rods. Is it OK to say I think this is the prettiest 'boxcab' yet?

[dr_spock]

Well done little locomotive.

[Man with a hat]

Oh WOW. Another amazing boxcab.

And really nicely detailed.

[BricksMcgee]

Lovely little loco, and love the carriage too. Great work.