[MOC] Hespertalbahn No. 8 (Krupp type "Knapsack" 0-6-0T) in 1/32 scale

[Sven J]

Hi all,

Ten years ago, I built my first locomotive MOC (well, I presented it on EB in 2015, but it had actually been built 2 years earlier). So I thought that it would be a nice thing to celebrate this anniversary by building a new and improved model of the same prototype that I chose back then – but this time motorized, in correct dark green livery and in my usual 1/32 scale (the first try was a "normal" green, static display model in 1/30 scale).

Spoiler

Kind of bringing things full circle, I have to announce that, probably, this will also be my last 1/32 standard gauge locomotive. No, I’m not giving up the Lego hobby, but I’ll focus on smaller builds due to ever-increasing storage difficulties.

The prototype:
The "Knapsack" was a standardized light 0-6-0T as a part of the post-WWII product range of the Krupp locomotive factory. 15 locomotives were delivered to industrial companies in Germany and Turkey between 1949 and 1961.

The prototype of my model, c/n 3435, was delivered to the “Niederberg” colliery in the summer of 1961, making it the last engine of its type and also one of the last steam locomotives ever to be put into service in West Germany.
It operated at the colliery until 1976, after which it became a museum locomotive for the “Ruhrkohle AG”. Since 2000 it belongs to the “Hespertalbahn” museum railway as locomotive No. 8. It is currently undergoing a major revision and should be operational again soon.

The model:
As stated above, my model is held in exact 1/32 scale. It consists of almost 1,600 parts (of which about a dozen come from third-party suppliers because Lego does not produce them in dark green) and weighs just over 1 kg. It is propelled by a PF-L motor; a BuWizz 2.0 serves as power supply and remote control. Additional features include independently switchable front and rear lights and a wheel-synchronized sound module from Mobatron. The wheels are from Breckland Bricks, the rods are 3D-printed parts of my own design.

So here it is:

Hauling my purpose-built passenger wagon:

The roof is detachable to give access to the BuWizz:

Some photos from the WiP stage, showing the frame, the cab interior, the technical layout and the underside with leaf springs, balancing levers and brake rigging:

And finally two videos, one showing the rods in action and the other one a test drive (also from the WiP stage). Don't forget to turn on the volume.

A longer on-track video will follow as soon as possible. Full-resolution pictures can already be found in my Flickr album.

I hope that you like my little shunter. Comments and criticism or any other feedback are of course welcome!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kind regards.
Sven

Edited December 26, 2023 by Sven J
restored image

[Selander]

I always like your simple locomotives ......nah ....Stellar as usual, Sven 

[zephyr1934]

Yeah, "simple" as in simply amazing. Always great to see your work.

 

1 hour ago, Sven J said:

but I’ll focus on smaller builds due to ever-increasing storage difficulties.

Always important to build to your interests (otherwise it stops being a hobby and starts being work). I for one hope you come back to the larger builds some day. If you need to thin the collection I'm sure your works will fetch a sufficient sum on the aftermarket to let you build bigger and better while knowing a given piece has gone to a good home.

[Sven J]

Thank you for your appreciation, @Selander and @zephyr1934!

22 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

Always important to build to your interests (otherwise it stops being a hobby and starts being work). [...] If you need to thin the collection I'm sure your works will fetch a sufficient sum on the aftermarket to let you build bigger and better while knowing a given piece has gone to a good home.

You're certainly right. But in fact I have so many interests that it should be possible to find enough stuff for small models.
And I definitely want to build one or two airplanes, which - big or small - can be hung under the ceiling, thus avoiding the need for more shelf space...

[GoHabsGo]

So perfect Moc !

It's incredible it is built in Lego !

[Ferro-Friki]

I could spend hours looking at your models! And here I was thinking that your original engine was already perfect, it's great to see a new and improved (and running!) version.

[monai]

As usual you have been able to improve something already perfect..

Just a question, how are the 3D printed Breckland Bricks wheels in front of the moulded BBB?

 

gruss

Sergio

[GrandPixelMan]

Such a nice locomotive and great detailing! Also love the video of it running, together with the sounds it's so majestic :D

[Feuer Zug]

Astonishing model. Great work on all the details, the decals, even the passenger carriage.

[Sven J]

Thank you all for your enthusiastic feedback! I'm very happy that you like my loco, despite it being such an unspectacular little workhorse.
 

8 hours ago, monai said:

Just a question, how are the 3D printed Breckland Bricks wheels in front of the moulded BBB?

Smaller.
Seriously: The reason why I chose the Breckland wheels is that the prototype has 1.100 mm wheel diameter, which translates to 34.4 mm in 1/32. Now BBB has no appropriate wheel size, while Breckland's LL wheels are 33.6 mm in diameter, which is close enough.
I'm quite happy with them. The surface is nice and smooth, of course not as perfect as injection-moulded parts, but very, very close. Axle and pin holes fit perfectly.
The only slight drawback is the colour, which is more like what Bricklink calls "rust" instead of true Lego red (hard to tell in the photos which were taken under artificial illumination, more clearly visible in direct sunlight). But as the wheels are partly shaded by other parts of the running gear, it really doesn't matter much.

Edited August 7, 2023 by Sven J

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Hello Sven,

I could say "one shot one kill" ... you never deviate from your sublime standards!

I like this locomotive almost more than the others because it has something versatile, well proportioned and without frills

The picture I like the most is this:

On 8/5/2023 at 6:20 PM, Sven J said:

 

 

 

[Sven J]

@LEGO Train 12 Volts Thank you for your appreciation!
I'm also very fond of the prototype with its straightforward, practical design; more "organic" than, let's say, a BR 80 which tends to look overladen with lots of technical greebling - much of which was not really necessary, or even troublesome, in everyday duty.
Not without a reason, one of the nicknames of the BR 80 (and other small "Reichsbahn" tank engines) was "Christbaum", that is "Christmas tree"...

8 hours ago, LEGO Train 12 Volts said:

The picture I like the most is this: 

It wasn't too easy to take it - locomotive, wagon and rails don't fit diagonally on my desk... so parts of the track and the white background paper had to hang over.
Personally, I like the picture with the taxi even more.

[Sven J]

Hello everyone,

It took ages, but now I've finally got around to making a video.
Here it is:

The speed in the last scene is equivalent to ~35 km/h; however, the BuWizz was only set to "Normal". With "Fast" or "Ludicruous", the locomotive can run much faster...
I was pretty amazed that the little engine with just one L-motor could pull the train away so easily, even in "Normal" mode.
And the battery lasts surprisingly long, around two hours of mixed shunting and "mainline" operation are possible.
All in all, I'm very happy with the locomotive, it's by far the most trouble-free of all my engines.

Best regards,
Sven

Edited August 10, 2024 by Sven J

[JopieK]

Great work! Thanks for sharing.

[Sven J]

Thank you @JopieK!
Here's finally a photo of the entire "museum train" in all its beauty:

[Ropefish]

Oh my thats a lovely gal you have there! adore that you have her running on a slandered gauge track to! have you considered running pickups with the metal rails?

[Shiva]

<3

[Sven J]

Thank you @Ropefish and @Shiva!

8 hours ago, Ropefish said:

have you considered running pickups with the metal rails

No, I'm not reallyfond of rail-powered trains. First, I like the possibility of controlling different locomotives at the same time, which is easier with RC engines. Second, the wye in my track layout would result in a short circuit...