MOC: EMD Unit for Santa Fe

[roamingstop]

Recently someone mentioned in a post that Lego Diesel engines are typically just 'Boxes on wheels', and dont have the play factor that something like the Emerald Night affords. I had heard a similar comment from a friends son back in March, and so during the late spring I had designed a small EMD unit which can fit into existing, or new, Lego Diesel Engines.

These designs had formed part of my portfolio submission to Lego Product Designer - and now I have decided to share some of the design aspects online. First up though, I will paraphrase some of the information added into my portfolio.

Background

Model steam locomotives easily capture a child's imagination. They can provide Fun, Form, Functionality, and tactile feedback. In particular they have

• Push along, and play
  
• Moving wheels, connecting rods
  
• Shape, iconic form, easy to handle
  

So how to improve Diesel Locomotives?

One option is to include a working Electromotive Diesel (EMD) unit. In real life the EMD drives a generator which powers electric motors on the wheels. Unfortunately the normal Lego Technic engine parts are not suitable for including into Lego trains (too big, out of scale).

Images of typical EMD engine units can be found online.

E.g.

Other alternative images can be found on Google, and modern variants like the H-Engine.

Design Features

• Replicate the form of a working diesel engine (pistons etc)
  
• Allow pistons to move when Locomotive is pushed (play factor)
  
• Fit inside a typical Locomotive body (4 studs wide, 4 bricks high, max 12 studs long)
  
• Be easy to assemble
  
• Provide inspiration for future models
  

I wont go into all the design details, suffice to say I eventually worked out how to make a V6 EMD unit which could be fitted inside the Santa Fe body. The crankshaft is driven by a Bogey unit inspired by the many great models listed on Railbricks.

And does it work? Of course.

A teaser video is available (it would not embed). And of course Hand of God Mode

And there was sufficient space to fit a M Motor, to power the Diesel engine and Locomotive. Testing showed the design could run for 6 hours at different speeds.

[fred67]

Nice MOD, roamingstudio...

If you were to put an M motor in, it seems like it would have a lot way to go to reach to another car with the battery. Have you actually done it?

The problem I see with it is that if you were actually going to run it, you wouldn't run it open, and so wouldn't be able to see the engine. Well... of course you would, to show off the concept, but not really to play with.

And then if you put the top back on to play with it, all the extra gearing would reduce the efficiency of the motor...

Don't get me wrong, I think it's really cool... if I were to do something like this, though, it would be more of an AFOL thing and end up in a diorama where you could push a button and watch the engine go (but the train wouldn't move).

You might think that's limiting, but as part of a layout at a train show I think it would be really cool... maybe a little vignette in an open train shed where mechanics are working on it.

[roamingstop]

Nice MOD, roamingstudio...

If you were to put an M motor in, it seems like it would have a lot way to go to reach to another car with the battery. Have you actually done it?

Thanks.

Yes I did put the M motor in behind the train driver (I have video somewhere). I needed the motor extension cable - but it would pull two cars fairly easily.

I agree with the problem of not being able to see it... and the diarama idea is a good one. Thanks.

It is just a pity the portholes in light grey are so expensive (around $20 each). Then you can see (and hear) the movement. The other alternative I did in my Swiss AM 843 concept is to have motorised bogeys, driven with battery, with rear bogeys driving the EMD. Side doors / removable roof enabled the elements to be seen. I also am tried out leuvred elements (i.e. long plates stacked with small 1x1 plates to make a grill). But it did not look too good.

Edit: Added the LDD version of the EMD Unit with the greebling.

And of course; it fits inside the B Unit (Massive credit to James Mathis for the original design)

.

However the V8 version of the EMD fits better.

.

Edited August 24, 2010 by roamingstudio

[peterab]

The problem I see with it is that if you were actually going to run it, you wouldn't run it open, and so wouldn't be able to see the engine. Well... of course you would, to show off the concept, but not really to play with.

M>LTC has a loco with a working engine that we run at train shows, and we run it both open and closed. The kids seem to like seeing it run open.

Edited August 25, 2010 by peterab

[CarrollFilms]

This is very cool, but where does the motor go, because the train is to thin, and also, where would the Battery Box go as well, but the engines are very cool!

[roamingstop]

This is very cool, but where does the motor go, because the train is to thin, and also, where would the Battery Box go as well, but the engines are very cool!

Well it depends upon your wishes. The first aim was to have something which works in 'push along mode' since that is how most children enjoy playing with trains. Hence placing a motor is not needed.

Older children and AFOL's like making things remote controlled. Both the Santa Fe and B unit's can have the M-Motor placed inside the body of the train and connected directly to the engine. You are correct that in these circumstances the battery pack has to live in a second body.

However this is not strictly necessary for the models. If you use the new PF Bogey motor (from the new cargo trains) it would be possible to have one 'powered' set, and one which 'connects to the EMD unit'. A battery pack could then fit inside the Santa fe (just behind the seat)... and fitting the R/C unit is possible if the EMD V6 is replaced with a V4 version. This was done for a motorised version of the Swiss AM 843 (still Work in Progress - WiP).

[Melfice]

A battery pack could then fit inside the Santa fe (just behind the seat)... and fitting the R/C unit is possible if the EMD V6 is replaced with a V4 version. This was done for a motorised version of the Swiss AM 843 (still Work in Progress - WiP).

Alternatively, the battery pack and receiver go into the "B" Unit of the Santa Fe (using extension cords, if necessary) while you fit the EMD Unit into the actual engine.

This way, you can run the main engine open, should you desire (hiding away the cords to the "B" unit) so the public can see the EMD run.

[BillytheKid]

This awesome. And it's very simple to build too, if you look at this.

[rotary_emotions]

I think it's nice, but it's not very much like the EMD engine. It's also a bit strage to include an engine that shows the moving parts, since no real one would allow you to do that (would be lacking a bit of compression)

I do agree the Lego diesel trains are bit "dull" compared to, let's say, an Emerald Night. But In real life, a steam engine also wins out over a diesel in terms of visual atraction: it's just cool to see al the moving parts.

Why not trying to replicate the way the EMD engine looks? It'll be hard to capture in a 6-wide model though. I've done it in a 8-wide Class 66, and it's not easy. I'm planning a 16-wide version, just to be able to include the detail, as a display model (no curves for 16-wide trains...)

[Master of Legos]

Hello, could you give me the LDD file, please? I've got a great idea to put it in my Maersk Train!

[WesternOutlaw]

Hello, could you give me the LDD file, please? I've got a great idea to put it in my Maersk Train!

Do you realize this is a year-old topic? While it is a really nice creation, please don't bump old topics to ask for instructions or an LDD file, esp. when you've only posted twice before. As a brand new member, there's better ways to participate in our EB forums than to bump old topics asking for instructions. Try introducing yourself as a start and get to know some of the members in our LEGO community.

[Master of Legos]

Oops, sorry!

[WesternOutlaw]

Oops, sorry!

Thanks for understanding. I don't mean to come off harsh as I like to welcome our new members, not read rules to them. I like the creation myself as it is a nice example of creating a great interior design.