MOC SD70M Union Pacific Freight Train

[ronenson]

Since I had been designing the TTX Intermodal cars for 7939 containers, I needed a freight train to go

with it. I've been working on this for over a month, and I'm very happy with the results. I'm especially proud

of the brick-build red Z-stripe. In real-life, the flextube would be shorter of course (couldn't cut it off in LDD).

There's one big issue that I welcome help for: the main train window is only available in old grey, and not

in the bluish grey. Any ideas on how to overcome this?

Power functions are build in, where I made the assumption that I'll use a 9V block battery, which fits inside.

The standard battery box for PF wouldn't fit. The cabine roof lifts off and seats a driver.

The original post was edited to reflect the updated design based on the comments below. The original design was shorter:

Edited August 26, 2017 by ronenson
Updated dropbox links

[Commander Wolf]

I think you've got the right shape overall, but it needs maybe another 8 studs of length in the middle and 2 in the rear. An SD70M is pretty big, and this is more the size of the 10133 GP38 (the 2 axle trucks don't help either).

[Hrw-Amen]

I don't know much about American engines to be honest, but it looks good to me simply as something i would recognise as an American loco. Sorry I cannot comment on it's dimensions but I like the overall look of it.

[dr_spock]

I think it can work as a GP60M.

[Duq]

If this is the 9V battery box you have in mind you may have a problem:

Your train won't last very long on that type of battery...

As for the grey windscreen, you'll either need to do it all in muddy dark grey, change the design to use another piece or use stickers on a regular 2x6x2 windscreen.

[ronenson]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not very keen on absolute scale, I'm more concerned about the relative size with respect

to other lego train models. Calculating the relative size with respect to the Maersk train (an SD40M), I came to the

conclusion that I need to extend it by only 4 studs, which I just did. The result does look a lot better than the pictures above.

As far as the battery goes, I plan to use a simple 9v block battery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-volt_battery

I'll probably use a rechargable for that. Capacities vary depending on the brand and type of battery. I could

also consider trying to squeeze in 6 AA or 6 AAA batteries, but that's more of a hassle I guess.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I like how you have hidden the PF IR receiver!

Nice design and amazing livery!

[Duq]

That's the battery that goes into the box I showed. I've used that battery in my KöF. It's a light little engine and even that doesn't last long on those batteries...

Adding the 4 studs really works, the proportions look much better now.

[Commander Wolf]

The extra 4 studs really helps proportion it properly. I'm still not sold on the 2-axle trucks, but I think that's the way an official Lego set would be be too.

The cab might need to move forward a stud or two; I'm looking at SD70M pics on Google and the front hood is actually pretty short. I don't think you should worry about matching the old and new greys... I never do.

I'll second not using the the small 9v battery box too.

[ronenson]

I could also fit two of these in the train, especially now that it's 4 studs longer:

http://www.reichelt.nl/Battery-Holders-for-Type-AAA/HALTER-3XAAAK/3//index.html?ACTION=3&GROUPID=4256&ARTICLE=113156&SHOW=1&START=0&OFFSET=16&

That will give it at least the same battery capacity as the official battery holder.

About 2 vs 3 axle trucks: I found this nice article that I'll read through:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=57085

For now, I'll stick with 2-axle, but I might get inspired by the topic to change it. I'll just let it simmer for some time before I'll start

ordering from bricklink.

[Pix]

Would you like post the LDD file in the future?...

[lightningtiger]

Not bad engine 'ronenson', any rolling stock to go with it yet ?

Brick On !

[ronenson]

Not bad engine 'ronenson', any rolling stock to go with it yet ?

Brick On !

Thanks. This is the rolling stock to go with it:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82085

[Commander Wolf]

Hmm, how does it look with the rolling stock? The 6-wide stacks seem like they might be disproportionately wide/tall, but it's hard to tell without putting 2 and 2 together.

[wondermonkey]

Cool locomotive! I keep trying to build something in UP colors, but mine never look quite right. I'd also be interested in your LDD file. I'd like to build it using "muddy dark gray". <- never thought of that but your right Duq, it is muddy. :)

[Lazarus]

Nice model, i dont normaly like USA trains but this looks quite nice.

Main thing i want to know is how do you make you LDD looks so good in the photos.

[ronenson]

Nice model, i dont normaly like USA trains but this looks quite nice.

Main thing i want to know is how do you make you LDD looks so good in the photos.

I use POV-Ray for the rendering.

Hmm, how does it look with the rolling stock? The 6-wide stacks seem like they might be disproportionately wide/tall, but it's hard to tell without putting 2 and 2 together.

Here's a POV-Ray render of them together:

Putting 2 and 2 together made me find a bug in the SD70M design: I had accidently offsetted the magnets by 1 plate.

And here it is, the LDD file:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/ronenson/SD70M/sd70m_v8.lxf

Edited May 9, 2013 by ronenson

[King Aragorn]

Nice diesel locomotive!

[galacticslave]

I love this locomotive and thanks for posting the file. It's just what I've been looking for to haul my US trains.

[brickitect]

Great looking design! Thanks for sharing your LDD file!

[ronenson]

I've recently completed the build of the design I had presented earlier in this topic:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82114

I took the liberty of creating a new topic, because currently brickshelf still seems to be down, and I didn't feel

like updating a topic that currently has no pictures in it.

I'm very happy with how it turned out. I soldered up a custom battery pack to fit inside of it, using 6 AAA batteries.

It's quite big compared to the BNSF, a solid 10 studs longer. As far as I know, this difference is also there

when comparing a real life SD70M with a GP38.

[t-brick]

Looks very good. I especially like the little "lightning" bend in the red line, done without stickers.

[DaveBey]

I like the placement of the IR Receiver. How did you build the nose of the cab?

Cheers from Claremore, Oklahoma USA!

Dave

[Hey Joe]

Hey! That's a great looking engine and thanks for sharing the files. I will probably try to copy it someday.

The extra 4 studs really helps proportion it properly. I'm still not sold on the 2-axle trucks, but I think that's the way an official Lego set would be be too.

The cab might need to move forward a stud or two; I'm looking at SD70M pics on Google and the front hood is actually pretty short. I don't think you should worry about matching the old and new greys... I never do.

I'll second not using the the small 9v battery box too.

I also think the nose should be smaller.

Is it possible to do trucks with three axles with PF?

Joe

[UrbanErwin]

I think that engine looks great.

Is it possible to do trucks with three axles with PF?

Yes but it is hard and might require part modification.

EDIT: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=57085

Edited July 1, 2013 by UrbanErwin