Want to Add Coupling and Connecting Rods on Toy Story Train 7597

[Hhmarshall]

I would really like to add coupling and connecting rods to my Toy Story train.

I've never done this before, though and am unsure what pieces I need.

How long should the coupling rods be?

How do I build and connect the connecting rods?

I am hoping to avoid a ton of modding but am willing to do some.

I would love to see this in action like a proper steam engine (I already motorized it).

Is there a tutorial for this somewhere about adding rods in general?

If not, I would appreciate any help I could get.

Thanks!

[zephyr1934]

Side rods should be fairly easy. I believe the toy story wheels are 7 studs apart. If you want to stay pure lego, you just need a pair of 7 long technic half beams and 4 3/4 technic pins. Or if you don't want the extra holes in the rods, I sell custom rods that would provide the same functionality. In either case, double check the length, I may have gotten it wrong.

Now as for connecting rods to the cylinders, that would probably require some rebuilding. I think the cylinders currently pivot with the front truck so you would have to mount them some other way and make sure there was sufficient clearance for the truck to turn.