Erie L-1 Angus: A LEGO® creation by Anthony Sava : MOCpages.com

Erie L-1 Angus

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This is my version of the articulated Mallet type Erie L-1 #2602 Camelback Angus class 0-8-8-0 steam locomotive using the fabulous Big Ben Bricks wheels.

About this creation

This is my version of the truly bizarre Erie L-1 #2602 Camelback Angus class steam locomotive.

Built by ALCO for the Erie in 1907, she was, at the time, the largest locomotive in the world, as well as the only articulated camelbacks ever built. Only three were ever built, I chose to number mine after the last of the three simply because most models I've seen are of the first two.

A camelback locomotive is a locomotive which has it's cab located in the middle of the boiler, and it's a design that served a special purpose. Camelback locomotives were designed to burn anthracite coal, which burns longer but cooler than bituminous coal, requiring a larger firebox.

So large, in fact, that it restricted the engineer's view around it, requiring the cab to be moved forward.

It also meant the fireman was left alone on the back of the locomotive. This type of locomotive was eventually banned in the US due to safety concerns.

The L-1s were designed for pusher service over the Allegheny Mountains, and served until 1921 when they were refitted with conventional cabs, and retired altogether in 1930.

The L-1s were true articulated Mallet type locomotives, which meant high pressure steam was sent to the smaller rear cylinders first, and their exhaust sent to the lower pressure cylinders in the front. This was a complex but efficient design.

Unfortunately LEGO's track geometry forces me to make both sets of drivers to rotate in relation the boiler, instead of just the first.

More photos are available, including in-progress photos, via FLICKR.

Or if Flickr isn't your thing, you can see just finished photos via BRICKSHELF.

Comments

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I made it

Anthony Sava

January 9, 2009

Quoting Jackson Brischler t creation from you. Your amazing sense of detail and creativity has shown through again. I really like the way you did the pilot truck. I have to say, the overall design of the locomotive is pretty strange. Overall, great job! And, was this creation perhaps created from my Camelback?

Thanks! No, this was based entirely off of a real locomotive, which I've edited the page to include a link to one of the few pictures of it.