NEED A PUSH?

During the early 1920s, railways faced a bit of a problem. Early steam locomotives were relatively small, and trains got longer and heavier, they would struggle on steeply inclined track. So, at the steepest parts of a railway, it was common to have an additional locomotive standing by, waiting for a passing train to request assistance. This was known as a banker locomotive. It would move up behind the train without coupling and provide a boost of pushing power to get the train uphill.

While the banker could be any kind of locomotive, a few railways built their own specialized heavy-duty bankers that would only push other trains up the steep slopes. This big red one is a unique design with four cylinders (most steam locmotives have only two), ten driving wheels, zero pilot or trailing wheels, and a half-cab shelter on the tender for running in reverse back to home base. It may not be the fastest engine in the shed, but it certainly packs a punch and gets the job done.

DESIGN PROCESS

INSPIRATION

This locomotive is a near-1:48 scale model of a banker steam locomotive from the UK. It was a very unusual design, as unlike most other locomotives, it was built specifically to fulfill the role as a banker, and seldom ever did any other duties. While locomotives like these aren't as glamorous as express passenger locomotives or as fast as later heavy-duty locomotives, their unique qualities make them very iconic and memorable, even after they are long gone scrapped.

The LRTS lettering on the tender emblem was inspired by a few other sets.

CHALLENGES

I wanted to recreate a simplified version of the 4-cylinder layoot on this locomotive. Two of the cylinders are on the outside and set at an angle while the other two are on the inside, between and above the wheels. This required a lot more Technic elements than most other locomotives of similar size to create a frame with enough space for the reciprocating parts. Originally, hinges were used to mount the angled cylinders, but this was replaced with a much sturdier angled Technic connector.

One other major challenge was getting the locomotive to run around standard curved track. I eventually figured out a way to minimize the overhangs at the ends, though an extra-long push bar was added, stored on top of the tender, in case extra spacing was needed to prevent buffers from clashing.

Speaking of which, another challenge was working on a British-style locomotive without the magnetic buffer parts. Brick-built buffers were used instead, with ball-and-socket plates for coupling. However, the socket plates can be replaced with magnetic buffers should the builer decide to make compatibility changes.

SPECIAL FEATURES

There are a few posable features on the display base. The signalbox's doors can open and both rooms have modestly detailed interiors. The water tower arm can rotate over the track to reach the tender, and the signal semaphore arms can be positioned up or down for different track clearances.

The locomotive has a novel 4-cylinder mechanism with internal rods. All four cylinders and drive rods move as the locomotive rolls along.

The locomotive can be motorized with Powered-Up elements.

BUILD STATS:

Lengths:
- Base = 64 studs
- Engine = 29.4 studs
- Tender = 17.4 studs
- Engine + Tender = 49.8 studs
Widths:
- Base = 26 studs
- Locomotive = Mostly 6 studs, 10 studs at the motion
Heights:
- Signalbox = 23.2 studs
- Locomotive = 12.4 studs from rail to headlight and chimney, 13.3 studs from rail to chimney, 13.7 studs overall
Functions and Features:
- ~1:48 scale model
- Working driving wheels and motion
- Runs on R40 curves
- Decorated interior for engine cab and signalbox
- Posable elements around base
- Powered-Up Requirements
  - 1 Hub
  - 1 Large Motor