NOW BOARDING ON TRACK 1: THE PLATINUM COMET LIMITED.

In the late 1930s, many railroads were determined to stand up against competition from other modes of transport. They needed to improve passenger services, and began to build or rebuild their locomotives and passenger cars with the latest in railroad engineering. Most notable was the concept of Streamlining, which gave trains and railroads a brand new face that evoked visions of the future. Not only did streamlining add beauty to the machine, it could also improve its performance, allowing trains to race faster than they ever did before.

The world-renowned Legacy Rail Tour Society (LRTS) has taken up the challenge to reconstruct one of the most famous streamliners: The Platinum Comet Limited, an overnight train that ran between Naisport Yews City and Brickago. This train of high-class lightweight carriages pulled by a beautiful Art Deco steam locomotive represents a wonderful era of long-distance rail travel. Step aboard and explore this restored hotel on wheels as the train prepares for departure.

THE LOCOMOTIVE

#5475, the Platinum Comet, is a powerful passenger steam locomotive specially-designed for high-speed, long-distance services. Unlike most other locomotives with similar specifications, the Comet boasts several innovative features. Its streamlined shrouding, lightweight rods, roller bearings, and free-steaming boiler allow the train to reach incredible speeds with ease. On a good day, the train can average about 90mph with sprints of up to 120mph.

THE MAIL-BAGGAGE CAR

The first car in this consist is the part baggage car, part mail car. The front section is an office, where postal workers sort mail and letters en-route. Bags of mail can be picked up and dropped off at stations without the train stopping. The punctuality of the Platinum Comet Limited guarantees that mail will be delivered on time wherever it runs. The rear section holds the heavier, bulkier baggage of the passengers that they cannot take with them into their compartments.

THE SLEEPER CAR

Like all long-haul trains, the Limited is equipped with numerous sleeping accommodations for its passengers. This car has an assortment of three different types of room: a few roomettes with fold-out beds, a double bedroom, and a spacious drawing room with a convertible couch-bed combo. A lavatory is also present for the passengers to use while aboard the train, as well as air conditioning to keep the passengers comfortably and cozy.

THE DINING CAR

Hungry passengers can go to the dining car, where they are served delicious meals while in transit. Half of the dining car is a spacious area with seats and tables, while the other half contains the fully-stocked kitchen. Dinner on the Limited is fine-dining with a dynamic view that rivals that of the fanciest restaurants. Drinks and smaller snacks can also be ordered here to take along into other parts of the train.

THE OBSERVATION CAR

The tail end of the train features one large VIP suite and a lounge area with many cushioned seats. Those riding in this car can enjoy a wide, wondrous view of the countryside as the train races along the track.

Today, newer and faster trains running on different modes of power run between cities. But while the Platinum Comet's days as a regular revenue service are over, it will continue to operate as a flagship railtour excursion for the LRTS. As the whistle blasts and the train pulls out of the station, we hope you will enjoy the journey to your destination.

DESIGN PROCESS

This train is primarily inspired by a luxury train pulled by one of my favorite streamlined steam locomotives. In order to make a reasonably-proportioned model with existing wheel parts, I took inspiration from early electric model trains. Such toys often had truncated proportions compared the real prototype instead of being scale models, but they were still quite detailed and accurately captured the appearance of the real thing.

The cars were also truncated with interiors that were simpler than the prototypes, but still well-furnished for all sorts of minifig activity. The most difficult challenge was creating walls to divide rooms from each other while still having adequate room on either side for minifigs. This was accomplished through a lot of large sideways tiles and jumper plates on the floor.

The locomotive can be motorized in three different ways. Personally, I prefer to power the engine with a motor transmission turning the drive wheels on the engine. However, there is also the option to put standard train motors in the tender for those who prefer that method. This method is also recommended for electric metal rail users.

I chose to omit track or display bases to focus the parts count entirely on the train itself, allowing for more detail and features.

The name Platinum Comet and LRTS lettering were based on the naming conventions used in some previous train sets, consisting of a precious gem, mineral, or metal to describe the color of the locomotive and an object related to the sky. The symbol on the locomotive's front shield and the observation car's drumhead was created by combining the Alchemical Symbol for Platinum with the Astronomical Symbol for Comet. The LRTS lettering was also given a proper meaning: Legacy Rail Tour Society, which is a fictional rail preservation group.

BUILD STATS:

Parts:
- Engine = 716
- Tender = 367
- Mail-Baggage Car = 693
- Sleeper Car = 763
- Dining Car = 651
- Observation Car =638
Lengths:
- Engine = 40.7 studs
- Tender = 26.5 studs
- Engine + Tender = 65.3 studs
- All Cars = 53 studs
- Total = 277.3 studs
Widths: Mostly 8 studs, 9.4-9.6 studs at the handlebars, 10 studs at the rear marker lights
Height: 12.6 studs from rail to whistle/air vents, 13 studs overall
Functions and Features:
- Working driving wheels and motion
- Runs on R40 curves
- Fully decorated interiors for engine cab and all cars
- Hatch in front of the engine cab for battery access
- Removable tender top and coal load for battery access
- Sliding doors to baggage area with cargo in mail-baggage car
- Convertible/fold-up beds in sleeper car
- Food in fridge that can be served in dining car
- High seating capacity in observation car
- Powered-Up Requirements
  - Option 1: Engine + 1 Hub + 1 Large Motor + 1 Light
  - Option 2: Tender + 1 Hub + 1 Train Motor
  - Option 3: Tender + 1 Hub + 2 Train Motors