Large Scale Central

Vic's 2026 Mik Challenge Darjeeling Streamliner

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#1

My entry this year is a real world prototype thats so dizzy and daft in its concept it’s definitely within the realm of AWNUTS. In 1941 the managers of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railroad decided they needed to add a sleek streamlined locomotive to the roster because every railroad in the whole world had a streamliner, why shouldn’t they?

Keep in mind this is a railroad that rarely goes more than 20 mph, downhill, with a tailwind.

It didn’t last long because the body shell made maintenance a headache and it was soon restored to its original condition. The managers of the Borracho Springs railroad, being equally daft and very dizzy have decided they need a tiny streamline locomotive to pull the small collection of tiny streamlined cars it’s acquired over the years.
So challenge made, the Borracho Locomotive Works says challenge accepted.

The Prototype:

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Obligatory napkin sketch:

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3 Likes
#2

Great concept, looking forward to seeing this take shape! Darjeeling, in my mind, always conjures a mystical, fantastical faraway realm.

#3

This might be of help: Locomotive Gallery

1 Like
#4

Thanks I have that in my source file, its a nice model.

#5

Day 1, starting point. Bachmann Lil Big Hauler and an LGB Toytrain tender.

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1 Like
#6

Today was mostly yardwork after 2 weeks of rain, but I did manage to get some of the easier stuff addressed. Backhead details, prepping the boiler, adding weights to the drive, and beginning to determine how big the diameter should be. About 2" should work fine. Hardest part by far will be shaping the rounded nose. I have a couple possible ideas for doing that. We shall see.

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#7

Well, this may be year I bit off more than I can chew. Buildings these curved boiler shapes is going to be a heckova lot more complicated than I thought. Of course the reality is that I didn’t think about it before hand, now I’m scratching my head. Gonna try something new, we’ll see how that goes.

#8

I was wondering what your plan was for that when you first posted. Good luck!

#9

It’s part of the reason I chose this project. I like to use the challenge to push my skills beyond my comfort zone.

1 Like
#10

I like to push my skills but sometimes I really don’t know what I’m doing. I feel like I’m running on nothing but instict right now. :crazy_face:

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4 Likes
#11

This looks great! What will be the covering material?

#12

Well, it certainly looks like you are on the right track!

#13

Sheet styrene, not sure how I’m going to cover the spherical part yet.

#14

Do you have any Squadron putty? It should adhere to that foam pretty good, then can be sanded smooth. You might need to remove it first.

#15

I’ve had pretty good results with Alex Painters Caulking. I will be trying a test coating on a spare Styrofoam piece.

#16

Honestly, I think I would try a heavy coat of latex paint or primer. Then once dry try sanding it out. Or perhaps once dry coat with some krylon rattle can primer then sand that.
Just a thought.

#17

The Alex is a latex but its closer to spackling paste only flexible. I’m test coating an extra Styrofoam ball, second coat looks promising.

#18

Now the tricky parts

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3 Likes
#19

Vic, I’m quite jealous of your parts department in the background along with the innovation for your build!

#20

The “body parts” drawer is a bit disturbing though.