I certainly can’t recall the last time I’ve seen an Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe (ATSF) steam locomotive modeled in LEGO, though I’m sure I may be missing one.

Chris Stone, known as Narmot on Flickr, has updated his model of ATSF 4-8-4 #2926 into what he is calling his third version. Chris is one of the OcTRAINber 2017 winners with his flexible-boilered mallet steam locomotive and has built several other noteworthy models including a wonderful passenger train to put behind his new 4-8-4.

One look at this locomotive will keep your eyes darting to new locations to pick out all the details. Chris certainly packed it in on this locomotive.

One of my favorite features, as with any locomotive, is lights. Chris’ engine boasts a headlight, marker lights, a tail light on the tender, illuminated number boards on both sides of the boiler, an excellent  ash pan glow and even a cab light, all provided by Brickstuff.

In addition to the lights, Chris has included a working smoke unit. While not a detail I like to put in my own models, Chris did a great job on it.

Another eye-catching feature on this engine is the safety tread added to the running boards down both sides of the boiler, and the pilot. I must be honest in saying that this is one detail I have never truly considered adding to one of my models, for various reasons, but I am surely considering it now after looking at Chris’ model.

The locomotive is driven from the tender trucks, using two XL motors driven through an IR receiver and one LEGO Power Functions rechargeable battery.

Lastly, I feel I have to call attention to one last detail Chris included. As a fan of steam locomotives, there are some features on some locomotives from certain railroads which stick out to me and instantly make me associate a certain locomotive with a certain railroad.

One of the defining features, to me at least, on ATSF steam locomotives is their all-black appearance with the exception of the front of the smokebox, which was a grey color. Chris absolutely nailed this detail. When he first sent me some pictures of the engine, that was one of the first things that stood out to me. I’ve probably discuss the art of making LEGO locomotives look right, and this detail falls right into that category. It instantly says “I’m an ATSF locomotive” and I love that.

You can check out more of Chris’ work on his Flickr page.