Micro ‘L’Aigle’ – kit from LEGO® bricks

Description

Micro L’Aigle

Among the fleet of passenger locomotives built to order in Newcastle-upon-Tyne by Robert Stephenson and Company for the Chemins de Fer was L’Aigle (meaning ‘Eagle’). All nine locomotives were named after birds, and these mechanical, flightless birds did indeed ‘fly’ along the rails in their day. Although it frequently travelled at 45 km/h, L’Aigle was limited to a top speed of 60 km/h due to its heavy firebox, which led to lateral oscillation at high speeds. This particular steam locomotive was known as type 2-2-2 in Britain and 1-1-1 in France, where it was incredibly popular. L’Aigle began running on the line between Avignon and Marseille in 1847 and was withdrawn from service in 1865. After a short stint as a stationary heating engine, it was restored for the Exposition internationale in Lyon in 1914. The SNCF later restored the locomotive to its 1846 condition in 1968, when it was put on display at the Cité du Train. The tender has unfortunately not survived these myriad configurations. Even so, L’Aigle remains the oldest surviving Stephenson long-boiler locomotive.

This model includes an exclusive tile printed with the locomotive’s name by the SuperBrickBrothers.

Note: 5% of the selling price of this Brickworms kit goes directly to Cité du Train.

Colour: various

Number of original LEGO® bricks: 57

Measurements of the model: 6.5 x 3.5 x 5.5 cm

Difficulty level: beginner