Lego 3180 Octan Tanker Truck

My favourite small Lego City set in recent years is the Lego 3180 Octan Tanker Truck. Not only does it look good, it also have plenty of potential for altering and conversion.

I have made several of the sets so wanted to make some variations and 3 different tractor units are seen below

In the photo below, the unit at the back is a standard 2 axle unit as supplied. The unit lower right has been converted to a 3 axle unit as they are much more common hauling tanker trailers here in the UK, I like the slightly stockier look to it. The unit lower left is designed to be a narrow cab tug for moving trailers around a yard and was inspired by the unit supplied in the new Maersk container train set. It will have work to do soon as I hope to have an oil depot on my layout, but it may need an extension to accomodate it

In addition to the potential for various different trucks, the trailer components are ripe for conversion into rail wagons. At present I have three 4 wheel tankers and one bogie tanker. The 4 wheel wagons are simply made by mounting on standard 4 wheel chassis (from Toy Story train sets I got for only £20 each from Asda!). They are finished off with colour matched ladders on the end and gauges underneath

They make great companions to the 4 wheel Octan tanker supplied in the Cargo train set and help to add some variety.

 

Unfortunately the set is sold out now on the Lego UK site so best buy some soon it your interested. They are still widely available from Amazon etc so they can still be bought for a good price.

Brick on...........................