My education in trains and train creations is woefully incomplete, fortunately Tim pointed out this creation to help me along the way. This is a German BR64, built by brickshelf user abhf. The truly amazing thing about this creation is that this photo is not the work of forced perspective. This is a huge an detailed display. I bet it looks amazing in person.
Henrik Hoexbroe tends to build highly detailed minifig scale models. His latest model is a dining coach as used in 1919 as part of the famous Orient Express, which used to connect Paris with Istanbul.
A single train coach may not sound like a particularly interesting subject, but this one is a bit special. For understandable reasons, most train builders build to minifig scale and guys such as Carl Greatrix and Andrew Harvey (to name just two examples) manage to pack a surprising amount of exterior detail into fairly small train models.
Henrik has built his coach to a much larger scale, however, and this allowed him to go a step further. This is visible in the detail on the outside, but it really shows in the interior.
legorobo:waka shares this awesome armored train carrying a squad of tough looking mecha. The train’s brutal lines and tank turrets evoke a dieselpunk style, with just the right amount of detail mixed in alongside the solid slab-like surfaces.
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Felix (Mountain_King), but he comes back with this fantastic Steam Punk Train which chugs along and connects his Empire:
Not only is this one of the most amazing trains I’ve seen, it’s also of course a fully functional train. Felix tells us that inside this beauty there are 4 power function XL motors, the battery pack, the IR receivers and a bunch of LEDs! Oh and don’t forget to check out that awesome smoke work with the 2×2 round plates.
Check out more detailed shots of his train on his photostream.
When I think LEGO customization I think of minifigs, but there’s an amazing subset of train builders that go to a whole new level. Case in point, Carl Greatrix (bricktrix) has built this wonderful diesel locomotive from Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (BRCW):
Not only is the build stunning, but the sticker work, lighting system and built in DCC is nothing short of brilliant. If you aren’t squeamish – Carl has posted a picture of the inside guts of his Class 27 train.
For the third time (previous ones here and the supremely talented here), Michael Pianta (scruffulous) and I teamed up to present a 1972 era diorama at Brickvention 2014 based on the railroads of the great state of Victoria, Australia.
This time we chose our most urban setting yet in the APM Paper Mill in suburban Melbourne alongside some of its neighbouring suburbia. As usual, our goal was to create as realistic a display as possible, under the limitations of our collaboration (I fly my contribution in) with the specific targets of creating: 1) plausible landscaping, flora and fauna, 2) minimal gridding and, 3) realistic roads and rail. I’m happy enough with it to think we hit the targets.
On a sadder note, I’m using this flagrantly self-promotional post to announce my resignation from TBB as a writer/editor/curator/whatever the latest hip term for it is. After many years sharing my love of LEGO with you all, I need to focus my time and energies on other things. I even hope to start building more models again, although I’m not threatening that too strongly. I happily extend my thanks to Andrew, Josh, my co-bloggers new and old, and especially our readers for the fabulous time I’ve had here.
With a little help from TBB regular Tony Sava, Edward Chang from Texas Brick Railroad LUG has made this adorable microscale layout, complete with Christmas and holiday details, and replicas of children’s favourite trains. One for the kids and adults alike. And if you’re in the Friendswood, TX region you can see this in the brand store in Baybrook Mall.
Caleb Randolph has taken train dioramas to the next level with “Anastasia”: Runaway Train. The detailed, raised mountain platform and use of classic train tracks to give a continuous edge is especially masterful. And that’s ignoring the excellent snow, steam, and, of course, the locomotive itself. Brilliant work.
At the sound of the whistle its Train Time again, constant reader and fortunately for all of us Sérgio Batista (SujiroLegoTrains) can feed our mutual craving for the rails. First up is the “CP1900” Portuguese Railways diesel locomotive all decked out in a Halloween color scheme.
And since Saturday nights are made for double-shots, let’s also enjoy the charming “Sintra´s Tram” whose title I initially misread as “Sinatra’s Train“. I like to think the Chairman of the Board would have liked this tram, it has style.
It’s time to slow things down so put on some Duke Ellington, pour a glass of your favorite adult beverage and spend some time watching the trains go by. This weekend’s special comes from our good friend Falk (bricknerd) who brings his usual expert skill set along with some new tricks to the “Alco RSD-7 Demonstrator“. I’m going to sip my drink quietly while Falk talks about this brown beauty.
“When Alco launched the RSD-7 back in the early ’50s, they built two demonstrator units to tour the RRs and prove it could compete with its primary rival, the FM H-24-66 Train Master. Here’s a picture of one of the two demonstrators, #601. #600, the second demonstrator unit, was equipped with additional Gyra Lights which I included on my model. The model is 7 studs wide and 46 long. Changes compared to the render include the yellow stripes on the noses and vents, and the trucks. Note that the uneven spacing between the axles of each truck is prototypical, caused by the arrangement of the traction motors.”
Duly noted Falk, what a gorgeous engine.
And to keep up the train theme, Mike Pianta (scruffulous) has gone to rather smaller extremes in his teeny rail motor car. As is pretty clear from Mike’s LEGO Model, rail motors were a sort of car or small bus that ran on the tracks. They were used to service less popular lines in various countries before cars and buses took over. This one was built for a challenge over at LEGO Train MOCs.
The background might not be LEGO, but I can assure you that the Class 116 DMU (that’s a diesel powered inter-connected train for those who don’t speak train nerd) certainly is*. And as if good looks weren’t enough, Carl Greatrix (bricktrix) has given this commuter train full digitally controlled lighting, sounds and motor control with help from “Richard and Mike”.
* Admittedly a few pieces may have been bent, cut, and otherwise modified.
