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.
Following the AWESOME events of NMRA 2018 in Kansas City last month, there’s been a lot of discussion about what people are trying to get out of the hobby, defined as “LEGO Trains”. Put another way, why are we (you, me, etc.) here? What kind of reward do we seek from this niche hobby within a niche hobby?
Allow me to offer a few of my own thoughts and experiences which remind me why I’m doing what I am.
The participating AFOLs from the 2018 National Train Show
Continuing our theme of interviewing builders of exception MOCs, we’re back with European builder Mateusz Waldowski. Mateusz built this awe inspiring bullet train, the Alstom Pendolino ED250 PKP Intercity. We might not have awesome trains like this in the United States, but we sure wish we did! His build is complete with lights, a complete interior (!), and custom stickers. Check it out.
BMR: Tell us a little more about the build. How long did it take? Estimated piece count?
Mateusz: My MOC is 130cm long, has 3500 pieces, 10m of wire inside, lights on the front changing by direction, and lights inside. I first made a sketch in September 2015 and I started building from real bricks in 2016. The build took longer than I expected because I had to collect lots of ideas and continually improve the model.
BMR: What inspired you to build this particular locomotive?
Mateusz: In the LEGO catalogs from my childhood, passenger trains were always express/high speed.
BMR: Is it powered?
Mateusz: Yes. It has two LEGO train motors (old 9V train motor and pf train motor) and the receiver is behind the cab. Power comes from 9V tracks and steering by pf control pilot.
BMR: What is your build process? Do you use some form of digital design program?
Mateusz: I don’t have one way in my building process. For this particular model I used “LEGO Digital Designer” to sketch it, but my 3D model wasn’t good enough and I made lot of changes. In others MOCs I build immediately from real brick.
BMR: What was the hardest bit to get right?
Mateusz: The most difficult was the front of the train. I wanted the train to look very smooth and fast like the original. I didn’t want to have “stairs” on the front of train. (Ed: you certainly succeeded!)
BMR: What’s your favorite detail that other people might not notice?
Mateusz: I don’t know. I spent too long building this train to have an objective opinion about it.
I know what my favorite detail is, the pantographs. Binoculars!
BMR: What’s next?
Mateusz: This year I plan on adding one more car to the Pendolino (with a restaurant inside). Right now I am building another diesel locomotive to add to my PKP Cargo family. I definitely must build more cargo cars.
BMR: What’s best, steam or diesel?
Mateusz: I don’t have a favorite type of locomotive/train. (ed: we’re sure that Mateusz meant to say diesel, but we’ll let it slide this once).
Today we interview SwissLUG member Stefan Erismann. Stefan’s unique builds include interesting rounded shapes and realistic proportions. For more, see his wonderful Flickr stream.
BMR: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you most enjoy building?
SE: I am 22 years old and I study electrical engineering. I am a member of SwissLUG, the first Swiss Lego user group. Since I was a small child, I was interested in trains and railways, and so am I today. I enjoy building models of existing rolling stock and the challenge to build the round train fronts and other things which do not fit in the “regular LEGO geometry”. This can be the tilted walls of the ETR 610, or the round front of the Trans Europe Express (TEE).
BMR: Your Flickr photos show a number of small studies of building techniques, as well as computer renderings. Can you tell us about your design and building process?
SE: I normally start with pictures of the real thing, e.g. a locomotive. I also look for blueprints and especially pictures from the side, to get the proportions right. Then I build a prototype with the bricks I have at hand. Often these prototypes are quite colorful. Depending on the size and bricks I already have I build the MOC with the LDD to calculate the bricks I am missing. On the other hand, I cannot build everything I want, so a lot of MOCs will stay in the LDD. That is also the point where I put pictures online. I hope that my building techniques can inspire other people to build their MOCs.
The models I finally build with real bricks however seldom look like the LDD prototypes. I often change things if for example some new bricks appear, or some bricks become available in a certain color.
BMR: In addition to trains, you have built some beautiful models of public transportation buses. Do you enjoy building these a individual models, or
are they part of a larger layout?
SE: The correct answer is both. I started with a coach, which then turned into a small layout with the coach, a bus stop and a campsite.
There are a lot of members in SwissLUG who build trains or modify the train sets from Lego, so there is never a lack of trains on an exhibition. However, there are no buses. So now I am planning a big bus station and I have now six buses, from commuter service buses to a double deck coach. I also enjoy that every bus manufacturer has their own details, like the front or the shape of the bus itself. That is something I try to capture with my bricks.
If you’re in the Jackson, New Hampshire area this summer, swing by the Jackson Public Library and check out this awesome LEGO rendition of the Conway Scenic Railroad by Dawson Santoro.
The Conway Scenic is a a tourist line in the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire, offering passenger excursions through the White Mountains. Their colorful consists include a number of vintage locomotives and cars, including the 0-6-0 Canadian National 7470 that Dawson chose to model for his display.
I asked Dawson a few questions about his very professional build.
BMR: What was the original inspiration behind choosing the Conway Scenic as a prototype to model?
DS: I’ve been following PENNLUG for a few years now, the models they build are truly amazing and they inspired me to build a train with that level of detail. And since I’ve been coming to Jackson, New Hampshire every summer for the past fifteen years, I chose to build the Conway Scenic Railroad which is a major tourist attraction in the area. by invitation, for the past two summers, I’ve had some custom LEGO builds on display and for this year I chose the Conway Scenic because everyone here in The Mount Washington Valley, knows about and has seen or been on the real thing so it’s relatable to everyone.
BMR:What is your design process? Do you work with virtual models on acomputer first, or do you work more hands on with physical bricks as youbuild?
DS: My design process was to first look at a lot of close up pictures that I took of the real train last summer and I tried to figure out what LEGO parts I could use for each feature of the train. I also looked at a lot of LEGO models from other builders to get ideas. I designed one of the coaches on LEGO Digital Designer to get an idea of how each one would look and have a rough list of parts I would need. I modified each coach as I built them and I would often take apart a lot of the detail and rebuilt it differently to get it as accurate as I could. For the steam locomotive, I designed the boiler, cab, gearbox and coal tender on LEGO Digital Designer. Since it was my first locomotive I’ve built there was a lot of trial and error with building with physical bricks. I much prefer actually building my models and being able to see how it’s going to turn out and what works and what doesn’t.
BMR:How long was the design and build process?
DS: I started building this model in November 2017 and finished it at the beginning of May this year which is about six months from designing it to applying on the decals at the end. Before I started designing it I already knew how I was going to power it so I ordered the power functions I needed back in September. I first started building the locomotive which took me about a month and a half to complete the rough shape and functions of the gearing. Throughout the rest of the building of the coaches and the track, I didn’t stop working on the locomotive, adding small detail or changing details I didn’t like or thought I could improve on.
In addition to MOC Builder interviews, BMR has recently reached out to the worldwide LEGO train community to learn a little more about some of the people and groups that make up our great hobby. Recently I interviewed Paolo Sbrascini, a train builder from the Italian fan group Marchebrick.
Paolo is the main train builder for their group, and enjoys building automation into his MOCs and layouts, including such things as automatic doors that open and close on passenger trains as they stop at the train platform.
Paolo with “Emerald Night” designer Jamie Berard
BMR: Can you tell us about Marchebrick?
Paolo: Marchebrick group…RLUG from January 2017, now with more than 40 members and 25 active AFOLs, proud to be their Ambassador and co-founder of this group.
It was December 2014, AFOL from 2010 and ITlug member, (still I am), I was participating as exhibitor to an event in our Region (Marche, Central Italy, 300 kms north/east from Rome) organized by our friends of Romabrick group. In that occasion I met some guys who lived not far from me and all great AFOLs. We discussed about the possibility to found a group to enjoy together and run own events. After some months talking about it (usually in Pubs and restaurants), maybe a little drunk, in the 2015 spring we officially founded “Marchebrick”.
In origin we were 5 main AFOLs, different theme lovers (city/trains, fantasy/castle, Technic, pirates and Friends (a member wife).
This 1st event arrived quickly, in April 2015 we organized an expo area in a fair near us. Event gone okay and we decided to raise the level, organize a specific exhibition in the Center of the main Cities of the Region, and we did it! December 2017, two events in Ancona (Region’s Capital) and Macerata (Province chief town) gave us an extreme visibility and all the “hidden” AFOLs and brick lovers of a large area contacted us to know more, to take part to our activities, to enjoy…
2016 a Year of big changes, more people to manage, more activities to do (an example, we bought a lot of bricks to make children play for free at our events), a founder gone, some new “big” AFOLs arrived…continuing growing and making bigger and enjoying events. August and October Central Italy Earthquakes (one during an event…incredible) impacted strongly in our Region…but even with some difficulties we continued to play!
2017, January…Welcome aboard new RLUG! Doors or a new world open to us, we start to make official events and cooperate more with all the “neighbours” and the other Italian groups. The Main event comes on January 2018, Brick And Build Porto San Giorgio, a whole sports hall, 55 exhibitors from all over Italy, big play area, fantastic reply from public.
Marchebrick
Now we are trying to add new activities to play with public…and among our members, like internal brick contests or community Ideas to develop…soon enjoying news!
BMR: Do you find it difficult to be the only member who enjoys building trains?
Paolo: No relevant difficulties, even If I am the only train MOC builder of my group, when I do something I like I never find problems. I am a Train lover since I abandoned my dark age in 2010. Participating to events through Italy I met a good part of the most “famous” Italian and European Lego trains builders and I had the possibility to compare with them. I also searched if in our group there were someone interested, but all the other City lovers only consider trains like “the movement” in the city…without approaching to MOC models like me. For these reasons in my group I am usually the one who manages city and trains Layouts and in occasion of bigger events I usually call other “foreign” train lovers to help me with their creations. I also usually go outside when called to run my trains in some large city layouts built by other groups. And I enjoy very much to do this!
BMR: Tell us about the automations that you build. Do you have a process for
testing as you create?
Paolo: Making my trains as accurate as possible, I started to search for some new “wow” effects to add…for example smoke from exhausts, sounds, but these are all existing tricks, which can be made adapting a normal kit from railroad models. For this reason, I started to think about what could be unusual or enjoying to see and I found some good stuffs to improve, like: working automatic railroad crossings, automatic train doors, automatic start/stop trains on station’s platform in according to light signals…
Usually I build my trains before by LDD, but for these moving stuffs (especially crossing and working doors) I had to invent completely all the functions by using real mock-ups. Testing these models I optimized their work and then I putted them into my models/layouts, in this case empiric approach works very well for me.
Regarding automations, I use an old RCX 1.0 and sensors which can be programmed by NQC language, I know it’s quite complicate but I usually can obtain good results.
BMR: Do you use 3rd party parts (batteries, lights, motors, etc.) in any of
your builds? If so, why?
Paolo: I consider myself quite “purist” using Lego parts, so if possible I try only to use only original pieces. This “rule” is fundamental regarding bricks and normal pieces, but regarding electronic Everybody knows that there are some limits in standard parts. Building my models in the Years I used no standard rechargeable batteries, but with big problems (heat) so I started to use official rechargeable batteries. (expensive but efficient). Same for controllers, I tried S-Brick receiver, but not totally satisfied applying it to trains. Now I’m thinking about buying a Buwizz battery (I know Roni one of the founders) and it could be interesting to have a small “all in one” device.
Another real problem is represented by old 9v train motors “burnt” or very “tired”…I’m now trying to run my trains with PF motors collecting energy by a cable connected with a 9v motor (but in small models it’s more difficult).
Regarding controlling functions I will try to remain with RCX system till it will be working, but I also know some friends implementing programmable (and quite cheap) systems like Arduino with increasing success…so let’s see in the next future…also considering that TLG will launch soon the new PF2 system.
Photos from Marchebrick Porto San Giorgio “Brick ‘n Build” show some very
detailed and realistic train layouts. Were these collaborations between
you and other builders?
Paolo: In small events I usually manage train layouts with my forces, but as I said before regarding my activities, in big layouts I usually contact before 4 or 5 “serious” train builders asking them to give me a hand to display great dioramas and realistic trains. We know each other and we usually keep in contact among us, so we know exactly what we have to display and what could be useful for this or for another event. The only thing which has not been implemented yet among us Is the direct collaboration for realizing a unique layout…cause we are far from each other (2/300 kilometers each) and we cannot often meet physically, But we are talking about it, let’s develop this idea in the future.
We’re’ back again with our second builder interview, this time we’re going across the pond with 39 year old Swiss builder Beat Felber. Beat built this awe inspiring Santa Fe 5000 class steamer.
This is something new BMR is piloting, interviews with builders of exceptional MOCs. Provided there are enough new builds, we hope to have several of these every month.
The builder for our first interview is 19-year-old Zach Reynolds.
I agree, this topic title normally makes more sense over at our friends of The Lego Car Blog but thanks to well-know Sci-Fi trains and space builder Sunder, we can now also use this title over at BMR, and not without a reason. Just have a look at this great YouTube video and you know what I mean!
I’m to be honest not sure what is more addictive; that song or seeing 3 minutes of drifting by a Lego Train…
As you can see, Sunder is a great builder who also knows his ways in 3D rendering, which actually gives us the excuse to also feature another of his models which he posted about a week ago. Just have a look and decide for yourself if this is actually a render, or real life bricks…
No Starch Press reached out to Brick Model Railroader recently and offered an advance copy of The Lego Trains Book by Holger Matthes. We graciously accepted the offer, and have decided to write and share some of our thoughts on it.
A very attractive book cover.
Before even opening the book, I’m reminded of the (former?) comprehensive resource book for those looking to get started in the hobby. Perhaps some of the older train builders are familiar with “Getting Started with Lego Trains” by Jake McKee, also published by No Starch Press, as far back as 2004. I remember buying that book online and reading it cover to cover more times than I can count. This book predates the end of the 9-volt era, so a new book for Lego trains has been long overdue, and there were certainly some big shoes to fill.
My own tattered copy of Jake McKee’s Getting Started With LEGO Trains.
The Getting Stated book included a solid introduction and a great review of the current market for Lego trains. At that time, the Santa Fe, My Own Train line, and more was available. There was also plenty of information on effective use and operating tips for the old 9 volt system, as well as a comprehensive list of equipment needed to start running a 9 volt layout.
There were also some instructions for those looking for an instant way to jump into 6-wide 9 volt building. While I never actually built any of the models, I definitely wanted to. They were good models because they were appealing to look at, easy enough for a beginner but complex enough to learn real techniques.
As I’m writing the introduction and background information about Jake McKee’s book, I haven’t looked through the book, save for a relatively brief skim and a glance at the instructions included. So without much more delay, let’s dive right in.
First off, I have to say the photography quality is amazing, so big points to photographer Andy Bahler. Following acknowledgements, Michael Gale (of the PFx Brick team) offers a well-written foreword, briefly discussing his lifelong fascination with trains, and growing more and more into modeling them in Lego. The introduction is also very well-laid out, allowing the reader to become familiar with the official Lego website, as well as Bricklink and Brickset. Nomenclature (set numbers, part numbers according to Bricklink, etc.) is also discussed before moving into the real content.
Holger does an amazing job describing the history of Lego trains in vivid detail, from #182 to #10233 Horizon Express, and everything in between. Train operation, track availability, parts, wheels, and more are covered for each train system. I feel the Getting Started book did not do enough of this. Holger certainly has not missed a detail, even including a summary and a look at each system from a current perspective.
An example of the Blue Rail era history.
Moving into the Power Functions era (current), each component which may be used in train building is laid out and described, even shortly describing the possibilities of building your own drive trains. Monorail and even narrow gauge is covered. In all, awesome history.
Next is a section titled “Basic Principles.” I love this section, as it contains a lot of information I wish I had several years ago. Holger describes basic part naming and shows numerous examples of each type, and also describes the studs and anti-studs system (which gives Lego the clutch power, for those unaware). He also details technic connections, and legal vs. illegal connections. SNOT techniques are covered with convenient color-coded diagrams. All of this information gives the reader a great foundation for diving right into building their own MOCs. Other cool techniques demonstrated in this section include brick-built striping and using parts to simulate different textures.
There’s even a Reverse Engineering Challenge!
The next section is titled “Designing Your Own Models,” and gives plenty of thoughtful content regarding various building scales, including the old 6 wide – 8 wide debate (as well as 7 wide, to make Andy Mollmann happy), and designing locomotives and cars to run on the track geometries on the current market.
This section also includes some hardcore Lego train engineering practices, such as trucks, couplings, pivot points, and more. There is also information regarding effective steam locomotive techniques! For those of you who have been pulling your hair out with failed steam locomotives, I recommend this section. I often describe building steam as a dark art, and it sure can be sometimes, but Holger has done a great job making a lot of potentially difficult information easy to read. Concepts like wheel quartering and basic steam locomotive components are covered here. One of the things I particularly like about the steam locomotive section is that Holger lists a few key design points to consider before or while building.
Showing the custom rods from TrainedBricks, and some good points to consider when building a steam locomotive.
Power Functions drive train basics, along with use of train motors, is included here as well. From there, the Holger moves into modeling details and key features of a particular prototype, such as colors, doors, windows, roof design, and more. Further still, track and layout design is discussed, explaining the differences in curve radius, and BlueBrick (a Lego track software).
The next section dives into case studies with very specific techniques and features. Those of you interested in reverse-engineering Holger’s Vectron electric locomotive, this section is for you. The BR10 model is also discussed in detail, and there is a link to Holger’s website for instructions.
Speaking of instructions, that’s the final section! There are instructions for five of Holger’s AWESOME models, with links to his website for his BR80 locomotive. Sorry North American builders, nothing on our side of the pond in this book. (Maybe Cale and I can fill the void sometime…?)
In all, I have to give this book a 10/10 score. There was not a detail that was skipped over. This is certainly the new Getting Started With LGEO Trains, without any doubt. The instructions may be for foreign (to me) models, but they offer a lot, not to mention the countless other photos and well-written paragraphs full of useful stuff. I would recommend this book to anyone, even myself. There’s plenty in here I haven’t even thought of.
Well done, Holger. Thank you for your amazing new contribution to the amazing LEGO train hobby. I’m confident this will be the go-to book for a long time.
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