TRAIN TECH Help, General Questions & Talk to the Staff

[domik]

10 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

That's a tough angle to pull off in lego. There are probably tricks to do it but it will require a lot of trial and error before you find the trade off that you like. Perhaps start a new thread and show what you've got so far and tell the readers what you do not like about it or what you want it to do.

I honestly have done nothing as for the roof for now... But when I do build something I probably do what you said

[L-Gauger]

On 7/6/2025 at 3:49 AM, domik said:

Hello, I don't know if it's the right place, but I figured it is. I'm trying to build a SJ B class steam locomotive and the one which I'm looking at -

has this cool ship-like cabin roof with it going narrower towards the boiler. I'd love to have something like it in my loco, but have been scraping my head on how I could do it.

If anyone has some ideas, I'd appreciate help!

That's definitely a really hard shape to model in Lego, especially without gaps. My first thought, though, was that the Optimus Prime faceplate would be a good part for modeling the very front tip of the cab roof: 

Thanks to the Orient Express, the part exists in the right color. 

That said, building the cab consists of at least two distinct challenges: First, modeling the angled front walls of the cab, and Second modeling the cab roof. There might also be some challenges smoothly integrating the firebox into the whole model. 

Regarding the front wall of the cab, it could be built vertically (either with ordinary bricks on hinge plates or wedge bricks) or with SNOT. You might find it takes a combination of techniques to model the angle, the corner where the two front walls join over the boiler, and the cab windows each convincingly. Because of this complexity, I'd design the front cab walls first, then make the roof to fit what you come up with. As for the roof, modeling both the angle of the front edge and the curve of the roof slope will be difficult. You could compromise by building the back two-thirds of the roof with curve slope bricks, then mount wedge plates to model the angle of the front edge... that means the curved slope of the roof wouldn't extend all the way to the front of the cab, but at least modeling the back part correctly would give that suggestion.

Hopefully these thoughts help and aren't too confusing. @domik Let me know if I need to clarify anything. I'm exited to see how you approach modeling this fine Ten-Wheeler! (in case you don't already know that's what this engine's wheel arrangement is called, at least in the U.S. ) 

[domik]

9 hours ago, L-Gauger said:

That's definitely a really hard shape to model in Lego, especially without gaps. My first thought, though, was that the Optimus Prime faceplate would be a good part for modeling the very front tip of the cab roof: 

Thanks to the Orient Express, the part exists in the right color. 

That said, building the cab consists of at least two distinct challenges: First, modeling the angled front walls of the cab, and Second modeling the cab roof. There might also be some challenges smoothly integrating the firebox into the whole model. 

Regarding the front wall of the cab, it could be built vertically (either with ordinary bricks on hinge plates or wedge bricks) or with SNOT. You might find it takes a combination of techniques to model the angle, the corner where the two front walls join over the boiler, and the cab windows each convincingly. Because of this complexity, I'd design the front cab walls first, then make the roof to fit what you come up with. As for the roof, modeling both the angle of the front edge and the curve of the roof slope will be difficult. You could compromise by building the back two-thirds of the roof with curve slope bricks, then mount wedge plates to model the angle of the front edge... that means the curved slope of the roof wouldn't extend all the way to the front of the cab, but at least modeling the back part correctly would give that suggestion.

Hopefully these thoughts help and aren't too confusing. @domik Let me know if I need to clarify anything. I'm exited to see how you approach modeling this fine Ten-Wheeler! (in case you don't already know that's what this engine's wheel arrangement is called, at least in the U.S. ) 

Thanks! That part could be what saves me ! I as said in my previous reply haven't yet got the roof started, but the front cabin walls I have figured out. I think I'll make a new thread with this loco shortly and then post pictures of it

[L-Gauger]

@domik Okay, that's perfect! Glad I could be of help!