Hogwarts Express MOC

[Gigi]

Hi, y'all, long time lurker here and train/harry potter enthusiast!

With the release of the entire wizarding word line i got super excited and most of all i was begging we would get another, more realistic Hogwarts express.

When it came out, however, i was: "cute, it has even pistons, but it feels so small": i immediately started thinking how to modify it.

It is the first real project i complete in LDD and manage to transpose in real bricks and i wanted to share with you. Comments/criticism/suggestions are welcome!

Note: for the engine i tried to keep the overall aesthetic and the gimmick that permits to block the front wheels.

Sorry for the long post, here are the pictures:

Hogwarts express modified by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

Hogwarts express modified engine by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

Hogwarts express modified engine and tender by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

Hogwarts express modified carriage by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

Hogwarts express modified carriage 2 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

IMG-0017 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

IMG-0020 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2018 by Gigi
Uploaded pictures and fixed link

[M_slug357]

@Gigi Gotta fix the link...!

[Gigi]

Thanks @M_slug357, i've also tried to upload the pictures in the post, but i have very limited amount of kb...

The link is working for me...

[Carefree_Dude]

Looks nice. Is it motorized?

[deraven]

Looks great.  I especially like the carriage.

Regarding the photos: The paperclip/upload option on Eurobricks is only for very small images to be used in your signature line here on the board.  You only get 100K total, so even 1 regular image probably pushes the limit of available space.  For sharing photos of MOCs, etc., you'll want to use a 3rd party service, so here's a tutorial on linking/embedding Flickr images in your posts: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/97921-flickr-tutorial/

[Gigi]

Thank you very much @deraven!

Yes, @Goldenmasamune, it is motorized with PF. All the compoents are in the tender, motor is the front bogie, receiver and battery are hidden in the tender.

[Roadmonkeytj]

Can't wait to see it come together

[Gigi]

Edited first post after reading the flickr tutorial posted by @deraven. Thank you again!

@Roadmonkeytj eill update as soon as the last pieces arrive to me

[zephyr1934]

I am not a fan of how they implemented the drivers but I can understand why they did it the way they did, e.g., they don't have to explain about quartering the wheels. At least this version of the set has driver wheels and makes a nice parts pack for an AFOL to turn in to something nicer like this.

You have some nice improvements there. The passenger car and tender are also way better than the set. The locomotive is leaps and bounds better too. Two thoughts though, first, to my eye the studs across the top of the boiler do not look good, what about replacing most of the plates with tiles? Second, typically on a mainline locomotive the connecting rods from the cylinder would go to the second driver back from the front. Did you consider replacing the 5 long technic beam with a 8-9 long technic beam or axle/connector assembly to move the connection back a bit?

[netlife]

Wow! I'm inspired! I bought two complete locomotive/tender packs and was starting to a plan a model that is more faithful to the actual dimensions of the original Olton Hall loco, and you have done a superb job, incidentally solving the problem of a proper 6-wheel tender to negotiate R40 curves. I'm in awe. Would you be willing to share your design files?

[Gigi]

On 8/31/2018 at 1:28 AM, zephyr1934 said:

I am not a fan of how they implemented the drivers but I can understand why they did it the way they did, e.g., they don't have to explain about quartering the wheels. At least this version of the set has driver wheels and makes a nice parts pack for an AFOL to turn in to something nicer like this.

You have some nice improvements there. The passenger car and tender are also way better than the set. The locomotive is leaps and bounds better too. Two thoughts though, first, to my eye the studs across the top of the boiler do not look good, what about replacing most of the plates with tiles? Second, typically on a mainline locomotive the connecting rods from the cylinder would go to the second driver back from the front. Did you consider replacing the 5 long technic beam with a 8-9 long technic beam or axle/connector assembly to move the connection back a bit?

Thanks Zephyr for your feedback and suggestions!

For the first observation: the studs on top of the boiler don't bother me too much, and i was thinking to leave them as they are. Furthermore, the 1x8 and 1x2 plates with rail are the right width to give a sense of continuity with the curved sides of the boiler. Replacing them with tiles requires a width of 3 studs circa and i have no idea how to do it without raising the boiler by one plate to insert jumpers...any suggestion?

Driving rods: i paid no attention to where the connecting rods would attach to the main rods (i'm no expert of steam trains) and i had no idea of what you were referring to, then i saw your signature: you are absolutely right and i will replace the 1x5 thin beam with a 1x7 thin beam (too short?), to start the rod near the blind driver.

@netlife Thank you very much! I don't mind at all, but I have to update the lxf file as i made some important changes on the fly to the original project 

[Dragunov2]

Much much better!

Want to share the LDD?

Thanks!

[zephyr1934]

On 9/2/2018 at 1:39 PM, Gigi said:

For the first observation: the studs on top of the boiler don't bother me too much, and i was thinking to leave them as they are. Furthermore, the 1x8 and 1x2 plates with rail are the right width to give a sense of continuity with the curved sides of the boiler. Replacing them with tiles requires a width of 3 studs circa and i have no idea how to do it without raising the boiler by one plate to insert jumpers...any suggestion?

Ah, I was only looking at an LDD file of the build and did not notice that they were using door rails across the top. That does make it a little more difficult, but not too much more. Inside the boiler there is a pair 2x2 plates each on top of a 2x2 brick holding up the red door rails. You could pull the 2x2 bricks and replace each with 1-2 plates, then use a 2x8 plate, put jumper plates for most of the next row except under the dome use a 2x2 plate, then on the next row 1x3 or 2x3 tiles for most of the run but 1x2 door rails under the dome.

[Gigi]

Aaaaanddd....We did it! I wanted to share with you my creation in real bricks! Sorry for the crappy photos ;)

There we are, with some substantial deviations from the original:

P9220546 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

The loco is aesthetically the same of the original ldd project, with a lot of work put on the front carriage: much more flat and shorter, to accommodate curves without blocking the pistons. 

P9220547 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

The missing train engineer bugged me, so i purchased the one from winter holiday train (maybe i will change the trousers in red/dark red to match the real livery)

P9220551 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

I have to give a BIG thank you to @zephyr1934, who pointed out the rods connecting the pistons to the main rods were too short: i have replaced them with a 7 long half beam and not only the train looks more realistic, but it doesn't stutter or block anymore!!

P9220548 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

The tender is motorized with pf train motor, and contains battery box (it's weight is very important for traction) and ir receiver. I has got an hatch to easy access to the on/off button:

P9220550 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P9220552 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

And finally, the carriage: i made quite some tinkering with this one and, by trial and error i've come up with the final model:

P9220544 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

I managed to build three compartments, complete with fixed glass doors (damn, those transparent tiles were expensive!) in which two minifigure with standard legs can sit in front of each other. Cramped space, but effective! Doors are emerald night inspired, of course.

P9220540 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P9220539 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

This is the kid-oriented feature: in order to give full access to my little daughter (5 yo) to the train interior, i maintained and "boosted" the wall removal feature: i'm quite satisfied with the result.

P9220537 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

The walls are held in place sturdily by two easily removable roof pieces

P9220534 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P9220533 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

Ad that is a video of the whole train running on a basic oval track

IMG_0061[1] by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

I hope you like it, as usual suggestions and/or criticism are much appreciated! Bye bye!

 

 

Edited September 22, 2018 by Gigi
typos and embedded video 

[zephyr1934]

That turned out very good, and while I like what you did to the locomotive, I must say that the compartments are great on the coach. If the space in the coach gets too tight, you could go to 1x2x2 or 1x2x3 trans panels at arm height and go studs up, doing away with the tile roof over the compartments.

[ColletArrow]

This is pretty perfect; a beautiful looking LEGO toy train. The whole set looks so much better with the added length, and the coach is another level all over. Excellent work.

[LibraryBill]

Very cool

I just discovered your post today. Are there instructions for how you lengthened the engine? 

Edited January 29, 2020 by LibraryBill

[Gigi]

Hi Guys! 

It's been a while since i started this topic!

Last year, between work and a new child incoming, i've been really busy: i've managed to tinker a little with the rendition of HE locomotive and tender (with some improvement, i think), but was completely stuck with the carriages. 

My wife has renamed this project "Fabbrica del Duomo" (of Milan)!  

I wanted them to look more like the real version, that is somewhat iconic, but i was blocked. Until...this topic appeared: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/173395-wip-hogwarts-express-custom-carriage/

I want to thank Phil B and ColletArrow in particular (i didn't find a way to tag them here, any help?) for motivating and inspiring me.  

Anyway, here's the progress so far, i've designed and brick built a Mark1 CK Composite corridor and only designed a BSK Brake standard corridor:

Locomotive and tender:

P2160846 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

BR Mark1 CK Composite corridor brick built:

P2160844 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P2160833 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P2160836 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P2160837 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

P2160841 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr  

Tonight i'll upload the BSK rendering with one alternative that i discarded (so far)

What do you think of the CK in the meantime? I'm curious for yor feedback, criticism and tips (especially before building the BSK!) . Also, what carriage will you suggest designing next?

 

Edited February 19, 2020 by Gigi

[Phil B]

Excellent! Love the toilets, @roadmonkeytj will be proud :)

[Gigi]

2 hours ago, Phil B said:

Excellent! Love the toilets, @roadmonkeytj will be proud :)

Thank you Phil! 

I've noticed that i never specified the project boundaries:

• 6 wide to integrate with my other sets. This unfortunately limits the exterior curve of the coach.
• max length 36 studs to navigate R40 switches
• full interior with minifigure placement
• maximum accessibility (detachable roof and sides) for playability

As promised, here the design for BSK coach: 

HE BR mark1 BSK Brake Second Corridor by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

HE BR mark1 BSK Brake Second Corridor_2 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

HE BR mark1 BSK Brake Second Corridor_3 by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

The owl cage is a tribute to @Phil B: it's a very nice and clever design, kudos!

This one is a rejected (at the moment) alternative design:

HE BR mark1 BSK Brake Second Corridor_doppie porte by luigi.ferrara84, su Flickr

What do you think? which design do you prefer? Any feedback/suggestions?

[zephyr1934]

That is coming along very nicely.

[Gigi]

On 2/20/2020 at 6:40 AM, zephyr1934 said:

That is coming along very nicely.

Thank you @zephyr1934  Have you any preference between the two versions of the BSK? 

Edited February 21, 2020 by Gigi

[zephyr1934]

12 hours ago, Gigi said:

Have you any preference between the two versions of the BSK

I am not familiar enough with UK rolling stock to say. The interior detailing is impressive though, espicially for 6 wide.