Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Locomotive and Carriage MOC by dunkandeggbricks

[dunkandegg]

Hello everyone!! I hope I'm right in making this a new topic - and that it should be in train tech and not in licensed. I've been working for a while on my own Hogwarts Express MOC. I know I'm not the first person to do this and I bow before many people who've done superb jobs - but here's my take on it! I've linked the two YouTube videos I've made about the locomotive and the carriage so feel free to have a watch. Or if not, there are a few photos which show what I've made. I'm very happy to answer any questions, as well as pointing people in the direction of my inspirations if they're looking for some themselves.

 

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

Lego Hogwarts Express Moc by Will Norris, on Flickr

[Berger]

Those both look really good! The carriage especially because it uses the lego wheel covers which aren't all that good on some models compared to built trucks on those models but you have made them look really good.  You could use custom rods to make it cleaner but it still looks good.

[High_Admiral]

*Whistles*
Nice work there! Have you thought about adding in a tapered boiler and larger driving wheels? Still, it looks phenomenal, can't wait to see what else you build!

[dunkandegg]

39 minutes ago, Berger said:

Those both look really good! The carriage especially because it uses the lego wheel covers which aren't all that good on some models compared to built trucks on those models but you have made them look really good.  You could use custom rods to make it cleaner but it still looks good.

Thank you! I did think about using the wheels on technic axles combination but the wheel sets just roll much more easily - which should help if I make more carriages! I thought of custom rods, but for the moment my target was 100% Lego.

41 minutes ago, High_Admiral said:

*Whistles*
Nice work there! Have you thought about adding in a tapered boiler and larger driving wheels? Still, it looks phenomenal, can't wait to see what else you build!

Thanks very much! I did look at tapered boilers - I think Carl Greatrix and Britishbricks both managed them on their Hogwarts Expresses but it was a little too complicated for me. If I ever manage to source some BBB wheels or something similar I might have to try a redesign if I can!

[Pdaitabird]

Nice job! I like the cab detailing and how you've incorporated tender power! 

[SteamSewnEmpire]

It's very nice. I sure wish that Lego would come up with a better way for the 6w people to do boilers, though. That's not a criticism of the model - it's that the 6w crowd has lived under the yoke of those stupid round pieces and the infuriating little notches they leave for far too long.

[WesternOutlaw]

Nicely done.  I really like the boiler design.  

[rday1982]

10 hours ago, SteamSewnEmpire said:

It's very nice. I sure wish that Lego would come up with a better way for the 6w people to do boilers, though. That's not a criticism of the model - it's that the 6w crowd has lived under the yoke of those stupid round pieces and the infuriating little notches they leave for far too long.

The model is really nice, even with those notches and the holes in the round bricks. But I do know exactly what you mean, and I think this is why I tend to prefer the use of curved slope tiles or slope tiles, personally. I think that there's probably not going to be a better way until Lego decide to make bricks that are specifically intended to be used to build steam locomotive boilers though, and I don't think that will happen because as far as I can tell, Lego have no real interest in catering specifically to train builders.

 

[Pdaitabird]

16 hours ago, SteamSewnEmpire said:

It's very nice. I sure wish that Lego would come up with a better way for the 6w people to do boilers, though. That's not a criticism of the model - it's that the 6w crowd has lived under the yoke of those stupid round pieces and the infuriating little notches they leave for far too long.

Yep. For a 4-wide boiler, we're pretty much stuck with either those pieces for a cylinder or 45 degree slopes for an octagon. (I've also seen boilers built using those 1 x 2 x 1-1/3 curved slopes, but they look more like the top of a Belpaire firebox than a proper boiler!) The best work-around that I've seen is to put minifig hands into the notches, allowing you to cover them up with a hand rail. 

[Phil B]

As a fellow HE modifier and Mk.I coach builder, I think you did an excellent job. Love the coaches!

[dunkandegg]

2 hours ago, Phil B said:

As a fellow HE modifier and Mk.I coach builder, I think you did an excellent job. Love the coaches!

Thank you!

[Feuer Zug]

Wonderful rendition of the Hogwart's Express. I noticed you did the cab and Mk 1 carriage in 7 wide. They look great at that scale. As noted above, expanding the boiler to 5 wide (maybe with macaroni?) might give it a proper look. Brick on!

[dunkandegg]

4 hours ago, Feuer Zug said:

Wonderful rendition of the Hogwart's Express. I noticed you did the cab and Mk 1 carriage in 7 wide. They look great at that scale. As noted above, expanding the boiler to 5 wide (maybe with macaroni?) might give it a proper look. Brick on!

Thanks, I did nearly give up and stick with 6-wide but that extra stud really makes the difference even if it’s a lot harder to build in! I also looked at a 5 wide boiler - or I think there’s a technique which makes a 4.8 wide which would’ve been perfect - but given that it tapers and I was already ignoring that I thought I could get away with it!

[ColletArrow]

Another fantastic rendition of this iconic train - the GWR Hall Class and BR Mk1s are both instantly recognisable, and they're perfectly scaled and well detailed to boot. I agree 7-wide can be a pain to build in, but I think it's the best size for the UK loading gauge. 

Excellent work overall!

[dunkandegg]

15 hours ago, ColletArrow said:

Another fantastic rendition of this iconic train - the GWR Hall Class and BR Mk1s are both instantly recognisable, and they're perfectly scaled and well detailed to boot. I agree 7-wide can be a pain to build in, but I think it's the best size for the UK loading gauge. 

Excellent work overall!

Thank you so much! That’s incredibly kind - 7 wide, despite the drawbacks, seems to work perfectly for British outline rolling stuck, still waiting on Lego to come out with some more odd numbered plates to make our lives a bit easier!

[zephyr1934]

That looks really good, seeing your build and then thinking of all of the official sets, it is like night and day. Great job