After 15 years, I completely overhauled the ICE 3 shortly before the BSBT 2024. The drive was converted from 4x 9 volt train motors to 2x Power Functions train motors with BuWizz 2.0. The trainwheel axles were fitted with ball bearings.
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ICE 3 „Stuttgart“ (BR 403)
The 8 units of the train were each extended by 6 studs. This results in a total length of the train of over 3.8 m and a total weight of just under 7.2 kg.
The idea
The idea of building this train as a LEGO model isn't new for me. But I never came up with a solution I was satisfied with. The nose of the train is a real challenge, but using 6x6 dishes as front windscreen and some of the new sloped elements coming in some LEGO car sets helped a lot to get the shape right.
The real one
The ICE 3 is the latest version of the famous German high speed passenger trains. As the real one, my LEGO model comes in 8 units. This type of train doesn't differ between locomotive and waggons, the electric motors are based underneath every second car.
Further pictures
The end-waggons are 56 studs long, the middle-waggons are 52 studs long. The whole train is about 3.5 m (~11.5 feet) long. Due to the fancy SNOT use of the curved slopes the width of the train is a bit more then 7 studs, but less then 7.5 studs.
The 2nd and 7th unit have a pantograph.
The units are coupled together using car coupling, no train magnets.
The characteristic ICE 3 nose – using LEGO to build this is quite a challenge.
Front view.
Countless "Slope, Curved 2 x 4 x 2/3 No Studs" (the element #61068 at www.bricklink.com) were used to build the roof.
The onboard restaurant called "BordBistro".
Closeup of the pantograph.
Most ICE trains carry a name of a German or European city. I choosed "Stuttgart" which is the next bigger city to where I live. The train number is Tz 337 and each waggon carries it's own number, 403 037-5, 403 137-3, 403 237-1, 403 337-9, 403 837-8, 403 737-0, 403 637-2 and 403 537-4.
This is what the train looks like underneath.
A slice of the unit shows how all 8 units are build.
The roof structure is the heaviest part.
A SNOT element (1x4 bricks with studs on the side) help to attach some of the sloped curved bricks/plates.
The walls of the waggon are attached to the roof section and the center section. It's a nightmare to build this because you can not hold bricks inside the waggon.
SNOT windows using James Mathis' design.
See how everything fits together.
Baptism of a train: the Tz 337 is called "Stuttgart" now.
Upps …
The baptism of the train. Some expensive champagne was poured over the trains name sticker. Some very important folks from the train company talked for hours …
Videos of my ICE 3
Parallel ride – YouTube video
From bird's eye perspective – ICE 3 and Thalys – YouTube video
Further pictures and videos on Flickr
Specifications – Rev. 2 – 2024
| Drive: | 2x Power Functions train motors with BuWizz 2.0 in the second unit of the train |
| Bauart: | 7,3-wide, highspeed train with 8 units |
| Length end-unit: | ~48,5 cm (~61 studs) |
| Length middle-unit: | ~46,5 cm (~58 studs) |
| Total Length: | ~3,86 m |
| Total Weight: | ~7,2 kg |
| Year of Construction: | 2024 |
Specifications – Rev. 1 – 2009-2024
| Drive: | 4x 9V train motor (2x in each end-unit) |
| Type: | 7,3-wide, highspeed train with 8 units |
| Length end-unit: | ~44 cm (~56 studs) |
| Length middle-unit: | ~42 cm (~52 studs) |
| Total Length: | ~3,5 m (~11.5 feet) |
| Year of Construction: | 2009 |
Building instructions and part lists
There are no building instructions und part lists available for the models shown on this web site. There are no engineering drawings available. To build the LEGO models only photographs from the real prototypes were used. All models are unique and not for sale.