ICE 3 as LEGO model
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: ICE 3 – With kind permission by Claudia Franke (former www.ICE-fansite.de)
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.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
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.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
The units are coupled together using car coupling, no train magnets.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
The characteristic ICE 3 nose – using LEGO to build this is quite a challenge.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
Front view.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
Countless "Slope, Curved 2 x 4 x 2/3 No Studs" (the element #61068 at www.bricklink.com) were used to build the roof.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
The onboard restaurant called "BordBistro".
ICE 3 as LEGO model
Closeup of the pantograph.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
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.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
This is what the train looks like underneath.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
A slice of the unit shows how all 8 units are build.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
The roof structure is the heaviest part.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
A SNOT element (1x4 bricks with studs on the side) help to attach some of the sloped curved bricks/plates.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
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.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
SNOT windows using James Mathis' design.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
See how everything fits together.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
Baptism of a train: the Tz 337 is called "Stuttgart" now.
ICE 3 as LEGO model
Upps …
ICE 3 as LEGO model
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
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.
Why doesn't building instructions exist?