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BR 101 & InterCityNight (ICN)

Highslide JS
InterCityNight as LEGO model

The InterCityNight was a rarely seen train in Germany. The Talgo sleeping carriages are fixed together and the have a shared 1-axle truck. Building a working 1-axle truck for the LEGO tracks is a real challenge. It took quite a time to find out, how it might work in LEGO.

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Highslide JS
InterCityNight as LEGO model

In the beginning all carriages were build with fixed axles, but I realised that this concept will not work on the LEGO tracks. They have to pivot somehow, even if this stands in contrast to the principle of train wheel(s) and track. So how could this work for a LEGO model?

Highslide JS
InterCityNight as LEGO model

The 9 carriages are 27 studs long each, only the first and last carriages have fixed axles. Again, the length of the carriages is a compromise to the geometry of the standard LEGO track system.

Highslide JS
InterCityNight as LEGO model

Electric locomotive BR 101

The model of the electric locomotive BR 101 is my first electric locomotive I've build. The idea started with the 22° corner slope to model the upper corners of the side walls next to the cabins. SNOT is used all over the side walls and many 2x2 tiles in red were used.

Highslide JS
InterCityNight as LEGO model

1-axle trucks

A real challenge were the tight couppling of the sleeping carriages. But I was aware of a very rare special brick which might help to solve the problem. The magic brick is called Brick, Modified 1 x 2 x 2 1/3 with Spring Unit.

Highslide JS
InterCityNight as LEGO model

This "spring brick" allows to create a flexible pivot point. In curves the carriages are pushed so they can pivot. On straight track the spring tightens the carriages again. It took about 90 minutes to figure out this concept, now it works fine on standard LEGO train track.

Specifications

Drive: 2x 9V train motor in BR 101 locomotive
Type: 8-wide, electric locomotive with 9 carriages
Length locomotive: ~40 cm (~50 studs)
Length carriage: ~22 cm (~27 studs)
Total Length: ~2,35 m
Year of Construction: 2001

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?