The LEGO Trains Book

The LEGO Trains Book

by Holger Matthes
October 2017, 248 pp.
ISBN-13: 
978-1-59327-819-9
Full Color
Look Inside!


Learn the model-making process from start to finish, including the best ways to choose scale, wheels, motors, and track layout. Get advice for building steam engines, locomotives, and passenger cars, and discover fresh ideas and inspiration for your own LEGO train designs.

Inside you'll find:

  • A historical tour of LEGO trains
  • Step-by-step building instructions for models of the German Inter-City Express (ICE), the Swiss “Crocodile,” and a vintage passenger car
  • Tips for controlling your trains with transformers, receivers, and motors
  • Advice on advanced building tech­niques like SNOT (studs not on top), micro­striping, creating textures, and making offset connections
  • Case studies of the design process
  • Ways to use older LEGO pieces in modern designs

For ages 10+

Author Bio 

Holger Matthes is a hobbyist who has been building with LEGO since 2000. He was involved in the creation of various official LEGO projects such as the Hobby Train set #10183 and frequently presents his models and gives workshops at LEGO exhibitions worldwide.

Table of contents 

Acknowledgments
Foreword by Michael Gale

Introduction

Part I: A History of LEGO Trains
Part II: Basic Principles
Part III: Designing Your Own Models
Part IV: Case Studies in Design
Part V: Building Instructions!

Index

View the detailed Table of Contents
View the Index

Reviews 

The LEGO Trains Book was featured in City Book Review's Holiday Gift Guide!

“A must-have for every LEGO train fan...It will be up-to-date as long as LEGO produces bricks and sets.”
—Eurobricks

“The author's knowledge and passion for brick-built railways are clearly felt on every page. Once again, No Starch Press has given a platform to an area of the LEGO community which wouldn't necessarily be covered elsewhere.”
—BrickFanz

“Author Holger Matthes draws upon his years of experience and expertise to help LEGO enthusiasts ages 10 and up learn the model-making process.”
—Midwest Book Review

“A very comprehensive book, illustrated with excellent photographs and diagrams...Whether you're just starting to think about getting into LEGO trains, or you've been building them for years, you'll find a lot of interesting information within.”
—Brickset

“I have to give this book a 10/10 score. There was not a detail that was skipped over.”
—Brick Model Railroader

“The definitive guide for anyone who wants to build a LEGO train, whether you are a complete beginner or experienced builder.”
—HispaBrick Magazine

"Whether you have a passing interest in locomotives or would like to delve deeper into the world of L-Gauge, pistons and pantographs then this book comes highly recommended as a must-have bible on all things LEGO trains."
—Sébastien Daniell, Brick Fanatics

"A really great resource for anyone that is interested in LEGO trains, whether you're just getting into the hobby or have been interested in LEGO trains for quite a while. . . . I cannot recommend this book enough."
—Adam King, Adam's Brick Junction

Extra Stuff 

❧ Detailed Parts Lists for the Models
❧ Steam Engine BR10 Instructions
❧ Steam Engine BR80 Instructions
❧ Hobby Train Set Instructions