LNER A4 Class Mallard No. 4468 'Recordbreaker' Steam Train

This model is a resubmission of my first LEGO Ideas submission the classic A4 Mallard train engine - but expanded to focus on the train which broke the speed record in 1938. The set now includes the iconic train carriages which were part of the Mallard's record breaking speed run. As the Mallard will be celebrating its 90th birthday in 2025, I feel this set would be a fitting tribute to release as part of the celebrations for this prestigious and famous locomotive!

Unlike the original idea, the set no longer includes a track built stand and has been removed (it is too many pieces and I cannot include it in the submission if it is not part of the set - I'd rather dedicate the pieces to additional train carriages!) In its place I have now substituted basic Lego tracks.

I've attempted to replicate the train as it was for the speed run as seen in this photograph of the train taken in 1938. Additionally I've added some modifications in line with the restored Mallard Locomotive. The carriages consist of the Dynamometer car (used for capturing the data and confirming the speed) and two Coronation coaches (there were 6 for the train but piece count limits my idea to 2 of the 6 to remain under the 3000 piece limit). The Mallard locomotive model has also been updated to take advantage of new train parts released with 21344 'Orient Express'.

My inspiration for building this model still comes from LEGO's classic 10194 Emerald Night and wondering whether other iconic trains could be worthy to be built with LEGO. Streamlined steam trains of the last century are not something LEGO has previously produced and the difficulty in representing curves as accurately as possible seemed like a worthy challenge.

In my view LEGO Ideas provides an avenue to showcase what LEGO can do - it should inspire and what better way than to do that by building a model which combines engineering and design achievements from a period when steam trains were the king of travel and an icon of an advanced society.

The A4 Mallard is one of the most iconic steam trains to have ever been built (along with the Flying Scotsman and the Big Boy). It is an easily recognisable train due to its beautifully sleek design, colour, and it holds a speed record to boot! It would be an excellent model to add, or start, a collection for any fan of engineering, steam trains, or modern transport history. It would also look fantastic zooming around a LEGO layout! With carriages added this becomes both a playable train set and a model worth displaying.

It is a challenging train to capture the essential elements in LEGO, particularly the complexity of the curves. The initial model engine was built in LEGO then iteratively refined as a digital model in Stud.io. The model is suitable for LEGO gauge train track and has been designed to be motorised. The carriages have been designed in Stud.io and have not yet been replicated in real LEGO bricks (but plan to do so once I have all the parts!) The scale of the model is L Gauge / 8 studs wide).

There are complex building techniques in the model to achieve the curve (all legal) and studs go in all directions (the front curve, stack and curved area in front of the cabin are areas I've needed to rework considerably - it's not perfect but as close as my ability can currently obtain). The model is produced in Dark Azure to get close to the original colour. Similarly the carriages attempt to replicate the actual colours of the period, but there is some compromise/artistic license used in colour and the placement of decals to ensure they are on single pieces of LEGO.

Only official LEGO pieces have been used, however some of the pieces are not in production for the colour used, so unfortunately this model is not currently buildable without significant substitution (or in a different colour scheme entirely). There are no 'retired' pieces used. Some minor printed parts (or stickers) would need to be added (such as the LNER, No 4486, MALLARD lettering included in the rendering above) as finishing touches for this model to be truly complete.

As a tribute to Sir Nigel Gresley, the designer of many British steam locomotives including the A4 class, I've included his statue which is located near the booking office of London's Kings Cross station in the United Kingdom.

The trains model's dimensions are approximately: