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An idea I got for this years Armies on Parade: An Imperial Wartrain, similar to the russian 1920 ones with loads of towers, turrets and guns, derailed in the center of the board.

Now I don't have a model train store nearby and I'd prefer not to order something I can make myself. I'm thinking Evergreen 4.8mm H-beams as the tracks, laying on concrete blocks. The train itself is harder to figure out though... I could base it on a 1/48-1/35 model, but I'd love to make my own. Any ideas, thoughts and tips are appreciated!

Years ago when Apocalypse was first released, they showed a scratch built imperial train



It was apparently made from the then-new Imperial Sector terrain pieces, plasticard and model train bits (probably the wheels).

For a modern take, maybe use the Taurox's body as the front of the train, bulked out with plasticard to form the length, and using lego train wheels for the wheel assembly. Rest of it could be turrets from various imperial vehicles like the pred, leman russ and chimera.

I'd like to see what you come up with...could be pretty cool. Maybe steal some bits from those new 40K tractor models? (the engine could serve as a portion of the nose, etc.). Buy some Imperial Knight bits on eBay?

I'll probably have something like a skull up front, with some lights in the eyes. The sides can probably be made with plasticard and wall pieces from the Basilica Administratum, they have cool looking arches and skulls. I'll have to invest in both Chimera and Leman Russ turrets, plus the quad autogun from the Aegis defense line.

The bigget problem is what to build it on: Any train models I find in 1/35 are incredibly expensive.

Look for childrens toy trains with decent-ish wheels, and use those on a line of drinks cans to form the basic shape. Then pile on WH40K scenery and turrets

I know it's a bit old hat, but maybe you could draw some inspiration from this Squat land train for the carriages



As for the problem you mentioned, you could always look at getting a 3d model printed of the chassis, this is relatively easy as there is a group on thingiverse that is creating an open source rail track system, link here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:916416.

As for the parts, you could try going the Death Star war that Lucasarts did with Episode IV all the way back in the 70's and i'm pretty sure that Gerry Anderson might have done a similar thing, anyway, what they did especially for the trench scene was use bits and pieces from model boats, such as the ones you get from Airfix etc and then basically mismash them together, though i'm not sure where you could start with that.

3D printing groups might be able to help you with most parts of this project though as well as sellers on ebay who sell job lots of warhammer bits and bobs, I got one ages ago and I ended up with a multitude of guns, heads, building parts etc.

But that's just my thoughts on it.

7mm/O gauge wagon and coach kits (cheap ones) or the 'Christmas train set' stuff that does the rounds depending how much work you want to do. (all gives you the track)

wagon kits can be had in hard styrene, gives you wheels, bearings/bogies etc, and a chassis to use easily if you get flat/open wagons.

the Christmas stuff is a reasonably cheap set again for wheels etc but likely more work hacking the bodywork off to change it round.

The WW2 armoured trains are not a bad place to look either, through in Aegis line quad guns, Leman Russ turrets etc on reasonably basic hulls - also consider flat cars with ramps as tank carriers

Very cool project idea! Make sure to update with progress.

For 3d printing look at Autodesk 123D design, it is free and excellent at mechanical things.

oh sweet god, 123D.. that thing gave me aneurisms..

BUT it is free. There's a few others that will do as well, like Sketchup.. other free software.

Of course, ultimately, it comes to your ability to get used to the suite and move through the process.

I'll openly admit my problems with 123D were coming down from using Rhinoceros.. because I couldn't use it on school computers. Got my laptop back in my hands, and I no longer have to bash my head against my desk until I figure out how to tame the stuff.

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I have somewhat of a plan but I need help: For a train thats 32 cm in lenght and about 8cm in width, how big should the h-beams or I-beams be for the tracks? I'm thinking either 4,8mm or 4mm.

The lego model you see is kind of what I want my train to look like, it's 32x8x8. All the sides will be covered in Basilica Administratum panels, the roof covered in plasticard with railings, the little dugout in front of the platform will be an anti air position and the raised platform will have a large turret, either a leman russ turret or some sort of artillery. The front and back panels that are flat will have 1-2 MG's sticking out.

All I need to do now is buy al the supplies and find a skull to stick on the front.


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I'll obviously not use all the lego, I'd rather sellit, instead I'll just trace the plasticard sides over it

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I cut out some basic plasticard pieces for the two platforms. I figured the lascannons would fit better in the rear, since they won't obstruct the main cannon (which I still need to build/purchase). The heavy bolters in the main platform, I can either keep them there or place them up front.
And I need to either find another heavy bolter or purchase the aegis defense line so I get the anti air autocannon.

I've started building the platform the turret will sit on top of, so something's happening. I'll hopefully find a skull, character model or statue cool enough to place up front, if I can't I'll probably just leave it flat.

I'll have to shorten it though: I can fit either 5 or six Basilica Administratum wall tiles on each side, and there are only 10 that actually look good together. So a shorter, probably thinner train...

And there's the problem with the undercarriage, how do I make the roadwheels and all the things underneath?