Building Locomotive Models

How To Make Locomotive Models

Plans and instructions for making locomotive models – standard and narrow gauge steam engines are in the plan books shown below.

In this page are locomotive model plan books.  Each book contains detailed plans and illustrated instructions.

Here is a direct link to some of the finest model plans that you will find. Click either on the image or here.

You can use these plan books in different ways.

How To Use These Plans To Make Scale Locomotive Models

• 1. Follow the instructions and use the plans as they are and build a 1/25 scale locomotive model in paper or brass.
• 2. Scan the plans and reduce the scale to build a model in OO, HO or TT Scale.  Do it in card, paper or brass.
• 3. Scan the plans, reduce the scale and make a 3d version using Sketchup or another CAD program such as the free Qcad software.
• 4. Print the individual parts in 2d to cut out directly or use as a pattern for your photo etch or card.

The model plan books were authored by one of the most famous plan designers in Central Europe.  These plans are often assembled and submitted to model competitions. And they are always displayed with pride at model shows.

The images give a brief description.  Clicking on an image takes you to a full description and sample images of the plan.

Steam Engine Model TW-29Polish narrow gauge tank steam locomotive TW 29 was produced in the years 1929 and 1930. It was used for many years (1929 – 1976) by the Upper Silesian Narrow Gauge Railroads on 785 mm track.

These engines were small tank locomotives (0-3-0) that were designed for local traffic and shunting. They were produced in large numbers in Germany for the Prussian Railways during the years 1882 to 1906 and then for other countries and private railways until 1924. In Poland they were used for training and by Polish factories up until the 1960’s.

POLISH NARROW-GAUGE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FROM 1929The designation PX29 was applied in 1945 to the original design of the engine which was orginally designed WP29 (type Vilnius). This locomotive proved to be a successful design. It was well-liked because of its ease of use.

Brigadelok Narrow Gauge Steam Engine Dn2tTypically used with a width of 600 mm. After the war, the Polish State Railways used the HF steam locomotives in the years 1918-1970. They were used also used on railways in the forestry and sugar industries. They were withdrawn because of the difficulty in getting parts to repair them. Some of the machines are in the train museums at Sochaczew, Skierniewice and Wenecja.

Narrow Gauge Steam Engine Model Px48The Px48 design was based on plans of the PX29.  It was very efficient and very popular.  Another version, PX49 was built for export.

Steam Engine Model Bn2tThis is a model of one of the most active narrow gauge steam engines in Poland today.  The prototype hauls tourists at Maltanka just outside Poznan.

Narrow Gauge Diesel Engine Lxd2A very popular narrow gauge diesel engine, Lxd2, still in wide use at tourist spots around Poland.

Narrow Gauge Steam Engine Bn2t FreudensteinA 9.4 ton steam engine with a water capacity of 1200 liters and 350 kilograms of coal. It ran on 1000 mm track at 40 km per hour.

POLISH NARROW-GAUGE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FROM 1948This particular engine was built in 1948. The Cn2t was built from the early 1900's on. It was found almost anywhere there were narrow gauge rails. It will fit any situation - industrial service or passenger service.

Narrow Gauge Industrial Diesel Engine GLS30The GLS-30 series diesel locomotives went into serial production in 1961. They were and continue to be very popular industrial, narrow gauge engines.

GERMAN STEAM LOCOMOTIVE FOR PASSENGER TRAINS FROM 1898During World War II the majority of Polish locomotive was taken over by Germany and incorporated into the German railways.. After the war Poland still had 46 locomotives of the type Od2 that received new inventory numbers and were operated until 1958.

 Steam Engine Heavy Freight Model TY23These locomotives were the core of freight locomotives in heavy goods traffic before 1939. Starting in 1937 they began to be replaced by locomotives Ty37.

NARROW GAUGE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE + 4 CARS FROM THE TURN OF THE CENTURY XIX/XXIt carried passengers and freight. Of note, it carried bricks from the Golkow Brick Factory to Warsaw which bricks were necessary to help solve the then problem of a housing shortage.

Polish Freight Steam Engine From 1916Locomotive steam engine TKw2, designed by Robert Garbe, was introduced at the World Exhibition in Malmo as T16 type 1. The locomotive proved to be highly valued by the Prussian railways. It was built in Prussia until 1924 with a total production of 1242 units under the designation T16 .