Orient Express P1 with SBB Ae 3/6i of the 1920s
- langemat
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
The Orient Express of the 1920s - the so‑called P1 train - was far more than a luxurious express. It was a political symbol, a rolling hotel, and a logistical masterpiece that connected Europe at a time of profound upheaval. After the First World War, its route changed dramatically: for political reasons, the train avoided Germany entirely and followed the southern corridor through France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, all the way to Constantinople, which would not officially become “Istanbul” until 1930. What many people don’t realize is that the coaches were never exchanged at borders. The entire consist
ran through from start to finish - only the locomotives changed.
The coaches themselves were technical and aesthetic showpieces: deep blue with gold lining and the famous lion crest. All lettering at this time was exclusively in French, no matter which country the train passed through. Even in Bulgaria or Turkey, the sides still read “VOITURE‑LITS” or “FOURGON”. This was intentional: CIWL (the company behind the Orient Express) wanted its trains to feel like a self‑contained, neutral world - a European microcosm that transcended national borders. Inside, the P1 train offered features that are almost forgotten today. The S‑series sleeping cars had no air‑conditioning yet, but they already used a form of adjustable roof ventilation. The restaurant cars operated a kitchen that, despite its tiny footprint, served meals rivaling those of grand hotels. Many passengers didn’t use the train simply as transport; they lived in the Orient Express for several days, treating the journey itself as the experience. Technically, the train was a challenge: in France the famous 241A EST could be seen in front of the luxury train. In Switzerland it was hauled by the brown‑liveried Ae 3/6 I, one of the most elegant electric locomotives of its era, while in Austria the legendary BBÖ 310 handled the Arlberg route. On the Balkan sections, former Austrian locomotives - taken over by the new post‑1918 state railways - often took over.
About the MOC:
This MOC depicts the Orient Express P1 of the 1920s, hauled by the impressive SBB Ae 3/6i in its brown livery. The coaches, finished in their iconic dark blue, feature a number of charming interior details to discover (e.g., the dynamo mounted beneath the coach body near the bogies, which supplied electrical power while the train was in motion, sleeping compartments with seating and some with the beds folded down, toilets, and much more). Naturally, some compromises were necessary - such as shortened car lengths and the resulting window count - but after all, we are working with LEGO® parts. When built as a full consist, the train includes two baggage cars, three sleeping cars, and one dining car.
In Switzerland, where the route was already electrified, the Ae 3/6 I was one of the locomotives most commonly used to pull this luxury train. The real locomotive is known for its distinctive Buchli drive. On the model, the drive is non‑functional but faithfully represented.
The assembly can be a bit challenging in places, but it remains entirely manageable; prior building experience is helpful but not required. The locomotive is powered by a single Buggy motor, and with six ballast bricks it provides ample pulling power - not only for the six included coaches, but for a few more if desired.
To capture the locomotive’s proportions as accurately as possible, it quickly becomes clear that standard LEGO® train wheels are not suitable. For this reason, I chose to use XL wheels (36.8 mm diameter) from third‑party manufacturers. The instruction includes a possible source for these wheels.
The minimum curve radius for the train is R72. Certain R56 combinations may also work, though I have not tested them.
The inventory on Rebrickable shows the parts of the complete train (1x locomotive + 2x luggage car + 3x sleeping car + dining car). Breakdowns to what is needed for the single locomotive or coaches is possible with the Excel parts list in the download section.
MOC stats (entire train with locomotive and 6 coaches):
Length: 424.1 studs, 3391 mm
Width: 9.0 studs, 72 mm
Height: 14.6 studs, 117 mm
Weight: 8079 grams
Parts: 10,201
The Orient Express of the 1920s - the so‑called P1 train - was far more than a luxurious express. It was a political symbol, a rolling hotel, and a logistical masterpiece that connected Europe at a time of profound upheaval. After the First World War, its route changed dramatically: for political reasons, the train avoided Germany entirely and followed the southern corridor through France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, all the way to Constantinople, which would not officially become “Istanbul” until 1930. What many people don’t realize is that the coaches were never exchanged at borders. The entire consist
ran through from start to finish - only the locomotives changed.
The coaches themselves were technical and aesthetic showpieces: deep blue with gold lining and the famous lion crest. All lettering at this time was exclusively in French, no matter which country the train passed through. Even in Bulgaria or Turkey, the sides still read “VOITURE‑LITS” or “FOURGON”. This was intentional: CIWL (the company behind the Orient Express) wanted its trains to feel like a self‑contained, neutral world - a European microcosm that transcended national borders. Inside, the P1 train offered features that are almost forgotten today. The S‑series sleeping cars had no air‑conditioning yet, but they already used a form of adjustable roof ventilation. The restaurant cars operated a kitchen that, despite its tiny footprint, served meals rivaling those of grand hotels. Many passengers didn’t use the train simply as transport; they lived in the Orient Express for several days, treating the journey itself as the experience. Technically, the train was a challenge: in France the famous 241A EST could be seen in front of the luxury train. In Switzerland it was hauled by the brown‑liveried Ae 3/6 I, one of the most elegant electric locomotives of its era, while in Austria the legendary BBÖ 310 handled the Arlberg route. On the Balkan sections, former Austrian locomotives - taken over by the new post‑1918 state railways - often took over.
About the MOC:
This MOC depicts the Orient Express P1 of the 1920s, hauled by the impressive SBB Ae 3/6i in its brown livery. The coaches, finished in their iconic dark blue, feature a number of charming interior details to discover (e.g., the dynamo mounted beneath the coach body near the bogies, which supplied electrical power while the train was in motion, sleeping compartments with seating and some with the beds folded down, toilets, and much more). Naturally, some compromises were necessary - such as shortened car lengths and the resulting window count - but after all, we are working with LEGO® parts. When built as a full consist, the train includes two baggage cars, three sleeping cars, and one dining car.
In Switzerland, where the route was already electrified, the Ae 3/6 I was one of the locomotives most commonly used to pull this luxury train. The real locomotive is known for its distinctive Buchli drive. On the model, the drive is non‑functional but faithfully represented.
The assembly can be a bit challenging in places, but it remains entirely manageable; prior building experience is helpful but not required. The locomotive is powered by a single Buggy motor, and with six ballast bricks it provides ample pulling power - not only for the six included coaches, but for a few more if desired.
To capture the locomotive’s proportions as accurately as possible, it quickly becomes clear that standard LEGO® train wheels are not suitable. For this reason, I chose to use XL wheels (36.8 mm diameter) from third‑party manufacturers. The instruction includes a possible source for these wheels.
The minimum curve radius for the train is R72. Certain R56 combinations may also work, though I have not tested them.
The inventory on Rebrickable shows the parts of the complete train (1x locomotive + 2x luggage car + 3x sleeping car + dining car). Breakdowns to what is needed for the single locomotive or coaches is possible with the Excel parts list in the download section.
MOC stats (entire train with locomotive and 6 coaches):
Length: 424.1 studs, 3391 mm
Width: 9.0 studs, 72 mm
Height: 14.6 studs, 117 mm
Weight: 8079 grams
Parts: 10,201
I’ve put together a detailed, step‑by‑step building guide for you. Throughout the instructions, you’ll find small comments and helpful hints - little signposts to make the trickier steps easier and more enjoyable.
At the end of the guide, you’ll find a visual parts list so you can quickly see everything that goes into the model.
If this build includes stickers, I’ve prepared two print‑ready sheets for you:
• a PDF you can print at home, and
• an Adobe Illustrator file for professional print shops.
You’ll also get the full parts list as a CSV file. This makes it simple to check which pieces you need and to prepare your order on common brick‑trading platforms.
Disclaimer: Please build responsibly. I cannot take responsibility for any damage or injury to parts or individuals that may occur while following these instructions. You follow at your own risk.
Link to the instruction and sticker files:
Link to more pictures of the model:
Comments