Some LEGO builds are about nostalgia. Others are about technical brilliance. And then there’s the LEGO New York Central #5405, a build that speaks to anyone who’s ever been captivated by the raw power of a steam locomotive. This fan-designed masterpiece, submitted to LEGO Ideas by Olivier312, brings one of the most legendary American trains back to life in brick form.
The New York Central 5405 was a J-3a Hudson-class steam locomotive, built by ALCo in 1937 to haul high-speed passenger trains across the northeastern United States. With its 4-6-4 wheel arrangement (that’s four leading wheels, six massive driving wheels, and four trailing wheels), it was built for speed, pulling the famous 20th Century Limited between New York and Chicago. These trains weren’t just transportation—they were symbols of luxury and efficiency, racing down the tracks at over 90 mph. The real 5405 was retired and scrapped in 1956, but its legacy still lingers in railway history, and now, in a gorgeous amalgamation of plastic bricks.
Designer: Olivier312
At a staggering 1,350 pieces, this build is much more than your average static display model. It’s fully motorized, which mans it can actually run on LEGO’s classic train tracks. That’s a big deal for LEGO train fans—there’s something magical about watching a steam locomotive glide along the rails under its own power. The design nails the sleek, streamlined look of the Hudson-class, from the smooth boiler and sloped smokebox to the intricately detailed side rods that mimic the real locomotive’s motion. The tender, which carried coal and water for the engine, is also faithfully recreated, adding to the model’s realism.
The building techniques here are where things get really interesting. The curved shaping of the boiler is handled beautifully using a mix of slopes and rounded elements, giving the model a refined, polished look that avoids the blocky feel some LEGO trains can have. The large driving wheels are positioned perfectly, and the side rods add a layer of mechanical detail that makes the whole thing feel alive, even when it’s standing still.
Move further to the back and you see a fairly detailed cab with a brick control panel complete with the gauges and access to the firebox, which is where you’d shovel coal in from. The tender at the back houses the coal bunker, with pieces of coal that Olivier312 simulated using multiple round stud pieces. Hidden among them is the train’s power button, which toggles the motor, getting the train to run on its track. The kit comes with multiple track pieces that let you build a circuit of your choice.
For train nerds, the Hudson-class locomotives are special. They weren’t just powerful; they had a presence. The 20th Century Limited was a train that people dressed up for, a rolling Art Deco masterpiece that embodied an era of travel where speed and style mattered. The LEGO New York Central #5405 taps into that history, offering both a stunning display piece and a fully functional train that actually runs.
This isn’t Olivier312’s first rodeo with LEGO trains. The builder has various models under his belt, with nearly 20 MOCs (My Own Creations) spanning American s well as Canadian locomotives. If you fancy yourself a train-nerd, the New York Central #5405 is currently accruing votes on the LEGO Ideas platform, cruising comfortably past 2,600 votes as of writing this piece. If you want to see the #5405 turn into a LEGO box set, head down to the LEGO Ideas website and cast your vote!
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