Instructions to Build a Microscale LEGO Train for the Holidays

All aboard for a trip down memory lane! As a kid, my days were filled with Duplo, LEGO, and the occasional BRIO train adventure. Sometimes, I’d even line up minifigs on the tracks and let my brother’s Thomas the Tank Engine barrel through—but that’s another story!

So when we at BrickNerd learned that BrickJournal was doing an issue with a giant train on the cover, I knew I had to build something small but mighty. With some expert trackside assistance from our Nerd-in-Chief Dave, I designed this delightful little locomotive.

Pretty cool, eh?

Thanks to the newer 1×1 round plate with a clip on the bottom, each car couples together just like the real thing, allowing the train to pivot smoothly as it rolls along. Even better? You can make this train as long—or as short—as you like by adding more passenger cars, box cars, or inventing your own custom rolling stock.

So grab a little bit of coal, fire up the engine, and get chugging—this tiny train is ready to sound the whistle and go full steam ahead through your holiday layout.

The Engine

I’ve split up instructions per car, so you can make it as long or as short as you’d like. We’ll start with the engine, of course—the heart of the whole operation, and the wheels even spin!

The Tender

You’ve gotta fuel your train next, right? Time to build the tender to keep your engine happily chugging along.

Passenger Car

Who wouldn’t want to ride along on this tiny little train? Up next is a passenger car that’s perfect for minifigs heading home for the holidays.

Box Car

The very LEGO pieces used to design this train may have traveled by rail at some point on their way to you—so it only feels right to include a box car that could be full of bricks.

Caboose(s)

As we bring up the rear, every proper train needs a caboose—and this one gets a festive upgrade in gold.

If you’d prefer a more classic look, you can easily swap the gold elements for red to create a traditional caboose instead. Either way, it’s the perfect finishing touch.

A Tiny Train

Whether this little locomotive is circling your Winter Village, parked beside the Christmas tree, or just bringing some extra holiday cheer to your desk, we hope it inspires you to keep building, tinkering, and adding your own cars to the line. No tickets required.

You can download the instructions with a full part list that BrickJournal published here with color-swapped cars! You can also purchase a copy of the entire issue here.

What colors will you make your tiny train? Let us know in the comments below!

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