Hogwarts (2023)
Basic Information
Name: Hogwarts
Built by: George Barrier in November 2023
Size: 48″ wide x 24″ deep x 17″ high (1 module) with a 6″ rear bump-out in the center.
Introduction
“Hogwarts” is the first NTrak module George built using LEGO bricks for scenery. After purchasing a really cool LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle kit 71043, he looked for a way to blend it with normal scenery materials. Nothing seemed to look quite right until the idea came to him to make the whole module out of LEGO. Thus begins the saga of this module.
Construction
The Castle
The castle set (71043) was purchased from a local LEGO store. At the time, it was just a very nice castle kit to build. After assembling the kit, the size and scale of the castle seemed to match N scale fairly well. An idea was hatched to use the castle in a module.
The Deck
The frame of the module was built as a rectangular box of 3/16″ plywood. Thin plywood warps when cut into strips. Two strips of plywood were glued together with their warps in opposing directions, cancelling each other’s warping. Three reinforcing ribs were added aligned to the 2ft side to stiffen the top deck, also made from 3/16″ plywood. The legs double-fold into the left and right ends of the module for easy storage.
Planning the space
After some experimentation, the castle seems to fit best in the right-rear corner. A small portion of the castle hangs off the back of the table in the center. A wedge bump-out can be constructed to support the corner. The train station will be on the left side with a path connecting the two.
The Scenery Base
The trouble with LEGO is that, especially at this scale, is that the appearance is blocky. No matter how carefully the pieces are selected, there are atomic sizes and shapes to work with. Blending regular scenery with LEGO seems very awkward. After a non-trivial amount of contemplation, a decision is made. The entire module will be made out of LEGO, not just the castle. Some essential elements like the track and ballast will be ordinary materials, but no more than absolutely necessary. Now the whole module is unified in appearance. Large flat sheets of LEGO base are available online.
Hogsmead Platform
The train station at Hogsmead is a critical element of this scene. The track branching from the (blue) siding exits the module in the left rear corner at a 45-degree angle. The flat base plates are aligned to this angle so that the platforms may be oriented exactly to match. Hogsmead platform also has a very recognizable bridge over the track, just like in the movies. Every part of the module scenery (except the castle) is built as an original work using LEGO pieces ordered online.
Three Dimensions
The lake needs to be below the track level to prevent flooding. This is accomplished by making the legs a little shorter and building a raised platform for the track. The water will be at the lowest level and the rest of the scenery will be built up to match the track level. The bank of the lake / river is sprinkled with boulders and trees.
The Black Lake
The castle of Hogwarts is set on a cliff overlooking the Black Lake. The castle kit included the cliffs, so it makes sense to build a lake out of various shapes of blue-colored tiles. The way the shapes fit together is carefully chosen to give an overall sense of uniformity while avoiding a grid pattern. A small number of 1×1 plates are embedded in the lake of tiles to give the boats (included in the kit) a place to attach.
The Whomping Willow
The front right corner of the module is the perfect place to plant the whomping willow tree (included in the kit). It is in just the right spot to take a swipe at passing trains. A pair of squirrels are eating dinner under the willow. Be careful little squirrels! Don’t get WHOMPED!
Cobblestone Path
The buildings of Hogsmead are connected by a wandering cobblestone path. Hogsmead Station, on the right, provides access to the platform from the town. A few snow-splattered buildings are built along the cobblestone path. This path will eventually lead from the town all the way to the castle.
The Students Arrive
Hogsmead Platform is suddenly crowded as a train full of students arrive for the first day of class at Hogwarts. The students are modelled using the “trophy figures” available online from LEGO. The passenger car is part of a Hogwarts Express train custom built for this module. Bob Hesselgrave repainted an ordinary European train set with the appropriate colors. Custom decals were created and added to the locomotive and passenger cars. The one-of-a-kind train set is truly a masterpiece.
First showing at Ventura 2024
The Skyboard
A skyboard is needed to add depth to the diorama. A paper with forested hills is glued to the skyboard. Even the little bump-out in the back gets a skyboard. The small bump-out is needed to protect the corner of the castle which hangs over the rear edge. The river flows downhill toward the Black Lake along the left edge of the castle. A grey stone arch bridge connects the castle to the path which will (one day) wander toward Hosgmead.
Back to London
After a fun and eventful school year, the Hogwarts Express loads the students to carry them back to London’s King’s Cross Station. What will next year be like? The scenery is not yet complete, but it never is really finished. Is it?
More Scenery (2024)
The Path to Hogwarts
The path to Hogwarts begins to climb its way from Hogsmead through the central hills. Currently, the hill is just some scaffolding where a mountain will be. Hagrid’s Hut will be along the path and maybe even a Shrieking Shack one day. The hill is mostly empty except for a minimal amount of structure for support. This is to reduce the weight of the module. LEGO can be very heavy!
Finishing Hogsmead
The Station at Hogsmead needs some parking. This was not part of the original plan. While sorting one of the LEGO shipments, this large tile was discovered in the bag. While not requested, it did find a use on the module. There will be a road which crosses the three main lines and then exits the front of the module.
Module Upgrades (2024)
New Legs
The weight of the LEGO makes the module a little wobbly when free-standing. There are legitimate concerns about the legs collapsing and the castle splattering on the hard floor during a show setup. The bi-fold legs are removed from the module and fan-fold legs are built in their place. These are the same fan-fold design from the NTrak manual. The module is much more stable after this change.
Module Upgrades (2025)
AREA UNDER CONSTRUCTION
TODO: Skirt, Lights, Wiring