MOD: "Emerald Magellan" Presidential Rail Car 10194

[AussieJimbo]

Before air travel was common, the President often travelled by rail in specially chartered Pullman observation cars.

When America entered WWII, it was recognised that enhanced security was necessary and the "Ferdinand Magellan" presidential rail car was born.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan_Railcar

Modifications included armour plating, bullet proof glass and extended accomodations for the President and First Lady. It also had staff quarters, a kitchen, dining/conference room and an observation lounge.

http://gcrm.org/magellan.aspx

The rail car was initially built for President Roosevelt who used it often. President Eisenhower used it on occasion and President Reagan also made use of the preserved car in 1984 for a one day whistlestop tour of Ohio, long after it had been withdrawn from formal presidential duty in 1958.

President Truman also made extensive use of the car during campaigning and the end platform was the site of the famous shot of the incorrect "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline in 1948, when Truman was in fact re-elected.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_Defeats_Truman

With all that as inspiration I had to see what I could do within the limited space of an Emerald Night carriage.

Of course there was no way to fit all the facilities of the real thing so I decided to do the conference room and the president's bedroom.

I also wanted to capture that historic moment from Truman's successful campaign.

Here's what I came up with, click images for larger versions:

Those are inkwells/penholders and writing paper (probably should have angled those tiles).

Jug of water and an orange in case the POTUS gets hungry during the night.

Feedback and suggestions welcome. I hope you like it.

:classic:

Edited March 29, 2011 by AussieJimbo

[L@go]

Nice job! The interior is nice, and your decals are top notch. But the best detail has to be the use of the hula skirt :)

[lightningtiger]

AWESOME 'AJ'....totally AWESOME !

Perfect modifications and the seal on the back is the icing on the cake - great work and Brick On 'AussieJ' !

[AussieJimbo]

Thanks LT and L@go.

Had to give the stickers a go. It was nice to find the original newspaper online so I could just shrink it down. Wouldn't look real flash with a clock and a computer screen.

I'm really happy with the way the hula skirt worked out too.

:classic:

Edited March 29, 2011 by AussieJimbo

[drdavewatford]

Nice job! The interior is nice, and your decals are top notch. But the best detail has to be the use of the hula skirt :)

Ha ! It was the hula skirt that immediately caught my eye too - nice detail !

D.

[Fuzzylegobricks]

Amazingly well done! The story helps me know what is expected in the model and you did it well compared to the pictures. I hope to see more trains like this from you!

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Amazing MOC!

I like the internal layout of the wagon (the sleeping room is beautiful)

I like the decals

I like the black and white picture

I like the minifigures

I like any details

I like...

[LEGO Guy Bri]

Great MOD to the E. Night car AussieJ I love the presidential badge and the custom newspaper. An American show 'Pawn Stars" had someone trying to pawn one of those prints! How did you make them? Keep up the great work

[AussieJimbo]

Thanks very much, everyone.

I'm glad it meets with your approval.

:classic:

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Hi AussiJimbo I'm me again

...the night table with the crystal glass and the bedroom door make me feel safe: "home sweet home"

[AussieJimbo]

Great MOD to the E. Night car AussieJ I love the presidential badge and the custom newspaper. An American show 'Pawn Stars" had someone trying to pawn one of those prints! How did you make them? Keep up the great work

Thanks LGG.

I wonder how much a genuine copy of the original newspaper is.

The stickers were just plain sticky labels printed out on an inkjet printer. I found the images I needed on the net and just resized them to the Lego dimensions.

LightningTiger put me on to the technique. He's found some glossy labels that I want to try out some time but the plain paper ones worked fine for this model. Glossy ones would probably be more durable.

One tip, leave some extra on one side of the sticker and start peeling off the backing before you do the final cut or you'll struggle to separate the sticker from it's backing.

:classic:

...the night table with the crystal glass and the bedroom door make me feel safe: "home sweet home"

Cheers LT12V.

Roosevelt and particularly Truman used the car extensively so they needed some home comforts. What a great way to travel.

:classic: