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How to build the Soma cube train

The train uses all seven Soma pieces, 27 cubes in total. Here is one solution: first the finished figure, then the pieces one by one from the floor up, in an order you can follow with real pieces.

LTPVAB
The finished train, seen from the front left and above: the front is at the lower right, the left side at the lower left. Piece Z cannot be seen from this side; step 5 shows where it goes.
  • Vsmall corner
  • LL shape
  • TT shape
  • Zstep (Z shape)
  • Atwist A
  • Btwist B
  • Pbranch

Open in 3D, piece by piece

Opens the solver with this figure. Press "Next" to place one piece at a time, and drag to turn the view.

Step by step

Build in this order from the floor up, lowering each piece from above. Every piece rests on the floor or on pieces already placed.

  1. L

    Step 1 · Place piece L (L shape) on layer 1, on the right. It lies flat: a row of three from left to right, with the fourth cube at the back left corner.

  2. T

    Step 2 · Place piece T (T shape) on layers 1–2, at the front. It stands upright like a wall running from left to right.

  3. P

    Step 3 · Place piece P (branch) on layers 1–2, on the left. Three of its cubes lie on layer 1, and one sticks up onto layer 2.

  4. V

    Step 4 · Place piece V (small corner) on layers 1–2, at the back right. It stands upright like a wall running from left to right.

  5. Z

    Step 5 · Place piece Z (step) on layers 1–2, at the back. It stands upright like a wall running from left to right.

  6. A

    Step 6 · Place piece A (twist A) on layers 2–3, in the middle. Only one cube is on layer 2; the other three lie on layer 3.

  7. B

    Step 7 · Place piece B (twist B) on layers 2–3, on the left. Only one cube is on layer 2; the other three lie on layer 3. All 7 pieces are in place and the figure is finished.

Layer by layer, seen from above

Layer 1 is the floor. In each plan the top edge is the back of the figure and the bottom edge is the front.

PTTTLLLPPZZLVV
layer 1 · floor
BATPZZV
layer 2
BAABBA
layer 3

Tip

Only pieces L, A, and P can fill the cube at the front right of layer 1. Try those there first.

About this figure

Open in 3D, piece by piece