Chocolate Showpiece
Locomotive

Marzipan was used to make this example of an old locomotive chocolate showpiece.

The marzipan was made with almond paste, powdered sugar, cocoa powder and egg whites instead of glucose so that it would set hard when dry, allowing the pieces to be assembled into the finished piece.

Typically, a chocolate showpiece vehicle is supported underneath with a small riser which doesn't show.  In this instance the marzipan wheels are actually supporting the weight of the locomotive.

The design of the chocolate showpiece locomotive was taken from elements and proportions of many different types from the time period and then stylized to a degree of simplicity that allowed it to be easily reproduced.

The locomotive was completed with a fuel tender and several flatbed cars that were used to display an assortment of marzipan fruit.  Originally for a competition this piece has been reproduced many times from modeling chocolate and in varying sizes for buffet showpieces and holiday use, like this pulled sugar showpiece, and is able to be put together rather quickly once the pattern and thicknesses of each piece has been determined.