nesquik

The fact is, they just don't care. They can say all they want (I recall in the Crocodile Train promo video, they said how this was the start of something new [paraphrasing]), but trains are not on their radar. So many good MoCs out there for inspiration and still nothing. It's like they don't want our money...

Sounds like I'm in the minority then, but I love Boutique Hotel. I think it proves once again that magic really happens when the designers go with European architecture. This isn't to say that they haven't produced good U.S-centric modulars (Fire Brigade being my favourite), but generally the European ones are a lot more interesting. There is a great deal more architecture to choose from and less focus on play features. The Hotel appears to be inspired by turn-of-the-Century, Mediterranean design - though there are subtle Art Deco references too. The gallery is compact, but keep in mind that a 'gallery' doesn't necessarily need to be large. Independent artists more often than not rent small boutiques/spaces as they're just cheaper. My only gripe is the height; it could do with being a little larger. I know we say this often when speaking of modulars, but a hotel should be as grand in scale as it is in detail. I also get the designers don't want to repeat floors too often as it would get tedious. So all in all I'd say it's a difficult one to display with existing modulars, but on it's own it looks beautiful.

TLG has never said that the modular buildings should pertain to any particular demographic or age - just that they reflect timeless designs. May I suggest simply splitting your displays in US-style and EU-style? I've done this and it works very well.

I really like how you've stuck to the 'feel' of the original model. It looks like a natural finish to the building, so well done! And I agree that it's a classic design.

Thanks

Could anyone provide some information regarding the (typical) rolling stock for this train? I'd like to build some but I'm actually unsure what the croc' would normally run with. Thanks!

I don't care about my bank account, but I do care that TLG is admitting that the train product lines have needed more attention. Honestly, I couldn't wished for greater 'statement' product than this. The fact that the crocodile may not be well known (or, at least, traditionally attractive) to the average Lego consumer isn't a concern. The allure of this product isn't about the choice of train, but rather, the way that it's been executed. Creator Expert branding has always been problematic, because A] it presumes that the viewer already understands what 'Creator' is, and B] doesn't communicate the aspect of presentation-over-playability very well. Put simply, it made the advanced models appear more like traditional Lego toys that were just tougher to build. This new approach actually addresses the one fundamental problem with all this - that a model can be 'a model'. The packaging doesn't distract you with a setting/scenario, so it leaves the mature viewer to use their own imagination to consider how the model would be displayed in their home/office. The product name has character. The model itself is allowed to take centre stage. The inclusion of a brick-built plinth adds versatility, to further highlight that this was designed for either/both displaying on a surface or to be used on a layout. Honestly, if TLG is serious about getting back into this franchise and visiting historic designs, then I'm now just more excited about what other trains will make the cut in this format... (and a remake of the Emerald Night/Flying Scotsman wouldn't go a-miss!)

I'm absolutely delighted TLG are going to release this product! If anything, more for the intent on their part than for the design of the train itself. When they started to use the new 'mature' branding for advanced builds (apparently, replacing Creator Expert), I totally got why they made that decision. They wanted the products to tell their own individual stories. One of the issues I always had with Creator Expert is that it alienated new customers to the LEGO brand; since the Expert line is an extension of Creator, and therefore the customer would need to know what Creator actually represents in the first place. Plus, the logo took up a big part of box that could have otherwise been used for the title/branding of the model itself. It didn't communicate the product story. With this new branding however, I think TLG have a great opportunity to realise one of their problematic visions - products that can be purchased by adults as either a showpiece or a functional model/toy. This new crocodile train is the absolute perfect example. The product is showcasing an iconic design, and does so with touches that normally would have been out-of-place in a Creator Expert product, with the brick-build plinth base, and the information sign. It's saying "I look awesome on a shelf, or you can put me on your layout!" And if the price is as suggest under 100 Euros, I'll gobble it up! I'm genuinely excited now to see what they come up with in the future, given their open to new ideas such as this. I would love to see George Stephenson's 'Rocket', or the 'Mallard'. And I don't think anyone would say No to a Flying Scotsman...

Not long to go...

It's not a strange choice at all, for several reasons. Regardless what anyone says, this line of product is designed to work indepently. The feature of being able to connect buildings to one-another is just that - a feature. There are no patterns or hints or clues in the models. There is no obligation to please so-called 'hardcore' fans or collectors. Thus far, the buildings have either had a front-facing 'flat' facade or corner design. These are as much marketing features as they are architectural ones; the design process for any LEGO product involves multiple stages of briefing and testing. An inverted building is actually overdue, because with more modular buildings being on sale than at any time, the company will wish to offer more benefits to the features. These products mean different things to different people, and there will be many, many people who will purchase the 2017 building as their very first 'mature', or advanced, LEGO product. I've found that there are increasingly more families purchasing this buildings who anticipate new ideas each year, and they ask year round what we're releasing next. The rumoured price isn't an issue. Fans often look back to Town Hall, but that was a poor seller not because of the price, but because customers couldn't associate with the architecture. Big difference. With the greater focus on narrative and detail these days, an inverted building would really shake up the product line.

Winter Train is arriving October, and is an entirely new design. No Fairground set this year, sorry!

1) I signed up to become a VIP when I came out of my Dark Ages, around 2007. It was the first time I had visited the LEGO website in years, so a free membership sounded good. I don't make much use of the program today as, other than the points scheme, there are very few incentives. 'Early Access' has no effect on me as I have the patience to wait two weeks for the general sale. 2) £5 back for every £100 spent. It's something, but other brand loyalty schemes are far more rewarding. 3) None at all. 4) (a) Move away from a points-to-money scheme. I'll be frank; I think this will be an outdated mode of 'loyalty' for as long as competing retailers price their products at least £5 - or thereabouts - less than TLG. It's a placebo that saving up points and then spending them all in one transaction actually saves you any money, because you would have saved the same amount of money across different purchases anyway. VIP members who spend over a specific threshold should instead be offered a choice of gift every quarter of the year. Not only is this more valuable than £5 back, but it... (b) ... is tailored to a fan's interests. I only purchase Creator Expert, City and Star Wars sets, so early access on products from other themes isn't relevant to me. I would rather receive an email thanking me for my custom, and asking me to choose between two gifts of different themes. © Send out more regular newsletters via email that include exclusive content, such as designer interviews, facts, trivia etc. (d) Introduce 'Wallet' (digital VIP card) support for iOS/Android, and make the registration process simpler. 5) I don't expect to be treated any differently to other fans; just because I'm older and purchase a lot of LEGO doesn't give me a sense of entitlement. However I would like to see more regular discount mornings, where members can visit the store an hour before it opens to everyone else. They're great! As far as support goes, I think the company is doing a great job.

Big Ben is replacing SOH. The 'Mixer' is being retired, and in its place... well, cue the organs!.

If you could be a bit more specific (image perhaps), that would be really helpful

I've followed this thread for some time, and there does seem to be a common belief that LEGO trains themselves don't sell well, or not enough to warrant an additional Exclusive release. This simply isn't true. If the company does have a problem - and I know this first hand - it largely comes down to merchandising. City trains are incredibly popular around the holiday seasons; these are the times when children have saved up enough money to get one, their parents are kind enough to purchase one as a treat, or the parents have a responsibility to purchase "the first train set". Regardless what the motivation is, they are important products for many families and open a whole new level of expandability within City. More so than any other model, there is also the legacy factor - a parent had a train set when they were younger, and now they want their child to have one. Also, the product is complete with everything you need to get going (important for Christmas day!). What's not to like? Then, you have Exclusive (or Creator Expert) trains, which are sold in a product line that continues to be ambiguous for many fans. We take it for granted now that these models are gauged in difficulty by having an 'Expert' label, but it was not so long ago that these products had very little visual impact on a store shelf. Even so, the models continue to appear in different scales to one-another and the pricing is mostly higher-end for a variety of reasons. If this isn't confusing enough, the customer then discovers that the train requires a motor, battery box, I.R receiver and controller on top of the model itself, which takes the price up considerably. So this is when merchandising becomes very important; if the product can be appreciated for either play or display purposes, you broaden your audience dramatically. But it's not so easy when components many fans expect for compatibility are missing... It's a huge hurdle, but the lack of Exclusive train releases does not mean that the company is abandoning this sub-theme. Rather, timing is absolutely crucial. Three City trains have been released in almost two years to appeal to different markets, so customers are already spoilt for choice. All I can suggest is, try to relax and keep in mind that the company is well aware of its train hobbyists. The past three years in particular have seen unprecedented growth, and it's only natural that the Exclusive line-up has been experimented with