Brixtof

Hello, here is my very first build since my dark age. I always admired LEGO train layouts and dioramas. Since I have some free time with the current situation (Covid-19), I decided to give it a try! At worst, I would have had a good time, at best I will have entertained you... because I will try to keep a video journal on my YouTube Channel. I am by no means an experienced builder and I will try to link the sources of the techniques that I use. My goal is to build a diorama that can be easily taken to pieces. This is why I choose the MILS module solution (http://www.abellon.net/MILS/). On these modules I'd like to put Official Winter Village sets first and then if I become more skilled some of my own creations. About the videos : I've made two types of content : Speedbuild videos where the build of the module is dynamic and take less than 5 minutes Long version videos which are more relaxing and shows every single step of the build On this topic I will only link the speedbuild version, you can check my YouTube channel if you'd like to view the long versions. Baseplate #1 "The pond" LEGO Baseplate 01 - 73 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr Nothing fancy about this module, I had to build something easy to gain confidence. The track ballast standard is from L-Gauge ------------------------------------------------------ Baseplate #2 "Santa's workshop" LEGO Baseplate 02 - 87 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr This module contain the reason I wanted to build a Winter Diorama : 10245 Santa's Workshop. The tunnel is not very detailed, I wanted to put some headlight bricks on the underside of the arch in order to have some texture (Just like this tutorial), but because of the arch type the headlight brick doesn't hold. I'm not very happy about the snow cornice on the top-right, if you have any suggestions... Here is the source of inspiration of this module : Swiss Alps tunnel with the Bernina Express When multiples modules will be connected, I will add some trees and minifigures, this is just the base for now. Thanks for watching!

Hey all, here are some updates. I just completed two new modules that integrates the firestation. It looks like the snowplow didn't finish it's job clearing the road, or not... LEGO winter village baseplates 5 and 6 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr LEGO winter village baseplates 5 and 6 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr The next steps are to connect these two MILS modules to the other modules and add trees, details and people! Here is a short video of the build of the last module :

Hello, Great deals at microspot.ch today : https://www.microspot.ch/fr/jouets-et-drones/lego/lego--c821000?hasPromoLabel=true LEGO 60198 Cargo Train for 129 CHF LEGO 10701 gray baseplate 48x48 for 6.95 CHF LEGO arts for 89 CHF Have a great day !

Gorgeous build! It's beautifuly pictured with a nice lighting. I like the overall texture of the buildings with lots of details. Too bad the brackets 44728 doesn't come in dark green, the would've suit nicely for the shutters with the 1x2 sand green grille. The climbing plants really adds realism and colors, the roof technic is neat. There are so many cool things that detailing them would be long and tedious. Thanks for your sharing!

Thank you! For the moment I have the 10254 Winter Holiday Train in mind. But, I'm currently sourcing pieces in order to build a retired swiss locomotive (stay tuned). Thank you for your feedback! In Switzerland we have concrete rail ties (see attached picture) and my winter village diorama is a bit inspired by my surroundings. I have no clue about the size, only the the joy of building motivates me (for now?). I guess I will made just a bit of scenery and not an entire layout... Thank you!

Thank you for your comment @jpx ! A quick look at the integration of the pine tree. LEGO winter village update #4 Work in progress 02 by BRiXTOF LEGO winter village update #4 Work in progress 01 by BRiXTOF And as usual a quick video showing the work in progress :

Hello, Coop and Migros are having a sale of 30% on all toys online and in stores. The Lego passenger train is 83.30 CHF at Migros. Good deal can also be found at Coop Brico with 50% on the LEGO® Star Wars™ Faucon Millenium™, 75257 (99.50 CHF!) usual market price is 130 CHF. Don't forget to compare the prices (Some LEGO sets are very expensive at these stores...).

Wow! Great work! It must have been really fun planning and building this scenery.

Thank you @alsielou! Your comment reassures me. Sometimes I restrain myself of posting on the forum because I'm afraid people think I'm self-promoting my content. Which I hope is not the case, I try to entertain those who are interested and try to share my progress in this diorama. The technic for the pine tree is greatly inspired by JAYSTEPHER and bigboy99899.

My diorama desperatly needs some nature, here is the building of the first (of many?) snowy pine tree. This technic uses a lot of parts but I think the result is worth it!

Here is a new update on the diorama : The 9V tracks with L-Gauge ballast. What are your tips for cleaning the 9V tracks? I try to rub them with an eraser and the result seems to be good. Is there a way to prevent oxidation? 2020_04_25 - LEGO Presentation Baseplates 04 - 50-3 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr 2020_04_25 - LEGO Presentation Baseplates 04 - 59 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr Here is a quick video showing the cleaning of the 9V tracks, the building of the ballast and finally the integration of the tracks on the diorama. Next step will be the building of a large pine tree

Hey, thanks for your nice comments! @alsielou Yes, I follow my own instructions. In fact, I rebuild entirely every modules for filming. So you don't see on screen all my attempt and failures. The first module took something like 1 hour to rebuild. The second one took like 4 hours to rebuild (not including Santa's workshop), the mountain took more than 5 hours. The last one was the fastest one with 45 minutes. I'm very glad you enjoy the videos! Here is a short video showing all four modules connected together. Next step is preparing the train tracks (9V) with the L-Gauge ballast.

My fourth MILS module. It’s mainly dedicated to track ballast using the L-Gauge (PennLUG) standard. Can’t wait to connect all four modules and add ballasted tracks! LEGO Baseplate 3 - 116 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr

Great job! The snot technic for the dock makes it very realistic. I really like the shape of the roof, all the details of the interior, the curtains, the waffles tables, the life buoy chairs, the speakers at the corner of the dance aera, ... and so much more! The trans-neon green lights for the lampposts seems a bit odd to me (or maybe it's the picture that induce me the wrong color).

Here is a quick look at the 3 modules connected together. Update Lego Baseplates 1-3 - 02 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr Module #4 will be very simple, only containing the L-Gauge ballasted curve track.

Oh yes, updates! So you're planning to tile the road? Good thing it'll only be 8 wide, otherwise you'll have to spend a lot for the pricey dbgray tiles. The more I see, the more I like your rock formation!

Finally some updates on MILS module #3 "Mountain trail" : LEGO Baseplate 3 - 107 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr LEGO Baseplate 03 - 113 by BRiXTOF, sur Flickr Here is the inspiration/tutorial for the slanted rockwork : Brickbuilt.org As always, a speedbuild video is available. Next step is taking pictures and filming the 3 MILS modules connected together. I'm also making some Bricklink orders to populate the futur diorama.

Hello, Manor has a great deal for LEGO City - People Pack - Fun Fair (60234) for 20 CHF (not available online).

Beautiful scene, with a lot of great details! The flow of the river is interesting and I like the technic you used. I'm interested to see a more detailed view of the wooden dock. Thanks for the share!

Hello, After some months reading anonymously this forum, I decided to register. This is very challenging for me because reading english is OK, but writing english... I didn't practice it since school! Due to the current situation (COVID-19), I'm having more free time and despite having two children, I can take some time with my secret passion : LEGO! About me : I'm thirty-something years old, and live in Switzerland. About LEGO : I lost my interest in LEGO when I was about 14 years old. When I was 25, I decided to sell all my LEGO in my parents home. I had a lot of fun cleaning, sorting and completing sets in order to sell them... Big mistake (or not!) The passion for LEGO was reborn! I sold all the sets except the train ones (4559 Cargo Railway, 4552 Cargo Crane, 4555 Cargo Station). I couldn't resolve myself to sell them. I later buy some 9V sets I found on small ads. A few years later, and two childs later, I'm now considering building a winter diorama made with MILS modules. And since I have a lot of free time (due to the current situation) I decided to keep a video journal of the building of my diorama in a YouTube channel. I will try to post in this forum the work in progress and since these are my very first constructions (I am by no means an experienced builder) I will try to link the sources of the techniques that I use.

Great work, I like how it feels very lively yet abandoned... all the colorfull details are nice especially the graffiti. The floor technic is well thought.

Hey, just a big thanks for those great tips! Thanks to you, I've benefited the discounts at Manor! I hope I can return the favour.

It's a nice concept. I like how you can bring details at this scale! The garage boxes are simple yet very effectives and the observatory dome is neat. Great job! Is there any chance to see it with real bricks in the futur?

I have the exact same opinion. I second you, maybe we are sticking the ABS material too much to the LEGO brand?

Thank you all for your kind feedback! It's very encouraging. I will post some pictures next week of my MILS module #3 called "Mountain trail".