BMW

Structural stickers span / cover gaps between bricks or are used to attach bricks to one another. There are examples of older Lego sets which use stickers to span multiple bricks.

Thank-you. Wheels - To improve the appearance of the drivers, the flanges are dyed black and chrome silver stickers wrapped around the tires. This is a static model so no wear problems are encountered. For operational loks I have successfully run for years with tires wrapped with vinyl tape. But dyed flanges will wear so better to use a black driver and sticker or paint the spokes instead. Headlamp - Read about the headlamp trick here: http://flic.kr/p/anEyob . Curtains - The curtains are custom stickers applied to the backside of the wall plates on the inside of the parlor car: http://flic.kr/p/anBMXK .

Thank-you. The boiler taper is made with a 4x4 cone. Take a look at the same technique used on my Inyo 4-4-0: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvZkYzK. The General adds a structural sticker wrapped around the top and sides to cover the gap: http://farm9.staticf..._6341107e71.jpg .

I'm a big fan of older, smaller, Victorian steamers so thank-you so much for building and sharing this. The smoke generator is definitely impressive. - BMW

Definitely an interesting prototype. - BMW

Hmmm... I get back from a train show this past weekend only to find another one of Ben's reverse engineering puzzles. The below method achieves the 45 degree quartering in Ben's example. It should be noted that this 45deg angle is not achievable using the 8-gear method posted, although the 8-gears do produce an angle closer to the prototypical 30 degrees. Many scale model steam builders prefer a 45degree angle as it exaggerates the motion. - BMW

These appear identical to the Cobi sandbags. Are you producing them under license?

Congratulations to all the winners for your inspiring MOCs.

"THE NIGHT OF THE DEADLY BRICKS" This MOC pays homage to the classic TV series "The Wild Wild West" which ran on CBS from 1965-1969 starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin as Secret Service agents James West and Artemus Gordon who travel the post-Civil war western United States aboard their luxurious private train on secret missions for President Ulyses S. Grant. This cult series is now gaining a new generation of fans as vintage TV stations across the country replay this popular action/adventure series in syndication. This scene depicts a fictitious 4th season episode titled "The Night of the Deadly Bricks" in which Dr. Miguelito Loveless attempts to take over the United States by replacing key political and business leaders, including President Grant, with 'brick' replicas to do his bidding. Depicted here is a scale model of the series' signature train which features prominently in most episodes. The protoypes featured are among the most photographed icons of western railroading having appeared in numerous movies and TV series: the legendary Virginia and Truckee #22 Inyo 1875 Baldwin locomotive, express car #21 (lab car), and passenger coach #4 (varnish car). Design innovations featured in this MOC: - Accurate scale - Locomotive and cars have full interriors furnished with the furniture, fixtures, and secret 'gadgets' from the TV show. - Locomotive has prototypical frame with sprung suspension - Numerous prototypical details reproduced including bell, injectors, lubricators, backhead details, brake system, link-and-pin couplers (backdated to 1875) - Extensive custom decals used for signage, pinstriping, wallpaper, etc. Special thanks to Will Chapman at Brickarms for his generosity and support in making this model a reality. Extensive detailed pics on Flickr: /6133453463/ The prototype Train. Learn more about at All Aboard the Wanderer The Locomotive backhead detail: The Lab Car Exterior: The Lab Car Interior: The Parlor Car Exterior: The Parlor Car Interior:

Thank-you for your patience. Last weekend I was exhibiting at an NILTC show and just now got a chance to take additional photos of the WWW train and added them to the above original posting.

No problem. Stop by in October at the Glen Ellyn library show.

Hi Perry. Yes, NILTC was there and we had a good show. I was one of four members exhibiting. Unfortunately sometimes it does get a bit hectic before shows. (in my case I was juggling the EB Spaghetti Western Contest Deadline in Parallel) Did you come? If not please stop by Glenn Elen in October. - Brian Williams

Wonderful. The curved and inclined street alone is novel. Add in the siding and other details and you have one amazing town.

Really well done.

If you are coming to Brickworld 2011 in Chicago this June, there is a special treat for Lego train fans: make sure you attend the "Train Forum" presentation. We have received confirmation of two must-see speakers: 1) Lego Train Representative Lego has agreed to send a representative to field questions. If you are attending and have specific questions, please reply and I'll make sure they get to Lego in advance. Future product questions are usually not possible... but questions about current/previous sets, concept or design are usually fine. 2) ME Models Metal Rails The ME models team will demonstrate their hot new system of metal track. Likewise, if you are attending then please reply with any questions you have for ME Models so they can prepare in advance. - Brian & Dave (your BW train coordinators)

I have finally rebuilt the tender for the Pancho Villa train using Power Functions. It looks much the same on the outside but under the hood you will find: - Two medium PF motors + Rechargeable Lio battery - Compact geared 2-axle trucks (inspired by the brilliant truck design by Space2310: www.flickr.com/photos/space2310/4755841352/ ) - Much slower and stronger than the old 9v version - Full set of pics with detail views:

Assuming same load and battery charging I would suspect your Emerald Night is wearing in with increased friction.

The other posts have hit on the main differences. If you are only buying it for the Emerald Night then go with the AAA version. Its 1/2 the price (assuming you buy rechargeable batteries) and the batts you buy will almost certainly be higher capacity than the Lego's Lio. Having said that... the Lio's recharging jack is very convenient, especially if you put a lot of hours on your trains (as in doing train shows) or eventually will build it into a different train/MOC with a battery location less accessible than the Emerald Night's tender. I use both. - BMW

I like the windshield wipers. - BMW

Splendid diorama work. The detail and techniques are superb. But what I like the most are all the angles. -BMW

www.flickr.com/photos/pepa_quin/5232246923/ The 9th Annual NILTC Lego Christmas Lego Train Show will be held Dec 11 &12, 2010 at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, Illinois (western suburb of Chicago). If you are in the Chicago area next weekend then please stop by. This year we have expanded space with even more layouts occupying the entire visitors center to better handle the crowds (last year was very crowded). We will have the usual collection of Town, train and other lego themes. Special guest star Dan Siskind will be selling his Brickmania sets and Brickarms parts. And if you stop by "Indiana Jones Brick Adventures" you will get to see my brand new power functions rebuilds of the Circus and Pancho Villa trains. So if you're in the Chicago area, come on out and get there early. It's our best show of the year!

Has anyone measured and published the output voltage for the fixed output levels on the 9v transformer? - BMW

Nice rendition Kris.

2 points - pedro's Dhurban Indoor Bazaar, for getting right atmosphere, decent build quality, and showing minifig interactions appropriate to this venue. 1 point - Inconspicuous' Al's One-Stop Convenience Stall, only example I see of #1 marketplace behavior: haggling

2 points - Oky Wan Kenobi's Nizam's Warship, most likely set. TLG likes vehicles. Reasonable part count. And decent attempt made to add period ship styling and features. 1 point - Johnno's The Skeleton Merchant, based on cool concept.