James Mathis

I have become a fan, and have become quite inspired by, the Architecture series. I truly enjoy... the simple and the complex... elegance at work with this scale to evoke recognition and showcase the essence of design. I will buy the official LEGO® Sydney Opera House. I appreciate the use of the slopes, hinge-bricks, and 1x1 slopes which combine simultaneously to create both sails and the angles for the window/awnings at the base of the sails. I also enjoy working within the limits of the Design byME and S@H Pick-a-Brick palette. Note: a quick survey of LDD/PAB elements shows that only one type of white complex slope, such as the three or four types used in the official LEGO Sydney Opera House, are available in LDD/PAB. In the meantime, inspiration was found in a simple "plate 1x1 w/tooth" (LDD part # 49668). Could this one element begin a one-stud wide opera hall and a Sydney Opera House? What pieces, shapes, and colors within the limited LDD/PAB palette? Every observer sees with different eyes. Some will see the sail? Some will see round/circle profiles of the hinge-plates w/bars? More unsightly gaps? What will you see? To the end, I enjoy seeing so many inspired ideas. The execution reveals time, thought, passion, and pride. Remember the courage it takes to share... and the resilience it takes to perfect. -James Mathis

I have now updated the v200 folder with a bill of materials (BOM) in both the .ldr format and a simple text file. For the .ldr file, I moved all submodels (from the .mpd file) into a single .ldr file. Unfortunately, the BOM DOES NOT include the special 2x6x2 windscreen element, of which the v200 model uses quantity 6. I hope the BOM helps you source the bricks you need from Pick-a-Brick and/or BrickLink. -James Mathis

Aloha train lover, Duq and Richie, This is James Mathis, LEGO train designer, and friend of LEGO trains and those who build and play with them :-) Train lover: I'm glad you found a model you liked, built it, and felt proud of the construction. I am hopeful that you have learned a few new construction techniques from the v200 build, as well as from these forum LEGO train-fan-friends. We enjoy show-casing our creations and learning from each other. I'm honoured whenever I see others' inspired by my previous creations, either building duplicates or making them "their own" with their own unique alterations and customized improvements. Thank you for crediting the source and resources. I hope your DB v200 runs strong and serves your train/town layout well. Keep building and contributing to our hobby! Duq and Richie: Thanks for watching, reading, contributing, and helping our community recognize our LEGO train history. I truly appreciate your attention on my behalf. All: I want to acknowledge that I, too, have always been inspired by others creations and construction techniques-- derivative, original, and evolutionary.... It's how it flows. with much mahalo, James Mathis