greg3

Very nice!!! I really like the house design!! I've still got a boxed 4999 sitting on my shelf - if I ever decide to open it I might just borrow this idea!!! Excellent work!!

Stunning!! Those windows are fantastic as are all the other little details (especially like the chandelier). Can't wait to see the rest of the hotel!! Excellent work!!

Just finished putting my entry together... Should have it photographed and posted tomorrow!!

As Ballabreek's Festival of Speed 2016 draws to a close, the high speed professional racing gives way to something a bit more... silly!! The inaugural Ballabreek Mighty Micros competition!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Intended to encourage the next generation of racing drivers, this competition is only open to under 16s. Each competitor is given an electric powered chassis which they need to decorate according to a theme (this year it's superheroes!!) before completing a timed run of the Ballabreek sprint track (with a few added straw bale obstacles!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr In keeping with the theme, the competitors were split into groups according to whether they were based on DC or Marvel, Hero or Villain with the winners of each group progressing until only 1 remained (I used a random number generator 0-30 to decide the results - any score less than 10 meant they'd crashed!!) So without further ado.... the results!! ROUND 1 GROUP A) Marvel Heroes Winner - Spiderman Unfortunately Captain America encountered a few stability problems!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Don't worry though - he's unhurt!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr GROUP B) Marvel Villains Winner - Green Goblin This time it was the Red Skull who failed to finish (much to his annoyance!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr GROUP C) DC Heroes Winner - Batman GROUP D) DC Villains Winner - Bane Proving that black cats really do bring bad luck, Catwoman came unstuck when she lost a wheel!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr ROUND 2 A) Spiderman v Batman Winner - Spiderman B) Green Goblin v Bane Winner - Bane Green Goblin found his wings getting in the way!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr ROUND 3 - THE FINAL!!! Spiderman v Bane Winner (and Ballabreek's Mighty Micro Champion 2016).... BANE!!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Meanwhile, the winner of the main races and Speed Champion for 2016 was... Hank "Clutch" Studly driving a LaFerrari (again decided using a random number generator) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Celebrating in typical racing driver style Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can probably tell, I wanted a way of using the Mighty Micros sets (and was partly inspired by watching a local soapbox race!!) I have to say, it was a lot of fun setting up the scenes and so who knows - the people of Ballabreek may make it an annual event!! (come on Lego give us a Mighty Micro Series 2!!) But for now, it's time for Ballabreek to get back to normal!! Anyway, thanks for looking - comments are always welcome.

That is a fantastic model!! I love the way you've captured the shape of the building and the size and detail on the main tower is simply stunning!! Excellent work!!

That is very clever!! Some excellent parts usage and great posing too!! (I'd love to know how the dog lost his back legs!!!) Thanks for sharing!!

Nice MODs - I've played about with modding this set too. Have you considered adding some grey tiles to fill the gaps below the angled bits of the hull?

Thanks for the comments... I have to say setting up the racing scene has been a lot of fun (like being a kid again!!) Anyway here are a few more pics and a chance to find out what the locals of Ballabreek think of the racing... Well, some are annoyed at the disruption and detours caused by the closed roads... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr But the majority see the benefits it brings. The village comes alive with an influx of visitors (both competitors and spectators) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Food vendors especially see a huge increase in sales!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr During the event, the public get a chance to talk to famous racing stars and see various exhibitions and displays of racing machinery. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's not just fast cars either, down at the harbour people can get a closer look at a record breaking speed boat and watch a display of flyboarding skills. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Many locals help out at the event volunteering as marshals. Here a burst radiator puts paid to one competitor's run but the marshals are on hand!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As the event draws to a close, thoughts turn to the prize presentations... who will be on stage lifting the trophy? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!!

Wow that is an exclusive joint (how many other bars can count Santa as a regular!!) Seriously though, I think it looks great... I especially like the gold detailing on the roof!! The limo from the new airport VIP set would look good parked outside!! Thanks for sharing!

Great building designs!! I especially like the coffee cup coffee shop!! (And the toast!!) Excellent stuff!!

Nice little park!! I like the water feature!!

Great looking building!! Love the colour scheme and the decorative details. Nice work!!

Very clever!! (Although I hope if TLG decides to give us more police themes then they leave it for a year or 2!) Saying that though, I especially like the shuttle police (and of course the farm police!!) Thanks for sharing!!

Well it's been a while since the last update (I hate it when work eats into Lego time!!) but I've finally got around to showing the latest goings on in Ballabreek.... The Ballabreek Festival of Speed!!! Those long time followers of Ballabreek may remember a similar event last year but this year sees it return bigger and better!!! This year, course has been changed to avoid the tramlines... not only safer but allows people to still travel to and from the village. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The event is run as a timed sprint over about half a mile beginning in the village. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr View from the start line - as one car completes it's run, the next is readied on the start line. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr More cars ready for their runs Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The usually quiet residential street is turned into a pit/service area where drivers can carry out minor repairs and adjustments. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Of course the races can't take place without the army of support personal.... Race officials/timekeepers Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Emergency and recovery services (including the volunteer marshals) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Filming crew (using cameras and drones to capture the action) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While this update was mainly a way to make use of the Speed Champions sets, it's also inspired by the TT motorcycle races currently taking place in the Isle of Man (where I live) Unfortunately Lego don't make enough racing bikes so cars had to do (and the TT was originally a car race!!). I've got more photos to come so watch this space for more updates... Thanks for looking!! Comments are always welcome...

Nice little boat - like the chains!! I've still got a spare shipwreck from 60095 knocking about to do something similar with!! You might have just inspired me to get on with it!!! Thanks for sharing...

Great looking layouts!! I really like the wide range of buildings you've included and all the little real-life scenes going on. Looking forward to seeing more!!!

Simply beautiful!! At first glance it's hard to believe this is Lego... Love all the little details. Excellent work!!

Looks good from the outside but it's the interior that really makes this great!! I especially like the fire pit and the "hubcap" stools!! Definitely has a modern but rustic feel to it - I can just imagine it beside a lake!! Thanks for sharing!!

In this update, Ballabreek's transport links continue to improve with the building of a small heliport!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Located half a mile or so from the village centre (eventually it's going go on a nearby shelf), it was originally a farmers field but has recently been bought by a business consortium with a view to create a heliport to serve Ballabreek and surrounding villages. This is the result of phase 1 of the work - the construction of a concrete landing pad and a small tower structure. It's just waiting for signage to be put up and the radar to be switched on before it becomes fully operational. (in other words I'm waiting for stickers!!) Inside the tower is a maintenance room (containing tools for carrying out routine checks and repairs) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr An office with a computer and internet connection so pilots can file flight plans, check weather reports etc. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And finally a control room. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr At the moment, the helipad can only accommodate small, 1 person helicopters. Over the next few months (i.e. when I can get more green baseplates!!) the field will be expanded with a larger pad (able to cope with the biggest helicopters available), a hangar and refuelling facilities. Ultimately the heliport will operate tourist/sightseeing flights, a helicopter taxi service, support for offshore exploration companies and maybe even a postal operation. It will also assist the emergency service by allowing police and SAR helicopters to refuel thereby extending their range. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can tell, I recently got the Marvel Civil War airport set and thought it'd be a useful addition to Ballabreek (and somewhere to put all those helicopters that Lego seem to think we need!!) As well as adding the landing pad, I removed the play features to make the office area a bit bigger and added the red/white pattern on the outside. At the moment it fits on a 32x32 baseplate but eventually will fill 3 baseplates. Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome.

Thanks for the comments. I've just counted and the town roughly takes up the space of 22 32x32 baseplates (which surprised me as it started off on just 6 baseplates - so I'd say if you want a layout, go for it!!!) Anyway I've run out of expansion room now though so from now on changes will involve "redeveloping" areas!! I'm currently thinking about replacing the buildings around the park!!

After a few weeks of work redesigning the harbour, the new Ballabreek ferry is finally in operation!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see, I've opted for the MODed cable ferry design from a previous update. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The ferry can carry several vehicles and will hopefully allow more visitors to enjoy the village and the surrounding countryside over the coming months. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The redesigned rock/pumping station - it's still a tight squeeze for the ferry though (hence the cable!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I've not yet decided whether the ferry will become a permanent part of the layout but I wanted to try and fit it in. A brief backstory has it being trialled for a few months after which the citizens of Ballabreek will decide if it's commercially viable!! Anyway, comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!!

The Batcave is now available to VIPs on the Lego website!!!!

That looks amazing!!! The fortress is great but it's the snowy scenery that really makes the scene look perfect!!! Excellent stuff!!

That's really cool!!! Great use of the mop head part!!!

Thanks for comments... I've just finished adding some details to the console (I didn't intend to make a 100% accurate model but it is based on reference pics from the relevant episode and images of the action figure playset released by Character Options) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Some console close ups Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Top view Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I'm pretty pleased with how it looks at the moment but may tweek it at a later date - the console is a bit bigger/wider than it should be and the panels are freely positioned and a bit fragile (I also think it needs a few hoses etc to make it look more "junky" and I may still replace the red with dark red) but for now it'll do as my Doctor's spare ride (for when the Tardis is out of action!!). It's surprisingly swooshable too and adding a turntable underneath creates an out-of-control-spinning-wildly through-time effect!! Anyway, thanks for looking - comments are always welcome.