greg3

How the other half live eh? Seriously though, another great build - the roof design is excellent and I really like the balconies too! Excellent stuff!!

Hi and welcome to Eurobricks!! Not sure if this is of any use to you but my layout has wide roads going to narrow (to represent a one-way street and give more building room) using curved plates. Perhaps you could do something similar? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr

Great scene!! Love the vegetation/landscaping and clever use of the balloon parts too!! Nice work!!

Thanks for spotting that.. now fixed!! Well the dusting is all done and now the holidays are over, the citizens of Ballabreek are back to their everyday lives... Down at the fire station they're getting their first look at the town's newest fire engine... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Larger than the current appliance, it can carry more equipment and personnel, is more economical to run and is better suited to off road operations (an important factor given the town's growing popularity as a base for outdoor activities). As with any fire engine, its lights and siren is popular with the kids!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Unfortunately though there is one problem with it... it doesn't fit in the current fire station garage!! "We're gonna need a bigger station!!" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rather than simply enlarge the current station, the decision has been taken to demolish it and replace it with a more modern structure (as well as its size, the old building suffers from damp and needs an updated communications and IT system too). With the road closed and the area cleared ready for demolition to start next week, the opportunity was taken to let the locals have one last look around... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While some enjoy a brief tour and talk on the history of the building... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Others are enjoying getting a closer look at the equipment and vehicles... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally, before it gets relegated to the "great parts bin in the sky" a quick look back at how the current engine, 60004, (an old MOD of an official set) has served the local community over the last few years... Of course it's helped fight fires... 17081308635_82cc08620e_c by g.nat, on Flickr Deal with car crashes... 32167037305_995d643558_c by g.nat, on Flickr And the inevitable "child stuck in railings"!! (don't worry, he's going to cut the railing off, not the kid's head!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's also provided emergency cover for events (such as motorsport) 27322843726_b5399e26dc_c by g.nat, on Flickr And even helped raise money by staring in a charity calendar (along with Mr June... whose colleagues have never let him forget!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So there we have it... the end of an era. We can only hope that the new fire truck and station can play just as important a part in protecting the citizens of Ballabreek!! As I mentioned last time, the fire station is one of the few buildings in the town that aren't MODs of official sets and with the new fire station being released I thought it was time for a change (the old fire truck itself is also too small compared to the modern vehicles being released) Ironically though, internally the new fire station garage is actually smaller than my one!! It's longer but narrower - the truck does fit in though...just!! The office/accommodation tower will need MODding to fit it in the available space but my construction teams aim to have the new station ready to operate by the end of the month - so watch out for more updates on their progress!! (And don't worry, during this time, the fire bike will be stationed at the police station to provide first response cover. For larger incidents, engines will come from neighbouring towns) Anyway, thanks for looking and, as always, comments are more than welcome!!

Nice build!! That roof design is pretty much perfect and I love the way it seems to fit seamlessly around the tower. I also like the use of the dual coloured pieces to create the tower roof - very clever and incredibly effective. Would definitely like to see this brought to life with minifigs etc as part of a display!! Excellent work and thanks for sharing!!

What a great build!! The textures and detailing on the building make it look incredibly realistic but it's all the little details and activity around it that really bring it to life (I especially like the fence made of roller door pieces!!) Excellent work and thanks for sharing!!

Great looking set... definitely a day one purchase for me!! Love all the pipework and the ramshackle appearance and the minifigs are great (love the Mad Max vibe with Bad Cop!!) The only thing that slightly bugs me is the Statue of Liberty which makes it a bit harder to use it as a generic post-apocalyptic settlement but I'm sure I'll cope!!

That looks very nice!! Love the colour scheme and a clever technique to create the spiral pattern - but very fiddly I can imagine!! Thanks for sharing!!

Hello and Happy New Year to you all!! As has become my custom of recent years, a New Year means a new topic for my LEGO town of Ballabreek... But what's this...? Deserted streets...? Empty pavements...? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So what's going on? A Zombie Apocalypse? Alien Invasion? Mass New Year Hangover? No it's something far more unlikely.... I've been cleaning!!! For the first time in years I've decided to give the whole town a good dusting which gives a good opportunity to show off the current layout. Those familiar with the town's previous topics will know that as far as possible I try to use official sets (albeit modified to various degrees) so on with the tour... The Mine (owned by Wayne Industries) is the town's main employer and is made from the official mining sets of 2012 and 2018 (with a bit of extra landscaping) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The Space Technology Centre (MODed car showroom from 60097 City Square) The company owning this has great plans for the upcoming year including a possible moon mission in the summer!!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Police and Fire Stations. The Police station is a MODed villain's hideout from set 600009 (Helicopter Arrest), the fire station is a total MOC and is due to be replaced very soon. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The tram stop (again from 60097) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Convenience store (Based on the shop in set 7848 - Toys'R'Us Truck) and ATM lobby (MODed from Spiderman set 76082) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Hospital (the current official set, 60204, MODed to make it more compact) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Main shopping street: LEGO Store (40145), Newsstand (60154 Bus Station), Gemstore (MODed 31050 Sandwich Shop), Bike shop and Hairdressers (MODed 31026 Bike Shop and Cafe) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Residential area (31065 Park Street Townhouse x2) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Beach Burger Bar (MODed pizza place from 60026 Town Square) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Dive Store (MODed "burning building" from 60003 Fire Emergency) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Coastguard Station (60167) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The Chapel - a complete MOC based on an actual building. Like the fire station, it's days are numbered as I don't think it really fits in any more. (Although I said that this time last year but it survived - divine intervention maybe? ) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally back to the harbour area where I've discovered one of the blue baseplates is becoming quite discoloured. Replacing it would involve dismantling the sea wall promenade/boardwalk area which is no simple task, so I thought I'd try covering it up with 1x1 trans blue round plates (off to Bricklink for some more!!)... I think it looks OK but any comments or suggestions are very welcome!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Right, back to my dusting I suppose, and then the citizens of Ballabreek can return to their lives. So what will 2019 have in store for them? I guess we'll have to wait and see!! As always, thanks for looking and any feedback/comments is more than welcome!!

Many thanks for the replies... it looks like wire is the way to go!! Cheers

Hi i'm looking for any advice/tips on shaping flextube. I need quite a complicated shape which I can get the tube into but it then slowly springs back. I'm considering heating/cooling or maybe as a last resort even trying to put wire inside it. Has anyone any experience of trying this or have any better solutions? Thanks in advance!!

It's been a while since the last update (not had as much LEGO-time as I'd like recently!!) but I've finally got around to bringing some festive cheer to the citizens of Ballabreek!! In previous years I've tried to use the official seasonal sets (especially the free ones!) to decorate the town and this year is no different but how to integrate the Christmas Carousel into a mining scale scene? Well here's how... In a break with tradition, the people of Ballabreek decided to forego the traditional Christmas tree this year. Instead they commissioned a group of local artists and engineers to create something "unique" - the result; 2 large animated sculptures in the centre of the town... image by g.nat, on Flickr The "Snowglobe" features a life-sized Santa and tree. At 15min intervals, powerful blowers create a snowstorm inside the cylinder... image by g.nat, on Flickr The "Carousel" - again every 15 mins the sculpture comes to life; the top section rotates as it plays Christmas themed tunes. image by g.nat, on Flickr A transparent viewing wind allows a view of the intricate mechanism... image by g.nat, on Flickr At first, the works divided the locals. Some minifigs complained, and even launched a petition to get them replaced with a traditional tree. However, the sculptures had their fans - especially among the town's younger citizens and the park has been regularly filled with children eager to see the displays come to life. The sculptures have also attracted visitors to the town giving local businesses a much needed festive boost and winning over many of the original detractors. A few more views... image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr So there we go, Christmas has come to Ballabreek (just in time too!) and 'd just like to say that I hope you're all having a great Holiday Season!! Merry Christmas!!

Nope... definitely The Farm's song... (a good song it is too!!) YouTube link

Well I cut that a bit fine.... chosen on the last day!! A big thanks to CopMike as always for organising the raffle and well done to all who entered - whether you were chosen or not there were some great Santas!! Roll on next year's calendar!!

On a recent trip to Liverpool I came across this sculpture called "All Together Now" which was created in 2014 by sculptor Andy Edwards. It commemorates the Centenary of the Christmas Truce during WW1 and depicts a British and German soldier about to shake hands in no-mans land. Between them is a football - a reference to the impromptu kickabouts the soldiers of both sides had with each other during this brief pause. I've always thought that these events sum up the true sprit of Christmas (and I think the sculpture captures it perfectly with the way the soldiers are posed as if they're not quite sure of each other but they're prepared to take the chance and trust each other). Here's my attempt to recreate it as best as I could using LEGO... (the figures are from Brickmania)... image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr Incidentally the name of the sculpture comes from the title of a 1990 song about the truce by Liverpool band The Farm. Anyway, thanks for looking... and here's hoping that everyone at Eurobricks has a happy and above all peaceful Christmas!!

Been a bit busy recently with non-Lego stuff but I've finally got around to MOCing one of the more armoured versions of the Simplex 40hp petrol tractors used in WW1.... The most common Simplex 40hp tractor produced was the "Protected" version. This saw the addition of armoured doors to protect against small arms fire and shrapnel. Armoured visors and sloped side panels also provided added protection to the vision slits. However with the doors closed, ventilation became a problem so large slots were cut into each side. Extra armour was added to protect these openings. All Protected tractors had the exhaust exiting via a roof mounted silencer. image by g.nat, on Flickr Interior layout and controls identical to the "Open" version. image by g.nat, on Flickr The armoured doors meant that the engine could be left uncovered to aid maintenance. image by g.nat, on Flickr Views showing the exhaust, the extra armour protecting the vision slits and the panels covering the ventilation openings. image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr The driver fits in.... just!! image by g.nat, on Flickr As always thanks for looking and watch this space.... more War Department Light Railway builds coming soon!!

Sometimes it takes just a red hat and a white beard to soften even the most seemingly dark heart... (and who can resist a "Harry Potter-Die Hard" crossover!!) "Ho, ho.... ho" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As always thanks to CopMike for organising this bit of festive fun!!

Seeing this I couldn't help checking out my account... Seems I'm "CreatorSweetPuddle" ? (Sounds like I've had an unfortunate but tasty accident!! ?)

Hi Here's the latest addition to my World War 1 British War Department Light Railway... the Crewe Tractor. These were introduced in late 1916 as a solution to the problem of getting supplies the last few hundred metres to the front. Unlike the rest of the WDLR network, these sections of track were lightweight tramways often hurriedly laid on poorly prepared ground and couldn't be used by the regular petrol tractors. Instead, supplies had to be loaded onto hand carts and muscle power got them to their final destination. This was slow, inefficient and took men away from the fighting lines. The story goes that an officer, home on leave, mentioned these difficulties to a friend who happened to be the daughter of C J Bowden-Cooke, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR), who set about solving this problem. After trials on the narrow gauge Crewe Works Railway, his solution was to convert a road vehicle to operate on rail. He chose the Ford Model T and designed a frame with rail wheels that would convert it into a rail tractor. Before being mounted on the frame, the road wheels were removed and the rear ones replaced with sprockets which would drove the rail wheels via chains. The conversion took around an hour and in the road configuration, the disassembled frame could be carried on the rear cargo bed. Despite pulling 5 tons at 15 mph in testing, in reality the tractor didn't perform as well as expected in the field as it often struggled with traction but it was better than nothing. Many also found use as inspection vehicles with around 132 eventually being built. Now on with the MOC... The road version - all the parts needed to convert it to rail use can be carried allowing it to drive up to the railway. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Unloaded and ready for conversion... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rail version Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The curved cover protects the sprocket/chain drive that transfer power from the rear axle to the rail wheels. (don't worry, I've straightened up the wonky plates!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The steering wheel was kept (although most versions once converted to rail stayed that way) You can also see the brake lever which was added to use alongside the vehicle's original brakes. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As the reverse gear wasn't up to much, the tractor was fitted with a built in jack/turntable and could be lifted, turned 180º and lowered in around 3 minutes. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A few more pics... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally I couldn't resist building 2 to make a before/after... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see, I took @Roadmonkeytj's advice about using reference photos as a backdrop - I think it works quite well (although my printer needs more ink... and I thought LEGO was expensive!! ) Anyway, thanks for looking... comments are always welcome.

Nothing too exciting from me... a simple figure based on a Scooby Doo monster I remember from my childhood!! (I wanted to enter something but don't have most of my minifig parts to hand!) Anyway I present to you... one of the Skeleton Men!! image by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for organising this and good luck in the raffle to all who enter.

Photo 4 - After the embarrassment of last year's "Justice League Annual Pool Party", this time Cyborg remembers to bring his trunks. Photo 5 - Released this week is the official soundtrack to "Kiteman the Musical" Featuring such hits as... "Soaring over Gotham." "I Want to Rule the World (but everyone ignores me)" "Tangled in the Tree of Your Love." "The Batman Blues" And of course many more... including a bonus track - a moving cover version of the classic "Let's go fly a Kite" Photo 8a - "1, 2..." Photo 8b - "... 98, 99, 100. Ready or not, here I come!"

Hi Here's the latest addition to my World War 1 War Department Light Railway collection... The Simplex 40hp armoured petrol tractor (A.K.A the "Tin Turtle".) Following the success of their 20hp petrol engined rail tractor the Motor Rail Company/Simplex began producing a larger 40hp version in 1917. Its increased power allowed it to be fitted with armour plating to protect the vulnerable engine and driver, meaning it could operate much closer to the front lines. There were 3 versions produced and this MOC represents the "Open" version (the least armoured). It had curved armour plates at each end as well as an armoured engine cover. A lightweight roof provided protection from the elements. image by g.nat, on Flickr The internal layout was similar to the 20hp version, except the driver now sat in the centre above the engine. To his left is the radiator and to his right is the brake wheel and a 20 gallon petrol tank. image by g.nat, on Flickr Controls (gear lever, clutch pedal and brake wheel) image by g.nat, on Flickr View showing the armoured engine cover and back of the driver's seat! Some photos show the exhaust pipe coming out of the engine housing and up to a roof mounted silencer but in others (and in videos of restored versions actually running) it doesn't so I've left it out!! image by g.nat, on Flickr End view - the gap at the bottom of the armour was to aid ventilation. Like the smaller 20hp version, it can run equally well in either direction. image by g.nat, on Flickr Years ago I built one of the more heavily armoured versions but it had a number of inaccuracies (mainly in the interior layout) but with better references this time I'm pretty pleased with the results - even if the driver does need his legs amputating to fit in!! I'm currently working on the other 2 more heavily armoured versions (the "Protected" and "Armoured") so watch this space!! Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!!

Advice? They're going to need a bigger hammer!! Nice little scene - love the little hand car and the piece of old track is a great bit of history! Thanks for sharing!!

I love these!! Even though they're small you've crammed in a lot of detail - I especially like all the pipe work, valves etc. Think the showman's engine is my favourite!! Excellent work!!

Thanks for the comments... the ground is very much a WIP (I just wanted something to put the track on) as I haven't decided on where I want my section of railway to be set... I'd quite like to recreate photos of trains crossing captured sections of No Man's Land but that'll require a lot of landscaping (shell holes, dugouts etc)!! Alternatively, many lines ran through ruined villages or just normal countryside/farmland so there's plenty of options but for now I'm concentrating on the trains themselves. I forgot to mention that the figures are from Brickmania.