JGW3000

Some time ago, there was posted a comment, based on an interview with a LEGO designer, that each product line had a certain fixed number of new molds, prints and color changes per year, the number of which depends on the number of parts or sets each product line produces. I believe that Technic has unlimited color changes, but limited new molds. IDEAS, for example, is allotted no new molds and only limited color changes, but apparently they get lots of new prints. Star Wars, I can imagine, can get many new molds, color change, and prints.

New new molds so far, except for the bulldog... means that the upcoming sets most likely will have new parts, especially the Chiron and this year's flagship set. Also, PF2 probably sucked up a good amount of the new part allowance.

Great review, and I agree this is a great set for mod and kids. A question - why does the front axle have two trans-orange round 1x1 tiles?

Dang, I thought you were asking about modifying it to be Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Neopolitana in New Haven, CT!

The old axle in the gear trick. I sometimes do similar to help in assembly. Getting there and looking good, Grum.

You are correct sir, I guess I need a better quality display

Cehnot - note that the wheels on the model are somewhat hollow, seems like you are using dishes on yours.

A bit pricey for only 230 pieces - probably due to all of the trans elements - but what a set - looks like stay-up-till-midnight purchase, and at least two sets (one for work, one for the kid)

Hyaena, Siouxie and the Banshees. Features Robert Smith, of The Cure, on guitar.

Well, after seeing the teaser video, I might be re-sold as a must-get, hopefully official images soon.

6-1/2 hours in one day! Looking good, Grum. Not having the set, it is good to see how it goes together and what it looks like on the inside.

This leaked image is different enough from the IDEAS submission that I am starting to have some doubts about getting it, went from a must-have to a maybe, although 2x on the lightcycles is nice. Will wait for official images and/or reviews before deciding. I wonder if TLG got the wheels to spin, to give the set some play value? Unlike the IDEAS set, the leaked image is not movie-accurate.

Obviously, get a beer! Then shrink each level one plate, to maintain realistic looks. Great work, by the way

The best option, and is much more renewable, is to make new polyethylene from recycled polyethylene.

What about the fact that the "LEGO" logo (say that 10 times real fast - LEGO logo) is on almost every exposed stud. If TLG wanted to, they could claim copyright infringement for every visible stud. I guess if you are promoting the use of bricks, then its OK.

Here is the deal, guys (and gals), since I make this stuff also and conduct research into alternatives. The plastic is polyethylene (PE), which is made from ethylene. The PE does not care what the source of ethylene is, as long as the ethylene is better than 99.9% pure, which is required for large scale production, and will always be part of any process, regardless of source hydrocarbons. Ethylene can be made from - ethane, propane and natural gas liquids in shale gas or natural gas via steam cracking, from the same components and heavier (naphtha, gas oils) as occurring in various process streams and distillation fractions in crude oil refineries, again via steam cracking, from a new process by reaction (oxidative coupling) with methane, or by condensation of ethanol. Ethanol is mostly made by fermentation of sugar. Sugar is a food meant for human consumption. If you examine all of the aspects of producing PE (a lifetime impact analysis), you will find that the process having the least environmental impact (in terms of both energy required and CO2 and other pollutants emitted) is from steam cracking of natural gas components, although this process still has a high impact and consumes about 1-2% of total world-wide energy use. Making PE via ethylene/ethanol/sugar/plants, no matter how it is framed, is not carbon neutral, requires a lot of energy to conduct (planting, growing, weeding, harvesting, transportation of biomass and ethanol, etc.) At best PE from sugarcane is only marginally less impactful than from natural gas. If oxidative coupling from methane works, then this will be the go-to process for making ethylene, but it is at least 10 years out. If you must use biomass, than using the non-consumable fraction (corn stover, cane baggage, etc.) is the way to go, and there are processes to do so, but cost significantly more while having a lower total impact. Rest assured that your new PE bricks will perform the same as the old, and please don't taste them or encourage children to do so! Personally, I find using edible foodstocks to make chemicals morally wrong. That sugarcane should be used to feed people, not make toys. This claim by TLG is good PR, and nothing more.

8: 10 9: 6 15: 4 17: 3 13: 2 22: 1

Are those white pistons in the engine? Also, since there has only been one new part so far this year (the bulldog), I would be expecting a bunch (4 to 10) new parts in the Chiron, makes sense as they are needed to make the curves, so I am expecting several pairs of new curved panels.

Thanks, excellent informative review as always.

Brinklink is usually less expensive than e-bay, even if international shipping is accounted for. Depending where you are located, delivery to a US address (in Laredo, TX for example) may be an option - my Monterey, MX-based in-laws do this frequently.

The Results of the LEGO Ideas 2017 Review have been posted, and... no projects selected. Not too unsurprising considering the nature of the six sets reviewed - too large, not for kids, no play value, and licenced theme, or overlapping existing products. However, they did say that at least one set from the next review has already been approved - I am guessing its the Pop-Up Book, this project is hitting on all cylinders in terms of what IDEAS is all about, but we will have to wait and see until this summer to know for sure.

Awesome effort, really looks great. Shame about the slewing, perhaps some small wheels would have helped?

The image on the right that looks like a 1x2 brick, is most likely a 1x2 sound brick, with the graphics above it suggesting sound coming out of it. No new PF elements, or we need clearer images or additional information.

Posted in the train forum (https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/155770-2018-lego-trains/&page=12) Sorry to upset you, but according to different german blog´s, TLC has changed the rules. This year there will be no photos allowed at TLC´s display at Nürnberg Toy fair. Also there will be only invited press-members allowed and it is strictly forbidden to take pictures or report in any way (also not in words!!!!!) about anything. Press release of german Blog "zusammengebaut" about Nürnberg toy fair

A quick look in the DC Comics 2018 set discussion suggests this R/C set is 76112, Arkham Knight Batmobile, said to be R/C controlled - but not confirmed https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/152374-dc-superheroes-2018-set-discussion/&page=16 If true, then this could be the long awaited PF2 finally showing up, and an interesting philosophical change by TLG - as the set will not longer be self-contained (except for batteries), but will require a significant extra purchase to gain bluetooth functionality (assuming the R/C is via bluetooth).