andythenorth

If the B model is a vehicle, it will probably be a Mercedes model. Based on the parts (and Lego history), an MB-Trac would have been obvious, but Mercedes dropped the line some time ago. Not enough panels for a car. The wheels are too big for a Sprinter van. The parts could probably stretch to a G-Wagen, but that's being discontinued by Mercedes. Maybe: - a stripped down Actros oe Eoconic? - some other Mercedes vehicle? - a variation of the Mog? - not a vehicle?

No catastrophy. There are a zillion curves for sale on Bricklink and eBay. http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=64723&colorID=85 Average Bricklink selling price £0.25 sterling (about €0.30) per curve. http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=53400&colorID=85 Currently 3931 are available new on Bricklink.

The harbour looks great. I'll buy it as soon as available. In comparison to the previous seaport - the blue ship had good play value, but the container crane was fragile and useless as a play toy. The previous truck was 'meh'. The crane in the 2011 harbour looks like it will have much better play value. The truck looks better, and the ship is fine. For some AFOLs, it will appeal because it's a retro-styled reminder of sets like this: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=6383-1 Wonder what's coming in 2012? I wondered if an offshore rig will make an appearance? My thinking: - it's a reference back to a classic set: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=373-1 - it fits with the pervasive Octan sub-theme - it offers the chance to sell a separate helicopter, supply boat and/or tanker - it would have good play value (crane etc) - all the right parts already exist and have been used in sets like the Coastguard tower. I think an accompanying onshore refinery is less likely due to poor play value, but it's been done before, and it would give the current tanker truck and rail tanker somewhere to load fuel from: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=149-1

The Unimog looks outstanding. Definite must-have. I'll probably buy a few of these :) Funny thing, I like Technic sets of heavy equipment. There's often more scope for functions than with trucks. But I reckon I'd buy a lot more large trucks. I bought three 8285 sets and all are still assembled with modifications. With loaders, excavators and cranes there's less potential for modifications, so maybe there's less incentive to buy more of the same set? I did buy three 8275 sets, but only because it was the cheapest way to get PF parts and tracks :) Anyway, it's a Mog, power functions, serious amount of pneumatics, it's big, and it can be modded to all kinds of things. What's not to like

I bought it. Can't say why. I like trucks and construction equipment, not vacation vehicles. I even have a thing against lime green. But it just has that compact 'buy me' quality about it, and I don't regret it. A good deal at Amazon a few months ago might have been a factor

I like the Unimog / snowplough suggestion, something like an updated version of these would get my money. http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8848-1 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8854-1 I think we might get another tracked vehicle, something like a full sized Pisten Bully (but the tracks are undersized for that), or some of the Foremost vehicles that were in the mood boards in the 8275 bulldozer video: http://foremost.ca/index_vehicles.php I don't think we'll see a fully RC vehicle with rubber tyres, the grip from rubber is high and imposes quite severe loads on gears, axles etc when used with large PF motor(s). The tracks lose grip and slide on both carpet or smooth floors, which prevents damage to parts. But that's just guessing. cheers, Andy

Nice.

I've broken quite a few of the old ones when used with the large PF motor. This model chews them up, but for space reasons I can't use a tougher gear. The new one looks useful. http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=307640

Merge the two. It's all just lego right? Run a 9v loop with your existing stuff. Buy some RC or PF trains that can go anywhere on the setup. Extend the setup with whatever track you can find cheap, accept the limitations, and have fun :)

I'm guessing the non-availability of the current track pack is because it's being discontinued for 2011 and replaced with pack of straights + flex track. Christmas might not be the best timing for that Could be wrong though. The new pack should correct the current insane prices of curves (low) and straights (very high) in secondary markets (ebay, bricklink). @MikeJ: sell the cargo train to me at knock down price. Or split to individual vehicles and sell on ebay - I reckon you'll make more than £129 that way I'd take Lego trains over other toy trains any day. I had 00 trains as a kid. Lego is way more satisfying and allows for spectacular crashes...

No, quite literal I literally mean, "what would your price point be for straight track?" Define that, it's a straight forward expression of consumer preference. I'd be surprised if TLG staff weren't paying at least partial, informal attention to this forum :)

So the precise request is more like "Lego should offer the straights via S@H / Pick a Brick / customer service at a lower price than $2? Sounds reasonable. How much should they be on sale for?

Ach. We wanted straights without curves. We're getting straights without curves. Where's the problem? Lego aren't going to do a retail box of straights only. Amazon, TRU, Argos etc don't want to carry that much inventory on multiple products. Lego need one box that will sell to kids/parents who want to expand a trainset. Straights only don't meet that need. Possibly AFOLs would stop whining / expressing their consumer preference if Lego would offer straights via lego.com. And as has been indicated here before, if you call / email Lego customer service, they will (or would) do just that. But actually acting isn't as much fun as whining, right? I for one welcome my new flextrack overlord.

Nice :) I like the use of binoculars as tailpipes

Looks awesome

Awesome Big models are not always best

This is getting off-topic, but it would be sad if the problems with the 8043 excavator led to conservatism by TLG. This set is the first Lego-designed Technic model that approaches the complexity of models by AFOLS like Jennifer Clark. It's a brave and exciting move by TLG in difficult economic times. It's difficult for TLG to take risks. The brand is built around reliability and quality, and 8043 is an extremely expensive set. If I'd spent this money on an 8043 with problems I'd be disappointed - whether I was an AFOL or a child. But as an AFOL I'll be even more disappointed if TLG don't produce complex flagship sets. Engineering is difficult, and there are limits to what can be done with ABS parts. Despite this, it should be part of the vision for Technic to go as far as possible. For the record, this isn't a new or shocking event: - when I was 8 years old I was given the (very expensive for the time) 8851 red excavator with generation 1 pneumatics. These were unreliable out of the box, and within months most of the cylinders had failed (bent plastic rods, sticking seals, air leaks throughout the system). TLG significantly redesigned pneumatics following that. There was no web then, so we didn't get an outcry from fans, nor a replacement part programme. - the 8275 bulldozer is an awesome robust and playable design, but the 40t clutch slips and will no longer lift the blade on mine. - there are other parts which proved easily breakable one way or the other, or set designs with failures. Universal joints, gears, axles which snap due to torsion and stress subjected simply by the design, not excessive force. The important thing is that TLG have taken steps to remedy the situation. I'll be happy to buy 8043 this christmas, possibly even two sets (the B model looks good)

I would be happy to see a pack of straight + flex tracks. Might even increase the bricklink value of curves Flex tracks are good and bad. Good: geometry is easy, anything can be connected anywhere. Bad: both RC and PF trains can get stuck on flex track. This is not so bad with the recent wheels that have thicker traction bands.

This is absolutely my favourite Technic set. The power functions bulldozer has more play value, but I just prefer this set. I have three of them with various mods...not all finished Brickshelf - mods of 8285 If Lego released a similar set again (large US conventional truck) I'd probably buy three more

All the magnetic couplings are compatible (old and new). I have a few that don't stay connected in a long train - both old and new types. Two tips - the new ones have studs on, so a plate can be used to hold them together. - the old ones can be removed from the buffer beam. A 1x1/2x6 technic liftarm can be used to connect the wagons. If you're buying used parts from bricklink this is useful because the bufferbeams sell separately from the magnets, and are reasonably cheap.

Pretty awesome technique :)

I got into Lego trains a few months ago. Here's what I found Two trains are better than one - it makes for better crashes. PF & RC trains can run at different speeds / different directions on the same track - this allows for better crashes.

Self-loading / unloading B-triple logging truck. Would make a really good MOC: http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/2010/10/elphinstone-easyloader-b-tripl.html

Bulldozer lit by eLite PF (no longer available - provided lighting patterns controlled by PF remote) Rob @ LifeLites is a nice guy.