Toastie

This is so unbelievably lovely. And it truly reminds me very much of how our family is "usually" celebrating Christmas at my parents in law place in Northern Germany: Fireplace, nicely decorated tree (revealed on the eve of the 24th - and with real candles), and the family gathering together: My wife, my two daughters, my mother-in-law, my brother- and sister-in-law, our dog and me. I would be the one playing with the bricks - even after 55 years I am getting them for Christmas. Not the big deals, rather models the family sees fit - even when they tell me every year: Don't you have enough? Where do you want to put them? It is all crammed in your attic. Well this year I said: No more LEGO. That though did not work out, as I was told it is impossible. One cannot just tell it is over after 55 years. OK. Can live with that. Yes. This is a place where I would love to be for Christmas. This year will be different. Very different. And this turns your living room into our living room - it is such a nice and lovely place. Thank you very much for sharing, it means a lot. Have a very nice Christmas season. Yours Thorsten

Absolutely, that was my point: They have to, otherwise it would not play out at all, of course. Well, been there many times and will hopefully go there many times more. Was there this year in June. My first visit was a couple of years after the inauguration of the "park" - it was more "LEGOs in a meadow" and the airport served sports airplanes only (a couple). Since this time I love the "old" region the most. Representation of the original LEGO idea (recognition and imagination in the first place, in my view). As you said: Just basic bricks and plates. I believe though that at that (large) building scale, they accomplish two things at the same time: Accurate representation - models very easily recognizable and done with passion and dedication (of course) - and at the same time, you always directly see and feel: These are made from real LEGO bricks, even from a little farther away. Just imagine, everything would be tiled up and the like ... then the LEGO idea would vanish quite a bit and Playmobile would maybe do as well . Wonderful place. Best Thorsten

I can absolutely see that as well. But then absolute purism as a function of time, right? It - nicely (or - better) follows the laws of thermodynamics - and always "expands", as there are additions to it almost every other set that is produced. Best Thorsten

Another very, very good point (as your entire piece) - and I believe you don't miss anything. Yes, when there are competitions or the like then of course there need to be rules. But that one is easy: The moment someone calls for a competition: Fixed. What is available at that time. Or maybe even less (e.g., build the MF just using Technic bricks with holes and 2x2s). But apart from that: From my perspective, you are absolutely right: Who cares, other than the builder(s)? Or who should even care? BTW, over in Billund (and other like places of course) they build their models using glue all over the place (yes, the models require that because they are mostly out in the weather during the entire season - but this was their choice!), with stainless steel frames (barely visible, but when you have enough time to look closely), using non-LEGO tracks and wheels (and what not) for their trains - and nobody cares. At all. It is simply nice to watch - all models almost built using only "real" bricks. But when certain pieces are not available: They take whatever fits. Best, Thorsten

This. This is exactly what I believe is the core of the matter. I love this piece as it really brings my - for simplicity let us call it - concerns regarding the term or even definition of "purism". Let us take that story a little further (may have been discussed above, did not walk through the entire, very nice(!) discussion - so just ignore this in case): What if that builder, knowing it will take a long time to get the MOC functioning/appearing using the purist approach (i.e., only use what TLG is providing at that particular moment in space and time), simply 3D printed the missing part and got it all right, nice and shiny. And then TLG came out with that part very closely in design, months later? We do not want to discuss time travel, as this will simply evaporate purism definitions - but this example of @nerdsforprez is rather close to that issue. I believe any definition attempt of purism is - well - relative. The moment you define it, it changes its character. Now, one approach could be defining the "System", as @Jeroen Ottens called it, as the ultimate time-fixed reference system. It changes arbitrarily with time at breathtaking speed though (and even better: as some committee members see fit, but based on what kind of theory?); however, at any given time in space, purism is then a bold constant: Pieces that are available at that time. Does that make much sense? No, when you ask me. Earth is still spinning and committee members still meet - maybe virtually but that just adds to the fun. What about defining purism from the perspective of a user not getting things done, because some parts do not exist at that time of built? Making one, cutting another, gluing something else together, painting parts in colors that at that time don't exist? The definition then becomes arbitrary - or better uncertain, to remain in the modern world of physics. Well in essence purism is then a committee-, system-, space- and time-dependent, uncertain - uhmm - thing. Which then is prone to vanish any time into a puff of logic. Here is to feeling good! All the best, Thorsten

Well, that is what I assumed - but found it just funny, to brag about the "one" day These times are way too tense - and a little joke here and there, a little sarcasm, just blunt nonsense - always with a smile of course - will hopefully not do any harm. I too find it merely unbelievable how they all manage all these orders and deliveries. We live in a dead-end street, 7 houses in total. It begins at about 11 am: UPS. Their trucks are clearly distinguishable from the others, even when they departed already for a couple of minutes: From the diesel smell along with the still settling soot particles. Next up is usually DHL, then DPD and then all sorts of unmarked, mostly white-ish vans, dumping off packages after packages. And the drivers are always in a hurry - getting only minimum wages. There are a couple of 5€ bills near the door - whenever there is a chance for tipping. Usually they beam out of the car into the cargo bay and from there to the door. And then back into the car. Oh well, it is Christmastime ... Best and good luck with your very nice products and product development! Thorsten

One day is not >that< bad, is it? Unless you paid for package-pickup and direct-courier-service-same-day-delivery ... starting at about 60€ I remember times when one felt so privileged when a package delivered by the Deutsche Post showed up after a week or so of relaxed waiting. And of course you weren't at home that very moment and there was a card in the mail saying: "Can be picked up at your local Post Office on Alpha Centauri - but not today. Office hours are Mo - Fr, 9 - 16 h, i.e. when you are at work. Will be sent back when not picked up after seven days. And it is all your fault." And during these days the drivers need to pay special attention because of all the other Santa-Claus-Vans/Trucks out there delivering all sorts of stuff like crazy Best Thorsten

@ShaydDeGrai This is the ultimate explanation why it is as it is with the dust: Entropy. No chance. None - to beat it. Will use that one in class next semester, if you don't mind! A clean room would be an option as well - no vacuum required but rather overpressure. However, to get in there it takes about 1 hour - stripping down to your underwear and then putting on fabrics that remind me of HAL and 2001 ... and then waiting for the green light in the air lock. But: No dust in there, for sure. Plus: Even the first law of Thermodynamics may constitute a serious pain in the butt - dust-wise that is: Imagine a LEGO model that has actually moving parts. Maybe even worse: Propelled by a motor. And imagine, ABS in contact with ABS - relatively moving to each other - with a bit of friction ... charge separation occurring ... irregularly shaped dust particles in an inhomogeneous electrical field ... with Entropy just watching and waiting to go nuts up after Enthalpy has had its fun ... Best wishes, Thorsten

I don't so ...

I don't know - honestly I believe you can't even compare these sets - as you are comparing a multitude of things - on a totally different level. We have the parts count - the b/w vs "back-lit" 5 x 5 display - the ports - the expansion options - the future - the whatever. With 31313 you can easily fly to the moon and safely make it back to Earth. With 51515 you can have a lot of fun. My take: Both. Having fun and then leaving Earth. It all depends. Best, Thorsten

Wow - how do you get "in" through the webcam and play? I will have a major "dusting off operation" in my attic rather soon - scheduled to require three+ days. I do play with the bricks though. Plus there are two cats - they - well - uhmm - play as well. I need to find out how to operate the vacuum cleaner and the "Swifflers", brushes etc. through a web interface. Wait ... wrong: Not required when sealed ... with industrial tape, right ? Best Thorsten

The Crocodile - what else? Maybe you should also include country of origin of voters and price tag of set, otherwise your voting results will go arbitrarily everywhere ... Best Thorsten

Oh - this is your drive. Along with they will probably never be building it this way anymore ... so true. (Not the point here, just nostalgia) Much more so: What you are accomplishing here is beyond (my) belief. This is on a totally different level. The details, the love you dedicate to your project - and your absolutely creative building skills. I cannot encompass this. It is too - big/huge/nice/incredible. But it is fascinating. I am so much looking forward to your next update. Not the final result, that will "just" (forgive me) be the final update. But how this evolves is taking my breath. All the very best. Thorsten

HA, was just editing my post

@LegoLars, "it" may be a broken version of this one: https://rebrickable.com/parts/650/hinge-coupling-nylon/ They were used in some sets of that time (1960's) for example in the 1964 train set 323: https://brickset.com/sets/323-1 I just checked however: On my 323 the plates don't have these slits - no not it Best Thorsten

For sure. It will work. Also, when you don't want to go full blast: The original 9V regulators will work as well. You need to fabricate a 9V -> 12 V cable, but on the 12V side it is pretty much "wire terminals". Best Thorsten

100% agreed. But: It is fairly straight forward to replace them. Only if you want to and have the tools at hand, of course. Best Thorsten

I don't like two word replies that much, so a bit of blurb around them: "Same here" I simply love @dr_spock's humor. Edit: Just missed your post: I also love the humor of @MAB. I knew it: The cats. Damned. They do not only overturn minifigs here and there (first I thought: Call the Ghostbusters; then I remembered: It is "only" a movie) - they actually play with them. Well - what can you expect from brother and sister cat being dumped in a cardboard box at the age of 4 (weeks). Well - our dog sadly "died" two months ago (terminal cancer with no chance to breathe freely anymore), never made it up to my attic on her own; and with my help never touched anything. We will have a new family member soon though, she will be coming in a truck from Hungary - with many others. I will have an eye on her: Don't you dust here! Other than that: 10 more days. And then we will have to convince the two dumped cats that a dumped dog is as much of a jewel than they all are. We are very, very excited bout that (>no< joke)

I totally agree! And the contrary to that is not what I was trying to say. First of all, my blurb, written about midnight in Germany above, is as far away from any theory (conspiracy or not) - than everything else most of us are speculating here - and if I may, as you do as well. Unless - you have close ties to TLGs decision-making folks or the like. I have not. Zero. Nothing. I am just about 55 years playing with bricks. With an about 10 years blackout. That is all there is. More importantly though is: It is >my< (nothing more) view on this. Posting something here on EB is not automatically a conspiracy theory - it is a very personal opinion. There is simply too much crap out there being called a conspiracy theory as I would like to take your judgement easy. I don't. But it is what it is. My take was simply that: TLG is a multi-million $ enterprise. It is #1 in the toy market. They have (let us for simplicity take 1960 as kick-off) 60 years of experience. Let us move on to the internet age: They have more than 20+ years of data mining. And I believe they have hired folks who know stuff. On numerous levels. And I simply believe they know what they are doing. And their parts/box delivery system is fully automated. Sure not the end user or retail delivery system. I personally don't believe they go with the flow, and they are surprised, year after year that Xmas is approaching fast. Of course Covid has caused serious trouble; heck, I am mostly in my home office and trying to run my joint as smoothly as possible. Not the point. I am just trying to grasp why such a huge, ultimately successful company operating world-wide cannot figure out what the impact of their next product in any time of the year, country-categorized, will be. And all that does not matter: They will do it their way regardless of what we type here. Typing here - for me - is just fun to do - hearing other opinions and rationals, discuss, sometimes a little more energetic - and then ... move on. I love LEGO. I love the concept, the approach, what TLG comes up with, their diversity, and never ending awe they induce in my head. And then there are things that I don't like. I am hooked for the rest of my life, for sure. But for now, I will not stop voicing my opinion on this and that - as I feel a bit of criticism has never done any damage to such an entity. Heck, I can't do any damage at all. I just don't like the term conspiracy theory - as Wikipedia says: "A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that invokes a conspiracy by sinister and powerful groups, often political in motivation, when other explanations are more probable. The term has a negative connotation, implying that the appeal to a conspiracy is based on prejudice or insufficient evidence." (citations removed). I just made my comments. If that is not appropriate here without calling it a conspiracy theory: I am out. With no bad feelings at all! All the best Thorsten

Welcome (back) to the club . (I may add that wasting non-rechargeable batteries at the rate one has to is insane. Yes, you can do with rechargeables, but then design well) To me, it does not sound attractive, it sounds like a reasonable and future oriented solution. But then: There is a market dictating other things. Best Thorsten

Bugs don't care about degrees - learned that the very hard way as well. And yes: This is a (major) design flaw. @Lok24 thanks a lot for that information! Best Thorsten

In direct answer to your question: Maybe this is a plan? And it just plays out well? Folks freaking out? Getting out the "out of stock" "on back order" "sold out" message? Then "all of a sudden" sets are back in? On a totally different issue but along this "plan": Banks here in Germany (and I would bet around the rich men's world) like to print out - not even bothering with putting a separate sticker on the original ad - "sold" on a house/flat/whatever ad - just to create some sort of ... "damned, missed that and need to find other ways to get it or something similar AND fast or these will be gone as well" feeling ... I don't know. To me this seems like a no Covid, no sky high demand issue - but rather a very good plan. The moment something is sold out, it tells the "red-hot" story. There are two approaches (just argued business-wise!): Make only a few to minimize risk, better for small businesses - or just make a (huge) number of sets that a very smart department has figured out using 50++ years of market analysis data as the most probable target. And then claim: Sold out. And then: In stock again. And then ... well: Play it well. They know demand, can adjust messages, production runs, storage capacity. We as customers may be a little upset - but as members of the ever believing crowd, we ... cope with it. I believe they know that also very well. Otherwise, the whole plan would not work out. Being the #1 world toy market leader tells a story. And with a lot of competition in the tank full of sharks even more than just only one. Just my 2 cents. Best Thorsten

As a toy company that is regarded as top-notch? As in #1 in the world? (https://www.toytico.com/top-15-toy-brands-on-the-planet/) Well. I must say: Either their erroneous and no-planning stock system is by chance just working out as the company stumbles through time (with odds I do not want to know) or - they leg (very) godt. Best Thorsten

Oh yes, they were. @Paperinik77pk: It is stunning, what you are accomplishing. This 4.5 and 12V area always takes me back to the "idea" of LEGO. Which is for me: Building with limited shapes - unlimited imagination. Your trains (all of them) look like trains - LEGO trains, of the time. Very nice in appearance - AND in the abstraction you induce in my head. For me, there are two worlds: The "Bauhaus style" (don't take me seriously but honestly) - live with what is available, maybe clean and orthogonal (well, this is what bricks then were) and induce imagination. And then the "Real-world style" - using all the ever evolving bits and pieces to get as close as possible to the original. And then of course: Everything in between. But with your 12V models it is always: Yes. This is LEGO (for me). Thank you very, very much for this wonderful experience! All the best, Thorsten

Absolutely! Well, remember the good'ol'days? When delicate or simply "nice" pieces were carefully placed into separate compartments in the box? Even showcased this way? OK, that was environmentally unfriendly, as you needed this "molded" plastic stuff. However, LEGO is mostly ABS anyway and on the environmentally friendly scale, ABS is a bit further down. So making things cheaper seems to be another big driver: Just throw everything into a big - often way too big cardboard box. However: Trans-stuff is >far< more delicate - as it is not ABS. Manufacturing such large trans pieces is a true accomplishment. But then, down the line in the saving money department, they don't know about that - and throw these pieces as well into the big box. Altogether with ABS XbyZs. Of course, the delicate pieces get damaged ... what else? Well maybe you can just take it as in: "Everybody can relax, I found a car. Needs some suspension work and shocks, and, uh, breaks, brake pads, lining, steering box, transmission rear and - ..." ... The windshield of that car was certainly badly scratched and even not on the list ... (Or even better: "Whow! This place is great! When can we move in? You gotta try this pole. I'm gonna get my stuff. Hey, we should stay here - tonight - sleep here. You know, to try it out.") "Ghostbusters" is a way of life ... Best wishes, Thorsten