Toastie

Finally someone voiced it: Me too, I hate them; after a couple of years they are - well - not so nice anymore, and if they are larger than 1 brick high they render building any frenzy rather tough ... Regards, Thorsten

Hi Catty, beautiful, simply beautiful. When I was 19, I decided to venture into the natural sciences rather than into art. It was a close call. Art Deco, Bauhaus, the Surrealists, etc. etc. really got me at that time (and even today). Looking at your MetroLiner poster is very exciting and brings back the good old days. You really captured the Art Deco spirit and vision. Should TLC ever decide to do a comeback of the MetroLiner (just dreaming) THIS should be shown on the box. I'd buy the set just because of the box design! Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, you should create some more. If they were available in high-res that would be great. All the best, Thorsten

Hi Legoless, you are absolutely right about the energy saving issue. But: I happen to have some LEGO catalogs from the early 70's. I'll never give them away. PDFs have been around for some time now, but my oh my, who knows what will happen in/to cyber space a couple of years down the road ... let's say in 20 or 30 years. 30 years ago, the internet was not only unthinkable, you would have been in serious trouble if you'd claimed that the internet will simply take over in virtually all aspects of life. Reference material is something I may want as printed version. If you are reasonably careful, that material lives for ever, at least on my "for ever" time scale, which spans maybe 100+ years. You are right when it comes to things you simply want to read, may want to read again and then may well forget about it. But the RB magazine is something I want to have access to for a very long time. The content has been carefully reviewed and thus is generally of great value, TLC's bricks last forever, right? I use public transportation and some walk to get to my office everyday, try to avoid driving the car whenever possible, and this and that. I believe that this may be more efficient than trying to be radically green on printed issues of RB. All just my opinion! Once again, in principle, you are absolutely right! All the best, and good to know that some people do care about the environment ... Thorsten

Dear Elroy + the entire RB team, WOW! I just downloaded RB #8. Another must-have. I am going to order a couple of print versions, as I did before. In this issue, you all have mastered (again) a hard thing to do: From Duplo trains to cool building instructions, from the past to the Maersk train so many people are freaking out about. THAT is what makes a modern but never the less serious journal is all about. This issue again is reference material, something you want in your book shelf (as I do) or as high-res PDF on your computer, as the new generation of LEGO builders might prefer. Thank you very much for all the work and imagination!!! All the best, Thorsten P.S.: Look up the city Kiel in Northern Germany. Got my PhD there, love the city and the people!!!

I think the best LEGO trains in the recent past have been created by the brilliant AFOLs out there. Browse this forum, or the many other places on the internet. Look at the Hobby Train set. And I believe that since the internet is in full swing with forums, repositories, Flickr, BrickShelf, RailBricks, and so on and so forth TLC is learning from AFOLs to create their trains. Look at engines like the BR23 from Ben Beneke, the BR01 from Teddy, or Sava's beauties. It's not about TLC could never be able to sell such models at reasonable prices. It's about the building techniques these geniuses have used. AFOLs can't create their own matching new pieces, like windshields, windows or whatnot. So as far as I am concerned, the best LEGO train models ever where made by AFOLs. Regards, Thorsten

When I was 3 years old (back in 1965) Santa got me TLC's very first train set #323. No era at all, neither blue nor grew - just that train with rubber wheels (I actually happen to have most of the pieces and the train is the most important LEGO set to me). Well, then my parents got me some more Lego's, but slowly, money was rather short at that time. And then other things became more important. In 1998 though, at Target in Tustin, CA, I spotted the first Mindstorms set. That radically ended my dark ages ... and then the Super Chief came out ... Since then, I am trying to combine as many themes as possible with train building in general. Sponge Bob and Mr. Crabs are proud citizens on my layout, next to Café Corner, along with - well - your imagination. Some of the stuff is electronically controlled, RCX's, Scouts, MicroScouts, Sypbots, NXT's, and PF stuff are all in charge for this and that. It is always good times to see this wild mixture, collected over decades. That is what I really admire when it come to accomplishments of TLC. There is virtually no other company that comes to my mind capable of ringing that bell. And a perfect fit is this forum with members bringing up entries like this one. Good to be here! Best regards, Thorsten

Hi there, OK: Damn GE and Damn GM ... Now, my point was not that either trains aren't awesome or wonderful models of the originals. They are. My point was that TLC showed us already with the BNSF GP38 all the tricks required to build such a beauty. Just from the acquiring-building-skills standpoint there isn't that much to learn from the Maersk train design. That was all. Have fun, Thorsten

... and that is a TLC engineer ...

... and that is a TLC engineer ...

Sigh, I can truly see that ... Best, Thorsten

I am a physical chemist. I like to blow up things and put the pieces back together - TLC starts with ACN (and chemists made that stuff ), puts that stuff into molds, I take the stuff that comes out of their molds and make new stuff ... no, I am not an engineer, but I guess that was not exactly the question, was it? If it was, I'd claim that so many non-engineers are so talented, it really doesn't matter. Be the I-can-imagine-it force with you ... Regards, Thorsten

I do this again (give me flak!) That train is essentially a "copy" of the beautiful GP38, released earlier. OK, I know I know, this and that has changed. But: ALL pieces are simply there, despite the colors. Instructions for the GP38 are online. The gigantic tiles are on BrickLink (learned that here). IT IS ALL AVAILABLE, at low prices. Colors aren't. Uhmm: So what? No, you don't go robbing stores. What you do is, you go robbing your brain and make this train in a totally weird color scheme come true. Change it. Modify it. You'll have a Maersk train that is your Maersk train. Your Maersk train will be inspiring, no copy, but a beauty. Made of your LEGO pieces. And share it. I would love to see your train!!! You know what? I'd admire that train. Rock on, Thorsten

Mark, agreed, and TLC's LiPo is an 100% all-nerd (like me), hard-core, as-close-as-possible LEGO-only-solution - with all the bells and whistles: I like it But, you are absolutely right: If you want to really take it to what-is-possible: Your approach is simply beautiful: I like that as well That is the beauty of LEGO: Make your choice and go nuts. Thanks for sharing!!! I'll try it. All the best, Thorsten

Hi Hoeij That makes absolutely sense. I came about the same data (see article in RailBricks #7). When the train is not pulling 50+ cars, it runs for 2 hours and stops. Turned it on again and it ran additional 1 1/2 hours and then it turned off and wouldn't turn on again until the force came back by charging. I completely agree. My separate NiMH rechargeables do behave the same - the LiPo once charged - seems to stay charged for very long times. All the best, Thorsten

Hi Brickimaid, there is virtually "everything" in TLC's LiPo: Input charging voltage may vary between 9V (charging is slow then though) and 18 V (super fast charging) - 12 V is your best bet because matching wall warts are dead cheap. TLC's LiPo simply stops working when approaching low voltage levels. It turns off by default (timer functions) after about 2 hours of permanent operation - when you continue to operate that thing under heavy load it simply turns off when getting close to melt down. The only thing you can then do is charging. And: TLC's LiPo comes with a separate voltage controlled output (on the PF terminal); here you have permantent LiPo power (9V/0V lines) or dial controlled output power (C1/C2 lines). Not too(!) bad for the amount they are charging. And yes: LiPo's are cool explosive devices: You can generate almost the equivalent of the stored electrical energy as net - well - destructive energy. All the best, Thorsten

Well, I could not agree more. The one (of a couple of) rather elaborate TLC f-ups was to terminate the 9V train track line. Has been said before, a million times, the Brickster is going to kill me on this one in this thread, I am writing this anyway: It is telling a very, very sad story: The Masters of the Bricks are using a dead product to show off their beautiful new product to the world. 19 forum pages: Why oh why were they not using their all-plastic crap tracks? Is this just me? Rock on - and move this entry to forum grave yard (@The Brickster: I know it is not fair but I can't refuse, the force is too strong) ... Thorsten

Wonderful! THIS IS IT. 18 freaking forum pages of drooling about the set. YES: Colors are nice. Stickers are nice. And: I will buy one - a couple of months after cool down. For sure. Traveling to the US in June so this is what I am shooting for. BUT: This MOC is what I was thinking about the entire thread: WE can do this as well (in different colors) because it is all there! I was wrong about that gigantic tile on the engine; has been released before, BrickLink sells them in tons. Actually, I found one in my pile. Then, the split level base is next-to-nothing when compared to the TTX design; lets modify that as well and we have even nicer container cars. And this LDD shot shows us the right direction: Be creative. And even better: Further down lightningtiger (THANKS! Made me feel good!) has found a photo of my dreams: WE CAN DO THIS AS WELL. It will not be whatever the colors are (I am color blind) nor won't we have the stickers right away. But if that considerable price tag is an issue: Make you own Maersk train. The entire model is heavily based on the GP38 Layout released years before. Ideas are all up in the air, let us be creative and make as many different "Maersk" trains as possible. LEGO is about building stuff. Thanks to all for sharing. All the best. Thorsten

Brilliant! This is what I like so much about this community: You guys are incredible. Thanks for getting that clarified! Well then, I take the molding issue back. But how about making our own Maersk train then? All the pieces seem to be at hand ... stickers don't count. All the best, Thorsten

Hi Frankie, this is a train that just knocks me off my chair. It is incredible. You know, there is a lot of excitement regarding TLC's new Maersk train (and that thing is worth all the action) - BUT: People should FREAK OUT on your 1189 crocodile. Simply amazing. I really think this train is in one line with Ben's BR23, Teddies BR01, and other fantastic models that don't come to mind while typing this. One day I am going to get my own crocodile: I guess 1189 it will be. All the best, Thorsten

Folks, folks. folks, now, it is a beautiful train. But hey, the GP38 was around before, major design challenges have been mastered, what is the BIG deal? I agree, that train is beautiful. But come on, where is your spirit? Let's go over this: TLC did outsmart us again by just making a new piece, we haven't had before: That gigantic carefully studded tile. You know what? It seems rather easy to make such a train when you can orchestrate the molding guys to make what you need! Has anyone tried to make a decent copy? Take the stickers apart. Hey. Come on. There are BR01 out there. LEGO is about making our own creations ... All the best, Thorsten

Hi there, you know what? LEGO is about imagination, about making "your thing". Don't spend too much time on copying. Take your very own route of dreaming up >your< Maersk Train, >your< GP38, >your< BNSF GP38. The point is: It is up to you! Not up to the inventory. What, if you figure out out a better way of creating the "Maersk train"? I'd rather buy your approach than dealing with what came out of TLCs think tank. They might be ingenious - but we might just "beat" them by simply outnumbering them with our ingenious (or simply wild) ideas. Rock on, Thorsten

Hi there, well I'd like to challenge that ... I'm using the LEGO LiPo now for about one year. I don't know how many times I recharged it - maybe not 100 times but it is close; however, one thing is for sure: I had more issues with a 'looked after NiMH' than with TLC's LiPo. There is virtually no memory effect on that thing. Off for a month, turned it on, it's there. The built in circuit obviously takes very well care of the two LiPo cells. I guess TLC's is shooting for the long range. BTW: Same thing in cell phones. I recharged my cell phone (running on a LiPo) for WAY more than 150 times - no problems at all. I guess we should clarify : TLC's LiPo comes with a very well matching built-in charging electronics (OK: as fas as I am concerned, EGurus may have a different opinion). And with that they seem to run extremely efficient. On the other hand: Without that smart electronics, a LiPo is a potentially explosive device in your hand (I am a chemists and I do enjoy seeing the power of chemically stored energy ... if you go to extremes, LiPos are one way to illustrate that). In between, a wrongly charged LiPo may suffer from poor lifetime. Hope that puts things into perspective ... All the best, Thorsten

Wow! That is wonderful! Congratulations on the detailing ... your model matches the original astoundingly well! One question: How do the 3 axle bogies negotiate curves? It looks like they are pretty much "fixed" or is there any hidden trick? Would love to learn more! Regards and keep up the good work, Thorsten

Hmmm, I am always thinking along this line but then ... Google was simply not there when "we" figured things out. Now it is. Do we use it? I do. Every single day. I don't spend ages in the library anymore. TLC is a globally operating enterprise and there is though competition out there. Take Playmobil: They have every single theme TLC has in their inventory. Their stuff looks slick, clean and there is no single stud in the way. And you almost don't have to think at all how to put things together. The way young folks experience life changes with breathtakingly speed. Everything is in motion. I guess TLC is just adjusting to this change much faster than "we" do. We love the olden days, they always have been better. I am not saying this is any good. Not at all. But I do know that students at age 14 figure out with a snap of there fingers how a Stirling motor works. And they are bored. When I figured it out way back then, I was thrilled. Things do change. They have to. TLC goes along and at the same time, PF LEGO trains run on 4.5V track like a charm. I guess they are having an as hard time as we have, but they have to make big money - drawing it mostly from parents. And the kids do know Google pretty well. Just my thoughts. Best regards, Thorsten

Hi Veeb0rg, that would be very interesting indeed. You are asking for the motor inside the LEGO train motor, right? I am also very eager to learn if anyone has replaced the motor ... Regards, Thorsten