AussieJimbo

My Maersk was built from existing parts so I can't speak for the actual set but I have not had the problems you mention with coupler assemblies detaching or when accessing the power button. I have on occasions had problems with weak magnetic connections. I think sometimes the magnet inside doesn't spin around properly but a bit of a tap will free it. However, I think there are one or two connectors in my fleet that remain weak. Will have to do some checking. :classic:

It's giving TLG a reputation as a bad corporate citizen in Australia. Ripping off kids is not a good look. PS: Can a Mod please change the title to the Wholesale Price of Lego . The retail price is what consumers pay, not retailers. :classic:

Nice work, slovakiasteph. Good use of the available pieces. :classic:

Thanks RAILBRICKS for another great issue. :classic:

Thanks Roger Rabbit and Lego Man Can. I'm glad you like all the comforts I've provided for my minifigures. :classic:

That's why many of us are deserting the local retailers and buying online. The general rule is never buy Lego locally unless it's on sale. I don't have an American contact for deliveries but a number of retailers will ship to Australia. I saved hundreds with a Barnes & Noble order a while back and of course there is Bricklink and Ebay. Thing is, I would prefer to buy from a local shop but I'm just tired of being ripped off. :classic:

"There is a very persistent rumor in Australian AFOL circles that our prices are partly higher due to some bad hedge fund decisions made at Lego Australia at the start of the GFC, which effectively creates a bigger loss the higher the Aussie dollar rises." So we get to pay more because TLG bet against Australia. Lovely. :classic:

No, you don't need a circle to power the track. For 9V, the circuit is made from one rail, through the motor, to the other rail and back to your power controller, whether the layout forms a circle or not. :classic:

This is only true for Lego purchased at US RRP. Lets accept your 30% depreciation figure for the purpose of discussion and assume you could get 70% on the 2nd hand market, which is effectively globalised. The trouble is local RRPs are set by a cartel of greedy local retailers in cooperation with Lego. So lets say you buy a modular Fire Station for the US RRP of $150. If we accept your valuation, that could be resold for $US105. I have to pay $300 Australian or $319 US dollars for the same set but if I tried to sell it's still only worth about $US105 dollars on the second hand market. I've bought exactly the same set as you but mine is worth only a third of what I paid for it because I was overcharged $US169 on my original purchase (ie, well in excess of double what American consumers have to pay). This is not just a problem for Australians, I understand Norway is also screwed on Lego pricing to the same degree. Something has got to be done about this offensive price gouging. Go to Shop@Home, switch between US and Australian pricing and see for yourself. It's an absolute disgrace. :classic:

"Collectible minfigures are a nice price 3 USD each." RRP in Australia is $US5.25, that is not a nice price. :classic:

Add 50-100% to the US Dollar price, depending on the set, to get the Australian RRP and then tell me it's not expensive. :classic:

Thanks LT. I'm glad you like it. :classic:

Very nice, alex54. You have so many great modulars in the lineup. :classic:

The Emerald Night standard set (as sold in Australia) doesn't come with any PF parts. This pic of the "K" collection set shows the PF parts I needed to get my hands on to motorise it. http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=K10194-1 :classic:

Thanks Fuzzylegobricks. I'd really love to do that but getting the bricks together to do more will take a while. I've used up almost all my stocks of green, brown and beige, much of it coming from the many, many Log Cabin sets I originally bought for my big engine shed. (I wish I had access to a PAB wall somewhere). Once I have the raw materials the plan is for the stream and hill to continue around to the left, with a wooded area behind the cabin. The hill will then flatten out on top where I can put an Apple Tree House. Need to get another one of those too before they are discontinued because I've used up all of those multiples I bought on my train station. Alternately I might put the Family Home up on top of the hill, I've managed to resist the temptation to pull it apart for bricks. Then the ATH would go in to the left of the cabin. There may also be a train track emerging from a tunnel in the cliff, running along the other side of the stream. That will likely take up another 64 x 64 space (adding another 32 x 64 if the ATH goes in on the left) though I might be able to get it done in 64 x 48 if I leave out the train track. Either way it's a large longer term project that I can keep building on. Beyond that I also intend to integrate this alongside my funicular railway which means another metre or two of scenery further down the slope. It will keep me busy for a while. :classic:

The big Technic Bull Dozer contained the only XL motors I've got. It was difficult to scavenge parts from this awesome model but powering an equally awesome steam loco was a good enough reason. I really want to give the motors and receivers back to the dozer because it's one of the all time great Lego sets and deserves to have all it's pieces in place in the long run. :classic:

Great little dozer, legodac. I like the comparison with the legendary Technic model. I still need to get a couple of XL motors and receivers so I can give mine back the ones I cannibalised to drive my Emerald Nights. :classic:

Where they have occasional border disputes with an unruly nation of lost pens. :classic:

Great topic. Is a minifigure buried in landfill actually dead or is it simply resting there to be discovered by a future archaeologist? An honourable mission I reckon. Sadly any that reached the recycling chain have certainly gone to plastic heaven though their molecules may live on in other products. it's the cycle of plastic life. I wonder how many have been lost at sea? We might find them floating in that big eddy in the Pacific so they can be considered MIA. Quite a few minifigs are aliens or other non-human or supernatural beings, I guess we'll have to subtract them from the total for accurate comparison. I think I'll have to do a personal minifig census, I must have hundreds. :classic:

Thanks everyone. It's great to log on the next day and see all this nice feedback. The fun is in the build itself but it's a real bonus when it's appreciated by others too. Cheers, Locutis and icy brick. Hehe, call those original few steps a hill. ;-) Cheers, prateek. Glad you like that detail. Thanks, L@go. It was certainly a challenge. I was most pleased with being able to fit in a bathroom and was surprised just how much kitchen I could get in under those redesigned stairs. Cheers, A.S and iElkie. You read my mind. When finished, I was thinking how nice it would be to have my coffee on that balcony each morning. The house has all the mod cons. Cheers LGG. It's fun driving that little blue car up and down. Thanks again to all for your responses. :classic:

Lego's Hillside House is a great set but I always though the hillside itself was pretty minimal, so I decided to modify if for a more challenging site. I started out with the house plot itself, a 16 x 64 footprint rising sharply to the rear and it snowballed from there. With the modified house built, I needed a nice windy driveway to get down the road level but it couldn't just hang there without some landscaping so I had to build the hillside. Having got that underway, I realised I had enough room to fit in the log cabin set and also give the kayaker a little more room to play. From there the landscape really took shape and I've got to say I'm very pleased with the outcome. Both buildings have full interiors, including kitchens, sleeping areas and a bathroom in the Hillside House. The Log Cabin has a thunderbox out the back but that will have to wait until I expand the scenery. Here are a few photos, I hope you like it. Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Large Feedback and suggestions always appreciated. :classic:

Very cool train and BTTF DeLorean. I like your brick built rails. Top job. :classic:

Fabulous work, BCD. Great architectural and interior details. Very well done. :classic:

Great contest. For any Aussies, "How the West Was Won" is currently showing on GEM. It's full of interesting action to fire the imagination. I've already done a Western Train Chase MOD based on scenes from this movie but it's disqualified because I posted it a couple of months ago. It will be a fun challenge finding something new and interesting to take on. Good luck everyone. :classic:

Great looking building and the bar is looking nice already. Looking forward updates. :classic: