stacker9000

As I am fairly new to LEGO trains, and came in right when RC was going out and PF was coming in,and I am fairly happy with what LEGO has presented to us TFOL's in the past 2 years. But with reading some of the more knowledgeable and interesting posts from this topic, I realize, beside from what I would like to see LEGO release, That there have been many more options in the past. I feel ideally the perfect "Golden age" would be.. provide the accessories available from the 12V era(electric switches and signals..that would be awesome!) provide the track and controller of the 9v era(I never knew or owned 9v, but I wish they still ran on that system) Provide the locomotive designs of the PF era(the latest designs have been excellent) LEGO has been heading in a great direction over the past couple years, and I am hopeful they surprise us train fans with more fantastic products!

I don't have the listing for you...But if you go to Peer-on and look it up they should have instruction scans you could use to count it up. Good luck!

Looks awesome LegoSjaak! I really like your use of the yellow grill tiles and the orange lights above the lower track section, I'll definitely be adding those to my bridge also. About its strength, that is one of the reasons mine looks the way it does, I tried to build it so there was no flexing or wobbling as a train ran through it, and also to withstand regular handling as I have pick everything back up after setting up a track, to keep the wife happy. Your pillar design looks fantastic, I think it fits the size of the bridge perfectly and gives it a very urban look. I am eager to see how and where you put in to your wonderful layout! Great job..and thanks for a couple new ideas for mine!

Great LegoSjaak, looking forward to seeing yours done! One piece of advice I can give you..when you flip the truss piece upside down..it throws the mounting holes(that I use to connect to the technic beam)off by a half a stud. But I solved my problem by using a combination of 1x2 technic bricks with one pin hole and with two pin holes, on top of the technic beams that run the length of the bridge. Best of luck!!

Thank you everyone for the compliments! Leg Godt Gud:.. The loco is the design from the book "Getting started with LEGO trains", just built in all black and I'm afraid my cheap camera wouldn't photograph close-ups on it very well because of its color. roaming studio:.. I'm in Ohio, and there's a few bridges still around here that have the similar look, but also the truss pieces pretty much limit the creative design anyway(was going to try to build a whole bridge from technic bricks, but the pieces needed and the geometry involved made me resort to the molded pieces). Lego Sjaak:.. 12 pieces:.. I'm envious, your sitting on a small gold mine! Kyle Johnson11:..If you click on one of the pictures, it should take you to my FLICKR account, there is one photo there that has a liittle closer view. But, if you need more let me know and I'll get more shots. Kyphur:..I agree with you about the critisms, I say, if these pieces exist..why not use them. I think they work great, and I hadn't seen to much use of them until you and I posted some creations for the 7777 Redux contest, great minds think alike, eh! And Thank You for the measurements, I had no idea and was just going to figure it out as I went, now, layout design will be much easier to plan. As for the length, I had planned to make the rise across one length of my intended room and turn at the corner and bring the slope down along the next wall. Again Thank You all!

So, my first version was only the 4 girder pieces, and the more I looked at it the smaller I thought it was, it just didn't look right to me. Now, after a couple bricklink orders, I think I am happy with the end result. I should say, I don't have an area for a permenant layout yet, so my track gets set up temporarily on the floor and the supports are not used. Therefore, as much as I like it, I'm dreading building the run and incline for it when I do start my permenant layout. Comments and suggestions welcome! Untitled by stacker9000, on Flickr Untitled by stacker9000, on Flickr

Big disappointment at that price, I can only figure they knew that if they offered straights at a reasonable price they would be slammed with orders. Definitely makes buying the complete train sets just for the straights and curves more sensible. Well, I'm still hopeing they come up with a new way to package the supplement track packs.

Great contest, Brickster! Very fun and entertaining! A lot of fantastic entries, Great work guys! I must say, Wondermonkey and Woolie have beautiful photos because of their location, but I limited my judgeing to creativity with the train itself, so Fonix, Holodoc, and Vlai23 were the frontrunners for me. And ultimately I chose Fonix's tracked train, because it made me think how cool that would be to see in real life. But, I would also like to commend Vlai on his very creative idea and clever build and display!

Very cool FONIX!.. All-Terrain Maersk...Looks like the MADNESS is vergeing upon insanity!!!

It's MADNESS at the MAD TEA PARTY with the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, Alice & the Maersk Hare! Silly Rabbit...Maersks are for AFOLS!!!

HaHa...just noticed my member title...I do love my Maersk "shine"!! Thanks Brickster, you Madcap!! Love this contest also!

SOMEBODY GET A STRAIT-JACKET ON THIS GUY!!!!!

MADNESS INDEED!!!!! Due to the desireability of the MAERSK, and the desperation to make money when they can't moonshine, has led the new Redneck criminals to ridiculous mischeif! maersk 117 by stacker9000, on Flickr Woo Doggie...Don't you worry Clem...My new 4x4 can haul anthin!!!!

I'd have to say the Dirt bike Transporter, the suv isn't anything new design-wise but with the trailer and bikes, I think its a great set(just wish it came with the new red dirt bike). Mainly because I have always loved LEGO motorcycles to run around(and am hoping they create the vintage-style motorcycle in new colors). As for old sets, I have always favored 7635 the Truck and horse trailer(so the similarity makes it easy to pick the Dirt bike transporter).

My self, being a former N scale modeler, and new to LEGO trains, I would say if a scale modeler is biased against Lego, it is because they don't see Lego sets or accessories for sale in the hobbyist shops they use to supply their layouts. So, in their mind if Lego can't be purchased in the hobby shop, it is merely a toy. I feel that is the biggest flaw in LEGOs presence and promoteing of their product, unless a person knows where else to look, LEGO trains can only be found on a shelf in a toy store. And, I believe another reason would be, for someone considering starting a LEGO train layout, is the limitations of track geometry and quantities. Also the fact that there is not a large variety of premade buildings an landscapeing for LEGO, like there is for scale modelers. But, I love my LEGO, and I love that I can share it with my children without fear of damageing any of my models. So, Yes, LEGO trains are "real" model trains, a person just has to be more dedicated to modeling to create a LEGO layout.

Updated in another post. Mod please delete this post.

My ten year old daughter is very excited about these sets, and I am thrilled for her interest in them. She has always played with LEGO, and now she can have her own, softer version of sets to play with. I personnaly think these are a excellent production by LEGO, And far superior to the BELLVILLE line. And, I think more colors (whether pastel or pink) is a welcome addition. So, Thank You LEGO!!!

Well, I have one more question to add, I do expect the MAERSK set to be short term due to its licenseing, But, as it is a great locomotive design, Do you think LEGO will produce it in a different color or set as a Lego original, or possibly reproduce it under a different license such as CONRAIL or something similar.

I LOVE this MOC! Very Ferrari-like. Are you able to share instructions on how to build it?

Glad to hear your interested in trains & hope you do get a LEGO set. In my past I have had a large N scale layout, that I had to part out when my kids came along, But have got back into trains with LEGO for almost two years now.(Also, due to my kids.) And I prefer my LEGO much more than a hobby grade train set. But, to answer your questions, to the best of my knowledge: 1.Hobby scale trains (HO/N)overall are probably cheaper for engines, rolling stock, track pieces(easier to amass),and accessories(buildings-landscapeing). But a good hobby speed controller is pretty expensive. 2.LEGO scale is about 50% bigger than HO (my estimate) so, a 4x8 HO would probably be close to 6x10 in LEGO. But, keep in mind LEGO is limited in layout designs due to track pieces. 3.I recommend going with the LEGO, it can have multiple uses, is more kid-friendly(quality time), and can be dissassmbled easier for storage. (drawback: it may take longer to build up a cityscape andcreate a track layout, But, who's in a rush anyway(a layout is never completely finished, there's always something to change or improve!) And last, I believe PF will be around for quite some time, and although LEGO has changed some technologies, I feel they try to develop them to cooperate with the previous materials. Best of luck! Oh yeah, and about being embarassed about playing with LEGO, some of my friends have chuckled at me, but, become very interested when I show them how much detail and realness can be created with LEGO. Do what makes YOU happy!

Hey Copmike, I was wondering if you could get some information on the direction LEGO is going to go with PF train track? My greatest hope is a return of the 90 degree crossing(I missed out on the 9v era and really don't want to buy a second hand one to mix into my all plastic track.) Also,how long do they plan to pack straights with flex.(I like the flex, but I only use it to line up offset track layouts.) My local Toys r us manager said they do not stock track boxes and Wal-mart does not seem to sell them at all either, so,I can only get track from LEGO Shop@Home or a LEGO retail store which is an hour away, My point is, I would pay 30 to 35 dollars for a box of track that had something like 12 straights-6 curves-6 flex pieces packaged in it. Or, maybe include a 90 degree crossing and call it a figure 8 supplement pack. Anyway, any news would be appreciated! Thanks.

Superb design, RoxYourBlox! Very creative using the fencing for the support legs under the platform!

Looks fantastic, LT12v. You have made wonderful improvements, the shack! Keep up the great work!

I somewhat agree, I like the direction LEGO has gone with the new police sets, but I wish they had labeled them "Forest Rangers". Anyway, I will be eagerly awaiting their releases and will be buying the majority of these new sets! And its pretty cool to see LEGO has created an amphibious vehicle, not really sure it fits in with the FIRE theme, but at least they're thinking of new concepts.

#3 - 2 pts. #10 - 2 pts. #9 - 1 pt.