tbroyd

Really interesting reading your thread. I have been using the scalextric Demolition Derby cars shown above as a basis for some cars and would like to progress to making the chassis from Lego

Smyths toys have a sale this weekend with 20% off all toys. They stock the Pet Shop modular and back to the future set so an opportunity to get these cheap http://www.smythstoy...433-subcat.aspx Edit : just seen they have 20% off the new mindstorms set 31313 http://www.smythstoys.com/lego-mindstorms-439sc/lego-mindstorms-ev3-31313-128040itm.aspx

There is an event on at the Watford Lego store next weekend, the shopping centre website says the following: We’ve got red bricks galore ready to be made into whatever your little one’s imagination can conjure up! Join our LEGO grand build event and create a memory together for Father’s Day. Don't miss out come along to the lower mall ( outside M&S) and create your master piece. There is also plenty of opportunities to win great LEGO prizes with our in-store competitions. Event times: Friday 14 June: 10am - 6pm Saturday 15 June: 10am - 6pm Sunday 16 June: 11am - 5pm Take part in the great LEGO building event and get 10% off your next purchase at the LEGO Store!* The first 100 visitors to the LEGO Store on event days will receive a FREE LEGO gift!** Get a FREE LEGO set when you spend 25 or more!*** Win great LEGO prizes at the in-store competition!' Would be interested to know what the free gifts are going to be?

Amazing - Look forward to seeing next weekend

The current 'Girls Talk' magazine has a free Friends polybag inside, the Icecream cart one. £2.60 for the Mag so not bad value

Do you know if that would be online only or also in Lego stores?

This photo probably shows the valance best. The coach at the bottom is how both coaches come in the pack. The top coach is one I have modified and valance between the bogies is the 4 studs longer

Thanks, they are 18 studs long now so I think that's an extra 4 studs each side Good to see your pictures of a full train

Managed to get a couple of sets at the Milton Keynes shop on Tuesday. Have been building the coaches to all run on Jacobs. The photo below shows progress, the jacobs on the left is from the set, the one on the right I have managed to bodge together. Some of the colours are slightly different but not really noticable in real life. The other mod is to the valance between the bogies. The coaches are supplied with a couple of 2x2 orange tiles to fill the holes in the baseplate which I used together with some 2x1 grills.

Lego website shop section updated to state 'The next LEGO Store to open in Europe will be in Watford, in the Harlequin shopping centre. On 14th December 2012, we will be opening the doors of the official LEGO Store Watford. Stay tuned for the Grand Opening in 2013!'

Has it been announced when the animal polybags are to be released?

There was another design as well but couldn't get close enough to film that one, always seemed to be a huge crowd around!!

Never really been interested in what Mindstorms can do, but was fascinated by the Rubik's cube solving machines

congrates from me too.

Train looks great. Another idea for you is to use the 4203 mining set but put the lorry trailer on railway bogies. I'm working on one at the moment. I have narrowed the chassis of the excavator by 2 studs and will try and put the small train wheels back and front at some stage

I built a couple of mineral wagons similar to your example above using parts from the back of the 4434 Tipper Truck to make the body http://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Tipper-Truck-4434

Thats exactly my feeling. I don't for one moment think that lego is going to produce a dozen add on sets and no one here seems to be asking for that. Its silly to comparing with 5 to 10 years ago because lego had produced a vast number of train models (Sante Fe, coaches, wagons, BNSF etc) and I remember they took up a huge sales area in the local lego store (as big as the Star wars sales area is now!). Every other Lego theme and sub theme has a range of sets from big to small, the Train sub theme has the large starter sets, the station but I think would benefit from perhaps one small add on set. A 3 in one creator style wagon or coach would be great, either as is or for parts. Alternatively they could try and do something with broader appeal such as a railway wagon on a low loader lorry

Perhaps the offer was on the stock on the shelves in store, rather than Tesco direct which is run as a separate company and often has different prices

The link here shows the sets here (but incorrectly shows 2 second sundays)

Great to see the Octan tanker photo. Good looking truck and will also be a cheap way to get more parts for Octan railway wagons

Have you seen the instructions on the Railbricks site? Could give you some ideas http://railbricks.com/instructions/

Last year the Lego shop from Milton Keynes had a large stall with most of the current sets on sale. There were also 3 or 4 other stall selling discontinued and second hand. The MK Lego shop stall is there again this year but not sure who else

Although the Australian train would be great, I think they probably choose the TGV because of its wide sqhere of operation. As well as operating in Frence, they also travel through to many other European countries including Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Belgium

Brilliant and really looks the part Have always liked the Yellow TGV La Poste as here

Yes, its often the admin fee which is the killer Parcel force are about the cheapest but as outlined here their fee is currently £8 or £13.50