WesternOutlaw

Tim - I was just looking at the winning entries. Great entries and contest. I love the station! Feel free to add any pictures if you'd like.

Thanks for understanding.

You bet! I hope you enjoy the Maersk. Let us know what you think of her.

Welcome Niels. It's nice to have you join us, and even if you don't have a huge collection of LEGO Trains, just the thought of a future layout tells me that you're a train fan. If you get that place and bacement built, you are always welcome to share the progess of your future railway. Just a thought: if you are limited in space where you live now, you could always add a train shelf to a wall to display a single train/locomotive (or more). My layout has been down since last summer but I kept the trains on the wall so that I could appreciate them. You could always create a small table-top with a single loop if you've got a little space. This was my last Table Town before taking down to make room for a Playmobil Pirate Lagoon and current military dioramas: Good luck!

Hi Bootz - you don't know me but every now and then, I hop aboard a train out of the Train Tech forum to do some business "in Town". In doing so, I couldn't help to immediately be drawn to this town based on the name. It's a nice town, but there's one really big flaw that I just had to point out. Can't put my finger on it though... Let me see... what could it be... Ahh, yes. I see it now. It's the sign! That belongs in a Western Town (my kinda Town). Seriously, despite the obvious absence of a fort, gold mine, and pokey, I like New Legoredo. It's really nice to see the Grand Emporium on the corner as it was intended. And on a side note; coming from an "old fart", I want to give you a bit of advice. Stick with that girlfriend of yours. Any woman that goes out and buys you a LEGO Modular is one special lady - and you could tell her I said that. Carry on.

Funny Kiel - really nice review. I knew you'd get a wiener in there!

Interesting background Tony. Thanks for sharing. You've certainly come a long way and I'm reminded of it as I look at all those custom engines under your signature. Amazing! It's a lot easier to buy an engine and put it on the track as opposed to what you do. That's real talent! I had a few Marklin trains. Nice stuff!

Hi Markz. Welcome! It's nice to know that we have some "more mature" LEGO Train fans joining us. I'm right there with you (although you probably couldn't tell by my LEGO building ability. I don't think that I've seen a LEGO Elvis before - I'd like to see that. You'll like the Maersk. It's a pretty diesel engine, although I didn't put the stickers on mine. What I really liked in the set was the truck. Something about the style and color combination makes me want to "swoosh" it. For adding the little bitmap signatures to your signature, there's a topic here. I hope you enjoy the forum. Hi DS welcome. It's never too late to get back into LEGO. Many of us have had "decades of Dark Ages". I can understand your comment re. the wallet. LEGO is an expensive hobby - esp. Trains and Modulars which are some of the best sets to by (IMO). Welcome and share some pix of your layout down the road. Absolutely! But we're wiser now.

I don't think so Spanks. HO scale is considerably smaller than LEGO. EDIT: I revised the title of your post to something a litte more specific.

Guys - I appreciate the mature discussion of differing opinions related to the question at hand. It shows that we can express our opinions in a respectful and intellectual manner. I own a few model trains - both G and HO. There is a huge difference in "Model Trains" and LEGO Trains. While LEGO and/or the LEGO community call their trains "Model Trains", I can see both points to this argument. If one were to ask the question of a model railroader (the traditional non-LEGO model railroader), they might express an opinion very much like that of Gambort/Tim. Non-LEGO model trains or at least those implied in the original question as "Real" Model Trains are built-to-scale with a tremendous effort placed to re-create every detail. You all know the challenges of doing this in LEGO. While we are all aware of incredibly gifted LEGO Train builders, the same level of detail is almost impossible to re-create in LEGO. This is why I can understand the argument of the few that might say that LEGO Trains are not "Real Model" trains. This is not to discount the amazing creations from the LEGO Train community in any way. From the perspective and a general definition of a model; sure, LEGO Trains are model trains. From a slightly different perspective, would you want an actual "to-scale" LEGO model train? It would most likely require a great amount of specialized pieces to create an exact replica of a real-life train. With even the smallest of LEGO elements (tile, plate, or other piece), it would be almost impossible requiring a much larger scale than traditional minifigure or L-scale. Minifigures bring up another thought. I don't want a LEGO Train that I can't place a minifig within. L-scale makes LEGO trains what they are. There's something about the scale itself that adds to the charm of LEGO Trains. "Real Models" or not, I'm sure we all feel a special way because they are built from LEGO.

Thanks for understanding Kasmca. Appreciate you taking the time to do so. In regard to your question, I was trying to recall how I attached my last track layout (or at least one of them). I think I might have a few pictures. Yes, here they are: Here's the layout. As Andy pointed out, straight tracks attach pretty easily: And can even be elevated by 1-2 plates per track: If you've got a good solid attachment at the straights, you don't necessarily have to attach the curves (although the pieces that Legobrandon pictured works well for curves). One other point I wanted to make is that if I attach a straight directly to a baseplate, I don't push really hard. They can stick pretty good and getting the tight fits off the baseplate can cause damage to your track - esp. with 9V track. EDIT: Here's another picture of those direct baseplate connections: Good luck and make sure you share your layout with us once you build it.

Wow! It's always great to have a surge in new members to our LEGO Train Community. Welcome Mark - what a great introduction! I enjoyed reading your fond experiences with LEGO. I remember those Duplo years myself and actually had a lot of fun building towers for Tumble Time. Duplo is a great product for the younger builders (and Dads who like building Eiffel Towers). I also remember the 80s as well. Nothing was better than to get up at 5:30 and watch the tele-typed news before cartoons started at 6:00. (it might of been 6:30 and 7:00 but I just remember it was really early). I had a lot of those Classic Space sets myself but the Galaxy Explorer was my personal favorite. Your Emerald is certainly a great Christmas present for the family. I like those kinds of Christmas presets myself. In any case, I hope you enjoy the forum and it was great to reminisce with you. Welcome Michael. Early LEGO from Germany - how great is that! I just wish I had some of those 12V trains from the 80s. My "German sets" are the Yellow Castle, Tournament, and Knights Procession. Those were sets I will always cherish. A little tot in February? Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy all the fond memories that you'll create as you'll have lots of opportunities for LEGO building. I wish you and your spouse the best of luck. Welcome! Hi CT. Welcome to you and your Dad. It's nice to see a father and son both enjoy the LEGO Train hobby. EB is one of the best forums around and you certainly picked a good one to be part of. We use the Train Tech Registry for members to share their Train interest. I'm glad you took some time to also introduce yourself here. I hope you and your Pop enjoy the forum. Hi Konrad. Welcome. I moved your initial post here as this topic is intended for train fan introductions. You'd be surprised to know that many of the LEGO Train fans are young as well as older (meaning 30s-40s). (thinking he makes me feel old) . We actually get a huge range of members from all age groups as LEGO is timeless product. I built as a kid. I build as a teen. I now build as an adult (just got a little slower ). Okay, no more about age. Let's just say that I'm at that point that I enjoy being asked to show my ID when buying alcohol. Enjoy the forum!

Hi LegoMavrick. Welcome to Train Tech. I see that you introduced yourself in our registry and I'll be reading more about you soon. Looking over the forum this morning, I saw your comments to a number of reviews and had the same question as Mikka. I would encourage you to read our EB site guidelines. While your comments are certainly welcome and appreciated, we do have a general rule about bumping older topics. In regard to bumping old reviews, if you're doing so to add something pertinent about the review or the set, then it's okay. If it's to say, "The set is still available..." or "I've got to get this one", then it's not okay. Commenting in such a manner bumps these older topics/reviews mixing them with new discussions. It looks like you've bumped at least 6 reviews in the past few hours. In regard to set availability, there's a topic here called Discontinuation Speculation that you might want to check. In looking at some of your your comments to the set reviews, Discontinuation Speculation may be a better place to discuss.

Spanks: I spotted this topic in Train Tech then noticed you asked a similar question in Sci-Fi. Being space-related, it probably belongs here. I've merged both your topics together. Good luck with your layout.

Interesting point you make Tim - encompassing the complete "model rail".

Hi Legodjw: I've merged your question here.

Kasmca: sorry if my response to your questions may have seemed unwelcoming - it wasn't my intent. Many new train builders ask questions here and we've a got a great train community that like to help. I do; however, ask all new members to take a little time to introduce themselves. This helps us to get to know you and likewise. We're also flooded with a lot of kids that have a habit of posting more silly questions. Introductions help me better identify these members from our AFOL as most of our less mature visitors do not take the time to share any additional information about themselves. I appreciate you introducing yourself in the "Hello, My Name Is" forum - thanks. But rather, you choose to search out topics like this to provide your constructive criticism. Do you have an answer to his question or a link? I'd ask that you please send me any future suggestions relating to my management of Train Tech in PM so that we may discuss your concerns.

It almost sounds as if you didn't use the 12:00/3:00 wheel configuration, although that seems to cause sputtering. I don't believe my Emerald has ever derailed. Have you tested any other trains on your layout? Soc's idea to watch the train at very slow speed might help you determine what is causing the problem. That Emerald is a "testy" train.

Hi David. Welcome to Train Tech. Appreciate you taking the time to share a little bit about yourself. What a marvelous thing, to open up a stock pile of 12V trains after 15 years and have everything running again. Just having them is impressive but being able to get everything working again is a test of LEGO quality. Your Tower Bridge idea sounds like a nice project to undertake. If you do it, please share the results with us. I'd love to see pictures. I hope you enjoy Train Tech as well as the other EB forums. EDIT: oh, and image reviews of 12V sets are always welcome!

Paul: We have pictures of your layout in this topic, your blog site with pictures of your layout in another topic, and now a video of pictures of your layout. I'm going to merge all three topics together for those interested in seeing pictures of your layout. EDIT: I actually took a little time to watch your video and looked at the pictures posted on your blog site. My suggestion would be to take some hot soapy water and clean your roadplates and baseplates. Next, perhaps press down on the sections of buildings that do not fit together tightly, like this one: A clean and organized presentation helps draw others to your creations. I say this constructively.

Thanks for understanding David. All new members are always welcome here and it's okay to ask a question. I generally like to know who you are first (as do other members). We also get a lot of kiddies whose introductions usually help filter the less mature. In any case, perhaps some of our 12V experts may be able to help you with your question.

Why not introduce yourself before you pop in to revive a two-year old topic. This topic for new members might help explain.

Welcome Peter L. Sounds like you bring an interesting perspective to LEGO Trains, so I look forward to seeing what you'll be creating. Please feel free to share any of your future MOCs in the forum. Hope you enjoy our LEGO Train community.

As a brand new member to EB, why not try introducing yourself first before asking questions. I generally like to know who I'm talking to, as do other members. You might also try reading this which will help explain.