WesternOutlaw

Excellent review - thanks for sharing. I love the new parts, especially the ostrich and the katana holder. I'm really liking all the dark tan pieces. The Sheik looks really good. Looking forward to finding this at my local TRU.

Me too - I would think that Cafe Corner would get more votes as well.

While this is simple ABC building, a LEGO pyramid can definitely be used in a much larger diorama. I wanted to add a basic tan pyramid to my LEGO Desert Adventure display some time ago, but didn't have standard 2x4 bricks in tan: Larger Picture I settled for some ruins instead: This isn't my creation, but take a look at this one: It all starts with a basic pyramid. In fact, when I was a kid, I made a yellow pyramid exactly the same as what you've done here and used Classic Castle figs to create an Egytian Pharaoh army scene. Later, I added an opening in the pyramid for some extra detail and playability. -Lots of potential for a much larger and detailed creation. TIP: You can use the bandits from LEGO Indiana Jones set 7195 Ambush in Cairo for some minifigs.

Today's EB Train Tech discussion deals with Crane Cars. Crane cars have been around for a long time. Since the introduction of blue-track LEGO Trains, maybe even early, the LEGO Train Theme has offered Crane Cars. Crane Cars are an exciting part of Cargo Trains. Rough, industrial, yet precision engineering marvels that bring hook and haul play to your LEGO rails. But what exaclty makes them so special? A few questions to consider: Is it the design and the angle of the crane that adds height to your trains, as an adjustable arm leans over the track? Does the thought of having two train cars, one for loading and the other for transport add rail wagon excitement to your train? Do strings, hooks, and turnable pieces add playability to your rails? Or do you like the little construction box with classic train doors contained in the more recent 9V and R/C Cargo Train Deluxe? Lastly, perhaps it's not the crane car itself, but the cargo that adds the real interest? Track pieces, cars, storage containers, and accessories that you want to hoist onto your trains. So I ask, what is it that you like most about the Crane Car? Discuss your thoughts here. My Cargo Train Deluxe Crane Car helping in the construction of Cafe Corner

Thanks for the feedback guys! Had to include an interior this time KD - just for you. The inside is large enough to include some details that are limited in one-sided buildings/Classic Town structures. Thanks BB. In fact, the entire back side (main interior building) can separate easily from the front section as it was built much later as an add-on. I'll have to check that church out BC. I don't remember it from the movie. This was the inspiration:

Welcome TM. It looks like you've got a nice collection of 9V sets. I love that 7722 Battery Train set. That would make a great set review if you'd like to share. Hope you enjoy the forum, as well as EB.

Wow! Svelte strikes again with his Super-Sized Grand Emporium. Now that's GRAND! I do like that three-floor the best.

Very nice. I love the tower design and the overall shape of the roof looks great. The use of numerous arches along the walls and tower add to the overall quality of the design. It's nice to see those brown chairs in the interior. I used them in my Spanish Mission and a few said that I should replace with brown tile-built seating. I also like the use of the large arched windows with the two narrower windows on each side. It helps give the church a more grand cathedral-look about it. Great job on this Admiral.

Excellent! I love it Titolian. It reminds me of the diving suits in old adventure movies, like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Nice!

Nice review ZO6. Would you believe I had an opportunity to pick up this set for a price of $10 on clearance at my local Walmart. I passed at the time because I thought the big plastic balloon was silly. Now I wish I had purchased the set. It's by far not the best Adventurers set, but at the same time, it has a unique charm of it's own with the shark-like face. All things considered, I rate it an average set, but at a clearance price, it was certainly worth buying. Thanks for sharing a review with very nice pictures. EDIT: While this set is a nice attempt by LEGO to offer a zeppelin to the Adventurers theme, I think I still like the Orient Expedition balloon better: You're review is still a very nice one.

Hi Fred. Welcome to Train Tech. I'm familiar with Sams and bough my nephew that Railway Express when they had it. While I didn't like the train very much, it was a great value with motor, track, transformer, and the platform. Unfortunately, I didn't think of buying one for myself at the time. I like that mini red loco you built. I picked up an extra green loco to try to build an additional car, but mini building is tricky (at least for me). It would be fun to incorporate the new Indy track with a mini train. Perhaps I'll try. I hope you enjoy the forum. Welcome Pugsx3, but watch those quotes.

Pretty clever. Could you imagine if new LEGO Hobby Trains were to include working suspensions? I haven't even seen this in HO or G-Sacle trains. This is definitely advanced building.

Interesting though KD. Once you obtain a few ovals from train sets, Straight Track packs are all that you need. I for one, would just rather buy a pack of straight track. It's the curves that aren't needed (at least for me).

This would make a neat little set (Flatbed & Platform). Good industrial color with the little splash of red accessories - I like it. The little forklift works perfectly, and the white crate reminds me of the old 2x4 crate with doors from the Classic Space set Space Crusier. What set is that from LT?

I'm really enjoying the pros and cons that many of you have been sharing in regard to each set. It's interesting to read the various comments. I ended up voting for the Fire Brigade for the reasons mentioned above. Cafe Corner would be my 2nd (because of the overall charm and hotel sign), followed by the GG, then the Grand Emporium. To no surprise, Market Street, seems to be at the bottom, but it is in a class of its own. EDIT: But they do look fantastic next to one another. Let's just hope we see a few more.

I never mind waiting for an order, but what irritates the hell out of me is the bubble bags LSAH uses for their normal orders. Every large set I receive is crushed. I've complained, requested different carriers, even offered to pay for additional packaging. While LEGO is good at offering a discount to "make it right", I want a box that hasn't been crushed. I use to think it was UPS, my local carrier, but now I've come to realize that while UPS is rough with packages, it's the bubble bags that when pushed on, crush your boxes. The result has reduced the number of SAH orders that I make, as I am reluctant to order larger sets now. - sorry, I'm venting here.

Welcome Staalis. It's never too late to get back into the hobby. You've got a lot of catching up to do since the 12V era. Hope you enjoy Train Tech as well as EB.

There has been a few discussions about favorite modular, but since the Grand Emporium is the new set on the block, I'll go ahead and leave this topic. I actually like the Fire Brigade. I like the classic style American architecture combined with the Classic Town garage door, plus the bell tower is awesome! The pool table and kitchen are big ++s for me, as well as the fire engine. Should we add a poll?

Looks like you've got a pretty nice collection Thomas. I started with HO scale as well, but did get to play with them (and destroy them), but it was a lot of fun. Welcome!

Very nice Lolas. I like the water, especially with the extra round 1x1 plates around the objects. The barrel looks really neat half way in the water. Great tree designs, although I must agree w/ Athos in regard to the black shed. While it looks fantastic, brown would have made it that much better. I think this should be front-paged! Great job!

Welcome *thomas*. Make sure you sign the Registry. Interesting question. I'd say yes. The My Own Train collection had the Octan fuel tanker that was wider than 6-studs (in fact, I want to say it was 8-studs wide). The only problem is that it was too wide for everyone's favorite red Train Engine Shed - at least I think it was. I think mixing 6 and 7 wide is fine, especially since you're only taking about a one stud difference. But then again, I think it all depends on what you're mixing. An old 12v train car with 6 studs might not go with a highly detailed 7-stud wide train engine (sort of an apples with oranges thing).