SteamSewnEmpire

Here is my take on this: for decades, people in mainstream model railroading (people like me) have drooled over the prospect of remote-control, battery-powered trains. Why? Because cleaning and maintaining track on a model railroad is a nightmare. You are CONSTANTLY fighting dust, short circuits, dead sections, etc. No matter how sterile the environment in which you build your layout; no matter how awesome your are at soldering and rail polishing, you're going to have issues. It's just a fact of life. Only in the past decade or so have lithium-ion battery tech + R/C sets shrunk to the size necessary enough to be viable in HO scale locomotives. But, even then, it has remained very much a cottage industry when it comes to powering trains - major manufacturers still pretty much singularly produce engines and control systems based around powered track. But, believe me: batteries and R/C are the future. There are simply too many arguments to be made in their favor for them not to eventually become the foundation for the hobby. Thus, when I see AFOLs complaining about 9v's extinction, I always crack a bit of a wry smile. Yes, 9v is gone, and the people clinging to it are spending an increasing amount attempting to maintain their non-supported product. But they're also fighting uphill against a historical tide that simply doesn't favor that aspect of the hobby.

Hrm. I may look into making a custom part or something then. I always hate defaulting to that, but, sadly, that hairpiece was kind of designed in a transitional time before Lego settled so heavily on the pin system.

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=95326&idColor=36#T=C&C=36 I know the obvious answer is 'a bone,' but are there any, like, decorative bow pieces that would clip in there? Thank you for any help.

Amen. I was disgusted to see these sets front-page on Lego's NA website. Given all that has happened - and is still happening - in the last 6 months, it seems more than just slightly tone deaf. If that's true, could it possibly indicate that Lego's efforts to "reinvent plastic" aren't going so well? Here's hoping!

Well, this is a pass for me. It's neatly configured; it's fairly well designed... but it's simply not a prototype I am interested in. I really admire N. American, Japanese, British, and even a lot of the Aussie/Kiwi steam and diesels... but I just cannot be sold on continental European post-steam stuff. It looks too alien.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll ever see the islanders return (outside not-so-subtle nods like the statues in Barracuda Bay). Racial perceptions have just changed too much.

It's significantly better and more realistic in terms of shaping and details. It's still toy-like, but it's a lot closer to something that a pro-MOCer might produce. It's easily the best pirate ship they have ever done, hands down. ANYONE who is into Lego pirates and doesn't buy one of these is out of their gourd.

I contributed my vote. Would love to own this. I like sets where there is a lot going on.

Here's an alternative truck I just designed. Slightly more conventional, but still with some unique elements:

The reason I didn't use those is that it pushes the steps out really far (I was optimizing the swing arc of the coupler above aesthetics). I may end up going with them anyway, though, since people seem to think it's a flaw. I lowered the cupola because I thought it was too high, and added the steps. One thing I was curious about was: what are people's thoughts (if any) on the trucks? I used a technique I haven't seen before in other mocs.

I like the dog on the table. Something tells me this is going to trigger the PC police here hardcore, though.

Okay, but pausing advertising is a reaction. If they had done nothing - if all this was were a few triggered extremists crying for attention as they demand that Lego kill off the Police line, that would be something else. But Lego took the initiative here and did something noticeable (and also something which, I would argue, was intended to send some kind of message). It would be clickbait nonsense if Lego hadn't taken this step. Taking this step indicates that they acknowledge - openly - that right now, there is a problem with the police line. If that continues to be true, how could it possibly maintain its place within their seasonal rotation? That's not supposition, it's just logic. I'm not saying that it will happen, of course. But someone saying "OH, THAT'LL NEVER HAPPEN AND IT'S FAKE NEWS" is decoupled from reality.

Panic would be a better word, I think. A lot of the reactions I have seen from other name brands - the NFL, for example - could be described exactly that way. I think people in corporations across the globe are misreading the moment on this big time. A couple of thousand protesters here and there are not mainstream, and should not be interpreted as such. You are in no more possession of an accurate crystal ball than I am.

Same. I have no interest in a political fight.

I was very disappointed in the 'flying' line - attempting to make the helicopters actually fly resulted in laughable aeronautical performance, and chintzy models that should be beneath Lego. I understand that these are toys, but they're expensive, and should look like a quality model, regardless of what age group they are intended for. Theming and current events aside, I never want to see a garbage-effort helicopter like that again in my lifetime. That will never come to pass. The most you might see is something analogous to Camden, NJ, where they "disbanded" their police force only to have the county take over. Urban society cannot exist without police. People are simply not good enough.

A decal is more like a paper/paint-ish substance that melts onto a model when dampened. A sticker, on the other hand, is a self-contained item usually made out of either paper or rubberized plastic.

That looks really sharp.

I'd like to eventually build that CP loco and caboose, and it struck me that they're about the right size for O-scale decals. Has anyone had any luck using these on Lego parts, and would you mind sharing any photos? Did you need to cut the decals to fit your cars? Were there adhesive issues?

This. We do not need affirmative action for our little yellow armies.

Somehow, I don't think "but Lepin" is an answer most people on this website are looking for. It's probably not feasible to abruptly pull every Lego Police set off a shelf as a snap reaction. For the past 2 decades or so, however, Lego has been a company that does its best to avoid anything controversial. I would not be shocked to see Police gone from the perennial lineup beginning next spring.

I'm not trying to "start something." I'm not here to share opinions on current events (although I am certainly in possession of some strong ones). But, I did just run into this article: https://toybook.com/lego-pulling-back-potentially-sensitive-product-amid-george-floyd-protests/ ... and it's not exactly looking good.

It's this. And this.

Thanks. I'd use single-stud brackets in an actual build of the doors. They too new for LDD, though :/.

I actually based it off a Cletrac HG-42: Figured converting one to a locomotive wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility for a small mining operation or little port. As for the model, I made a few mine carts and a crew coach.

About 900 pieces, with interior.