brickbuilder711

This set I definitely like for the bizarre colors. The Azure blue mudguards look great and have a lot of use for regular LEGO.

Probably I would describe myself as a 4565. It's a rock train, an intermodal train, and a mechanism all in one. 4512 would fall at a close second.

So in the fall of 2011 I was hit up with a very challenging but fun project. The LEGO store was about to open in Sawgrass, FL near Miami and I was offered the project (to build almost all of the display models for the store) by GFLUG. Knowing myself to be a lazy slacker during school, I took up the offer as it would keep my interest balanced and make my time more manageable. Not to mention thus far my best grades were in that period... I think it was an energizing way to spend my fall. While you could think it took away time from friends, I was able to get together multiple times. The project consisted of 99 models, plus ten they eventually asked me not to build. I had friends commit to the build, since I had the single person disadvantage for the LUG, being the only enthusiast in Southeastern Florida. The original time to build it was one month. I knew once I got it if it could be done, it could be. Well, I was wrong. While the friends had failed to provide assistance, save from one who deserved a cut of the rewards and got it, it was mostly a one man job. But, I was saved by the powers that be of City government holding licensing for the longest time from the store and the construction being delayed a good month and change. This one man show was finished October 29, 2011 at 3:43 PM, and of course, after such a haul I would take a note of the time. ANYWAY. Here are the videos, very poorly produced but with good reason, I suppose. I didn't have much time to shoot them in such a relaxed manner. Eight parts are up on YouTube, and a ninth, the part with me in the store filming my work, which NO employee complained (!), will be posted tonight. Enjoy these episodes. They are fairly short so maybe 30-40 minutes total, so you can lay out your time enjoying them. So my closing thought: The project went by almost perfectly, and I got rewarded well for it. I do not want to get into the detail but the payout exceeded $400 USD, but it was not in cold hard cash, but in value of brick. I did this more for the enjoyment aspect than as work for full pay, though, but the full incentive was a nice act of courtesy. For a hint see the Space Shuttle review posted on December 23. Despite the fact I had to wait a bit and stand my ground to maintain the reward, I recommend taking on this project. It exposes you to sets you haven't seen, which all economically have diminishing marginal returns, and a steady paced activity to do.

Thanks. I didn't add in the wheels yet since the engine's still a WIP. Also, apparently since I am reverse engineering off of 10219 their bogies are built differently, and when I tried doing my own that didn't work.

Not bad of a job, I really like the structure. The grooved detail in the second floor is a great idea, looks very industrial. If you opt to put cars in the first floor as is my recommendation is the small cars, with the 7x4 base. Those are probably available at the PAB walls, or online.

1. Yes, considering the sharp turning radius of the LEGO track, should your train run at a high speed it will derail on a sharp curve, especially if it does not have enough traction. 2. All LEGO trains since 1966 are backwards compatible in one way or another. Battery box trains should run on the 9v standard. 9v trains are the most compatible with RC/PF as it was a new electronics system rather than a whole new system. However a 3-rail 12v train will NOT run on a 9v or 4.5v. 3. I would consider an expansion pack but with enough curves you can be able to do a double balloon loop for the most lineal run. The set only has enough for 16 curves, which can only procure wide circles/ovals.

I like it! Great review! I think it is worth the 10cents per piece to obtain the "brick" brick.

Alright guys, I would like to introduce myself as an enthused train builder and "quite" a LEGO buff if you want to put that in words. Many of you know me on here, Flickr or YouTube. Well, I want to impose this thread as a showcase of a particular series of builds. The Florida East Coast Railway is a high volume but regional class two railroad in the Sunshine State with 10 trains per day. They have a wonderful, energetic motive roster. As I have developed in my hobby I have moved into doing FEC locos. I did three SD70M-2s (Railamerica scheme is being maintained, while a blue and yellow is still together but subject to rebuild and another was demolished), an ex. UP SD40-2 (still active) and a GP40-2 (demolished). But this new scheme, effectively easy to do in LEGO popped up for the SD40-2s. So it was challenge accepted. I am still working on the trucks of this glorious locomotive but anyway, here are my WIP shots real deal vs. LEGO, more to come in the near future :

Very nice MOC! I really like the crane as a unique touch on the mechanics of the recycle truck. The classic design is very nice as well.

I'm completely impressed with this new set. The color choice of dark orange -- I'm not a really big fan of it, but it will make a great parts pack. Unfortunately, my wallet will have to lighten up for it. The joy of this hobby.