Carrera124

Well, I decided to stop buying modern/current Technic sets. Instead, I started to buy older studded Technic sets. Thanks to Bricklink and Ebay, I managed to get even sealed sets at reasonable prices. There are so many classic sets out there, that I did not buy as a child (because they were too expensive or not available any more) or that were released during my dark ages. I also like sets like 8446 and 8448, which offer a good combination of studded and studless building.

I did, I already own 8070, 8109, 8110, 9392, 9397, 9398 and 8547. And of course, I built them all. But it is still hard for me to create MOCs that are worth to be called a MOC. At least for me, classic studded building and constructing is much more intuitional than studless building/constructing.

That's a good issue. I'd really like to create studless mocs, but they require a really different paradigm of thinking. SO, it is very hard for me to learn that.

For me, using only millions of axles and pins is rather boring. Within studded models, axles and pins were often used as axles in the means of gearing, movement, etc. Today, axles and pins have changed their purpose to connectors.

That's the point. Some weeks ago, I bought and built 8109. It looks great, and the features work fine. But when I put my hand on the steering knob and start to move/steer the truck, the driver's cabin bends forward. I can't remember to happen something similar when moving classic studded Technic cars or trucks. Unfortunately, I did not build 8466 and 8547. They were released during my dark ages, and today these sets are really expensive. But I bought MISB 8446 ad 8448 and built them. Imho, both sets seem to offer a good and sensible mixture of studless and studded bricks.

No doubt, current Technic sets look great and offer lots of features. Anyway, I don't like them at all. For me, "Lego" equals "studs". I don't like this modern studless bricks and style. My personal golden technic age, is beetween ~1988 and ~1996.

Only a MISB set might tell us the truth.

I guess that only early produced versions came with the extra pages.

That's it. Today, if you go out and buy a new PC, you still can choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8. But for the next weeks and months, more and more new PCs will come with pre-installed Windows 8. If someone buys a 8547 set, it should be compatible with current OS.

Hello, did someone already try to install the Mindstorms software from set 8547 into Windows 8 ? I already asked the official Mindstorms support, but they said they never tested it, and they don't know if there are plans to support Windows 8. Christian

That's something I've been thinking of for more than 25 years I already heard some Lego collectores that said the "photo variant" really existed... but I don't really believe that.

My vote goes to 8851, too.

+1.

Very well done. I also thought about moccing a small loco. But I did not have the idea to integrate the PF receiver into the driver's cabin. Thanks for sharing this one.

Another great set from the golden "system" era. Thanks for sharing it.

Well, we already got a monster figher train 9467

Well, I assume that the grandparents etc. know that the child has a train set. And wagons should be compatible with every train system Lego ever released. Good idea Maybe Lego will rename the "City" theme to "Firemen" soon.

Thanks for the review. It is interesting how many "special" town sets were released during the 80ies... when I discovered Brickset.com several years ago, it was amazing how many nice sets within the number range 1000-2000 are listed.

Okay, so they have no chance without using the internet. Fail.

I did, but there weren't any proveable facts. Well, that's nice for you. But it doesn't help people that did start with trains after the 9V era ended... so I am asking again, hoping that my question isn't ignored again: What do you recommend for people that want to buy train sets, but do not use/build them themselves ? That want to buy gifts for their child, newphews, grandchildren ? Shall they use PAB and/or Bricklink ? If yes, do you really believe that these two services are suitable for that kind of people ? If no, what shall they do either ? Buy other city sets ? Or better buy non-Lego gifts ?

No, but you don't have statistics that prove your assumptions, either. So, why should I be responsible for doing that ? Of course, marketing guys are always perfect. The never make mistakes. We never ever had the situation that sets sold worse than Lego expected. Or vice versa, that they have been sold out for a certain period due to an underestimation of the demand. Lego is able to predict selling numbers 100% correct, so their decisions are always the right ones. Especially dropping the 9V system, or changing the gray color scheme... all fans that were upset about that, are only a small minority. They really did their homework.

For me personally, this might be true. But again, what about people that want to buy gifts, that don't have internet (or are not familiar with it) ? Making their own designs, is not a valid option for them. Simply because they do not build stuff on their own, simply because they buy things not for themselves, but they buy for their grandchildren, nephews, children etc. Do you really want to force all these people into dealing with PAB and Bricklink ? They won't do this. Because it's time-consuming. And because they are not deep enought into it, to find and buy all the correct parts needed. Even experienced AFOLs are struggling with PAB and Bricklink when they're new to it, so it's not suitable for non-builders.

[x] You did not get the irony.

Okay, then it would be best if Lego would drop the train line completely, to prevent them from becoming bankrupt because train stuff is selling so badly. As you explained before, PAB and Bricklink are sufficient for train fans to build everything they want. I support this approach.

Another assumption, without any evidence. I'd say that computers and RC cars were much more interesting and "newer" in those days, than smartphones etc. today. Well, I can give you another example: My two nephews removed the motors from their 7938 and 7939 sets, they prefer to push the trains along by hand... so even the Maersk train without motor and without track parts would make them happy.