Hey Joe

I hear you about the toy biz, today's hot item is tomorrow's closet fodder, right? Thinking of my own two sites that I keep up for really no purpose (because I may need them in the future and they don't cost much) I thought that your argument didn't hold water BUT I guess that a large company like Lego would incur some costs in the long run in maintaining a large amount of microsites for old products they no longer sell. Perhaps it's too much to ask for them to leave something for posterity's sake (but I don't think it is). Underwater themes are really cool aren't they? When I first got into Lego about a year ago I was a little skeptical of Atlantis (not sure why) but the more I looked at the quality of the models and minifigs and just the whole premise of the theme, I was hooked. Thanks, I downloaded the movie and really like it a lot. It was rumored that it would be a series, too bad that didn't come to fruitition, isn't it? Thanks, I remember having seen that before and now that I've seen it again I guess that there's a good amount of info in there. I've been buying the models mainly for my son (hey, it's a convenient excuse that works on the wife so don't laugh ) but he's a little too young right now, I need something for him when he gets older. Guess I'd better copy that page in case it gets taken down too.

The weight of the gold would probably be the main factor and they can't weigh too much, can they? I'd never heard of them before, is this something that they regularly stock/sell? Why would anyone need or want such a thing anyway?

I vote for Atlantis' Barracuda Warrior as best (and I'm trying not to think about the CMFs as there are probably a dozen or so contenders in there). The barracuda is such a compellingly bizarre toy to me, hard to explain. Worst, I don't know; maybe some of those Mars Mission aliens?

Very cool, thanks. I didn't know that they had Lego in the year 1406.

The Atlantis site on Lego.com isn't available any longer, what a total bummer! Just this past week I bought the last set that I needed to complete my Atlantis collection but I can no longer go online to get the backstory? Does anyone know where it might still be viewable? It seems highly capricious (to put it politely) of Lego to take down all the Atlantis material that they had posted now that they're no longer directly selling the products.

Really amazing, thanks. Those mascot dolls and clothes are new to me, I'd like to know the story behind them.

Thanks for the review, it's useful. It looks like a decent set to me. I scored a local brand battleship here in Beijing so I won't be buying this one but it looks ok.

"work for hire"? No thanks and 'nuff said.

Thanks for the review. What's the deal with 'version numbers' on the sealing tape? I had no idea there was such a thing. They're still using those sticks for ski poles? Wonder why they don't use the CMF poles? For the record; I love the set (except for the ugly inner-roof) but not sure if I'll get it. There's too much snow on the roof compared to, what is it, the post office?

We need more Lego. Can you explain it to my wife? She just doesn't get it.

Could someone explain what a 'grab bag' is exactly? I've never been to a real Lego shop. Also, why would this cause legal problems? Thanks

Beautiful piece of work and thanks for sharing. It's not meant to be a San Franciscan trolley, right? Perhaps you've taken creative license which is cool. The operator is set back from the front as I remember and has a huge lever to operate the car. If it is SF you need some panhandlers hanging around, ha ha. Just kidding, that's one of the great things about Lego, isn't it? You can choose to omit those undesirable details if you wish (or perhaps emphasize them). That's something that attracts me to Lego anyway.

I found the 16 microfigs, took a few minutes and some hard squinting. Guess the two hidden ones are on the other side of the car lift, in the same position as the two visible ones? Very creative, well done!

Thanks, that's an interesting article. I've purchased two Banbao products here in China myself. The first one was a smallish windmill, a pretty boring, repetitive build and the design lends itself to collapsing fairly easily. One of the little ancillary buildings couldn't be built because there weren't enough bricks. The second was a fighter jet, it's not TOO bad - particularly as Lego doesn't make military stuff - but here again several design points are poorly thought out. Actually, the first step in the directions (attaching the landing gear) I had to wonder, "what were these guys thinking here?". The clutch power leaves a lot to be desired as well. Anyway, I've learned my lesson with Banbao.

Hi, I'm trying to download Griddy from the link on the first page in this thread: http://www.cs.au.dk/~ld/lego/software/griddy/griddy.zip ...but it's not working? EDIT; Oh, sorry, I just read about the alternate site, I got it, thanks.

That is awesome! I've seen the real engine several times, once in about 1976 in the bicentennial colors and once in the Pacific NW about twenty years ago painted in this motif. If you have an LDD plan to share of a PF model, I'd love to have it.

I lived in Prague for a few months a long time ago (early 1990's), I really loved it a lot. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for my pocketbook) I wasn't into Lego at the time so I couldn't help you there. However, there's a huge factory and distribution center in Kladno, Czech Republic. I'm not sure how far that is from Prague but the train and bus system there is cheap and excellent (to an American anyway). I wonder if it would be worth going there to have a look? Anyone been there?

Well, you know, if you were a millionaire and could afford to buy everything in one fell swoop it would probably get boring pretty quickly. That's a very nice collection/layout and two years isn't very long, you are lucky! Thanks for sharing.

I can kind of understand it myself. Real Lego Ninjago spinners cost 10x what those knockoffs do here in China. A real one could be 10% of some lowly workers monthly pay! So, if some little company wants to run a few off for the local markets, well, I can see it (but maybe I've been here too long, ha ha). What pisses me off is when they start selling on the B2B sites in mass quantities, that's definitely crossing a line. One poster said that Korean kids buy these things thinking they're real Lego? I find it hard to believe that even a child could be fooled by this junk. Anyway, I'm not condoning this blatant copying but maybe what I'm really trying to say is that it's a different world here.

Hi, I'd like to join the Reviewers Academy because I enjoy looking at the quality ones here and I'd like to contribute to the community. If admitted I would like to start off with doing a polybag set that's not yet been reviewed. It would be an ideal first project I think. I've got the equipment and most of the skills so I won't be tasking you too heavily (I hope). My weak point is lighting. Additionally; this is my 100th post in about as many days of being a member of EB. Will you divulge the secret handshake now or is that 500 posts? Ha ha, thanks, Joe

I don't see any photos but maybe that's because some file sharing sites are blocked by the Great Firewall here in China?

Looks premier league to me, thanks for sharing. I'll have Kung Pao Chicken, hold the cat!

Really looks fantastic, hope I can have something that nice someday. The train track isn't a complete circuit? I mean, you can't let a train whip around the track?

Ok thanks, it's all useful and appreciated. Now I gotta figure out how this LDD works! Doesn't look too hard but will take time.

Looks great, wish I had one!