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What is the limit for mid-sections? How many mid-sections can you use to still look the hull right in dimensions?

@efullner: all four links don't work...

I can only agree with the comments above. The type of car may be simple, but you managed to create a detailed piece of art. Do you have a picture from top?

Nice engine. But did you build James Mathis' version, maybe with the instructions placed here and here? Than it's fair to mention the name of the one who really designed it. James Mathis.

And I thought BSB was impressive... now I'm sure I have to buy the new flagship! She's a real beauty... I hope it won't be sold out too soon, my budget is spend for the next months. Nice collection by the way!

Both Town and Trains are great themes, I think, and they mix perfectly. However, with many train-related items it's very cool to give trains a forum on it's own. Many thanks! By the way, I don't think Ben10 will be in the top 5. I think (and hope) it will be a fiasco like Galidor. Now only with a license.

I think they are not essential for designing a layout, but can be useful. For example if you want to have a train platform that's long enough for the whole train. With this you can see if it fits more easily. Oh, and I spotted your trains. You only forgot to add one more car to 4565 (it has two short ones).

My actual layout is the same. But my planned layout is 1,25 by 2,75 meter.

Happy new year everyone!

You're maybe right. It also depends in what direction the turbine is placed, as well as the height of the table. I may test it later. I cheated with this layout. Normally I hate modifying LEGO, but now I planned to modify LEGO myself. Or I ask my father for help, he's not as clumsy as I am. I want to shorten two 9V tracks, as described in Railbricks #2.

I work at my layout. The problem is the editing. The last one was too big. I think this one will fit. The problem is the wall in my room, it's diagonal. I can't use all space. I calculated how far the track had to be from the edge (I want to run the DD-IRM designed by James Mathis). For the same reason I have to check out if a windmill fits (maybe the Vestas one, built with downloaded instructions).

Welcome to Train Tech, Thomas! You can find the pictures here. Reminds me to add pictures to my signature.

Thanks!

3451 Sopwith Camel. I bought it when it was 70% off (total €15,- ). I de-assebled it a year ago. If the quality of the stickers was better, I still have kept it built.

A mix between the current train buffer beams. Now there is one with round buffers and one with square buffers and a plow. I would like to see one with square buffers but without a plow.

A few months ago I was able to buy a MISB one for €100,- I think this is a fantastic set, one of the best additional train cars. But not only a train car, also a wonderful truck and a container crane (don't know the correct word for it). I think this set is based at American examples. I'm not sure about the train car, but I never saw this kind before. And I know the TTX set has about the same shape. It's clear that the truck is American, with that nose. Better would it be if it had two rear axles. Great review!

@The Brickster: thanks for blogging it! @Legoliner Pilot and lightningtiger: I don't think I'll write an article about City. I still don't really like it, the only improvement in the past years was the switch to 6-wide trucks. If you mean town from the 90s, I don't know much about the history (dating back to the 50s). For this article I knew almost everything, even the 1991 catalog picture still in my memories. The only thing I discovered after my dark age was the existence of set 1896. I think City is a too large theme to write a good article about.

Clever use of the minifig seats in the truck mudguards! Both are well-designed, and the Caterpillar is much better than the official construction sets. Nice hydraulic cylinders by the way.

A request: can any of you design 6479 Emergency Response Center? My love for Res-Q is back...

That sounds logical to me. In the Dutch version of the weekly Donald Duck magazine an advertize was placed, with the same background as the catalog. Two sets were placed in boxes (like in catalogs), one being 6473 Res-Q Cruiser, the other being 6584 Extreme Team Challenge. It also said "11 new sets" or something like that.

Thanks. This was ment to be a sort of tribute, it's one of my favorites as well. Too bad I only own one set. Should get it complete with stickers, and then the rest of the theme. I never saw a (sub)theme with a wow-factor like Res-Q, not even Divers. Back then I didn't think about juniorization, but now I realize this was one of the last great themes before the dark times. Before the juniorization. Too bad this theme ended with Jack Stone sets. I have something with rescue organizations with high-tech equipment. The Thunderbirds was my favorite TV series as a kid.

Improvement needed. In the history of Lego town, there was a big improvement needed for emergency workers. Ambulances were too late at the accident, and capacity to get some medical assistance was not enough to be really helpful. After some serious accidents, where civillian salvage tools had to be rent, it was clear that the rescue services had to be reorganized. The first steps. In 1992, Unit 1896 went into service. This unit had a futuristic high-speed ambulance, a high-speed doctor's car, a motorbike and a helicopter. The heli also had some stretchers at both sides. Maybe not the most comfortable solution, but certainly quicker and better than the previous ones. In the years after that, every rescue action went well. The Miniland dead count by accidents was the lowest in the continent. But there was still improvement needed. Although the medical assistance was the best possible, salvaging victims that were trapped in their vehicles, as well as evacuation of victims at heavy weather and in remote locations was almost impossible. The Coast Guard opened their new station in 1995, and a year later their offshore sea cutter went into service, but even this ship was no match for the extreme hurricanes that were coming. The people knew the calm weather wouldn't last long, because the region knew the worst natural disasters ever and almost every year there was a heavy storm. Just in time. The solution came in 1997. Three wise men, who founded Unit 1896, decided to start Res-Q. A base was needed, as well as five extra units for different tasks. Some minor units were stationed in other parts of the city. The vehicles had the same futuristic look as Unit 1896, and almost the same color scheme. This all was just in time. In the winter of 1997, the worst weather in almost 1000 years created general destruction. Cars were blown into the sea, bridges collapsed, trees fell on cars... there was no place where you could shelter. Res-Q saw it's first action. The former commandos, firefighters and of course members of Unit 1896 worked hard to save as many lives as possible. After the narrow escape from death, the major of the city decided that the whole world should take advantage of the system. In january 1998, only weeks after the hurricane, many vehicles went into service in every continent. Every nation wanted to have well-equiped vehicles with a crew that would risk their lives to save other people. This was the time I first met the brave men and their fantastic vehicles. In the golden years of Res-Q, they had personnel and vehicles for every situation. Everything excellent equiped. Unit 6445 for example was not just an ordinary ambulance. It had off-road tires and a zip-line for a quick evacuation. An ice axe could bring the rescue worker to places where even his vehicle couldn't come. Both the Units 6451 and 6473 had an additional vehicle, while 6451 also had a rubber boat. The downfall of Res-Q. In 1999 and 2000 the workers had to rely on their vehicles. The manufacturer was in financial troubles, and hoped to solve the problem by making the vehicles uncomplicated and simple. This had not the effect the company had hoped for. The vehicles were not as advanced as their predecessors and were hated by the Res-Q personnel. They lacked tools and salvage gear. After two years large strikes dominated the street views in town. The Res-Q workers didn't want to fly in an unreliable chopper. The manufacturer decided to get back to the advanced vehicles. For Res-Q it was too late. The stations were dismantled and the vehicles were scrapped. Let's hope a new rescue organization is found, or even re-activation of Res-Q. We never know what disasters mother Nature has in mind...

No, tere aren't any Western sets available in the regular shops. They had, I believe Western was the first Playmobil theme. By the way, great set ideas!

Very nice! I like the picture of the trees, to me it has a vintage look.

I absolutely hate them. After the horrible KK sets, I saw a picture of the back then new 2007 sets. I was happy to see such awesome knights, but then I saw the skeletons. Nooo! To me TLG kicked the once awesome Castle theme between other fantasy garbage from cheap toy brands.