birdie100

Nope... engine and tender have three sets of wheels... but it can't be a fake, particulalry as the instructions include the "put together" wheel base systems... I mean, I just see a push along train for christmas morning being an unitelligent move, particualry with the move to the RC trains. If parents are going to buy for their child, if the train set moves, they'll buy it oer a push along train.

Well... there's going to be huge numbers of disappointed people if Lego release this as it is... the train has no motor! Now... this is understandable to keep the costs down... but I'm expecting there to be several crestfallen faces on Xmas morning when it doesn't run on the rails... not a good situation for TLC to put themselves into..

OK.. interesting discussion here... but I have a feeling that either this is a) a hoax... which, without firm proof on Lego's S@H website seems likely, or similar to the Maersk Sealine boat last year - simply a promotional item for Boing employees to give away. This set, quite frankly, isn't going for general release - it'll be for collector's (if it turns out to be real)

And for those of you coming to Legoland Windsor, they're

However guys - I'd hate to disappoint you - but it's clear that 9V is simply no longer viable. I mean, with Mindstorms moving onto NXT, with a totally new form of electric motor, the concept of the trains still running on the antiquated 9V system is highly inviable. There's little/ nothing we can do - Lego want to axe the 9V trains. To be honest, a part from a few disgruntled cutomers, it will not make a huge difference to their sales. I know this - because I work at Legoland Windsor's Big Shop, and see the trains on the shop floor. We'll be lucky to sell more than two track packs, or a single train a day. And, sadly, this dead space is useless - we're much better stocking up with Star Wars Lego, Exo Force or Bionicles - because the bottom line is they sell. The fact that Lego is still selling a 15 year old system is testament to the fact that it believes it should continue compatability for customers. But after 15 years, is it not time to see it go? After all, precedent was given in the "bley" case - Lego doesn't give a monkeys in real terms to AFOLS - if the children want something, they get it. They're Lego's true customers. Another precedent is th 12V Lego railways change - albeit relatively easier with a lower installation base in the customers than the current 9V system. However, I see a real problem occuring because the trains are infra red - ie line of sight communications must be maintained. I do see this being a severe problem - because children will not be able to control their trains around their cities, full of buildings etc.

No, Legoland is not included in those figures - ie the money Blackstone paid Lego for them. BUT obviously any Lego sold in Legolands or any other retailer will be included. So, for the first time ever, I know I've helped alter those figures just a litle bit (as a Legland employee!, and by buying SO much Lego!) I do hope that this recovery stays and keeps up. Someone else enquired - what do all these numbers mean for us collectors. In short, they mean Lego will still exist. The situation really was that dire... No, Legoland is not included in those figures - ie the money Blackstone paid Lego for them. BUT obviously any Lego sold in Legolands or any other retailer will be included. So, for the first time ever, I know I've helped alter those figures just a litle bit (as a Legland employee!, and by buying SO much Lego!) I do hope that this recovery stays and keeps up. Someone else enquired - what do all these numbers mean for us collectors. In short, they mean Lego will still exist. The situation really was that dire... Mind you, one thing numbers really can't tell you, and must be noted, is that Lego is moving to being much more movie license tie in etc. To be honest, a 2 by 4 brick made in 1960 is compatible with today's products, the quality was so good. That's where Lego face a fundamental problem, where food retailers and razor makers like gillete don't. The product lasts. But with all these cool spongebob, batman, starwars, city, trains, exo-force, knights kingdom, bionicle, thomas the tank engine sets, I think Lego may well return to pernmanent profatibility. If Lego realises (as I think it has) that it has got to appeal to the iPod buying tyweenies bracket, it's won. It realised in time, thank goodnes. Witness Mattel's Barbie... which didn't. As the tagline once was "Lego... just imagine" Imagine and forsee the future is exactly what they have done. Well done LEGO!

Looks like the Danish cartoon row's gone on to affect lego.... it appears the lego.com and affiliated sites are simply not working. Do you think this could be due to Islamic based supporters hacking and bombarding the Lego site?

Minifigures are like gold. You put them out and they get snapped up in milliseconds. Ditto wheels and trees. Still, Pick a Brick starts with a new container this year... so with a stroke of luck we'll have some of these highly esteemed products in stock. In terms of special bricks, you'd get to choose from the model maker's range if I could sort it for you (it's effectively a warehouse with virtually every brick imaginable. Except for that particular one you want!) .The selction of pinks and oranges is reportedly rather good! (And getting Macaroni 2X2 Maersk Blue corners is just pricelss!) And I knew you were teasing over the 50%... I'm not gullable (really!)

Well, as I say, I can't promise, and there's no way we could give you a 50% discount, but... if any of you have season passes I'm obliged to give you 10% off. Whether the price will go up (with inflation etc.) I don't know, but last year you were talking of loose lego in the Pick a Brick shop being in the region of

Now then people - I can't promise anything right now because I'm not currently working at Legoland. BUT in the summer I work up in the Pick a Brick Shop, and it may just be possible for me to see if I could get Guy or one of the other model makers to let you have a look round their model making area. Unfortunately though I won't be able to promise unitl much nearer the time (I'm not going back until April 3rd). But if you'd like me to I'll see what I could do for you guys, once you've confirmed whose coming etc.

I thinks I figured out how this IR will work.Motors remain unchanged, but the new IR battery pack clips in to the electric stud of the motor. That's a very neat solution... meaning we can, if we build the pack into our existing trains and then use 9V wires, have IR control. And the motors are fully compatible with exisitng track... and you can do new circuits too ... no more short circuiting! YAY!

The bridge is definitely compatible with Lego trains - it says the word "Zug" in the blurb next to the photo, which translated into english is "train"!!!

At Legoland Windsor it has been a real problem with people stealing the light up figs. The worst thing though is when someone just knocks the lightsaber rod out of the holder. The rod gets stuck in the plastic insert, so it's all there, but to a customer it looks as if the set's incomplete. The only thing that can be done is either to offer the big sets at a discount, or to open the box, and sell all the bricks from the kits in the PaB shop...

The pack of town people are