Zorbas

I can still remember the feelings and the first impressions that I had when the first Pirate theme was introduced. This catalogue's first page was the very first contact back in 1989: First reaction for the next 8 seconds: "Ohh, this doesn't look like Lego at all!!!!" I was 9 1/2 years old and a child's mind can think all sorts of things. By the end of the day and looking -or drooling over- the inside pages I was amazed! Few days later the first set came, (Sabre Island) and few months later, "Dark Shark" (a.k.a BSB) was plundering the rough seas of the Carpetic Ocean. To cut a long story short, the first impression that the 2009 Pirate line left me was the same when it comes to "Legoness". It didn't feel like LEGO at all. The big difference? It still doesn't feel like 100% LEGO for me. Especially when I first saw Brickbeard's Bounty I was . I know that this may sound strange or even "bad" or retromaniac but that's the overall impression I have for the new line, compared of course with the 1989 line. Overall point of this post: 1989 Pirate line is still the best introduction to the world of Pirates. That's my vote. ....or rephrasing a Stooges song: "Is 1989 o.k? Sail across the floor that's gray!" (I'm the worst lyrics composer, I know... )

Great collection AJW! As you 've already mentioned, looking at 12v trains and catalogues (the train scenes in the official LEGO catalogues were always a thing to remember ) is really enjoying! Although 12v trains were never released here in Greece , I had a half german cousin back in the 80's and I had a constant contact with the 12v era. I even managed to get the 7735 Freight Train from Germany and I remember I was one of the happiest kids in the universe. Your layout looks great as it develops! Keep expanding and keep posting pictures!

Actually, my house is 2 km away from his "residence".

...when english is not your native language and when you hear the word "tile" in a non-LEGO related phrase, first thing that comes up in mind is a white 2x1 white LEGO tile. Happened to me yesterday.

My vote goes for a Greek theme. The main reason is that if TLG has no worries of mixing different historic periods together, the variety of sets and characters could be endless. The Labyrinth in LEGO form....

I prefer the old school lane. During the past as a child, I never got into thinking of sorting the pieces before starting to build and that is because trying to find the needed pieces is part of the charm and the whole Lego experience. Today, the situation is a bit different because there is already a small sorting from the beginning, meaning the numbered bags.

"Most users ever online was 1052 on Jul 15 2009, 05:20 PM" The circle keeps getting bigger and bigger. Well done Eurobricks!

All done! My main concern: Shop@Home in more countries! Thanks for the link cagri!

As TheBrickster has already mentioned, the nostalgia factor plays a very important role on how you opinion and preferance is created. This train was one of the first -probably the very first- that had this aerodynamic modern look. I think it was based on a french train (corrections welcomed) and when I first saw it, probably around 1989, I was really amazed. To tell you the truth Holodoc, one of the first things that I loved on this train was the colour combination. One more thing that I really like is that it is almost completely brick-built, without the contribution of special "helping-a-set-to-look-more-beautiful" parts. I can understand what you want to say, I can even agree to some extend that some newer trains are better looking. The thing is that I never got the chance to become familiar to those (blame the cloudy, moisted, long Dark Ages for that ). Btw, enjoy it since you have bought it! (................you lucky doctor.... )

7745 High-Speed City Express. My all-time favorite and still in the top three of my wishlist.

Very nice work! I think that the result is even better than the original train! The shape of it is strange and charming at the same time. It sure has that classic town looks that gives more points to it. And the last picture... Like coming directly from an '80's catalogue.

What about THIS?

You really really made me laugh! Excellent link DJ Force! Even your "User's Manual" is funny!

Since I believe that this is the right topic to suggest something ( I don't have any complaints so far ), I 'll just throw an idea. If it has already been discussed in the past, please ignore it. I would really like to see the evolution of Eurobricks. It would be really nice if there are screenshots or "printscreen" images from the layout over the past years. For example, the first day of Eurobricks "on air", how all started or even memorable moments during all those years. Something like a....hmmm.....museum. I know that there was a banner request some months ago, so I'm not referring only to banners. I don't know if that's feasible or even a good suggestion, but I gave it a shot.

Very nice work TheBrickster! The final result turned out very nice. After seeing the close-ups from your photos, I can say that this small addition of the slopes and the ladders make the boxcar even better. The blue colour really fits and works well and to tell you the truth, it makes it look like a classic town car . I don't know how and why, it is just the impression that it leaves to me. Very nice work again! P.S The infamous mystery liquid returns... . Handle it with care just in case...

I had the best impressions from your previous train station Teddy and you still continue to amaze us! What an excellent building! The details are perfect, they look like sculptures on the walls! The colour combination really works and I particularly like how the red colour looks amongst the other colours. The whole front part is really eye capturing and I think that based on that, you can use this building for other purposes like a theater, making of course the proper interior changes. What I really love is the back part! . The platforms idea is just excellent! It is still a playable interior, being simultaneously a 4-wall building. Great! The good think IMO is that you can expand the platforms outside the main building without losing any of the realistic look and function of the train station. Just one question: Have you placed a train in the station? Some photos would have been great! Congratulations again!

Speechless!!! The headphones are just pure creative imagination! Great vignette!

Dion And The Belmonts - Runaround Sue I'm not really into oldies but hearing this song late last night in one of those commercials that advertise the super-duper-ultimate-gold collection of the 50's made me listen to it all day long today!

Ahhh...memories.... For once more, WhiteFang takes us back in time with this excellent review! The first thing that comes into my mind when I see this set is "Less is more". A small charming set I still remember from back then. When I bought the 6356 Med-Star Rescue Plane I was also planning of buying this one also but never did... . Although the set is simple and small, it has this classic touch that makes it very beautiful. Not to mention the wheels size , something that in todays vehicles is a complete let down . Stop cloning one type of wheels TLG ! Learn from the past! Sorry for the outburst! Great review, great set! Thanks WhiteFang!

Excellent creation! It looks huge! It really looks like a modern police HQ building. The glass stairs tower is fantastic! The landing base for the helicopter is very well executed. Great work! P.S: Is there any interior that we could see?

I 100% completely agree. "It is New York style" "No, it's Amsterdam style" Teddy: " Why not New Amsterdam style?" One of the most diplomatic answers ever!

Excellent review for one of the greatest and most classic sets that TLG has ever released. This train was the first that had been officially released here in Greece - sadly, the 12V era never made it here but having a cousin in Germany and me being a crazy 10 year old about LEGO, I managed to get the 7735 Freight Train during '89. Anyway, back on topic.The train is excellent.It had that "modern" feeling back then and of course including 11(!) minifigs is something to drool for! The small details like the sink/tap, the bunk bed and the storage area for the bicycles (included!! ) work perfectly! The platform is an extra plus. Although that it's not something big or fancy (the yellow station did the job ) it has some small details that today they look like a luxurious extra comparing it with the todays released trains. Thanks for the memories alex! P.S 11 minifigs...... ...glory days....

My signature is a small part from Xenophon's work "Memorabilia", presenting Socrates' thoughts and beliefs. Socrates here refers to strategy in war, saying that just like when you have all the materials for building a house but if you don't arrange and use them well, they end up being a pile of materials scattered and useless, same goes for soldiers. If you have soldiers but you don't arrange them in an efficient tactical army, it's like having almost no power in the battlefield. Just like Lego bricks and tiles.

Excellent set! It is very beautiful and the details are great! Although that it doesn't look like a modern fire station, I love to have some old, well preserved public buildings in my town. The good thing is that it's the first "Cafe Corner-modular style" building we get that it is also highly playable, involving much more action. Superb combination! Btw, when I first saw Teddy's Fire Station some months ago, I really hoped that TLG would release something similar. My wish came true. Oh, and don't you think that Captain Green Hair's firetruck is perfect for this fire station?

One of my favorite little sets that I own! I think that it is detailed enough, mostly regarding the shape, and the printed pieces are still like brand new. Coincidentally, this was the first set I had built after leaving the dark ages behind me. Thanks for the very nice review! P.S About the instructions, it is indeed one long piece of paper.