drdavewatford

Hi guys, I used to post the odd review on Eurobricks, but since starting my own LEGO blog last year most of my reviews tend to go on there. Also, when browsing the forums, questions often come up which I have addressed (often in detail) via a blog posting. I've often thought about alerting Eurobricks readers of a review that I've written and providing a link, or directing readers to relevant blog postings when they directly address a question that's been asked, but I've generally been reluctant to do so as I'm unsure of the netiquette assocated with this. I'd therefore appreciate guidance from the Mods/Admins on this subject. Many thanks, David.

Magnificent review, White Fang ! I love how you're clustered figures from series 1-4 into various common themes for our viewing pleasure. Can't wait for these series 4 figures - I have a bunch of them on pre-order for delivery as soon as they hit the streets. Dr. D.

Is there a draft schedule of activities for the event ? I'm starting to wonder what we'll be doing for 4 days !

My understanding is that this is only planned for the larger sets, but it's still an excellent initiative.

Given the recent cycle of 1 cargo and 1 passenger train every 2 years, plus a special AFOL 'bonus', it's astonishing that a(nother) new cargo train is approaching already. Train business must be booming for LEGO - we must all be buying a lot of trains these days ! I wonder if we can look forward to another passenger train this year as well....? Dr. D.

It'll probably cost you as much to buy the parts as it will to buy a complete set, and it's a whole world of hassle as well. Keep a close watch on eBay instead and you'll eventually pick up what you want at a fair price - I did. I even managed to get a sealed Super Chief for around £65 (= less than $100) a couple of months back. Patience is the key. Bid on everything up to your limit and eventually you'll win. Dr. D.

Seconded - out of all the current sets the Emerald Night is for me the highlight and a cast-iron "future classic". If you're a train fan I'd urge you to pick one up before they're discontinued as prices will soar then - just look at the Super Chief and BNSF for evidence of that, while past passenger and cargo trains can generally be picked up for much more reasonable prices.

Some of the complaints about the minis in the SW advent calendar are frankly idiotic - guys, it's an advent calendar ! Of course the minis are 'half hearted' and only have a few pieces. How else would all the pieces fit in the slots in the calendar ?! The models could never be anything but tiny within the limitations of the total piece count. I personally think LEGO are really brave releasing this, as the complaints from the rabid SW fansboys who just don't seem to get the point of this being an advent calendar are likely to be loud and constant. Still, the enormous amounts of cash that LEGO will rake in will I'm sure make up for it.... Dr. D.

Excellent comments above, and I fully agree. Some of the older trains are wonderful (e.g. Super Chief & its coaches, BNSF etc.) but the prices being asked for these are breathtaking, even used on eBay. Admittedly some of us AFOLs have the money to slowly accumulate sets like that, but if you're starting out there are more than enough excellent current sets at more reasonable prices to get you going, and with the Maersk train to look forward to as well there's more than enough great new train stuff to spend your money on ! Incidentally, despite picking up older trains where I can, I'm sticking with the new plastic track and Power Functions motors etc. - the track, motors etc. are more abundant and cheaper than the 9V stuff for obvious reasons and the old trains can in general readily be converted to use PF. Dr. D.

From my perspective, the Summer 2011 sets are looking waaay more desirable than the first wave this year, even though I have at least one previous version of nearly all of them already.... The Sith Infiltrator is looking better than previous versions. The Republic Frigate looks like 2007's Republic Cruiser (Set 7665) wearing the Venator's clothes ! I think I prefer the old red cruiser to this frigate. The podracers look great ! What is that trans-red piece coupling the engines together, incidentally ? I initally wondered whether it was 2 lightsabers joined together in the middle, but there's no join. Any ideas ? Dr. D.

I'm intrigued that some believe LEGO might acually have to pay for a Maersk license.... Their sales of an excellent set such as this would not I suspect be meaningfully impacted by the 'loss' of the Maersk branding and logo (although a few might lament the loss of the Maersk Blue pieces, but that's a separate issue). Maersk are however getting fantastic advertising from the use of their logo and branding on a product with global reach. If anything, Maersk should be paying LEGO for the free advertising.... Dr. D.

OK, so what's the set number, einsteinonthebeach ?

Gorgeous. Providing it's not for employees only, I predict that it'll cost the same as the new Maersk container ship, i.e. a little over £100. Bring it on ! Dr. D.

Excellent - both the train and scenery are great ! I love how you've nailed the colour scheme of the train. Dr. D.

Superb job, Rook - looks fantastic ! I'm not familiar with the ship, however - do you have a link to the original source material, or did you just use your imagination ? Dr. D.

Thanks, Marcos - some lovely designs for us to try ! Dr. D.

Many thanks for the comprehensive review. This set is one of the highlights of what is for me so far a so-so 2011 line up. I like the 3 vehicles very much, and the bank is minimalist but has nice attention to detail. A bust-buy for me. Dr. D.

Agreed, but I've given up waiting and am now instead in the process of buying up all the parts needed for 5 additional coaches from Bricklink (including the stickers). Not cheap, but I'm nearly there ! I still think that the LEGO company is missing a trick by not selling these coaches themselves online (just a bag containing the parts + stickers + instructions; sell it like PAB if needs be; even selling at a premium it'd be cheaper than doing it via Bricklink, and loads easier for the customer) Dr. D.

Superb review, Rufus - you lead the way when it comes to crystal clear photographs and informative text ! I love this set, and always felt it was underrated. Hopefully now it'll get the love it deserves..... The jet is superb, and the other 2 models are also worth building. Even at the MRSP it's fairly priced I think, and as I picked it up as part of a '3 for 2' it was a total steal. I think that Creator is becoming the 'hidden gem' of the LEGO range - better value for money, 3 times the building pleasure, and some increasingly big and interesting sets. Over the past few years we've had some excellent Creator houses (best was 4954 Model Town House which is awesome) which have only been bettered by the modulars, the off-roader, the car transporter, the fire engine and some smaller gems such as Ferocious Creatures. Hopefully this set will wake people up to how good Creator is getting. Can't wait to see some of the bigger 2011 Creator sets ! Dr. D.

Ha - can't wait to see it !! While not to my taste aesthetically, it's certainly a cracking design ! I also love the truck, incidentally - very nice. Dr. D.

Clever - a very ingenious design - but unfortunately it's ugly as sin !

Cheers, Pete - cracking effort ! Also great to watch it come together step by step - hope you walk us through your next project in the same way. You asked a while ago for ideas for the next project. A UCS, you said, but not black, white or grey. How about a Rebublic Cruiser ? All that Red and Dark Red would look very nice ! There will be another official non-UCS version of this ship coming later this year, so a Cavegod UCS MOC would go down a treat I think..... All the best, Dr. D.

Ha - I have those Christmas balls on my tree and they look great ! Got them cheap at a brand store during the last post-Christmas sales. Dr. D.

Brand stores are not obliged to accept S@H returns or exchange items, but they might do so anyway - give them a call and ask. I've found some of the brand stores to be very helpful in the past. Dr. D.

Whether or not your bricks will survive the experience depends on the weight and size of the speaker that will be placed on top - if it's very heavy and/or rests on a small surface area then there's clearly a greater likelihood of damage, but since LEGO isn't designed for this use you'll just have to use your judgement and keep your fingers crossed. Nobody can really give you what you're looking for, i.e. reassurance that your bricks will not be damaged by a speaker of unknown size and weight..... Dr. D.