MetroiD

Well, providing that the images you supplied are of those locomotives you asked about: The first one (0627) is a way too 'enlightened' rip-off of the Hogwarts Express sets. As to the black one (0638, I presume), it's a blatant copy of LEGO's brilliant 10205 Steam Engine, which came in a variety of colours. The attempt at copying the GP-38? Don't get me started on that one! As to your question about powering them, I'd listen to fred67 - I'm just not sure if those Enlighten trains would take too kindly to actually being powered. I just wouldn't trust the quality of their plastic enough to run them using PF motors (due to issues such as friction, rigidity, etc.). As to trying out the RC system or using bogies - I'm not sure if you can get a hold of the RC elements without actually buying a LEGO train set from those times, and as to the PF bogies - it really depends on whether the respective Enlighten and LEGO pieces are 100% compatible.

Hats off. You, sir, are brilliant. This is hands down one of the most beautiful LEGO ships I have ever seen -- and a true frigate. Pardon me drooling all over the place, I'll go back to staring at the pics... P.S.: Please please please give us some more high-res pics of this beauty!

Top notch work. Many details without having it looked crammed - you've done perfectly. So what if you haven't managed to enter it into the competition, it's still an absolutely brilliant vignette!

I guess Town, seeing as it is a Town set of sorts, after all... I totally envy you, by the way... Enjoy the unboxing & building ;)

I was wondering how come no one has commented on this yet. As announced at BrickCon 2010, Brickmaster is bound to be replaced by a new magazine called Master Builder Club. Apparently, people were right to expect this outcome with a new publication aimed specifically at AFOLs - hopefully Huw is right with his news that it might be available all across the globe and not just in North America. Nannan also claims that it would come with exclusive minifigs and themed kits... which are all more than welcome! So, anyone got more detailed info? What do you guys make of it? Do you expect it to be better than Brickmaster?

Thanks, that's some great information right there! You could always post a review of the set, if you're up to it

Congratulations to all the winners! Great entries and an awesome contest as well - thanks for organizing it all for us, Fangy!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUsPFFIz7wI Just can't get enough...

So THAT's why you've been counting in such a weird manner lately... I hope you don't scare off your new immigrants with all that f*ing!

Not giving anyone the Bird - Because I most definitely wasn't. And neither was Snuffy, who people said had been seen on my profile as part of the Muppet glitch... Likes big birds and he cannot lie - Obviously, I'm a loving likable fellow, even if I'm not as specially loved as Teddy. And other people (especially Hinck) appreciate the fact :]

Regarding the Medieval Market Village that both of you guys seem to want to buy - you'd better hurry up there, I have this weird feeling that we won't be seeing much more of it after December 2010. I might of course be totally mistaken here, but it looks pretty logical for LEGO to give it one final good production run for the holiday season this year, after which it will probably be retired, thus concluding the standard 2-year lifespan of an Exclusive set. And judging by the great sales that this set has enjoyed, once it stops being available at S@H, prices will surely start skyrocketing.

First off - welcome to EB, I hope you really enjoy your "new-found" hobby :) Concerning product cycle patterns, Aanchir's explanation has been pretty detailed, so I don't think I can add any more info to that. I would however like to add my 2 cents regarding Kingdoms seeing as it's the theme you've picked as a favourite. Whether it's Castle, Knights' Kingdom I or II, Fantasy Era, Castle again, or Kingdoms as it is branded now, to me it is pretty much one LEGO line that has included different features over the years. Just like you could have been sure that the Forestmen wouldn't have lasted forever back in the late 80s, you're guaranteed that the current incarnation of Kingdoms creatures / knights / factions will also disappear after a few years and be replaced by something new. That, however, does not in any kind or form mean that the general theme is over - after all, Castle / Kingdoms or however you'd like to call it has been one of the longest LEGO themes and I don't see how or why they'd stop producing it. So r4-g9, you could rest assured that Kingdoms will be here for some time. Generally, Castle/ Fantasy Era/ Kingdoms sets last for roughly a year before they're replaced on the shelves by something new. That said, set availability regarding Castle/ Kingdoms products in shops is very hard to gauge with some sets lasting surprisingly long and others becoming a rarity in almost no time. Surely, that has to do with TLG's marketing policy regarding the respective theme, and their attempts to boost the sales of a certain set, or make sure it's sold out at regular prices before introducing new, similar sets, so as to avoid having to cut prices. In recent years there have been many sets, including Exclusives, whose prices have been cut towards the end of their shelf life in an attempt (at times desperate) to clear off remaining quantities of such products. It is my personal belief that while many people have struck a gold mine there and are now reselling those sets MISB at outrageous prices, TLG themselves have learned from their mistakes and are much better prepared to gauge market demand. So I wouldn't expect too many sets to be offered at discount prices, let alone Exclusives, which TLG has started to handle with much caution (e.g. the Winter Toy Store) by limiting production runs and thereby hugely increasing demand over a shorter period. All in all, Aanchir's advice is what you should generally try and follow, otherwise you might find yourself having to pay double for a set that you'd expected to be able to snatch at a bargain price.

Erm... I thought this thread was about some muppets that had randomly appeared outta nowhere!? Although he did actually on the show for a few minutes.

Perhaps you were just jealous of his trunk?

So there's someone out there who actually DOESN'T like Snuffy? For reasons unknown, that makes me rather sad

I spy with my little eye... something beginning with VW! Yay ;) What a great way to make yourself known around EB, Andybear! Looking forward to seeing more from you :]

Best "Christmas train" I've seen so far is definitely Tony's Polar Express. Luckily, he's already posted a link to it. I also tried my hand at building a steam train for Santa last year, but it was a real quick build and nothing too special. Which reminds me that I need to start thinking about this year's train - I've set my sights on building a GWR 2844 Class and adding wagons filled with presents a-la Holiday Train.

Awww, come here I'll give ya a hug! Make that 2 hugs.

Not only him!!!

I feel sorry for poor ol Lotso. Please please please build him a tricycle!!! Von Nebula is cool and all, but... Lotso would be so much cooler on a tricycle

A hug, that's what he needs. Everyone could use a hug. As to the glitch - I thought that Google cache was actually the one to blame here, since it had interfered with the alternative skin designs which eventually led to some members seeing weird people (and things) popping up all over the place? In any case, I sure as hell am happy that everything's looking fine for me. Perhaps that has something to do with me still using the Summer skin? What - it hasn't been that long since the summer ended, just von-too-tree weeks!!

Good to see you're back around these parts, Cam. EB wouldn't be quite the same without the official National Geographic Muppet Fauna narrator

You are starting to sound a bit rude. Who hasn't watched the muppet show - that's downright appaling! Personally, just like you, I have no idea who the bloody hell that SnuffleupagoiD thing everyone's been talking about is! And I sure as hell haven't seen him around. That said, I don't have the slightest idea who that Flitwick persona might be either, so... I understand you're a bit worked up over something. I just don't get what it's really about - everything looks pretty normal to me?!

Btw, I sure hope Kubica finds some luck with this new car. I feel sorry for the guy, he should be competing for the championship...