Freddie

Wow. I thought GTPlanet, with its 7'575 members online would be hard to beat. With the record getting broken all the time and more and more people gathering here, I'm happy to see the site not getting littered (what you did on the pirates forum I consider acceptable) with ads for this and that. I'm very, very grateful for that, because it has a tendency to ruin the quality of a site.

Hmm, three more books I need to get. I wonder if my budget will hold this year? Looking forward to the minifig book. Also to those brickmaster books which I suspect are the idea books that there's been circulating rumours about.

The receiver has proven to work as long as the receiver itself, the dome on top of it, is in one way or another visible, like "hidden-behind-the-windshield-of-the-santa-fe-locomotive" visible. Basically, hide it in the interior on way or another, and it should work fine. Alternatively you could build it into the roof, having the dome peak trough, but that would ultimately be a cumbersome and not as visually pleasing solution. My impression is that most people underestimate just how well the receivers can see the signals the remotes send out, so as long as you don't outright block it from getting any signals, it probably should work fine.

I've seen those myself. The bundle is in fact way cheaper than buying the plates in the stores, and I've been wondering if I should purchase a few myself.

Well, the entire point of making the one end of the PF-extension cable 9V-compatble was to make the system somewhat backwards-compatible, and I think what you're describing is ultimately the intention LEGO has had with integrating trains with power functions. The reason for doing it like they did with the Emerald Night is to show other ways of doing it. So yes, I think it's possible.

Very interesting, these new flex-track elements. I'm guessing they won't be replacing the regular track fully, and I'd be pleased if they didn't, since they don't look all that fancy, with the gaps between the sleepers full of hinge. I reckon they'll also be noisier, but that's not really a complaint. On the plus side, these have far more potential than just railroad track. I'm guessing we'll see some very interesting uses of these soon after release. I probably won't use them like that, instead using them to compact the area a station will be occupying and the likes.

Initially, I thought this was one of Hinckley's creations. Hmm, must be the overall design, with the colors, the raised sidewalk and all that. It certainly has potential, and then some! Will be looking forward to seeing it completed.

I am so getting me that mech. Those citizen figures are awesome. Also, a very nice tribute to classic space on the white and green torso.

Impressive interiors, WetWired. I found the attic hillarious, since I wasn't expecting a "dungeon" up there. Nice work!

That's a very clever design, rupi. Looks fantastic, and then some, seeing how it fits figs and has opening doors and such. Thanks for sharing!

I'm taking it that you're ponting to the two black panels sitting at either side of the tank? Those are smoke deflectors, which are a set of wings that direct the exhaust-smoke away from the engine's windows. Nice to actually see it move, albeit I'd prefer to see someone use the proper method. I'm curious to how fast, or slow, the engine really is, since the XL-motor can't spin very quickly (but makes it up in torque).

Hmm, I don't think train doors would work, but these probably would. When/If retrofitting those doors, may I suggest that you also use the old-style hinges to turn the hitch for the upper-half of the driver's window up side down. It'll require some extra height, but I suspect the doors will require it as well. But a very nice and very classic-looking bus, Nimirdil!

Don't we all? I like how the sets are presented, but that's because I've presented mine similarily (where possible), except my collection's not in a cabinet and is collecting massive amounts of dust. So your solution is absolutely something I'm gunning for when I get the chance.

Not what I'd call a Humvee, since they're low and (very!) wide, but it definatly looks militarian and purpose-built, with it's low windscreen and utilitarian looks. Nice to see someone use those shocks again, not often one sees those!

I honestly think this looks better than LEGO's own roller, because this one has a completely smooth surface on the drum. But smooth drum or not, this looks nice. Thanks for sharing!

I think they were confirmed to be sold separately. But, they're powered on the same circuit as the receivers, which means they can't be powered via classic 9V without some sort of "bridge" - in other words, don't bother if you're running 9V only. On the other hand, they function as indicators if power is left on, so it'll be easy to remember to switch it off. Nice to see they didn't make the remote dedicated for once. Especially so for builders who want the variable speed control in their technic and model team MOCs.

I've had LEGO for as long as I can remember, with one minor exception, but I think it started when I moved from Belfast to Norway with my mother, and got LEGO for presents there. Oldest sets I have where released in '85, which is a bit odd since I clearly remember having Duplo trains, and my step-father building an awesome layout that had some features that boggled my mind back then - that's black era duplo trains, for those not in the know.

Gotta love that "PETS"-sign - it looks great and is clearly the highlight of the buidling exterior. Nothing to remark about the facade, either. It blends in well with the other buildings, yet the way the right side sits further back makes it stand out. Love it!

You absolutely master the pen when it comes to drawing - and you're a good deal better than me, that's for sure! Thanks for sharing.

I agree with Buttons - few builders are as diverse as you, due to the sheer cost of having "something of everything". That is an excellent forklift, and like how you incorporated access to the linear actuator like it was an ordinary engine cover. Very clever! But last, but not least, packing in all that stuff into that compact package is an impressive feat in itself. Fantastic piece of work!

Czech factory leaking again? I'm a little dissapointed to see that the motor mounts are in the cabin, meaning the interior will have to be gutted to fit one. Ah well, at least it drives the correct wheels, and not just pushes it with the tender.

This is just as great as the last one DNL. But what I really like about this, is the concept itself. Having the castle evolve from a wooden structure to a..., well, I don't really know. A star shaped fortress, maybe? Fantastic, as always.

Well, old buildings usually have soft or "burnt" primary colors, and with such a dominating sign a contrasting color would suit it nicely, I think. On the top of my head I would suggest dark orange, while keeping the dark grey intact, but other darker would probably also work. Also, use two or three different color tones to break up the monotonity of the colors, if any. This can be achieved by either having one of the floors in one color with the others in another, or a simple decorative line streaking horizontally, but not disharmonously, across the facade. If still in doubt, study others' buildings and see how they have used colors to a great effect.

That is a very cool building. I'm impressed by the windows on it, but I honestly think that my favourite detail would be the handrails for the stairs up to the roof. The building needs more colour, however.

I agree with Asya and Bobby on this, it looks great now. Proportions are much closer to that of other train cars, and it no longer looks chubby. Sweet interior too!