Freddie

The big stamp smashed across the images, saying "CONFIDENTIAL: PRELIMINARY IMAGE" does hint at it, yes. So far Space Police is gearing towards becoming a great new theme. I'll be picking up those two impulses for sure, just to get some variety with in my minifig collection.

Happy birthday, Hobbes!

I posted some prototype trains a few pages back, but that's a while ago (and I've since cleared my attached files) so I'll re-post them. These are from the 80s, with a pair of prototype 9V trains, as well of two prototype 12V trains. Notice the use of parts that were never released, such as the nosepiece on the red loco, the 34 studs long baseplate for the car it's pulling, and the 1x3x5 doors on the brown crocodile locomotive. <- This eventually became the legendary 4558 Euro Express aka. Metroliner. These pictures were actually released on to LEGO's train site, as part of a interview with a train designer, and as such were available to the public!

I'm sorry to see that LEGO didn't do more out of the hinge and removability of the cutters. In real life the cutters have wheels and a hinge. When the machine needs to be transported to another field, they usually just drive it there with the cutters latched on behind as a trailer. It's also a pity they didn't put in some mechanism to drive the cutters as you drive the harvester along, could easily have been accomplished with a pair of small wheels and a pair of rubber bands. It's nice to see that they didn't hold back on size however. They're far bigger than most large trucks, and usually too wide for the few roads where you might see one travelling (they're still road-legal, though!). So seing on "to scale" is refreshing.

My love of these buildings is based on the techniques used in them, and the highly creative use of pieces. They're not just a model, they're inspirational and beautiful, and to some extent, also historical - it was afterall an AFOL (after getting hired); Jamie Berard - who pitched his idea to LEGO, with the Café Corner acting as a trial-model to check interest, with the major sales point being rare pieces and colors and outstanding design, that no parents can just point at and call "a child's toy-set". And with that said, I'm expecting this year's modular building to feature more of the same. And after somehow ending up with two CCs and GGs, I'll prolly get two of this year's as well. BTW; I don't really consider Market Street as a part of the series, as it was designed with a different philosophy behind it: its modularity and interchangability; the way how the two buildings can be restacked to give a pair of new buildings. Its still a noble design aspect, but it makes it stand out from the other two (three!).

Happy Birthday, guys!

That was a fantastic and hilarious story! Very entertaining to read. Thanks!

Have been looking for inspiration in Jake McKee's book, have we? Silliness aside, this is a fantastic looking wagon with some nice solutions to hinges and opening doors and hatches. Brilliant!

I haven't had this experience with S@H, as little as I use it. I have however experienced similar with other net-based stores. My advice is that you keep an eye on what happens on your account - not for any suspicious activity - but to make certain you don't overcharge it. In other words, set aside the money you've "spent", because sooner or later (my experience; two months later!) that money will leave your account. That way you'll avoid any unexpected economic trouble.

My main argument for buying or not, is "Will I regret it?". At that point I'm doing rough calculations in my head of the economic consequences, if I have the space for it, if I really want it, what possibilites it presents etc. Altough, if I can't afford buying LEGO, I have a very simple solution for it: Don't go to the toy store!

Mmm. Very nice indeed. Especially the interior, when very few are actually going to see it without studying it first. But by all means, that's an outstanding exterior you've built as well. I'm wondering, are you using the old harbourblocks as roadplates for these structures, seeing how they are raised well above the baseplate. The sidewalk hints at it, but only an answer will stop that nagging feeling of not understanding another's logic.

Nope. That's a completely different set, and was listed as such a very long time ago as well.

Ditto. It's one of very few sets I buy in multiples. That alone says something. As for worst sets, I consider 5613 Firefighter as the worst of '08, as I cannot find anything in this set that has value either as a stand-alone or collectivelly together with the other sets in the theme. There's nothing special about it. And as such, everytime I saw it on the shelves, I thought; "Meh. Why bother?".

While I personally didn't experience a similar situation, I do know of a few who experienced at least something similar. I will leave them to tell their own stories, if they wish, as it wouldn't be fitting for myself to retell them. However, I remember there was a lot of clutter regarding e-mails. Several of my LUG are regulars on our IRC-channel, and as such we can exchange information very rapidly. I was one of the first to receive the e-mail regarding the sets, a long with some people who shouldn't. And a few who should, didn't. Thanks to IRC, I could forward the e-mail to its rightful receipents, and the mess cleared up very quickly (or, at least, my impression of it). But this is thanks to the communication that some of us Brikkelauget-members use. As for asking questions, I was stunned when I got answers within five minutes of sending them. And that was from an international represantative! I was expecting a day at the very best. I have to say that the museum at which I was voulenteering was far beyond expectations. We were treated, if not as employees, with a great deal of respect, and got free food and drink to boot! I have nothing bad to say about the museum, and the sheer workload aside, wouldn't mind participating again.

Edge of Faith by NemesisTheory - Can, will and have listened to this music for hours. Proof that good music doesn't need to cost money, as the author has uploaded it for free downloading at the Newgrounds Audio Portal.

Exactly! But my thought of reason was that most people simply wouldn't notice the difference. I honestly have no idea what the firing order are on these engines, but what little I know of these (as they are/were used in the NOHAB MX/MY and MZ locomotives plus the single G12 that runs up here in the north) getting a correct "firing order" is impossible within the constraints of the current selection of LEGO parts. Nevertheless, good luck with your project!

I think it looks kinda cool. The space police ship looks just like what it's trying to be, and the hot rod looks cool. The alien minifig however, is downright awesome. To be fair, I was expecting something far worse than this. I'm glad it isn't.

Have you tried using a pair of these: Technic Engine Block 1 x 5 x 3 That'll give the engine block a sturdy frame to rest on. It doesn't need to sit right up next to the cylinder banks either, so a set of axles can be used to suspend the block, allowing you to keep the crankshaft at its current length. If you use LEGO's standard approach to crankshafts, and not the more realistic and complex you've used here, it'll also shorten it with three studs. It will also make it possible to mount the block directly to the frame.

I've always felt that the linear actuators could have been used for steering in a set like this or a front-wheel loader, as these are vehicles that commonly use linear actuators for steering, if not mechanically. Not seeing one is a dissapointment, but I haven't given up yet. As for this set, I can't help but think that the alternate model looks, and probably functions, way better than the main. Is there a chance we might see a review of the alternate model, Blakbird?

Welcome to Eurobricks, Agersborg! Northern Norway, eh? That's a bit far from where I live. I myself live in Østfold, close to the swedish border, so for me S@H includes a quick trip to the post office in Strömstad. The problem with space is something we all have and at the very least can relate to. Judging by your description, I'm guessing you're not into trains, which, believe me, hogs space like no other theme. Which remind me, which are your favourite themes?

A jester smiley, with the same smile as the figure, would be great.

The logic here that most people miss, is that the aircraft's means of propulsion are independent of the ground, unless you count hills for quick acceleration/decelleration. Unlike cars, which move by applying rotating force to the wheels, and thus making the car move, aircraft propel themselves by forcing air to move backwards relative to the aircraft itself. Aircraft with some sort of jet system will also use the expanding forces of the expelled warm air to further gain more forward thrust, but that's beside the point here. When the means of propulsion are independent of the force attempting to hinder propulsion, the obstacle remains a moot point, and won't factor in at all. So, the plane would take off regardless if the conveyor attempted to hinder take-off or not. If it was a wind-turbine however, you'd end up with a plane that would fly at 0 kmh. I wouldn't go anywhere, but it'd still fly.

Thanks guys! And happy birthday to you too, Aredhel! Mmm, will be having cream-gratinated potatoes with roast beef for dinner, tonight. My absolute favourite food, by a large margin.

Well, I have a little advice regarding that bridge, based on what I experienced today as I built a small-ish layout, that has a two small inclines that raise the track from zero to two bricks height, with an incline of one plate pr. 16 studs. It's not much of an incline, and doesn't affect the trains noteworthy, apart from one thing I discovered that can derail the train at the top - not so serious for me, but you'd be interrested. Make sure of that when the incline levels out at the top of the bridge, make sure that this track is straight. Locomotives, or even train cars if they're pushed, can experience a "lift-off" effect when the track starts to level out. The lift-off effect is caused by the locomotive (or train car, whatever fits) pushing down the bogie/motor, keeping the wheels level with the locomotive. When the track levels out, the locomotive will still be facing upwards, and so will the wheels, with the front axles leaving the track. In a corner this will result in the bogie being pushed off-angle, resulting in a derailment. Keep in mind I experienced this with a 1 plate pr 16 studs incline. I'm guessing you're using a thrice as steep incline, as it's 12V, so you'll want at least one straight track before those elevated curves, probably two!

I'm not seeing any mention of the new NXT anywhere, despite having kept a close eye on this topic. I think I'll sneak in the latest leak while it's still around. NXT 2.0 Central Computer Module. Edit: Apparently not the new NXT 2. My mistake!