Freddie

"Below average" Because, IMO, the squad car just looks like a random pile of parts, put together to make a car. And looking at the back of the box, that alternative racecar actually looks nicer. No, this set certainly does not deserve better. Sweet minifig, though.

Excellent review. I bought this set in '06, I think, and haven't regretted it. I personally think it's one of the better sets, when I factor in play, design, combinations (with other themes) etc. The two crooks in this set are also unique to this set as well, breaking up the fairly common gold-toothed prison-garb figure. I'm also crossing my fingers that we'll see something similarily themed for '10 - I suggested sets of this type when the City-team asked for suggestions.

I agree with spade450, modification is an understatement. I'd call this a MOC. It's very, very cool, though. But, I can't help but think that it looks more gothic with art-deco inspiration that art-deco. I thought art-deco was more simplistic?

Digital aside, these are nice. I like the hoods on the trucks, the three-wide constructions gives a nice shape. If you haven't used any unavailble pieces, you could give us the direct links for these at S@H, or at least the links towards the models themselves.

Again, these buildings are fantastic. It's that simple. The brown building, Amsterdam Eyecandy Shop, is my favourite of these two, mostly because of the innovative walkway, but also because it's an innovative solution to corner buildings. There's plenty of corner buildings out there using the diagonal wall technique, so much that it's starting to get a bore. So this is a refreshing change.

I'll echo what others have said. I think it looks great, while avoiding the boring, repeating look that many seem to do. Excellent mod, my friend.

I bought my first car today! A 1996 Mazda 626, which set me back 23'000 NOK, but I reckon it was a bargain, because the seller told me had gotten a lot of phone calls for it. :D Has a few nicks and scratches, and a few problems that need correcting (none of which are horribly expensive), but otherwise in excellent condition! (And no, it's not my first car, but it's kinda different when you buy it versus inheriting one as a present)

I think so, if you exclude the city minifigs. And while we're on the subject - is that knight neutral (not belonging to a faction)? I also noticed a while ago with the pirate set that the head included is unique to it (standard head with eyepatch), so there's a possibility we might get unique figs through these sets. Anyone agree with me here?

I'm guessing these are the finalised designs, since we now have the box-designs. It's looking like 2009 will be an excellent year, selection-wise. So far the sets are looking excellent, and I will probably get most of them, altough I think I will show restraint in anticipation of the new trains and Jamie's newest modular building.

It's one of the new doors, that are included in this year's "doors and windows" parts-package. You can find it there.

That does actually look way better! It's still larger than the surrounding buildings, but now it doesn't stand out infavourably. Keep it like that!

That is a sweet ship! As a fan and a player of Homeworld, I instantly recognised as a ship from that universe. Like I just said, I think you've captured the very essence of what a HW-vessel looks like, and judging by thruster design and general geometry I'm thinking Hiigaran, right? Sweet technique you've used to shape the hull, to get that rounded of look, especially so since it's hardly noticable, yet very effective and present. The way you created the lettering is also pretty sweet!

I agree with what's said above, I think it's an excellent building. I can agree with you that it appears way to big, but I would solve that problem by simply moving the building next to another building of similar size, or build something similar-sized next to it, instead of tearing it down. Yeah, keep it as it is, and build something of similar size next to it. That should do it.

Interesting thread title, it's what got me here in the first place. I was not expecting a layout of such a high quality. That was just fantastic, and a solidly put together layout in terms of theme, scenery and, what I think should be seen more often in layout of any type, animations. There's actually things happening here, rather than just being frozen in time. Interesting that driving car. I'm wondering if such a system can work with heavier vehicles and stronger magnets?

The two-wheel sets, of which you need three, are called bogies. All long train cars use them to ease cornering, reduce friction and improve handling. When building them, don't forget to use a 2 x 6 plate to mount the buffers on! That'll keep them at the standard height, and make the bogies much more solid. The earliest 9V-trains also had a single 1 x 2 plate on top of the 2 x 6, opposite of the buffer, just for good measure. The single one large bogie you see, is the motor itself, here fitted with decoratives and a buffer with coupler. That's what they look like before mounting them onto the train. You've probably also noticed that some trains have two of these motors, while in fact the second one is a "dummy", which is just a bogie built in such a way it replicates the motors' looks. We train hobbyists also usually place the motor as far front of the train as possible, to further improve handling in corners (pushing vs. pulling) because then there won't be any wheels in front of the motor "hunting" for the rails. You probably won't notice it, though.

Ah. My mistake then. I'm hoping I'll get a good look at those cars at next meeting (or event), I'm curious at how they handle sharp corners, and if they'll decouple or not. Nonetheless, they look sweet.

It's funny. Not anywhere in his post did I find any hint of speculation about the return of 9V. With today's steel and oil prices, the chance that an affordable rail-power system will make a comeback, is nought. You'll just have to maintain your motors properly and collect 9V-rails (or use alternatives). The Lithium-Polymer battery was confirmed long ago, and size has been locked to 4 x 8 x 4. That means is shorter, but taller, compared to the 'box on the RC-base. It will be recharged by the same transformer used for the 9V-speed regulator. And it doesn't have to be in the engine, it can trail behind in a tender, it's short enough to sit between two bogies, etc. I'm thinking it's a good idea to link to the three announcements we've been given; beginning with the first one, continuing with the second post and finishing last one. All known information about the near-future trains are in those three links.

Well, there isn't any new info. You'll just have to be patient and wait 'til summer '09, or like the rest of us, wait for the leaks. Unless it's the buffers you're curious about, then you can read them in Railbricks 4. And SavaTheAggie created a frankenstein of a locomotive, using the PF-expansion set, just to see how it would perform. First impressions are looking good, even though it's using the old battery-box and PF-M, instead of the Li-Poly rechargable and train motor. It's nice to see there are viable alternatives and solutions to propulsion should the train motor prove too weak.

Despite the heavy makeover and plastic surgery, Ricky discovered that she was still flat-chested.

I'm guessing that the tenth entry won. Just look at it! It's awesome! Thanks for sharing these, Benny. It's always nice to see other talented builders work, and especially so when it's from a region we don't often hear from. I hope you tell your fellow builders that their work is appreciated here as well.

Wow. Looks like I'm not the only one here who thought that. What surprises me more is that, I think, two of those torsos were used for the passengers in the 4558 Euro Express/Metroliner; more specifically the first and fourth one. The second to last torso was probably used into the 90's as well. Actually, I think all of them, with the exception of the fifth and sixth, were used into the 90's.

Very stylish! I really like the building that you based of a real one, which has very few right angles. It's not often one sees MOCs like that. Oh, and then there's those two modular buildings which you localized the design on - I mean, they're barely recognisable. The cars are also cool, if maybe a little bit on the simple and traditional side. Excellent MOCs!

Those are some cool MOCs! I like the larger, electric, locomotive, which I suspect is the EH-100, right? It's not often we see japanese locomotives or rolling stock, or someone from that part of the world posting here, no less! So it's refreshing to see how it's done in other parts of the world.

I'll sign in as well. Some of the urge of getting it dabbed a bit off after seeing three of them in live at Skærbæk, but at the same time spurred inspiration for a few MOCs on the motorway back home. after seeing trucks transporting bits of windmill down the road. Conclusion: I want one. Or something very similar, at least.

Oh, but they are.