Matt Dawson

I've voted trains. Shame that trains are more MOC than Lego set these days...

I was thinking the same way but I was told it is not that right. Lots of trucks sets do not mean anything, actually. In my opinion, Public transportation Center would be way better. Tow truck is # 7638 ;) I don't think there would be a bed in. However, the truck is stunning, looking so much like American Volvo. Set 7998 had a sleeper cab, and it wasn't THAT big, tbh. and the 'bed' was nothing more than a large plate across the back of the cab and a red 2x2 smooth tile for a pillow.

3 small containers with Lego branding in red, yellow and green and a large container with cargo brading in red. there's seperate topics for these. Though as the Toy Story one is more 'kiddies', it isn't to a proper scale.

Regarding the coupling rods issue, I think it either hadn't been photographed properly or it wasn't properly assembled. Compared with a previous (confidential) image, here's a few differences: > All wheelsets are now black, not grey. Boxcar now has both wheelset covers in black. > Money sticker is new on the boxcar. > Steam loco redesigned, mainly along top of the boiler & read underframe. Wheels now in red, not black. > Coach windows in green, not white But as far a parts go, it's nice to see variations in colour to normal sets. Shame they changed the wheels. Blacks much more usable than red... Has anyone notice the RED tools? They're standard 'toolwheel' ones...but in RED!

To be honest, unless you intend to play with it (like City Corner etc.) there's really no point in doing much of an interior - the only thing most people will see from the outside is the curtains, or maybe the light. And you talking about 'I didn't have enough to finish the back' - if you can't see the back or sides, there's no point trying to waste bricks on it!

EDIT due to little response, plus the somewhat specialist parts needed to continue, I have decided to cancel my crane project.

I'm going to try to build a crane, mostly using a (shortened) armature from the 7429 "XXL crane" set (Image here.) Does anyone know of any links to an actual crane MOC that (sortof) functions? I'm putting pneumatics into the crane arm lift mechanism, and i'm retaining the sliding function of the arm. The main problem I'm having is the so-called 'match wagon' to support the crane arm - and counterbalancing the main crane. So far, the closest to the crane I'm building is this:

I wonder what the interiors like...

The coaches look slightly too small compared with the prototype photo (Railway/road modelling term - "prototype" means the real thing), but they look very good. They're certainly a change from the usual passenger coaches everbody MOCs!

Lady in red: "I see you've changed your shop name." Lady in grey: "Our painter got it wrong - that 'Caption Contest' should read 'Cookery Counter'. I think he's a bit deaf."

Photos updated with the newer revisions: > brake pipes on both ends > Lamp Iron on the 'van' (i.e. opposite verandah) end > Door modified to outside colouring. SNIPPED Well, not exactly a 'toad' - consider mine a toad imitation squashed onto a wagon underframe... Apart from wheels & buffer/couplings, there aren't any other special componants for most wagons.

I did construct a tank wagon...of sorts...but I wasn't happy (it looked to blocky and would require special facilities for loading/unloading). I then set out to build a brakevan, which in reality never really needed a reason not to be anywhere. The most obvious look-a-like would be the Great Western Railway's Toad type, which was used in Britian from the 20s to the 80s, the last 20 years in departmental/engineers use): Here's my version: An interior shot from the end, showing the brake wheel and the wall with 'imitation door' (i.e. 'window' to doorknob to give illusion of a door): Overhead shot of the interior, shoring the desk & chair, and repositioned door: A shot of the other end, showing the windows to allow light into the enclosed part of the brake van; also notice the lamp bracket over the left bufferbeam: Unlike some MOCs, I've built mine with a view to playability... The brick colour variance is partially intended to make the brake van look old. The underframe is two 2x6 black plates and a 2x8 black plate for the main 'rib' of the underframe (for wheels and buffers), with 1x8 plates 'hung' from the 'floor' with 2x1 bricks as the footbaord supports (the footboards are 1x12 black plates).

It's what happens when you let the apprentice start unloading...

The limo reminds me of the Top Gear challenge to build luxury limos - and Captain Slow's double-ended limo (which was two cars cut in half with the fronts welded together)

Firstly, the gauge of lego track is 5 studs. not 4 (though there are 4 studes inbetween the rails). 6 wide trains are the general width of the main loco/stock bodies (excluding external detail such as handrails). 7 wide are the intermediary between heavier but more size realistic 8 wide but the 'toy-like' 6 wide. 6 wide is the most easiest to work with due to standard lego train parts. What really needs to happen in Lego produce a second, wider radius. Even some kids can see the obvious flaw in the sharpness of standard lego track...

Yes, but you'd have to replace both the bogies and modify the underframe tanks - 12V wheels are smaller than the modern 9V/RC/PF wheels, so if you swapped the motorised bogie for a 12V version, your train would have a very good lean to it...it might look similar (but not as profund a lean) as the red loco on the left...

So far, the shops/TRU local to me have had or currently stock: > Small Car > Seaplane > Lighting Repair > Tank Truck > Fire Helicopter > Fire Boat > Fire Station > Fire Truck & Boat [rant mode on] What's a shame is that stores in Australia and the US have already released most of the spring/summer 2010 range when the UK hasn't had some of the more 'wanted ones', despite the fact that the UK is closer than either to Billund and lego brick production factories. [rant mode off] But at least the UK get exclusives (e.g. Daily Mirror promos)...

"A picture is worth a 1000 words"

Doesn't operate in quite the same way - you had to buy seperate electrical 'central third rail' pieces for the track. Besides which, that motor could be fitted with a central axle, allowing you to create a CO (or C) bogie or small 6 wheel shunter. Much better playability wise, not so good MOC wise. Besides which, 12V is more for collectors...

I'd like to see someone convert theres into white - most UK & european maintenance vans are white. The mods you've made 'lift' (parden the pun) the model to a much better detail level. The main areas you've left out are a support for the boom arm and controls in the bucket.

SNIPPED I believe everybody refers to the 8866 motor as a 'drop-in' replacement as it is the same size (i.e. you won't notice a real difference if you converted the Santa Fe, from 9V to PF, for example), not becuase it performs the same function in the same way. Matt

Perhaps we should remind ourselves of the old motorised version: Great for 9V fans - motor, track, wheels & buffers...

I did actually do a (similar but longer) yellow van a while back and was posted on this thread (you'll notice the drivers are the same... Done! I've also changed the windscreen for a clear version.

Lego has had a somewhat a fascination with Pizzarias. With the release (and purchase) or City Corner last year, and subsequent improvements (you'll see in later photos), I thought it worthwhile to add a van. Inspiration comes from the 'Pizza-to-go' set... Obviously, two main differences arise; lack of detail and it's somewhat odd shape. Here's my MOC (photos swapped): The rear doors (old windscreen): And lastly, it fits right into the city scene (old windscreen)! One problemo, though - the doors don't fit when a pizzas in. Good job I've only got two, then...

SNIPPED 'Similar' not 'same'. The windows, for example. But I'm nit-picking... I'd love to get my hands on a 9V motor & a box of straight track. I've got an MOC I'll be releasing for viewing online shortly, which when motorised will allow the train to bring in containers to the container depot as a shuttle operation. 9V was a fantastic system - swap a pretend motor bogie for a real motor bogie and it's motorised. Easy peasy - and it takes less than a minute. The PF battery box is just too big - it only fits in 6 wide bodied diesels (such as the Santa Fe) and large (normally tender) steam locos. Hardly very MOC friendly - and the motor has as much pull & will go as far "as an asthmatic ant with a load of heavy shopping".