Matt Dawson

If you're looking for train specific, I'd wholeheartedly recommend OKBrickWorks. They do the decals for BrickTrainDepot and Brick Model Railroader, and do a lot of custom work.

I'd personally hope they would opt for the BrickTracks approach of a reversible rotating switch mechanism that can be mounted either side of the turnout.

Unfortunately the Kickstarter failed (I think 80% funded but too many skeptics) so they released a limited run of hand assembled examples in a 3d printed shell. Unfortunately I doubt they'll do another run, but it'll be up to Keybrick to decide.

@Duq bear in mind we would've still had the Hidden Side train and the Hogwarts Express in 2019 (the Winter Village train would've ended it's cycle by then), which are still "trains" and ergo competition. Plus the "bonus" train the following year was often a LEGO or retailer exclusive and didn't sell that well as far as I can gather - certainly the loss of TRU would've soured LEGO's appetite to shelf warmers. @Vilhelm22 LEGO set number allocation is a bit ropey; 60199 just happens to be a gap, but conveniently next to the other trains.

I've got both R24 and R56 and aside from some effort involved in finishing it (I picked unfinished to save money when I ordered my first batch) it works very well. Won't work as a 'feed' track (unless you solder wires to the track) but it's well made and designed and works well.

It's a tough one. I'd prefer a metal axle (as per the standard train wheel) or an X axle hole (powered, jackshaft locos here we come!). Using the road style connection point causes a lot of friction, and over time wear.

Doubtful. The main reasons for getting rid of the metal axles were two-fold: 1. No more buying in of metal axles from a supplier, meaning everything can be done in-house, meaning it's cheaper to produce. I think the wheelset axles were the last 'standalone' piece of metal LEGO were using, outside of any for weight bricks... 2. No sharp metal rod = ones less thing to have to worry about with regards to toy safety standards. Unless we get another Creator Expert or 18+ range train, or something like the Hogwarts Express, the next train will be the City ones in 2022.

I think he's mentioned in the past he doesn't see the business case for 9V unless the power pick-up issue is resolved. TBH I'd sooner have different manufacturers to different markets, it makes it easier to distinguish. OKBrickWorks currently do 3d printed wide radius 9V track for those who can't wait...and having purchased some R56 they work great.

Looking good!

LEGO will not make any smaller buffers or magnetic couplers owing to toy safety rules. It's also more moulding time and costs for extra moulds for one line. I'd sooner see them use that time and money for a copy of Trained Bricks rods, or other value-enhancing parts. The general schema for LEGO train release has always been a 4 year cycle (2 train sets + accessories, normally track packs) plus a LEGO exclusive train set and/or an accessory set the following year (train station or level crossing). With the last release in 2018, we should've had a level crossing or train station in 2019, however the other trains on offer (e.g. Harry Potter) possibly put them off releasing a generic set. Since we had the croc last year, I would say another loco is unlikely. I would think we'd either get form of rolling stock for the crocodile, or possibly a station (maybe a thin 'backscene' style one for a bookshelf so the croc can fit in front of it?)

I've actually had a chat as I ordered some back at the start of September and there's a delay of a up-to couple of months owing to supplier issues for the filament. (must be all these hobbyists with nothing better to do than 3Dprint DBG LEGO pieces... :P )

OKBrickWorks (via ebay or Brick Train Depot) do pretty much all radii. No turnouts are currently available. I bought a 1/4 circle of R56 track and it performed flawlessly at Thirsk Brick Show in February without issue; another full circle has been bought to complete the circle (and allow me to have 1/4 circle for my trolley line)...

Hi All I vaguely remember a post/topic (along with at least one diagram) posted this year about an "intermediate" radius of turnouts that would be good for a yard ladder, something larger than the LEGO R40 "standard" but less than the "wide" (almost) R104 turnouts, somewhere in the R60 or R70 range. However, despite fervent digging and a few searches I have yet to find it. Any suggestions/clues?

Can't wait.

I think the closest colour match would probably be sand green, but I would say you'll likely have difficulty getting all the parts the loco needs.

WOW! That's some detail.

Brick Model Railroader (BMR for short) have announced they are going to produce Kadee couplers for LEGO trains. Whilst Bricktracks had been working on a coupler prototype that used a technic peg mounting (making it suitable for both the technic plate and 9V era buffer beam mounting) this has since been abandoned owing to some technical hitches (this does get mentioned in the video). The couplers will be coming pre-assembled in twin packs (i.e. enough for one loco/wagon/car/coach or 2 adapter vehicles) and are available in 2 different types with 2 coupler mounting types, allowing both bogie mounted (with the tiled versions) and body mounted (with the 'studded' versions). BMR has stated they will offer conversion instructions for their releases and although no prices are mentioned, the release date sounds to be around October this year Someone has previously used Kadee kits with LEGO trains but this can be fiddly to get the knuckles aligned across all rolling stock; this is an "off the shelf" solution, where the trip pin reaches one plate/tile above the rail height and will possibly allow remote uncoupling! Personally I can't wait for their release (I dread to think of the cost of even partially converting my fleet!), and within my train LUG (LNUR) there has been suggestions of moving some of our coaching stock to these couplers for exhibition running, as it will save using the neodynium magnets. For those not wishing to convert, others doing so may mean the old 9V style magnets become easier to obtain.

Just bear in mind, despite all these promises of pick-ups and alternate motorisation, nothing as yet has been made available. 9V motors are VERY expensive IMHO and unless there's a specific reason for doing so, PF and PUp are much more common, don't require a wall outlet and are more customisable. That said, if you already have 9V there's no reason to not continue using it, or to use 9V track but PF/PUp powered trains.

If you were going to do something eye-catching as a US loco, you'd go for an early 4-4-0 or 4-6-0, for many reasons: VERY common in films (e.g. Lone Ranger, BTTF, The General) and video games (e.g. Red Dead Redemption) - so well known and relatable. you could produce one set with alternate funnel, dome etc. assemblies for "hot swapping" without too much issue. You could also do different road names/numbers. Not as large as other locos (3/4 of Crocodile length inc tender) - so smaller set, smaller physical footprint...smaller price? Could offer up additional item(s) (e.g. a boxcar) for motorisation, should LEGO wish to do down that route. Or maybe go down the "motor in the firebox/cab, battery box in the tender" route, although that's a VERY large battery box to hide... Can model good outside cylinders without too much issue, including correct running gear. I doubt we'll see anything like an Emerald Night again soon due to the compromises they made; admittedly, there's nothing saying they'd get an experienced steam builder in (e.g. Brick Model Railroader) in to do the mechanicals & running gear.

I'd like to see a similar thing to "50 years on track" but about famous locomotives - maybe Coalbrookdale/Pen-y-Darren (first steam loco), Mallard (fastest steam loco), AGEIR boxcab (first mass-produced diesel-electric loco), TGV (fastest electric locomotive) and a Maglev (fastest rail vehicle). Educational, eye-catching and depending on scale/scope could be a reasonable price.

The train floats as the central section is on 1x4 bricks, which elevates it slightly.

Bear in mind the US price doesn't include sales tax/VAT as this varies state-to-state. The UK/EU prices will include VAT (20% in UK, for example).

Crocodile set now listed on UK S@H, for £89.99! Not available to pre-order.

@Coal Fired Bricks I like the coupler idea, but 3D printing will yield quite a lot of breakages for the spring parts. I would suggest - if you're considering doing a knuckle - to use injection moulding and to speak to @coaster who was also going through the motions of a coupler before dropping it. I'd prefer a 3d printed coupler box w/ stud connections for fitting a Kadee coupler in that could be anchored into existing builds.

I for one am sad 4DBrix have thrown in the towel. I've purchased/backed 4DBrix monorail and turnouts (including their Kickstarter), OKBrickworks/BrickTrainDepot R56 & R24 9V track, and TrixBrix R104 turnouts and some half and quarter length straights. 4DBrix (aside from a loose section on one of their modular switches which was easily fixed) had great clutch power, looked good and performed well. Sadly I cannot say the same for the TrixBrix stuff; OKBW/BTD track is somewhere inbetween (although leaning towards 4DBrix) and there's some slight variance between track pieces which normally isn't too much of an issue. My LUG members (and the person who bought all my monorail stuff when I sold it) were pleased with the 4DBrix quality, and for the turnouts commented that they felt better quality than TrixBrix. The only reason I bought TrixBrix track is economy & timeframe. I can buy it from a UK distributor (TechBrick, who also sell SBricks) for a good price and it's got a quick turnaround time. I also don't don't have to consider shipping and import duties in addition to the price, which can be quite an impact. If I had the opportunity I would've loved some of their "Prototypical" R148 turnouts. Hopefully someone UK/EU based can pick up the range.