BMW

Elroy - A big thanks for your help in driving Railbricks, and promoting the Brick Railroad hobby in general. Sounds like a good idea and it should be possible for such a magazine to succeed. My 2 cents are that key will be the right marketing focus. Kalmbach breaks the larger hobby into makers & operators (Model RR), collectors (Classic Toy Trains), and general enthusiasts (Trains). Figure out the right balance of these and it should be a snap :-) - BMW

Glad to see this. Are they providing tables?

This iconic time machine, known to Science Fiction Fans worldwide, is from the classic 1960 George Pal movie "The Time Machine" based on the H.G. Wells novel. The Time Sled is lit with LEDS and a 9v micro motor turns the disk. It was built for Brickworld 2015 where it was nominated for Best Vignette. https://flic.kr/p/vxPUxZ

Cale presented his thoughts as he takes over as editor for RB. He wants to increase the frequency of issues and really listened to what other attendees wanted to see. Ideas discussed included prototype articles, more building instructions, and theme issues. - BMW

Brickworld Chicago 2015 was an exceptional show for Lego Train enthusiasts. I'll defer to Ben's pics ( http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=556974 ) but there so many great trains its hard to highlight any one. the highlights below. Edward Chang's colorful pink train themed for Disney Princesses won Best Train. It may not prototype ... but is VERY create and wildly popular with the crowds. Michael Gale brought his excellent DCC British layout. Pennlug Roundhouse has amazing size, angles, and detail. Nate brought his remarkable Erie Triplex which features three sets of drivers and "Russian Iron" boiler sheet. Jim Pirzk brought his "City of New Orleans" with it's brown, yellow livery which just makes you start whistling the song. Tony Sava kindly donated one of his American 4-4-0 steamers for the charity auction. Kyle Petersen built a very artistic Jules Verne train for the "Around the World in 80 Days" collaborative. This same display had another rather well-done Back to the Future train by Matt (Harmon?). Ben Coifman brought a wonderful green passenger train too. These are just some of the highlights. There were many, many more well-done trains so sorry to those I've left off this list.

Follow Doc Brown to Brickworld Chicago 2015 and celebrate this year’s theme: “Brick to the Future” Time travel enthusiasts will just love this flying Delorean Time Machine as seen in the "Back to the Future" movies. This custom brick-built version of the iconic Time Machine features accurate proportions, colors, and a fully detailed underside. Only the fig and 2 tiles were taken from the Lego kit. This compact minifig-scale model crams in no fewer than 23 LEDs, two animation controllers, and 16 inches of “glow” wire too ! Special thanks to Brickstuff, Lifelites, and Brickarms for their support in making this MOC possible. Flying Delorean Time Machine from Back to the Future by Brian Williams, on Flickr

For those train fans attending Brickworld 2015, don't miss the special train-related activities this year. We also have a few excellent new operating layouts and equipment too. See you at Brickworld Chicago 2015 in 1.5 weeks ! Technique Presentation: Modeling with ME Models Track Led by Anthony Sava A presentation and demonstration on ballasting and installing the new third party ME Models train track in train displays. Come see for yourself how the ME Models track compares to official LEGO track, and hear accounts of real world experience with how they perform. A question and answer period will follow. Community Presentation: Railbricks Led by Cale Leiphart Railbricks (the online magazine for LEGO Train fans) will conduct a special presentation. Cale, a contributor to the magazine, will take you through Railbrick’s history and also tell you how you can contribute to the magazine. He will also tell you where Railbricks is and its future plans. Find out about this great magazine and how you can be part of it! Technique Presentation: Model Railroading with Bricks Led by Michael Gale and Cale Leiphart Can the brick serve as a viable medium for traditional scale and prototype model railroading? On the surface, it seems counter-intuitive given the relatively coarse geometry and limited palette of elements available. However; in practice, many builders are creating model trains and layouts with dazzling and sublime levels of scale prototype fidelity. In this session, we will review the current state-of-the-art in the model train theme. We will make the case for legitimizing brick built model trains among the traditional "scale" standards. In doing so, we will highlight the challenges we face in this hobby and then explore remedies and opportunities in the face of these challenges. We will conclude by looking to the future - we believe it is a hobby with great potential and unique advantages. Most importantly, it is great fun!

Looking good Tony. This truly is a great cause and I hope this beautiful locomotive finds a good home. - BMW

One of the most infamous conspiracy theories contends that the United States never actually landed men on the moon. That, in fact, the images from the moon were actually photographed in a soundstage or aircraft hangar. Conspiracy theorists point to odd shadows or reflections as supposed "proof” that the moon landings were faked. This urban legend has even been featured in several movies including James Bond's "Diamonds are Forever", and “Capricorn 1” staring O.J. Simpson. This box diorama has been a popular exhibit at NILTC shows, and was featured prominently in promotional advertising for the 2014 Brickworld shows. Full photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_williams/

Thanks. The figure actually stared with an EMT torso: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=973pb409 I rubbed off the logo and shirt. Then I cut black, white, and silver vinyl stickers to represent the bow tie, belts and right pocket. The hat is from the MF series cop but I cut off the shield and then painted the upper portion white. The shoes are just black stickers. I've done quite a few of these so its pretty straight forward now.

To honor the Brickworld 2014 theme: "Candy, Sweet Escapes" is this icon of 1950's American childhood: the Good Humor ice-creme truck and mannequin of the Good Humor man. This model is a minifig scale version of the prototype used in the Doomtown sequence of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Its presence in the film contrasted the horror atomic testing with the innocence of suburban life. The "Bomb Pop" is a Friends lipstick with two small stickers :-) https://www.flickr.c...in/photostream/ https://www.flickr.c...ms/14378043594/

Attention Lego Train Enthusiasts ! Just a reminder of the following “train” related activities going on at Brickworld Chicago in just a few weeks. All are welcome so bring a friend. If you are new to Brickworld then please find me (ask at the NILTC layout) and I’ll introduce you around. Looking forward to seeing everyone next month. - Brian Williams (BMW) Friday June 13th, 11 AM - 12:30 PM - Emerald Express Parts Draft - We are going to have a parts draft using the #31015 Emerald Express. (Note this is NOT the large Emerald Night engine). This is a small set with a low price and some great locomotive parts. If you don’t like the parts selection, feel free to bring one of the other $4.99 creator sets: #31013 Red Thunder or #31014 Power Digger. Everyone is welcome so be sure to bring a set (or several) along to draft. Friday June 13th, 1 PM - 2 PM - Train Round Table - This year’s agenda includes: - New 2014 Lego Train Sets - We will compare the new 60051 High Speed Passenger Train and 60052 City Cargo Train. The later has a North American Diesel and lime green wheelbarrow (ooooohhhh!). - 3rd Party Track Development - Latest information on new track products from ME Models, Big Ben, and AltBricks. - Power Truck Designs - New developments in Power Function power truck designs. Bring yours along to show. - Train Station Presentations - Cale (Pennlug) will present his new Red Lion station. Tony Sava will present his new Santa Fe station. - LTC Advocacy Group - Discussion about formation and support for a new ILTCO-like group to connect LTCs, facilitate group layouts, and advocate standards for L Gauge. Friday June 13th, 6 PM - 7 PM - Train Race (Jr Division Ages 5-12) - Once again Joe E. is kindly hosting the train races - this time with dueling figure-8 tracks. Bring your trains to race. Rules: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TETBvAfqb4669LK6FmjTvo4mz-heRGYiN0-D6MHl-yw/edit?pli=1 Saturday June 14th, 5 PM - 6 PM - Train Race (Sr Division Ages 13 and Up ) - Ditto. All Days - Switching Layout Game - Connor Olson is bringing a good old-fashioned switching layout! Your task, should you choose to accept it, will be to test your wits by shunting cars around the yard in the fewest possible steps.

IT - Overview by BMW_Indy, on Flickr "IT ... will change everything! We're going to have to redesign cities." Such was the hype surrounding the introduction of "IT", a futuristic vehicle featured in the hilarious 5th season South Park episode "The Entity." "IT" may have been inspired by singer Enrique Iglesias, but it was really lampooning the over hyped Segway scooter. Hence, I thought it would be appropriate for Mr Garrison and Mr Hat to introduce "IT" from a Segway. The government confiscated and destroyed all "IT"s except for this prototype which can be seen on display at the Area51 Cruise Night at Brickworld next month. Note the rear flexigrip has been replaced with the more familiar seat arrangement by popular customer request.

The Papal Express by BMW_Indy, on Flickr To commemorate the April 27, 2014 canonization of Pope Saint John Paul II... a Lego version of a most unusual train. For so beloved was Pope John Paul II in his native Poland, that after his death in 2005 Polish railway workers donated this special train to commemorate their favorite son's legacy. It regularly carried pilgrims from Krakow to the Pope's birthplace in Wadowice and also travelled to Czechoslovakia and Hungary for special exhibitions. The train was built by the Newag company, seats 181 passengers, has handicap facilities, and has video monitors throughout the train which play a biography of Pope John Paul II. In addition to being a special piece of railroading and Papal history, this train represents the strong faith and pride of the Polish people. "Totus Tuus" was Pope John Paul II's apostolic motto: a Latin phrase meaning "totally yours" which expressed his personal consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This lego version of the Papal Express is made possible by a unique windscreen element: <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=30649" rel="nofollow">www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=30649</a> which dictates the train be 6-wide. All proportions are scaled from there except the length which is shortened to permit navigation of tight Lego curves. The windscreen is covered with custom stickers to match Lego yellow, dark bley, and trans-black.

I voted for R88 in 9v. R88 because this is the largest radius which will permit a double track mainline in a 40" x 40" corner which clubs prefer. And 9v electric to allow the plastic tooling cost to be amortized across a larger market. It is hopefully possible to engineer a single plastic element which can be user-modified to 9v by attaching tinplate strips. - BMW

Indeed Lovely !

Attention all Brickworld train enthusiasts... We are pleased to have a Train Technology presentation at Brickworld Chicago on Friday, June 14. Name: "Building Techniques: Train Technology: Realistic Ballasting, Switching and Operation" Presenters: Steve Jackson, Cale Leiphart, Nate Brille Description: The PennLug team will present advanced techniques for Ballasting track, Remote Power Functions decoupling in a locomotive, NXT trolley control, and Prototypical Yard layout and operation. Samples of ballasted track and working locomotives will be available for viewing. Please join us in Chicago if you are coming !

Lego tends to stick with popular prototypes. I wouldn't be surprised if they reissued the SF F7 Warbonnet. - BMW

"God Speed John Glenn" ... These infamous words heard around the world, spoken by fellow Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter, accompanied John Glenn's historic launch from NASA's Launch Complex 14 on February 20, 1962. Glenn became an instant celebrity and source of great pride as the first American to orbit the earth proving that America had caught-up with the Russians in the space race. This MOC shows Glenn's Mercury Atlas rocket just leaving the launchpad and features: - Atlas Rocket built using chromed panels to capture the gleaming stainless steel appearance of the prototype. - Compact, detailed pad and Launch Umbilical Tower of Launch Complex 14 - Rocket blast backlit using high-power LED and 4 layers of transparent bricks. - Scrolling green LED message board on front announces "God Speed John Glenn - February 20, 1962" reminiscent of Times Square marquee. Full photo set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_williams/sets/72157633401528262/

Yes it is possible to power a locomotive using CV joints. I've had a PF steam locomotive running for over a year using this approach with the motor in the tender. However, the geometry needs to be just right meaning it works best when the joints are closest to the outermost flanged wheel on each car/lok. This means the cars (or tender and lok) will be close together. And yes the joints must be lubed. The other thing you need to be aware of is torque. One reason model railroad manufacturers abandon this approach is that the torque tends to want to rotate the locomotive which can potentially lower traction and/or electrical connectivity. It hasn't been an issue with my lok because I tend to operate at lower speeds and don't pull a lot of weight. I've got pictures of this lok coming soon. I'm just recently getting around to photographing a backlog of MOCs and should have this one in a few weeks. - BMW

Calling all Train Heads, The Brickworld Chicago 2013 space registration is now open. Remember this year space is no longer an issue since the convention has moved to a bigger location! From club layouts to individual railroad themed MOCs - come one and come all. The process this year requires all LTCs to register their own train layouts on the website: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFB6VURjTVNNcUpiVEdjanEwSlk2QkE6MA#gid=0 If you are bringing your own tables then specify that in the "additional information" about three pages in. I, however, am still tracking everyone and will do my best to advocate so please address any issues to me. Please email me directly if you should have any questions, alacart buildings, modules, or rolling stock coming that you would like to combine in a collaborative train layout. If we have enough this year then I'll arrange one. - Brian Williams

Beautiful rendition. You've really captured the essence of this classic.

Structural stickers span / cover gaps between bricks or are used to attach bricks to one another. There are examples of older Lego sets which use stickers to span multiple bricks.

Thank-you. Wheels - To improve the appearance of the drivers, the flanges are dyed black and chrome silver stickers wrapped around the tires. This is a static model so no wear problems are encountered. For operational loks I have successfully run for years with tires wrapped with vinyl tape. But dyed flanges will wear so better to use a black driver and sticker or paint the spokes instead. Headlamp - Read about the headlamp trick here: http://flic.kr/p/anEyob . Curtains - The curtains are custom stickers applied to the backside of the wall plates on the inside of the parlor car: http://flic.kr/p/anBMXK .

Thank-you. The boiler taper is made with a 4x4 cone. Take a look at the same technique used on my Inyo 4-4-0: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvZkYzK. The General adds a structural sticker wrapped around the top and sides to cover the gap: http://farm9.staticf..._6341107e71.jpg .