roamingstop

The UM232R is a dual in line package with most pins brought out and auto-voltage sensing... and still small. But agreed most of their SMD parts are too small for the average user. I used the DILP in some small PCB projects with circuit board piggy backing off the connecting board...

FTDI Chip make a nifty 5V or 3v3 USB Serial converter cable / module - which provides a virtual com port in windows (or Linux or Mac). This can then drives the RX / TX lines without the need for the Max 232R to do level shifting. The other advantage is that the FTDI drivers also have 4 DIO lines which could be programmed to improve PIC / system control.

1. No 2. I Buy because of individual appeal; quality of design and final asthetics. 2B Architecture series is excellant but too over priced and too small scale. 3. Some form of Romanesque / Egyption type temple... possibly with an alternate model to make a 'ruined' / 'original' version. 3B. Golden Gate Bridge... unless that is October suprise. 3C Hear Hear for Syndey Opera House... although it would be a complicated curved build. 4. Expansion of the Medieval Market Village theme... there are many great medieval cities and backstreets in Europe for inspiration. 4B. Engineering works (could be for trains / buses etc). Somehow cross between 10127 (old Engine Shed) and Fire Brigade Modular build. 4C. Introduction of 'Roman' theme. (some great architecture and models possible). 5. Extra straight track & points for Indiana Jones; improved crossing for normal RC trains (diamond crossing etc). 5B. Scaled furnicular based upon Indiana Jones track. Could then be used to go up local mountains... 5C. Working Cable Car (floor --> chair --> table top).

It recently dropped off USA S@H as well... and does not seem to be selling strongly in Switzerland (overpriced). Unless you are really in need of the original box; it is probably worth searching through ebay / bricklink or asking someone in Europe to help... at 160 Euro... probably the cheapest (unless you find Amazon somewhere). However postage weight over the pond is likely to be around $50.

Wow. Wow. Erm. Wow. Great idea.... for the doors especially.

Yep... and not a discount... :(

I did not see a link for Swiss stores which have sale prices of Lego... or where to find cheaper prices. So I decided to start one based upon my shopping experiences so far. Typically Migros and Coop tend to have models between 3-10 CHF less that S@H. Manor and Franz Carl Weber are generally priced identical to S@H. Globus has been known to stock old discontinued items. Online shops like Weitbeild, Electrozone and Gamesworld all have good prices for various Lego Items (non Exclusives); often only available from a direct link from places like www.toppreise.ch. I have successfully ordered from the three sites without problems. RS

Perhaps it is a language thing... the German speaking ones are generally not available... (POP took an extra month to appear in Switzerland). Or perhaps it is just related to phased stocks; sufficient stocks arrived for some smaller countries; but the big orders expected in Europe and USA (where Lego trains are more popular) are waiting for the next batch? I'll keep watching over the next few days. Im not confident that the CH official price will be good... but it should be possible to find online retailers with good discounts (Crane Truck can be found at 30% off if you look around). Oh and CH fans should note that Toy Story 3 stuff is likely to appear in the next week; the place holder on Lego site is now listed but no items yet.

Perhaps I missed it earlier - the new trains are on the UK. Hungary, France, Ireland, Australia, Belgium website. http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Leaf.aspx?cn=419&d=328 (plus others) But not yet Austrial, Germany, Switzerland, USA...

It would be interesting to see what chip is inside the brick... it would be great if it is something simple... if it is a Pic ... :(

I have made some further improvements to the stability of the connections to the track; but no photos yet as I was at a Company Event this evening. It seems sleepers will need to be 7 wide to accommodate the necessary plate spacing... 6 wide without the double plate onto the tile is too narrow... Still working on a more low profile design. Making working points is not easy. The 1x1x10 curved slope elements (recently found in the sea plane and Atlantis shark) have (almost) the same curvature as the inside rail of the Indiana track... as do the 1x1x4 curved slopes. However finding something for the outer curvature is not easy; and probably needs a series of 1x1x2 flat tiles mounted onto 1x1x2 plate modified with fingers. Similarly making right or left point set requires a 45 degree radius to allow easy matching to the curved indiana track. If using outer framed engines (Scruffulous) then it might be possible to mount two sets of flanged wheels back to back... and then provide a second inner track for the curved elements (similar to cable funiculars in Switzerland). But this really limits the space. Some more ideas to come out at the weekend...

Matlab RWTH Toolkit; C/C++; Labview... whatever comes to hand and serves to get quickest results really... RobotC also looks fine... just not used it yet.

There is a way to make straight Indiana track using a technique similar to BS Yoto. I have a prototype )sorry for bad colours; I only had a oil tanker to hand)... better colours and parts will come from some new BL orders... There is a small vertical gap between the normal Indiana track and the perpendicular tiles... (less than 1mm) and to be honest a minor modification (cutting) would probably make the joints much easier. The test trucks run over this without a derailing problem. However there is a slightly illegal build and specifically tension at the top join to the indy track... I'm slowly figuring out a solution but have full time day job... Im also trying to resolve a set of switches (points). Some more pieces to try in the coming weeks. Question 1: What sized wheels do people use for most MOC's? I have been testing with Big Bens Medium and Lego small wheels with axle holes which seems to work ok. Question 2: How common were outer frame Narrow Gauge trains? (Overrunners). There are some good MOC's out there which could look good on the Indiana track...

Exactly... but needs another window in the middle of each carriage to get the proportions right... or leave as is to be in Lego Scale...? And the trailing engine needs to also be lifted slightly to get the same height level... possibly with the angle pieces.

<Edit based on rereading the post> Adding PF to the old cargo trains is somewhat more complicated... but looks good. For the RE415 - definitely the first carriage looks more appropriate. Or if you want to hit Bricklink... there are some other glass panels which could work...

Actually I'll have you know I've been 7 five times now.

Thanks guys... solves one little mystery!

Quick Question. I recently got a job lot of Technic pieces; and it included this (photo). It is labeled Lego 1-01... but I cannot identify it on Peeron or Bricklink (probably the wrong keyword). Does anyone know where it comes from, and what pieces mate with it? I thought perhaps it was an engine cylinder (does not fit) or something from a suspension unit (no relevant photos). Thanks, RS

Perhaps old news.. looking through the Lego Toys R Us (UK) I noticed some Duplo Lego Cars Sets - Including 5814 Maters Yard 5815 Flo's Cafe. 5816 Macks Road Trip I had heard of a new Car's film in production... and I wondered whether there is to be a new licensed tie-in? Or is this old news and ive missed it? Certainly S@H does not have any links... Seems Ive missed it when traveling - a few news groups have shown them being listed since May 12th. My error.

Put simply. Does anyone (especially Ambassadors) know what are the minimum requirements to becomes a Lego Wholeseller? Is there a link somewhere for information for Europeans? I'm guessing there is probably something like a minimum order quantity each month (e.g. 5,000 USD?), spaced over a minimum of 1-2 years. However how this works for different European groups would be interesting. I know I should have asked this question when I happened to be in Bad Aibling (Germany) in September last year... when staying in the same hotel St George as the TLG Germany / Austria / Switzerland and their conference. But at the time I never thought of it. (I wonder what was behind those locked room doors). Thanks RS

#Set Irony=High Way to go UK. Reminds me of why I left for Switzerland. Oh wait... Switzerland did not even qualify. Exactly why I like Switzerland... #Set Irony = normal Splitting the UK into the four nations? Whatever next? Capercaillie / Runrig or similar could win for Scotland no problem, especially since their fan base is so massive in Europe. Wales and Cornwall could submit some great choirs...

I'd better add myself as well... although I'm still more in the fan of rather than building of.. at the moment. Two large MOC's in progress (well starting) which I hope to finish over the summer... Being Swiss based we get to see many fun gauges and trains... and European models as well. It also means things are darned expensive to buy because of the monopoly on imports... *roll eyes*. I will probably do a better introduction when the MOC's are finished...

In January I was told (by a nice lady on S@H) that the Fire Brigade is listed on their systems with availability until at least 2011. However if there has been high turnover it might run out sooner. GE has a 2 year life... GG is likely to disappear before FB. But who knows... market economics are strange things and sometimes reproducing a batch is not economical. When you get to 14k then you know the addiction is strong.

I know you want to stick with PAB... but the Orange Portholes you need are (currently) cheaply found on Bricklink... http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID...&colorID=12 Nice colour scheme - something else to aspire to now...

Yeah... Manor... our friendly store also exclusively stocking Prince of Persia - at huge over the top rates. I also cannot understand why Amazon.fr wont ship here.. but never mind. I will wait until general availability and then use toppreise.ch. Its worth it!