roamingstop

I would also be a vesta's buyer - but ebay prices tend to be a bit high... the chinese imports are a bit difficult to believe...

Ask him if he would be willing to use a service such as lulu.com - it allows PDF's to be uploaded (by the author) and people can then purchase copies from the store... the author receives a commission (he can specify the ammount) and the items are printed local to the purchaser (e.g. USA or Europe). I used it for my PhD thesis - 200 colour pages with ISBN number... and been very impressed with the end result.

Was that before or after the sea mists rolled in? Found nothing in KIrkwall or Stromness; and the Tesco Wick had normal prices less 0.03 (3p)... Will look again in Edinburgh now my flights have been rearranged due to strikes.

I recently watched a DVD on Garden Railways by Mark Found... the presentation style is a mix between child enthusiasm, annoying and strong AFOGR (AFO Garden Railway). However it did address many interesting issues and is probably worth looking out for. http://ovalfilms.com/acatalog/The_Garden_Railway.html

Dear CopMike and Steve Thanks for answering this question. It was not intended to be specific for a train (I would have expected this answer anyway) but expand out to other sets in general. However it is useful to better understand decisions and ideas from TLG... and it seems that purchasing the full set is preferred solution... Kind regards RS in UK waiting BA strikes and Ash Clouds...

In the next week I hope (ash cloud and BA considered) to be in Edinburgh (weekend), Aberdeen (early next week) and Thurso (end of next week). Are there any special deals to look out for in Tesco / Asda etc? Thanks,

I did not see where it was described that there were no tracks... but it is calling out for it... although the illustration (top right) does show two interesting lines running to the tram... Guess it needs a couple of models and a mod...

Actually that is the only way to make it worthwhile - as the economics of running products is to sell on volume as much as possible. As an example, Lego would rather sell you 2x model at $50 than 1x $50 and 1x$25 (for a bag). However if the bags (or similarly pre-grouped items) is added via Pick a Brick - and you pay a premium (e.g. 10$ sourcing fund) then for those who want a certain set of minifigs / elements will probably find purchasing and selling elements from the whole sets more economical - which is what TLG would want. For the small families (and not AFOL's) it may be that parents can afford to buy child_A an extra wagon or two for his train... or a speed biker or something as a special gift (or bought with pocket money)... without having to worry about breaking the bank. The main thing is to ensure that you do not eat into the market of existing products; in any way - but to facilitate ways to extend a modest but successful market in slightly different area. Pick a Brick obviously works fairly well - and kit elements / bags would probably sell like hot cakes. To be honest it is something I would want to see piloted with certain models (possibly low volume ones) to see if it helps. E.g. 10197 Fire Station has 2.5 floors... and 1930's little fire truck; sells for $150 with ~2200 pieces. Adding an extra upper floor could look good.. lets assume a price tag of $50-80. A KFOL could be happy to have a slight height extension and may be able to afford it for birthday or with pocket money. Similarly they might like a second truck ~$40. But wait... most other fire trucks retail between $30 and $40 - so it becomes expensive... a complete modern station (e.g. 7208) retails at $80... with multiple fire trucks. If you are building a large 1930's fire service... then you would be buying more fire stations for all the parts... but there would still be a limited appeal for the bags. E.g. Grand Emporium has 3 floors and sells for 150$, and 2100+ pieces. Assume that you want an extra floor; approximately 700 pieces. If sold for $50 a floor... people would probably buy 1x GE plus 1 or 2 x Floor... and overall volumes would drop. If each floor bag was $80... some people would stretch to getting an extra floor and be happy... those AFOL Jones' would want more... at which point buying 2x GE is more economical for everyone. (Im not saying $80 is a good price; it would still be expensive!). Similarly EN train... sells for $100. Contains four '1' bags, one '2' bag and one '3' bag. Carriage base, buffers and wheels are in unlabeled bag (possibly NOT sold separately?). For those looking to build a second carriage it would probably need to retail for at least $40 (which is what it goes for online). AFOL's would probably want to get 2x EN because they would like the dark green elements to mod their train into something extra special... with a larger tender... and get 2 carriages. KFOL would probably want just a longer train to play with... and get carriages on its own... We dont know the product management decisions of TLG but I hope by asking the question they could explore a new potential market with a couple of sets.

Truck is now listed on Swiss Website http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=3221 50 CHF - actually not too bad a price... 30 Euro in Germany / Austria

Hallo All Im currently planning & building a little shunter (switcher?) based upon some of our local Swiss Diesel models... Whilst im awaiting a delivery of BBB wheels, I was playing around with different motor combinations... and wanted to pick brains of others. 1. Is there a general guide (other than PhilHome) which can provide an overview of PF motors and gearing for use in trains, with an indication of pulling power (e.g. 3 EN carriages). 2. If not, can people share their experiences? E.g. * is a single XL with high torque and low speed better than two M in parallel (geared together, e.g. with a slip differential). * is it preferable to have one or two M motors if better than XL? * does two XL motors enable a heavy duty load? * does the new Motor (Mr Ellis?) provide better torque ratios than XL? Thanks in advance RS Ps I should add I did try the old google search thing - but sometimes too much information is confusing! (similar to 10+ page threads). PPs this is no way related to Brickworld Competition - that was a pure fluke and coincidence!

That is truly beautiful... exactly to scale and proportions look perfect.. The carriages are great - and the use of the Log pieces really helps make up the detail. I wonder how many Grand Emporiums went into the Log look... and perhaps some chandeliers? With the engine - well - it remains excellent; just a little stubby compared to the carriage (a 6s longer firebox perhaps). Is there internal space for PF motors without having to remove the furnace features... Actually im half way through modding my carriages (x4) into 7 wide; longer versions and any addition hints on how to may a replica in pure homage? Since Brickshelf is not yet up, Im assuming all carriages were 8 wide, along with the elongated tender.

#1 As Darstan escapes towards a hot* Tamina, so the ostrich gazes in wonder and the beauty he beholds. #2 Darstan's attention was momentarily diverted by the arrival of three flightless birds. * replace hot with sunbathing if making it KFOL.

Needs some slight modding for Inter Modal TTX or new cargo train... then it can deliver Lego around the world!

Ive seen it too - and wonder if it is related to who has posted to the front page? I.e. some peoples posts have higher priority?

Hmm does that new motor show a new hole meaning you can also drive a 3 axle system ? Flange - Blind - Flange? This would be quite nice... As to the AAA box - well this may not be great for AFOL - but agreed with Jonwil, the use of batteries really help make the train a toy... for children to use. Anywhere a mains voltage is concerned is under tight EU regulation - especially for Children. And some Li-on AAA batteries can be powerful. Perhaps they even becomes available online - a cheaper option for some parents no doubt...

I thought the same thing too - but the high res photo of the actual cargo train motor in action is ambiguous. At least I wont need to buy a new Rechargable battery for this model.

Hi Ambassadors A question if you may... Lego often make really nice sets with multiple models sold in different bags. E.g. Emerald Night : Bag(s) 1 are Engine, Bag(s) 2 are Tender and Bags 3 are Carriage. I know selling a complete carriage seperately wont work (discussed in many threads)... but would TLG be in a position to do custom kits based on Pick a Bag from a Set? Perhaps through the Pick a Brick Website where all the bag elements are available as a sub group? One example where this could be useful is in the new Cargo train where im sure a lot of people would like the Yellow Loco (Bags 1?) and maybe 4 Oil Wagons (Bags 2?) as a custom set (without instructions or box). Similarly Yellow Loco and Frieght wagons (Bag 3). This could also apply for the other ranges were bags are used to make sub models. Im sure enterprising individuals will offer such services via Bricklink / Ebay (etc) - and good luck to them. But it could be a nice way to enhance sales of some models without being causing too many changes to the selling line (or new Kit numbers). The official sets remain with official numbers; and Pick A Bag remains purely that. Apologies if trains brings out a flame response (especially with the Emerald Night Carriage Saga) it is just that it makes a great example. Others could be Battle of Endor (AT Scout), Some of the Persia sets etc... Kind regards, RS

Erm in Switzerland there are no PoP at S@H and neither in the shops... But then I realised that one of our large brand shops (Manor.ch) is selling exclusively PoP here so perhaps there is likely to be something similar in Aus. I.e. a large brand who is getting opportunities.

Could narrow gauge points be made from sliding tracks as seen in transfers for narrow gauge / funiculars around the world? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_switch (for some narrow gauge switches) http://www.pbase.com/19sweetcorn92/image/65033986 A unique solution I read about on the Pilatus Railway uses curved track which rotates around the direction of travel. It has two sets of curves - one on top and the other underneath exactly mirrored. The points work by rotating the track to either a left hand curve - or a right hand curve. After 20 mins of searching I cannot find the link or photo - but I do remember it was used for a cog / rack railway somewhere in Europe - probably Switzerland. Actually 1 hour later I remembered where it was, which is why I did the edit. Pilatus Mountain Railway with particular reference to Pilatus Rotary Switch

In Switzerland you can pay by invoice... i.e. the lego arrives; and a few days later a 'rechnung' (basically invoice with payment slip) arrives to be paid. This is a standard payment procedure in Switzerland and protected in Law. However there is generally a limit of around 200CHF. Above this Lego writes to me asking for prepayment - which can be done electronically. They also provide their IBAN number; I pay, reference the order number and about 1 week later the Lego arrives. Everything is held onstock for 30 days. Unfortunately such things are not directly possible when you do a S@H online order in the UK / USA (for example) - you need the c/c to get the order number. But perhaps phoning can resolve this? Especially since all telephone payments are handled at the same office near Windsor UK; and it is a central system, it may be possible (for Europeans) to ask to pay by invoice; or do some form of electronic pre-payment. For me - it is actually simpler to do an electronic bank transfer to their IBAN account - with the order number.

The one thing to not forget - Lego have in the past reissued discontinued models a couple of years later (I can think of Technic Submarine, Pneumatic Loader etc). This may not be likely in the current climate - but it is important that you remember that this can happen. And the lead times can be long.

Dont think of it as an investment unless you have mega $$$ in cash to burn - and excellent storage to keep large models for 2-3 years (minimum). Even then a lot of people are thinking 'look at prices of cafe corner / market street' etc... we too can make a profit!. Rather if you really like a model buy an extra one or two for posterity... it can be opened in 2-3 years as a 'reliving the old experience' - finding all the right pieces straight away. If you are really lucky and pick a model which people want then you can think... 'hey I have one in the loft'... 'I dont like it much'... 'time to sell'... Doing it as a business model - probably better off with buying Swiss gold. Unless you can afford to sit and wait on discontinued items... E.g. technic bulldozers are now about 1.3x original sales price and slowly creeping up. I would expect the same with the crane truck and other flagships...

7754 Mon Calamari and 10195 Droid Ship are on sale at S@H in Europe. Additionally the UCS Millenium Falcon is on sale in US. All get special stickers if purchased on 3 or 4th may, and free delivery over 85 GBP (or country equivalent).

Was fine until about 20:00 CET. Also suspicious that random threads are getting spammed by outsiders, who are also uploading unwelcome images. Unfortunately.

Europe (ex UK) has the court Jester http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?...cn=640&d=70