flat_four

They were £4 in the ASDA near me.

Top job. Captured the look perfectly.

I think this will be one of the few sets that I actually build and keep built to display. The designer has done a good job of capturing the look of a splitty from the outside, but its the interior that really makes this set. I think owning this set is going to make me even more disappointed to have missed the beetle set. Maybe it will finally inspire me to collect all the parts and build one to display along side. Now Ive just got to keep everything crossed that LEGO do the best two aircooled dubs.... A Karmann ghia and a Type 3 that can be built as a notch, square or fastback varietys. I can dream!

Now!:) My local ASDA(Northants area) had Pharoahs Quest, Ninja Go, new Atlantis and Starwars sets in stock last night. Not the complete range, mainly just the small to medium size sets. Still no series 3 minifigs tho!

I would like to represent the rails and ladders in some way but so far am struggling to find a compromise between form and function. Will keep trying, maybe flexihose will hold the answer Ultimately I would like to do an 7/8 wide version. After seeing some 8 wides in the flesh at swindon, I was blown away, they just looked so.... Right! This is the direction i'd like to take with my train MOCs. Although a lot more bricks are required, to me the scale looks loads better and I think it would allow for a bit more detail too. Ben

Thanks for all your comments guys. Crabboy329 - Ive got a few of the parts your link shows but not happy with any of my efforts with them. Hadn't thought about using flexi hose for the rails, might give it a whirl next time i order some parts. Thanks for the ideas. Ben

Here is my first completed MOC. I finished the design for this a few weeks ago but it has taken some time to collect all the parts in the correct colours. Ive finally realised using Bricklink is essential when building MOCs, its an amazing resource for gathering parts but can see already im going to have to keep a close watch on what Im spending! Im quite pleased with the way the model has turned out, I think that it's at least recognisable to its prototype. what do you think? I'd like to improve the hand rails to make them a little more realistic. I have a few ideas but does anyone know if this part http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=59230 is available but with the hand bits lined up the same way? Photos here http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOSeacow# Ive included a picture of the prototype for those not familiar with the real thing. Any compliments or criticsms greatly recieved. Ben

I really love this truck. Definitely one of my favourite vehicle designs that I've seen. Not sure what real life vehicle it reminds me of, but I want one

@KielDaMan, drdavewatford, Jasper Joppe Geers Thanks for your comments guys JJG - no offence taken:) I was going to wait till I had pics of the interior as that is where I can make it more unique, As you say anyone could do the extension quite easily. I posted pics anyway as Ive got so many unfinished projects, I thought by adding it here it would encourage me to get on with the interior. And finally here are some pics http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/GrandExtension# After moaning about not having enough space I'm actually struggling a bit to fill some of the floors(sports mainly). I know theres still nothing really special MOC wise here but thought you might like to see it so far anyway:) Ive stolen quite a few ideas from here and there so sorry not much originality, although i think there are a few touches added that Ive not seen before. Hope you enjoy Ben

Thanks guys Still not 100% happy with the interior but photos will follow soon

Really liking these MOC's, so much in a small space and a brilliant variety of colour. Particularly like the pizza oven..... might have to steal this idea in the future!

Thanks, Interior is being worked on now. The extra pieces will be kept, they've already been sorted into my collection. I was just wondering whether large orders on BL make sense when most the pieces you need are in one set. To me these modulars offer great value for money, Green grocer even more so at only £99 At the LEGO show in swindon at the weekend I saw a modular fire brigade that someone had built from two sets. It looked great. Just watched that 'AFOL on CBS' video in the general section. Someone has out grand-ed me!!! (at approx 40secs in) http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6923277n&tag=related;photovideo I thought it be unlikely that someone else hadn't done something similar.

Ever since first building the Grand Emporium, while being hugely impressed with the overall look of the building, I always thought it could do with being, a little... well, grander. I remember seeing posts here on EB's sometime ago where people had added extra floors and placed two sets next to each other to increase its size, these definitely caught my eye and I decided then at the minimum id like to add another floor to my set. Then, last month armed with a 20% off voucher, i made my way to the LEGO store.... Not many hours later I had built an extra floor from the purchased set and this was added to my first GE. I was most happy I decided the extra floor would be a sports section so made some bits to suit this and also some extra toys and other odd bits for the other levels. This is when I decided the main problem with this building is the lack of floor space on each level. With that escalator taking up so much room it leaves little space for much stock on the shop floor. I also so had a quite a few ideas for the downstairs clothes section but the space just didn't really allow for it without it all looking cramped. So with all those extra pieces leftover from my second set I thought id have a go at extending it. I started with the base section and first floor, this took approx 3-4 hours steady work. The rest was done in small stages as when I got time. I was also slowed down at one point due to lack of parts. I think I managed to complete the 2nd story with just the parts from the sets and a few from my collection. But to complete the rest I had to make a couple of bricklink orders, the second one for only 6 parts! It was mainly arches, windows and large grey plates that I was short of. These were my first ever BL orders and I must say i was mighty impressed with the service both times.(Thanks bagelboybugle and bibble69) Here are the results.. http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169229970698642 http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169232559847762 http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169242975429650 http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/LEGOGrandExtension#5524169260510292994 I'm sorry the picture quality is not great but if I take any better ones I will add them. I haven't added any of the interiors yet as; a) Ive not taken any yet b) I'm not completely happy with the layout for all the floors yet I will post some pics when there a bit more complete. One thing I was wondering, as there were still a lot of extra pieces left over from the 2nd set, would it have been cheaper to buy just one set and get just the extra parts required from BL? My feeling is it might be close, but the most cost effective way would be to buy two sets and sell the spare pieces on BL. Ben *** now added interior photos *** see here- http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/106619505290570050141/GrandExtension#

I saw one of these built today at the Brickish show in Swindon. While its an impressive model it really is crying out for some end towers. I can see myself buying the set if funds permit (lots of useful parts for me) but cant see it being displayed for too long as its just too big! Ben

I've no interest in Harry potter in general but this looks like a superb set regardless of its theme. To me this set has a reasonable parts/price ratio especially for a licensed theme and I'm sure I'll pick up a copy at some point, and although it will be built and displayed as LEGO envisioned for a while, I'm sure it wont be long before its raided fort parts. I missed out on earlier HP LEGO lines so will definitely get a few of the new range for the parts and ideas. I really hope I can make it to Swindon over the weekend. Would be great to see this in the flesh. Ben