L@go

Got it! I didn't realize that the light bluish gray connector bricks did have connecting points underneath. And I've got the remote controller, so that's no problem. So now everything works. But this leads me to another issue. The two motors have to be mounted facing in different directions underneath the tender, because the buffer beams sit on the opposite side of the connecting points on the motors (if you understand what I mean), like this: This means that if I connect both motors to the same connecting point on the IR receiver, they pull in separate directions, which needless to say is not very practical. The alternative is to connect one motor to each of the IR receiver's two connecting points, but then I have to control both motors separately, which is also highly impractical. So, the next question must be: Is it possible to get one of the motors to spin in the other direction? EDIT: Added picture.

Hi there. I've got some questions that have probably been answered somewhere before, but I don't really know where to start looking for the answers, so if any of you would be so kind as to enlighten (ooh, nasty word) me, I'd very much appreciate it. I recently bought Anthony Sava's Polar Express instructions, and they call for two motors to power the tender. Being stupid as I am, I started buying the parts I thought I needed without doing the proper research, and it could only end badly: I now realize that the parts I've bought probably don't go together very well. First I bought two 8866 sets, with what I now understand are RC motors. It never occurred to me that these motors might not be up to date with what else Lego offers these days, as I bough them in the Lego store in London from an employee who seemed to know what he was talking about (they didn't have 88002 in stock, and he said I could just as well use 8866 with extension cables). Then I bought an infrared PF receiver, two extension cables and a rechargeable battery box. All you experienced train builders are probably right now thinking 'what a schmuck. Everybody knows that won't work.' But I didn't know! :) So, here's my question: Is there any way to combine the PF receiver, the battery box and the RC motors? Or do I have to get replacements for some of the central components (probably the motors, then)? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Yes, they are. I've got the old Collector's Guide and received the new one today, and both have got the same classification system: The shading is to indicate how rare the set is. As these sets are to be released this year and are brand new, and will be available via Shop@Home to anybody who wants to buy them, they're marked with one brick, the least rare classification. On another note, has anybody else got the new Collector's Guide? As I said, it was in my mailbox today, and I have a couple of issues with it. For the last four pages of 1991 sets there's been some kind of displacements, so the English set names don't fit (which is obviously a mistake that has occurred in the process before print). And the editors have also somehow managed to avoid including set 21100, the Shinkai 65500 submarine, released last year (they may have missed more, that's the one I spotted). Both facts are clear signs of just being sloppy, and I don't quite understand how this is possible when this book is supposed to be the ultimate guide (Brickset appears much more ultimate, and it's free)...

I seem to have sent the whole discussion off topic, and for that I apologize This is a highly flammable topic, though, which tends to give quite heated discussions. When Lego finally opened the S@H site for Norwegian customers, I saw how unfair the pricing policy was. As I've said in another topic earlier, the Pet Shop is almost half price in the UK compared to Norway, and that's not very easy to understand - it's just a short flight over (and so I picked up a lot of Lego when I visited London last month). But I've also realized how crazy the Australian prices are. I still think I'm entitled to complain but there's no doubt that Australians have even more reason to be unhappy. That said, this discussion probably already exists in some other, more suitable topic.

Just superb! There's an impressive amount of SNOT going on here, I have to say. The tractor is probably my favourite part, although the pickup truck is also very nice, especially the fact that you've managed to include a tipping mechanism. Very well done.

Not even Lego Man Can. Jokes aside: Track is expensive. But if you're buying several sets, I'd try looking in the US, where Lego prices are generally lower than in Europe.

You're missing the point here. As always, US prices are subsidized by TLG - so the reason AFOLs from anywhere else than the States want to wait for American sellers to offer the new train isn't that it's much cheaper than the old cargo train, but that it's an unbelievable bargain compared to what it costs anywhere else in the world. 289 Australian dollars = 306 US dollars with today's exchange rate. A bit more expensive than 160 US dollars, don't you agree? :) Compared to that, it's cheap even in the Norwegian S@H website at 1599 NOK (285 US$)...

My personal taste has turned in the direction of the modern sets, so I really like 7993. But my vote has to go to 6394. I still remember what I felt when I first saw it in the 1988 catalogue. I was eleven, and thought that I was slowly getting too old for Lego (the mistakes we make...). I never got a chance to get the set back then, but there's one sitting on top of my shelf now. It's possible that I'll get rid of it at some point to make room for other stuff, but it's a great set, and there's never been one quite like it.

Or here, if you'd like to know what a fellow Eurobricker said. I'd definitely go for 8404. I also have a soft spot for the newest fire station, but 8404 is a unique set in Lego history, with that fabulous tram :)

I can understand why you would hesitate taking that street apart, it's wonderful. So many different buildings and different colours, and still they go so well together! But I guess sometimes the bricks are needed for other creations... The modular building style certainly is an even more impressive scale. The yellow one is a really neat design, and the balcony is a particularly nice touch. However, as you say, you need to make an interior for it - at least for the ground floor, as it looks terribly empty in that last picture. That probably has to do with the fact that the window is trans-clear and so big that you're able to peek straight inside :)

This is absolutely superb. I love everything about it! Good job on making interiors for such cramped spaces. That's no easy task :)

Nice! The facade is fabulous and easily this MOC's best feature (with that amazing dollar sign, naturally). And I very much like the vault! Not entirely sold on the rest of it though, and my personal opinion is that all modulars should have stairs - I agree with cimddwc there. I think it would have looked better with some windows on the back wall, although it's possible that you've gone for that 'bunker' feel for a purpose. The interior is a tiny bit of a letdown - looks a bit plain - after that amazing facade. Now, I have to emphasize that I do think it's a great MOC - it's just that you've set the standards so high with your earlier work :) I've bought a few instructions from you and they are great. I would have bought even more if you'd included stairs in more of your buildings...

Great design, and instantly recognizable as a Land Rover. Well done. Any glue involved?

Looks really good! It obviously won't fit in most dioramas as you've chosen to model what's underneath the waterline as well, but what a great display model. I make my models just like you - digitally first, then I order the bricks. Works out fine if you haven't got a truckload of bricks lying around to build MOCs from, but it could be quite costly... :)

That's a superb piece of work. The tram and cars are very nice, and so are the many great details, like the protection around the trees and those lamp posts. I think the tan building is my favourite architectural piece, with that lovely spire. Magnificent!

Glad to be able to help. The files aren't doing any good just stored on my computer, anyway :)

I know nothing about LU, and this is probably brilliant stuff, but am I the only one who's wondering what it is doing in the Town forum?

I like it! You've used those colours very nicely. One little suggestion: If you flip the window shutters so the studs face down, you will be able to actually close them. I enjoyed looking through your Flickr photostream - I've been meaning to comment on that wave creation of yours, so let me just say that the curvature is brilliant :)

Yep, right here, for example :)

Welcome to the club :D

Oh! My mistake. That's a totally different kind of proposition. I've got one already and don't really need more, but I wouldn't be too surprised if somebody else will take you up on that offer! :)

Worth a try, but I'd be amazed if you can pull that off. You can get a mint Grand Carousel for between US$450 and 500 on BrickLink, and the cheapest complete Cafe Corner is almost US$800... and 10196 will never be as much of a collector's item as 10182. But by all means, good luck :)

This is probably what everybody who's into Lego trains ultimately dreams of doing, but only one will ever do. Who hasn't dreamt of drilling holes between rooms, having trains up on shelves running all over the house? Kudos for making this a reality. You're crazy (as is your wife!), but it's the kind of crazy we love :)

If I'm not completely mistaken, I think I've seen some WIP pictures of this, and those were nice, but this is mind-blowing. Wonderful details, and yes, the exterior is nice, but the interior is fantastic. Great work, this will stand out in any layout.

I couldn't have said it better. Totally agree! Except for the last part. Been there, done that :)