Comments on: Lugging pt. 1: Why LUG? (And what the heck is that?)

By: Grand Admiral

Grand Admiral — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:31:38 +0000

@bruce n h: SEALUG in Seattle and DixieLUG in Atlanta are both general interest LUGs that are separate from the local LTCs.

Some LTCs are rather focused on Train/Town, so general interest LUGs have appeal for a broader base.

By: Thanel

Thanel — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:01:47 +0000

@ bruce n h: My impression is that special interest LUGs arent’s necessarily geographical, but they sort of gravitate based on where the members happen to live or the events/conventions they get involved in. ChiefLUG is mainly an online Battlsestar Galactica LUG, but I’m only aware of them doing displays on the West Coast of the US, with their hangar dispaly in Pasadena in May ’09 and the original display at BrickCon in Seattle Oct. ’08 (some members mail their creations to be displayed if they’re not able to attend).

@ Andromula: At my very first SandLUG meeting, I watched LEGOLAND CA project designer Bill Vollbrecht fiddle with pieces as he chose them in a draft and do the LEGO equivalent of doodling as he waited for other people to make their picks. Fantastic little vehicle parts and architectural elements that he made in minutes, sometimes just seconds. Blew my mind.

By: Andromula

Andromula — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:53:47 +0000

Joining a general interest LUG is one of the best things that I’ve done. I’ve learned more than I could by just sitting and looking at my dinky computer screen. The best part about a LUG is the interaction with other FOLs. Talking on the computer is great and all, but you never really know a person until you actually meet them.

By: bruce n h

bruce n h — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:47:58 +0000

Are there localized special interest LUGs that aren’t LTCs (LEGO Train Clubs)? I guess there are groups that get together to play Brickwarz, which might be considered a special interest LUG.

By: Thanel

Thanel — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:28:07 +0000

@ Cm2: buriedbybricks pretty much answers that exactly how I would have, though with more personal experience on his part. As I was cruising the web looking for LUGs, I found train LUGs were equal to or greater in numbers in some regions than general interest LUGs. From talking to other experienced luggers, each of those major types of LUGs have very different cultures and attitudes, because though LEGO binds them, they have very specific reasons for being in that kind of LUG.

By: buriedbybricks

buriedbybricks — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:27:47 +0000

I would assume it would be seperate by sheer numbers. I doubt there are very many BSG or TrekLUGs, but Trains are popular regardless of the medium. We’ve had a huge train show in our city every year as far back as I can remember, but this was the first year that the members of NovaLUG visited an event. There were only three members there, but they caught the eye of every kid at the Children’s Expo. I’m looking into joining myself, then they would double their number of members in my province! lol

By: porschecm2

porschecm2 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:03:51 +0000

What is the difference in a Train LUG and a Special Interest LUG?

Cm2