The good folks at RAILBRICKS have just released the 9th issue of their excellent free e-zine.
This issue focuses on trams but, as usual, there’s plenty of articles for LEGO train fans and LEGO builders in general including
The low-res PDF can be found here (RAILBRICKS are having issues – try here for an online copy) but the site contains links to other formats.
Peter Norman (Swoofty) is usually more of a LEGO diesel man. But sometimes he’s a LEGO steam man and this is one of those times. It’s an ugly prototype made well.
Carl Greatrix (bricktrix) has a habit of building the impossible. But this A4 Pacific has to be his most extreme example. Some of the drivers, stickers and pipes are custom but the rest of the build is 100% LEGO
Gambort usually posts the trains here, but I had to steal this one from him. Dave Stannard recently rebuilt one of his earlier trains and the result was this. I have to say that this locomotive is gorgeous. It almost makes me want to go build a train.
Esben Kolind is one of the few LEGO builders who can combine excellent working features and nice looking designs. A browse through his Youtube account is sure to please those of a technical bent and those who like pretty train models. His latest intercity train expands on his old ideas to feature three simultaneous working doors through some superb compact technic design.
If you are interested in knowing more follow the discussion at Eurobricks.
I don’t think I’ve ever looked so forward to a specific LEGO project finally coming to fruition. So seeing the words “as complete as it is going to get” appear on Jonathan Lopes’ MOCpage tonight was some pretty spectacular news. This is actually Jonathan’s second iteration of his urban landscape and he’s really taken lessons from his earlier layout to make this one better.
Jonathan’s chief specialty is his mastery of urban decay which adds a level of authenticity rarely seen in shiny plastic. I’ll be going through the layout pictures in detail.
Unfortunately I’m half asleep right now so will have to add the rest of this blog post tomorrow. But if ever there was a model I wanted to put up ASAP it was this one. Expect a longer version.
Thanks to some pet related drama I didn’t have a chance to update this. Short version of what I was going to write is as follows: check out each picture in detail, especially for the dirty bits as they’re what really makes it grand.
This psychedelic Clickipiller train by Megan Rothrock (megzter1) is both a cute creative concept, and a bit disturbing. I especially like the googly eyes and odd angle of the mouth.
I think I would generally be more into trains if they were covered in Clikits.
Following the release earlier this year of 10155 Maersk Container Ship, LEGO has just released the nicely complementary 10219 Maersk Train.
As we announced back in February, the set comes with 1,234 pieces and costs 120 USD.
… and it goes to Carl Greatrix (bricktrix). This would have been a lovely old fashioned cattle wagon (OFCW) without the stickers on the front. But they transform it into a near perfect OFCW. See also the brilliant use of texture.
The latest LEGO Exclusive kit is the 10219 Maersk Train arriving in April 2011 [UPDATE: It’s now available]. Click here for the complete set of pictures.
Below is the official press release from LEGO:
10219 Maersk Train
Ages 14+. 1,234 pieces.
US $119.99 CA $159.99 DE 119.99 € UK 91.99 £
The highly-realistic Maersk diesel-electric freight train has arrived! A replica of the real engine that operated on the railroads of America, this Maersk train features exceptional detailing and functions, such as opening driver’s cab, removable side panel revealing a detailed, 16-cylinder engine, and authentic Maersk branding. The model also includes 2 wagons and 3 containers with opening doors (1 with refrigeration detailing). The set also includes a shunter truck and detachable trailer for loading and offloading the containers. Add LEGO® Power Functions accessories to motorize!
• Includes 3 workman minifigures!
• Train measures 36″ (92cm) long!
• Building instructions include a historical description of the LEGO Group/A.P. Moller Maersk Group cooperation and a timeline of the products launched!
• Containers can be loaded side-by-side or stacked!
• Motorize your Maersk train by adding LEGO Power Functions 8878 Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box, #8887 Transformer 10V DC, #8884 Power Functions IR Receiver, 8879 Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control and 88002 Power Functions Train Motor!
UPDATE: check out the designer video by LEGO.
For his LEGO models Pierre A. Fieschi dispenses with minifigs and builds small. But you’d never know it looking at the thumbnails for his models. In the last two weeks he’s posted 6 models and I recommend checking all of them out (and anything further back). This, dear readers, is how you build small.
EDIT: As Dan rightly points out there is indeed a minifig in the minifig scaled vehicle above. I am blind and wrong.
