Category Archives: Layouts

Events, Inspiration, Layouts, People

NLGM Wörrstadt – what happens when a small town decides to have a big Lego train show

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NLGM means Noppenbahner L-Gauge Meeting and is organized by you guessed it, the Noppenbahner. It’s hosted in the town of Wörrstadt, Germany, where the Lego event is now almost a yearly tradition. And that brings something unique into the event, something I haven’t experienced before.

The Noppenbahner are a group of German Lego train builders that build their models, just like most European builders, in scale 1:45. They have been around for a few years now and have built some of the most recognizable German trains in Lego. Including some TRAXX locomotives, a lot of German steam locomotives and diesel locomotives like the Baureihe 218. The individual members build their own layouts as well, which are mostly based on the MILS standard. These layouts can connect to both layouts from other Noppenbahner, and layouts built my members from other groups. Their members are based all across Germany, so they don’t meet up on a regular basis. But they decided to turn one of their meetings into an event for similar minded builders and turn this into the NLGM event. 2022 was their first time hosting this event, 2023 was their second turn at it.

They decided to host their event at Wörrstadt, which used to be a small sleepy suburb of Mainz and other big cities in the area but is now internationally known for its Lego event.

Figure 1 Nick form the Noppenbahner has built the Wörrstadt railway station in Lego, visitors who lived in Wörrstadt spent hours looking and recognizing all the details.

Why Wörrstadt?

Ahh Wörrstadt, the name alone brings back memories of a lot of visitors, having friends around, German BBQ at Saturday night and crashing your trains on a huge group layout. The reason why the Noppenbahner decided to host their event in Wörrstadt is quite simple.

Nick lives in Wörrstadt since his forever basically, coming even to the point that he built the Wörrstadt train station out of Lego. As he knows the small town in and out, he was able to secure the towns venue, a beautifully restored town hall, for the event. Luckily for the Noppenbahner, the town of Wörrstadt really liked the idea of having a Lego train event there and supported them by giving them the keys to the location for affordable conditions. The major also gave a short speech to open the event both years.  The even included the town symbol of Wörrstadt in their 1×6 sand red event brick at the 2023 event.

Figure 2 the mayor giving his speech during the 2022 event. As you might noticed the author of this article isn’t in this picture ;).

Like mentioned before, the 2023 version was the second time the Noppenbahner organized this event and it was again organized on the last weekend of April. Before we get to much into the event itself and all the cool Lego stuff, there is something else I would like to point out.

Visitors.

I have been to quite a lot of events/conventions in the last six years. As far as I can remember there aren’t any events that I have done where I wasn’t satisfied with at the end of the weekend. But one thing always stands outs to me at events, and that is the reaction and behavior of visitors. Don’t get me wrong I’m not a creep who likes to stalk all the visitors and observe them (maybe.).

Visitors always bring a certain atmosphere to an event. Your goal is always to impress them and give them their “money worths”. There is nothing cooler than having a group of visitors around that are interested in what you do as a hobby, ask in depth or interesting questions and most importantly enjoy your exhibit. There have been so many events around where I was able to meet other builders who like to learn from us or want to check out our stuff in real life. Their where times where I missed a large portion of an event because I was just talking with visitors for most of the time.

A good example of this was a model railway event I attended with the LLMTC early this year, so many of the “normal” model railway builders were asking in depth and interesting question and where really keen on learning what we do. And they just loved recognizing all the details we have built into our models.

However, an uninterested group of visitors can really turn an event down. I have been at events where the visitors where just not interested. I have been at a event where the number of stands where you were able to buy Lego outweigh the amount of MOCs that were on display. This made most of the audience/visitor’s keener on a bargain than seeing interesting MOCs. A “children” event like LegoWorld attracts more visitors which aren’t interested in MOCs but just want to play and built with Lego at the event itself, the consequences of this is that you have a audience of visitors which ask more questions like “” why isn’t that train running?” instead of being interested on how that train is made.

Luckily, I can say that the visitors at the NLGM in Wörrstadt belong to some of the most kind, interested and well-behaved visitors I have ever experienced. The amount of question and interest in us was overwhelming, it’s also turning in something well known in both the area of Wörrstadt and Germany itself. Some visitors travelled very far just to visit this event. The car park was so full that people decided to use the nearby basketball field to park their car. And visitors are now calling it a yearly tradition, where even the elders in the village asked if the event is really going to happen again next year.

Figure 3 one of the visitors’ favorite layouts was Holger Matthes his bridge.

Beside visitors travelling far, befriended builders from across Germany travel to see this event and hang out and talk to us. Something that I can say is very unique to see in a field of MOC building that isn’t that very big or well-known compared to others.

One of the things that stood out at the event was how well behaved and polite the visitors where (might have to do with the fact that they are German). There were some area’s that visitors weren’t allowed to walk through or enter. I have experienced at other events that we had to uses gates (sometimes even riot gates) to prevent people to enter these areas, with visitors still ignoring the gates. But in Wörrstadt, a simple sign on a piece of paper that said (in German of course) that visitors weren’t allowed to enter was more than enough.

Figure 4 normally I would be really scared having my models this close to the edge of the table

2022 event.

Back to some Lego stuff. The 2022 event was held on the 30th of April until the 1st of May. Back when covid was still a thing and it was mandatory to wear a coffee filter on your face in Germany, me and six other members from the LLMTC decided to travel to Wörrstadt. The principle of Wörrstadt is very similar to what other events like the event at Schkeuditz maintain, they create the possibility for builders to create a layout at home to a modular standard of their choice and bring it to the event. Where the organizers try to get as much different layouts possible connected to each other to form one huge group layout.

Figure 5 an overhead look of the 2022 set-up in the main room, a large section isn’t visible since it was underneath the platform where I took this picture from.

The running/layout style of this event is point to point. Which means your train is able to start at point A on the layout (most likely a storage yard), travel through the entire layout to point B, where it can use the return loop, or you can choose to park it inside of this yard. This makes running trains way more interesting compared to a tradition loop layout. The play factor in setting up layouts like these is way higher compared to having your trains running on the same circle at the entire event.

Figure 6 back in 2022 the second room had Thomas/TS_ his yard in it, here I was dropping of some coaches and picking up some others to take back into the main room.

So, the 2022 event, what was so special? Well, the number of layouts was so immense that they used a second smaller room to display some extra layouts. Your trains literally had to go through a walkway from the main room to the second room, a concept that adds a lot to the point-to-point driving experience. What was also very unique is that the main yard was on stage in the main room. This meant that trains which were not in use, where parked on a higher level, perfect height for visitors to look at the models.

Figure 7 Inside the yard from Thomas/TS_ was also a turntable which was perfect for turning locos to send them back into the main room.

There was a large number of interesting layouts, too much to list up in this article, therefore I highly recommend checking out Ties’ video of the event which has 20+ minutes of amazing video shots of our models running around.

2023 event.

The 2023 version was similar to the 2022 version however the number of layouts was less compared to the 2022, most of this had to do with the fact that there was another semi-big Lego show in Germany at the same weekend. Nevertheless, the event was still a heck of a lot of fun. Here is a quick list of what changed compared to the 2022 version.

Figure 8 overhead shot of the 2023 layout set-up in the main room.

Well first of all we didn’t have to wear any coffee filters on our faces anymore, which was a big plus. Second, the point-to-point driving experience was expanded compared to last year. This year the second room had a small narrow-gauge layout that was able to work together with the normal gauge layout, in short, this means that trains on normal gauge where able to deliver wagons to the narrow gauge, and narrow gauge where able to transport those wagons on their layout. This was perfect for playing around with freight wagons.

NLGM Wörrstadt 2023
Figure 9 one of the narrow-gauge loco’s shunting beside the mainline connecting. Photo credits: Thomas/TS_.

The storage yard on the stage was heavily expanded with a lot more extra space. The yard was in fact so large that a team of dedicated shunters where always ready to help out with storing trains and rearranging them. This yard solved some of the storage problems that happened previous year. Shunting in this yard was a heck of a lot of fun. Where you were able to team up with one builder on the left side operating all the switches on that side, and a builder on the right side doing the same thing. This was one heck of a team effort to shunt and store all the trains, but it was immense fun to experience.

Figure 10 the 2023 storage yard on the stage where Tamás is shunting in the back. Photo credit: Ervvin

To add even more storage space, Nicolas Tbx made a storage yard which was placed in the middle of the layout. This meant that it was the perfect space to pick up some extra freight wagons while you’re driving from point A to B. Having this extra yard plus some stations where there where storage tracks available, made it really fun to shunt trains from one yard to another. I personally spent a lot of time picking up freight wagons at the different stations and yards and driving those to the main yard.

Figure 11 my NS2454 pulling a small mixed freight train which I picked up in the main yard, and which I’m going to drop off at the yard Nicolas Tbx has built. Location of this picture is Ties’ layout.

Branch line.

One of the more unique things from both the 2022 and 2023 version that both group layouts had their own dedicated branch line. A branch line with no overhead wires, wooden sleepers and instead of double track it had a signal track. This branch line was a warm welcome to the busy and crowded mainline and was the perfect piece of the layout to take your time while driving through and take pictures at every spot. It’s very unique to see events where the number of layouts is so vast, that there is even the possibility to set up a branch line where your able to drive for a significant distance. 

Figure 12 Ervvin his Mat64 driving on the branch line and just passing Wörrstadt Hbf.

If you want to see more of the 2023 layout, check out Ties his 1-hour documentary:

So, what makes this event so great?

Well, it’s a combination of the factors mentioned above. First of all, the set-up of the layout, where you’re driving from point A to point B makes driving trains 10x more interesting than a conventional layout where trains just run around the same loop over and over again. With a point-to-point layout you’re really playing with your trains, combine that with the ability to shunt wagons in different yards and station, and the ability to travel with freight wagons from point A to point B and you have a weekend where you just can’t get enough of playing around. Plus add to this equation the fact that you have a dedicated branch line and multiple interesting and unique layouts and then you find yourself with one of the best group layouts to play with your trains on.

Add to this the fact that the visitors are interested, kind and really want too more about us. And genuinely enjoy watching us play with our trains for hours.

And to add this all up, you have a group of warm, friendly Lego trains builders, who want to provide you with an amazing weekend and the opportunity to enjoy it to the fullest. Attending Wörrstadt feels like you’re hanging out with your mates while you’re playing with your Lego trains. And in the evenings, you can sit back, relax and share stories and ideas for new Lego projects. NLGM is what all Lego events should be about, and the Noppenbahner did a bloody damn good job of it!!

Figure 13 the 2023 crew together in one picture.

I want to really thank the Noppenbahner for organizing and having us, I’m grateful for the friendship and the collaboration the Noppenbahner and the LLMTC have. It’s very unique to see that builders from different countries can be so close and so collaborative, I told the story about the LLMTC and Noppenbahner friendship at a model railway event earlier this year, and the other builders just couldn’t believe that we are daily working together and have such a close friendship that has been around for so many years. Thank you so much for everything!

If you’re interested in seeing more of the event, I highly recommend watching the following video’s:

I hope you enjoyed this look into this unique event, thank you so much for reading! And thank you Nick for giving this article a quick read trough to spot any spelling mistakes.

Ciao!!

Enrico

Events, Inspiration, Layouts, Models

BAUSPIELBAHN-TREFFEN (BSBT) the place to be for L-gauge railway fans in Europe.

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This year, for the fourth time in a row, the LEN-Eisenbahner from Leipzig (Germany) organized one of the biggest l-gauge meetings in Europe. Where builders from all around the world come together to form one of the biggest community layouts that the community has ever seen. But what makes this event so special? And what goes on behind the organization of this event? This and many more will be shown and explained in this article. It is going to be a big one. So, get something to drink and enjoy a story that starts a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far away.

Origin story, something that started out small.

Back in 2019 the LEN-Eisenbahner group had the idea to organize an event which was similar to an event, what other model railroad organizations in Europe organize. Where, depends on the gauge, similar building model railroad clubs would join up in a location and try to connect the group diorama’s together to make a big enough layout to be able to drive from point-to-point. For accomplishing this, they had to find a location that would be big enough to house a lot of layouts at once, and which was suitable to welcome all the builders and visitors.

They found one in an amazing little old tram shed, which is not in use anymore by the public transport company. This tram shed is located in Schkeuditz, a small residential village right beside Leipzig. The tram hall is owned by the local model railroad organization that uses the location as both their base of operation, and to organize a similar event as the LEN-Eisenbahner were planning. This would turn out to be the perfect fit as a location for some many amazing stories and adventures. The tram shed is around 700m2. And one of the plus sides of this location, is that it is located, almost in the middle of Europe. And therefore, relatively accessible for builders all around the EU.

Figure 1 setting-up day at the tram shed in Schkeuditz.

For the construction of the layouts, they relied on 2 things. First, builders would enter their layout by BlueBrick or planning sheet. Where they would specify what their dimensions are, what type of power system they use, and if they built using MILS, LEN, NOIS etc.

Second, they use a lot of wood, and I mean tons of it. Most of the tables under need the layouts are constructed on side in advance. And after 4 years of doing this, they exactly know what they are doing and how to be creative. A lot of my respect go out to these guys and how they are always able to build tables and connection units for all the amazing complicated and unique shaped layouts. Be doing the constructions of tables on side, they are able to house more unique looking layouts and display them in curves and different shapes and therefore they are able to be more creative compared to using standard square tables.

What makes this event unique and I think is one of the reasons why it’s gotten so big, that it doesn’t matter how or what you built. Not only does that mean you can pick any type of layout you want, it also implies on what power system or modular standard you use. You can pick whatever you want, PF, 9v, r40 curves or R104+. The organization will make sure that your layout get’s places somewhere and that trains will run over them. The mainline itself is always pf and R104+ where a big part is also 9v powered so that you can excess those areas. A few of the branch lines are 9v r40 so only specific trains are able to excess those. By doing this, the event becomes a dynamic and lively thing, where different builders and different building style meet and come together.

After the 2019 version they decided to go bigger for the 2020 version, and even bigger after that. And now we are at a point that the tram shed is becoming too small.

Back in early 2021, myself and a few other LLMTC members decided to join BSBT with our layouts, and before we knew it, we were in for a big adventure and the event of a lifetime. So, what follows is the report of that 2021 event (what maybe was supposed to have been uploaded back in 2021).

BSBT2021, what an event.

So, after a long time of uncertainty because of the epidemic, we were finally able to go to the event on Thursday 12th of august 2021. We decided to rent a van to transport our modules and trains to the event. So, after meeting early morning at Erwin his apartment we drove together to the event in a really well packed van, which later turned out to be well not so appropriately named. We rented the van from busjehuren.nl, and once the fellow Germans noticed, we came to the conclusion that “huren”, which means “renting” in Dutch, has a really different meaning in German. After getting a tour of the location by the organization we were able to unpack and see what survived the journey. The days that unsuited where filled with seeing amazing trains run, a really cool trip to Leipzig, and one of the best night photoshoots I have ever seen.

Figure 2 not everything survived the transport unfortantly

To fully show the size of the event, I will now give a fictional tour of this event. So, take place in my Trans Europ Express while we cross the layout from one amazing layout to the other. Oh and don’t pay attention to the pieces that we are losing on the way, those were “non-essential”.

Figure 3, the layout design for BSBT2021. The full high resolution image can be seen here.

First location has to be number 12, Maciej Drwięga his Maciejowo station. And come on, who has not been following him for ages. His station has gotten immensely big over the years, what once started with a small station building is now a complete functioning train station. The current station is the size of 88 48×48 baseplates! And all the infrastructure like signal box, a huge station building, and a really neat train shed combine it into the perfect scenery. Combined with the fact that all these have lighting made this the perfect spot for late night photo stops. Oh, and it’s the perfect place to store/dump a train who runs terrible but looks good.

Figure 4 Maciej his station packed full with trains in the early morning sun light. Credits: Maciej Drwięga

Our second stop has to be the station Linderei with bridge (number 7 and 56), a group layout from Urban Erwin and Pieter Post. The station itself is set in the 1920-1930’s where all the scenery, including minifigures, match this time period. Behind this station building is the bridge Urban Erwin made, and this bridge is the starting point of the branch line, which extends all the way to the other side of the tram hall. A perfect location for photos and a lot of traffic jams.

Figure 5 both during night and day the station and bridge is an impressive group collaboration layout and the perfect location to spot amazing models.

Not only is the bridge a starting point of a branch line, the station itself also features a branch line, where once you drive through a piece of scenery you arrive at station Wörrstadt Hbf (number 6). Nick Kleinfelder, from the Noppenbahner group, is the builder of this station. And it is the perfect typical small German railway station. The entire station has controlled signals and working switches and combined with the lighting it was a true sight to behold. I highly recommend checking out his Flickr page to see the progress of the station over the years.

Figure 6 the TEE in Wörrstadt Hbf, waiting for continuing its journey.

After you drive future down the line, and through a time machine, you arrive at the Western layout from Chrisian(number 5). This Western layout was full of little details and moving elements, that made it a layout you just kept looking at. Oh, and it was a really fun place to see a modern day train drive trough.

Figure 7 everything but prototypical, but fun to see never the less.

Future down the other branch line that uses Urban Erwin his bridge, you come across station Stammbach from Ben Gollwitzer (number 2). Ben is also a member of the Noppenbahner group, and since they wanted to stay in contact during the event, they made a direct phone connection between Nick and Ben there stations. The station also uses working signals and was perfectly located for trains to wait to go up or down the branch line.

Figure 8 Stammbach station full with trains waiting for going up or down the branchline

After getting the clear signal we can leave the station and see the beautiful Bw Kleinfeld (number 32) which is also built by Nick Kleinfelder(I wonder if that’s where the name of the layout came from). This turntable and roundhouse were the perfect spot for loco’s to turn and refuel before heading back onto the branch line.

Figure 9 a trully impressive sight to see, all the locomotives in the fully packed roundhouse.

After driving down the branch line a bit more we come across the amazing Glenfinnan Viaduct (number 57) by Thomas/TS, where we are slowing down a bit, since we really don’t want to crash and destroy the bridge. This bridge is of course modeled after the iconic real-life viaduct which was featured in some kind of wizard movie. The bridge itself is located, like the real life one, in a curve and therefore a true piece of L-gauge Engineering.

Figure 10 Maciej his PKP SP32 at the Glenfinnian Viaduct. Photo credits: Maciej Drwięga

There is still so much more to see here, but one layout I do got to mention is the Rangierbahnhof Zwickau-Bakken(number 41) by again Thomas. This shunting yard uses a hill to shunt freight wagons into random order, and can be operated fully automatic or manually, I highly recommend checking out this video he made of the shunting yard.

Figure 11 shunting yard Zwickau Bakken Ablaufberg was the perfect spot for getting your trains shorted in a unique and diffrent order. Photo credits: Thomas/TS.

The combination of these amazing layouts with all the amazing models, and people made it a weekend that we will never forget. And after 3 days of running trains, we all came home with enough pictures and new ideas to last us for another year.

Beside showing off amazing models and running on a huge layout the entire weekend, the organization also organizes multiple games and challenges. One of these challenges was a speed building competition, where 2 builders had to build a Lego train set, where only one builder is able to see the instructions, and the other is able to see all the parts. Or the legendary pot racer building competition where you had to build a pot racer by using an existing speed champions set.

Figure 12 you gotta love potracer. Photo credtis: Urban Erwin

BSBT2022, were legends meet again.

Before we realized it, it was time for BSBT2022, were luckily this time there were no covid restrictions. With the lessons we learned from BSBT2021 it was time to head out for another weekend of running trains and meeting amazing builders. (And this time without renting a van with a name that some Germans still talk about to this day).

Figure 13 my roundhouse packed with loco’s all over the world. It saw a lot of use during the event!

The significant difference from last year was, that this year the organization purchased a lot of black clothes, and I mean a lot of them. The difference was immediately noticeable, and we highly recommend it for events. It hides all the mess and ugly wood with a blank continuously black cloth which helps with not only the presentation but also the pictures. Talking about pictures, the tram hall got some really cool ambiance lights, which are adjustable and therefore perfect when taking nighttime pictures. The difference between the settings was highly noticeable, and it was nice to not run into things in the dark that you are not able to see. There was a perfect quote from Tamás when we drove our trains in the dark without these ambiance lights:

“I was running my br65. It hit something and I heard a lot of bang. The nose was damaged and a 9v controller fell on the ground, no idea what happened.”

Figure 14 late night photostop at Donát his station. Featured in this picture is Tamás his br65 which really hates 9v controllers.

The layout set-up was similar to last year however, there were even more builders that we able to travel all the way to the event. By the uses of the NOIS modular system by Tbx Nicolas a lot of the layouts felt like one continues connected module which was an improvement upon last year. Some of these modules were built on the spot, and Nicolas really loved it when I asked if he was able to build one with 2 R104 switches for a crossover. By having more builders than the previous year a lot of the blank spots in the layouts from last year were corrected.

Figure 15 smaller layouts like this one from Jelle filled up a lot of the blank spots in the layout, and added a lot of live and detail! Photo credit Maciej Drwięga

I would like to take you through a tour of all these layouts again and stopping at a few that are really worth mentioning. This time take a seat in my ICM 4241(also known as the orange banana).

Figure 16: another packed layout design. Full high resolution image can be found here.

Let us start at Wörrstadt Hbf (number 3) by Nick Kleinfelder. We already visited this amazing layout during our 2021 tour, but a lot has been added, like this amazing looking bridge that we are just quickly going to crash into.

Figure 17 yup that isn’t the first, and won’t be the last time this will happen.

After getting back on the tracks, and gathering all the pieces that we already lose, we are stopping on the number 62 Brücke(bridge) from Michael. And this bridge is the perfect spot for so many photo opportunities. The landscape around the bridge is perfectly covered with a lot of small and interesting details. And it might be one of the most photographed layouts from this event.

Figure 18 Tamás his br65 with a small freight train. And Nick in the background being goofy. Photo credits Tamás de Groot.

After passing by some of the other amazing layouts on the branch line we arrive at Tamás his layout (order ehh I mean number 66) that gives us perfect excess to the main line. We are driving for a quick stop towards number 68, Erwin his banana fiddle yard. This yard is built using a lot of grand curves and therefore has a realistic and natural feel to it. Combined with the added lights makes it the perfect spot to stop and drop off some wagons (or dump your hopper wagons here during the entire event since they were a nightmare to use).

Figure 19 the Banana yard with the famous LLMTC hopper wagons. Photo credits: Maciej Drwięga

After passing by my Roundhouse (number 32) we are off back to Tamás his layout and onto Maté’s station (number 6) from Maté. This station is filled with models from both Maté and Donát and has a really cool modern-day train shed with some really cool and interesting details.

Figure 20 there is always time for a photostop at Maté his station!

After a quick stop we are continuing our journey towards the PFx project layout (number 82). Here Michael Gale was able to evaluate and show his new PFx products. And man was it a treat to see these things in action. I do not want to give away too much, since a lot of the products were still test versions. But the craftsman ship was impressive. And talking to Michael while you are waiting for a green signal to pass was a real treat and amazing experience.

Figure 21 PFx project layout at night.

Talking about green signals, this was the first of many working signals provided by Donát Raáb. With the center point being Ashilfalva station (number 7). This was the center of operations for the working signals project, whereby uses of original Lego sensors and S-bricks, he was able to detected if a train was in a certain part of the layout, and therefore preventing a crash. This system did take some work to set-up but was amazing to see in action, and I highly recommend checking out more about it this video. The station itself was huge and the meet-up point for a lot of the express trains that were going across the layout. And at night, the lights that were added to the layout gave it the perfect look of a busy mainline station.

Figure 22 Donát his station was the center of the working signals program. You can see all the red signals in the background keeping the lLMTC nightexpress safe.

After getting the green signal we are able to leave the station and continue towards a favorite from last year Maciejowo station (number 8) from Maciej. And of course, a lot of pictures have to be taking once passing through this legendary station. After that we arrive at the last big fiddle yard (number 75).

Figure 23 perfect scenery for a late night photo stop

A destination we aren’t able to reach with this train (and not because of the tight radius curves this time) is the narrow gauge layout they had on display. These layouts (number 22, 31 and 42) used the narrow-gauge Lego system and had some really intricated and interesting models running on them. A surprise to see so much narrow gauge in action!

Figure 24 it always impressive to see all the little working narrow gauge trains in action.

As a special event, the organization team organized a “loc-Olympics” event. Where you were able to enter your locomotive in a series of challenges. Like a speed run, or a pulling power test. And the results behind these where surprising. As a building competition, there was the special “95 years of Lego” competition. Where all the participants got the same creator set and had to build something in the theme of 90-years of Lego. And the result builts from this challenge was surprising and creative. These challenges make a cool extra entertainment factor to the event itself, and we are already looking forward to what the challenges are next year!

Nighttime photo’s.

Uncommon compared to other events is that BSBT is open until late on the Saturday evenings. And therefore, has a special “late night photoshoot”. The goal behind is to turn on all the buildings and trains that have light and thereby creating light in the darkness. The result off this is utterly unique for any event and is one of the highlights of the weekend. Unfortunately, still builders are still too lazy to add lights which can make driving in the dark a bit dangerously. Anyway, the layouts get a different life to it. Driving around the layouts gets impossible since everybody is stopping every 2 seconds to take a picture. I remember back in 2021 that there was an entire group of photographers taking pictures off our trains in Maciej station at the same time, while a traffic jam formed behind the station for other builders who were waiting on their turn to take photos.

Figure 25 Maciej his station full with lights and in the background full with a group of photographers trying to capture the magic. Photo credits Maciej Drwięga

So, what’s next.

The BSBT even has been growing increasingly throughout the years and that comes with a real problem. The current location (the tram hall) is getting to small to host every layout and builders that wants to take part in this event. So that’s one of the reasons they are now judging all the entries more strictly than before. Therefore, we highly recommend that if you want to join the even next year, that you would let the organization team know as soon as possible. The dates have already been set(11-13th of August 2023). So see you next year?

Figure 26 always fun having so many diffrent locomotives as guest, but why don’t they clean up after themself? Photo credits Maciej Drwięga.

I really want to thank the organization team behind the BSBT event. What they pull off every year is so impressive, and they surprise me each year on what they are able to each eve. The event itself is growing and growing and I am really looking forward to the bright future what this event is able to hopefully fulfill. The team behind this event is full of the most enthusiastic and friendly people I have ever met in the community and their only goal is that everybody can enjoy the weekend and have a fun time. Being able to be together with some many likeminded builders who you can share ideas and stories with is something I am truly grateful that I’m able to be a part of.

I also want to thank Nick and Tamás for helping out with this article.

Ciao! ~Enrico

If you’re looking for more photo’s and video’s of the events I highly recommend checking out these links:

BSBT2021:

BSBT2022:

Flickr groups:

BSBT21: just a view... who wants to play a bit?
Zremb SB-8 gantry crane and heavy stuff: PKP SM42 and ST43

Layout Design, Layouts, Products

Review: Brickyard Building Blocks LEGO Compatible Baseplate

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Spoiler alert, this is a review of a non LEGO® product.

Today we’re reviewing baseplates produced by Brickyard Building Blocks. These are what many might consider a clone brand, but their baseplates are a little bit different than the LEGO style we’re all used to. That said, they have some unique advantages to offer builders and may be of use in your own train layout building. So let’s take a closer look.

Continue reading Review: Brickyard Building Blocks LEGO Compatible Baseplate →

Events, Layouts, LEGO® News

Great Scale Model Train Show: February, 2022 L-Gauge Modular Standard Layout

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On February 5th and 6th, 2022 several LEGO® train builders gathered in Timonium, Maryland for the Great Scale Model Train Show to put together and display a L-Gauge Modular Standard (LGMS) train layout. The layout was planned and coordinated by Monty Smith. Contributors included Justin and Jesica Rupp, Nate Robinson, Eric Swanson, Robert Tebeau, Cale Leiphart, Glenn Holland, Brandon Burt, Robert Douthwaite, Bob Hayes, Jason Miller, and John Albright.

So first, maybe we should review what LGMS is. The objective of the L-Gauge Modular System (LGMS) is to provide a platform for realistic group layouts where a number of participants can bring LGMS modules to an event and assemble a coherent, reliable, and plausible layout suitable for public display, realistic operations and switching, or loop running where applicable.

LGMS uses a carefully designed set of standards for building layout modules so that every one is bringing a module can seamlessly mate up to any other module following the standards. The most up to date standard can be found on the LGMS website.

The Layout

The February show plan.

The show layout measured 67ft long x 15ft wide, with several bridges, sidings, industries, a branch line, and a staging yard incorporated into the layout. Monty Smith, the layout coordinator, did an awesome job working within the confines of the space we were given by the show while still designing an interesting layout with some creative running opportunities.

Here is a video tour of the layout.

February Timonium Show Layout Tour

And here are some of the trains we ran over the weekend.

Trainspotting!

And here are my still photos from the show.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzRxZZ

Operations

On Sunday morning of the show, we held a mini operating session. What is an operating session you ask? The typical model railroad operating session seeks to model how the real railroads operate on a daily basis. Just like a real railroad, one can perform tasks on a layout such as delivering and picking up freight cars to and from industries, classifying (sorting) cars in the yard from arriving trains, and building outbound trains. Passenger trains make station stops and can be assembled and broken down in the passenger yard. Traffic control, a train dispatcher and signaling can also be involved.

For this op session, we really just wanted to play around and get a feel for what we could do. It was a pretty laid back, made up as we go fair, but was quite fun, and a good learning experience for future op sessions.

IMG_5189
Robert Tebeau and myself staging our locomotives in preparation for the Op session.

Myself, Justin Rupp, and Robert Tebeau took the role of running freight trains and switching on the layout. Each of us controlling our own locomotive. Bob Hayes operated a passenger train, stopping regularly at stations and taking priority on the main line. Monty played the role of dispatcher, instructing each freight train/switcher on what cars to pick up and set out and where they needed to go, while also directing the passenger train schedule.

As I said, it was pretty laid back, and maybe could have done with a little more advanced planning, but we all had a blast and operated for close to an hour before stopping as the show crowd picked up and we went back to running trains normally. It was a great learning experience and we plan to try another op session based on our experience at the 2022 Brickworld event coming up in June.

In Conclusion

This show was a ton of fun. The layout was planned well, and there were some great modules making up the display. We ran a wide variety of trains, from Steam to diesel to moderns high speed trains, and there was no shortage of excellent rolling stock to pull.

A big hand goes out to Monty who was our LGMS coordinator and layout planner for this show. This was not Monty’s first LGMS layout, he has coordinated two previous LGMS layouts the Great Scale Model Train Show and also one for Brickfair Virginia 2021. He is also helping with the track plan for two upcoming shows, Brickworld, and the NMRA National Train Show, coordinating for the Brickfair Virgina LGMS layout, and will be coordinating the October GSMTS LGMS layout. Monty has got this layout planning thing on lockdown and his hard work is much appreciated. And he also builds some cool trains.

IMG_5155
Some of Monty’s Diesel handiwork in the staging yard.

For more information on LGMS and also upcoming shows featuring an LGMS layout you can visit the LGMS website and join the LGMS Facebook group. Links below.

LGMS.org

LGMS Facebook Group

About BMR, Decals, Layout Design, Layouts, Products

OcTRAINber 2020: Entries are open + Prizes

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It’s already October 7th, and that means OcTRAINber is in full swing! We have seen some pretty amazing WIPs in the last month that show us extending OcTRAINber to also include SepTRAINber seems to have been a good idea, which we are very glad of!

Entry Threads @ BMR Flickr

As of several days ago, the entry threads have officially been opened up over at the BMR Flickr. Because most probably not everybody had been aware of this, due to a lack of proper update functions on Flickr, the threads will be shown underneath:

Real Life Entries – Small

Real Life Entries – Large

Real Life Entries – Huge

Digital Entries

The WIPs

As you can see, we have seperated the Real Life Entries in the three respective categories. We have chosen not do so for Digital Entries, becuase in the end BMR always tries to stimulate IRL builds. So if you enter a Real Life build, you have three times more chance of winning!

Also, we have opened up the “The WIPs” thread. Here you can post all of your WIP pictures, so that everybody has a good overview of all the WIP stories that are being posted!

Prizes!

Now, what would OcTRAINber be without prizes? It would just be OcTRAINber, but without prizes. And thats no fun. So, just like the previous three years, we have reached out to some of our favourite third-party L-Gauge related suppliers. We are glad to say the again reacted very positive, which means this year we can again give away a lot of amazing prizes!

PFx Brick + XL Speaker Package (x2!)

This prize was donated (twice!) by Fx Bricks, and includes the following:

Bricktracks R104 Switch Pack (x2!)

BrickTracks has decided to donated their amazing new R104 switches this year, also twice!

BMR Knuckle Couplers (x4!)

All winners in their respective categories will get a pair of BMR Knuckle Couplers of their choice. Winners can choose one of the respective four versions:

Lego Crocodile Locomotive

And, like every year, we also have the current Lego Train Set as a prize. This year that means obviously the 10277 Crocodile Locomotive! And this year, this set will be sponsored Brick Model Railroader!

Krokodil Locomotief 10277 | Creator Expert | Officiële LEGO® winkel NL

Extra prize: OcTRAINber Printed Bricks!

We don’t have a sample yet, but all winners of OcTRAINber 2020 will win a printed brick, commemorating their win in OcTRAINber 2020. This will be a one-off product, which will finally give the winners some visual bragging rights. We are very excited by this extra prize, and hope to show the design of the Winners Brick as soon as possible!

Wrap up

So, that’s it from us at the moment. Good luck with building, and happy OcTRAINber!

Contests, Layout Design, Layouts, People

OcTRAINber 2020: Podcast, Judge & Clarifying the Rules

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Since announcing OcTRAINber 2020: Dioramas, dioramas everywhere, we have seen a lot of enthousiast reactions, which we are very glad about. This post is the first follow-up post, and several more will most probably follow in the coming weeks, to keep the well-known Hype Train going.

Podcast

As part of this years Challenge we will host a BMR Podcast this Sunday over at Youtube, be sure to check it out!

The Fourth Judge

As has become tradition, OcTRAINber is judged by a panel of three BMR Judges, combined with one Guest Judge. Just like last year the BMR Judges will be Cale Leiphart, Glenn Holland and yours truely.

Our Guest Judge this year will be Falk, who is better known as Bricknerd over at Flickr. Falk is very skilled in building little dioramas that – if his train designs weren’t so awesome – would surely stand out in any build!

Clarifying the Rules

We also however received some requests for clarification on the rules, which we would like to give.

First of all, let us say one thing: For the last three years OcTRAINber has been a building challenge that both challenges and brings out the creativity. For this reason we on purpose stay vague on the rules, because we like to see exactly that creativity.

1. Diorama?

The first question was about what a diorama actually is. It’s always a bit shady difference between the two, but with layout it at least implies that some form of operations is possible, whereas a diorama can be totally static. However, as is the case with most layouts; if you just take a part of it, it becomes a diorama quite fast.

Google has the following definition: “a model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures, either in miniature or as a large-scale museum exhibit.”

The emphasis here lays on the scene part. Other than a layout, a diorama is a scene that tells some form of story. That story can something big like a train robbery, but can also just be a field of green with cows. Just as long it’s a scene, it’s fine.

2. Train & track?

In the rules it is stipulated that every diorama needs to have some form of train and track. This being a Brick Model Railroader hosted Building Challenge this is kind of a must-have. However, different than the last three installments of OcTRAINber, the train & track don’t have to take center stage this time around.

That means that for the first time in the history of OcTRAINber, you are allowed to enter a Lego train set, a MOD or any other Instructions-based third party design. However, the choice to do so has to be an integral part of the diorama. This means that instead of judging the trains for their build, taking a look at them and how/if they fit or enhance the scene will be how they are viewed.

Just for an example, take this motorized diorama by bogieman that has a minifig loading crates into a boxcar designed by Jeffrey Fonda over at BTD. That’s a build where one would say having the train there is essential to the story of the scene, and that level of integration will be scored higher for tying it all together.

3. Movement?

Last year OcTRAINber had the “Technic Challenge” theme, where it was all about movement. Even though this year is about dioramas, the whole ‘scene’ thing that is part of a diorama does mean that if some movement is ‘necessary’ for the scene, it is for sure allowed.

4. Procedural Building?

As we found out in last years survey, a lot of builders were not able send in their Entries because for the first time we lacked a Digital Builds-category. Here at BMR we are very much in favour of IRL builds, because that’s in the end the best way to grow our hobby: To show those trains and let them run! However, we understand that not everybody is able to have huge piles of Legos laying around, let alone have the space for a full Diorama. Therefore, we have decided to allow Digital Builds this year again.

We know there are some things happening in the Digital World with Procedural Builds, which means you could technically build amazing pieces of nature with just one click. However, because a diorama is so much more than some pieces of rock, we don’t see a bit problem in this. We will however keep an eye out on this, so that it won’t take over the creativity (and fun) of this building challenge.

5. Size?

Some clarifications on size, which we also kind of discussed in the OcTRAINber BMR Podcast and on the BMR Flickr:

1) Builders are not restricted to 32×32 baseplates but can create any form of base that they like in any size or shape using any LEGO parts they see fit.

2) Size will be determined by the number of studs and how it equates to a 32×32 baseplate.

3) The minimum size for a diorama is 1024 studs, equivalent to a single 32×32 baseplate.

4) The cut-off point for each category is 1 stud less than the start of the next category. So, for example, Small is 1024 to 3071 studs (the equivalent of three 32×32 baseplates minus 1 stud), Large is 3072 to 6141 studs and Huge is 6142 studs and over.

(kudos to HodCarrier for the great summary)

(if more questions will come in, we will add them to this post)

Inspiration, Layouts, Model Design

Railroad Track Maintenance Part One; The Tie Gang

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By Sal Ciofani

So you’ve decided to step beyond just laying LEGO track on baseplates, so you have added ballast and reddish brown or black ties to really make your track come to life.  You might even say it is starting to less like a toy train track, and a little more like realistic model railroad track.  But even the nicest looking high speed mainline track needs good maintenance to keep it in tip top shape so trains can run quickly and safely, without risking catastrophic derailments.  We will take a look at how track is maintained to keep it looking realistic and to keep trains running safely and reliably.    

Continue reading Railroad Track Maintenance Part One; The Tie Gang →

History, Layouts, Prototypes

North American Railway Signaling, Part 1: Basics

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Railway signals play a critical role in the movement of trains on a line. Generally signals convey information about the occupancy of the track ahead and whether the train can safely proceed or needs to stop. Unlike with cars, the stopping distance for a train is generally greater than the sight distance of the engineer, so the safe operation of a train is absolutely dependent on the signal system telling the engineer what to expect ahead. For this article we will stick to signals common to North American railroads, and mainly focus on signals that can be found on modern Class I railroads.

Definitions

Before we can get into the basics of signaling there are some terms that need to be defined so that the concepts will be easier to explain:

  • Aspect: What the signal shows (e.g. green, yellow, red, green over red, etc.).
  • Block: A stretch of track into which the entry of a train is controlled by a signal or other form of authority.
  • Diverging route: The route through the curved side of a switch (known in the industry as a turnout).
  • Indication: What the aspect means.
  • Interlocking: A group of one or more switches and associated signals.
  • Maximum Allowable Speed (MAS): The maximum speed at which a train is allowed to operate though an area, as defined in the employee timetable.
  • Name: What the aspect is called (clear, approach, stop, etc.).

Highball!

Nearly everyone in the railroading world knows the term “highball”; it’s synonymous with “full speed ahead”, and basically gives the engineer authority to start moving or continue moving. Conductors and dispatchers often use it when communicating with the engineer of a train. But where does it come from?

Quite literally, a high ball.

One of the earliest forms of railway signal used to control the movement of trains was the ball signal, which consisted of a red ball on a rope and pulley, mounted on a pole. When the ball was raised (high), it meant the next block was clear and the approaching train could proceed at MAS. So let’s continue at MAS into railway signaling!

Signaling Basics

The view from Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, IL, with a sea of signals visible. Complex areas like this may use speed signaling rather than route signaling, or even “go/no go” signals.
Matt Csenge photo.

In North America, there are two general categories of signaling used by Class I Railroads: speed signaling and route signaling. The types basically do exactly what it says on the cover: speed signaling tells the engineer how fast to go, and route signaling tells the enginer what route the train is lined for. Route signaling is the more common type of signaling, with speed signaling being used in dense corridors where there are multiple routes a train could take. In these complex areas using speed signaling the engineer may not know exactly where their train will be going, but they know what speed they need to be going to get there safely. With route signaling, the engineer knows exactly where their train will be going, and has to remember (or look up in the timetable) what is the maximum speed they can be going to get there safely.

Signals are placed at two distinct locations on the railroad: block signals are placed at the beginning of a block (in any direction that a train is allowed to travel within the block) and home signals are placed at interlockings. The block signal preceeding a home signal is known as a distant signal.

The rear of a BNSF Railway coal train passing a basic block signal on Crawford Hill in Nebraska.
Matt Csenge photo.

Basic block signals consist of a single head with three lights: red, yellow, and green. On most North American railroads, each signal head can only have one light lit at a time and thus can display three aspects: stop, approach, and clear, respectively. There is also a fourth color that is used occasionally: lunar white (aka lunar), which displays an aspect known as restricting. Here is a quick explanation of what these four aspects mean:

  • Clear (green): The block is clear, and the next signal does not indicate stop; proceed at MAS.
  • Approach (yellow): The block is clear and the next signal indicates stop; prepare to stop at the next signal.
  • Stop (red): The block is occupied, do not proceed.
  • Restricting (lunar): The block is occupied, proceed at restricted speed. Restricted speed is defined as a speed at which you can stop within half of your sight distance, maximum 15 mph, expecting to encounter a train. (Why half sight distance? There may be another train coming the other way at restricting speed!)
Six-track signal gantry with distant signals on the Long Island Rail Road in Woodside, Queens, NY.
Matt Csenge photo.

Home and distant signals need more than one signal head to display a sufficient amount of information, and thus may have as many as three heads. The aspects displayed by these three heads is about the status of interlockings, so for now we will just stick with the basic four above. The aspects and indications are listed again below with the aspects for two and three head signals:

  • Clear (green / green over red / green over red over red): The block is clear, and the next signal does not indicate stop; proceed at MAS.
  • Approach (yellow / yellow over red / yellow over red over red): The block is clear and the next signal indicates stop; prepare to stop at the next signal.
  • Stop (red / red over red / red over red over red): The block is occupied, do not proceed.
  • Restricting (lunar / lunar over red / lunar over red over red / red over lunar / red over lunar over red / red over red over lunar): The block is occupied, proceed at restricted speed.

Types of Signals

Common types of signals in use on North American railroads include color lights, searchlights, position lights (PLs), color position lights (CPLs), and position color lights (PCLs). Color lights are by far the most common, and the aspects in the basics section above are those of a color light signal.

Color Lights

Color light signal. This style is known as “Darth Vader,” due to the large hood over all three lenses.
Photo from railroadsignals.us

Color light signals are by far the most common type of signal in the United States at present. Many railroads have begun to replace other types of signals with color lights in an effort to standardize the signals across their entire system. Most color light signal heads consist of three lenses, with green at top, yellow at middle, and red at bottom. Sometimes the signal heads are oriented sideways, though this is not common. Another type is the “Tri-Light”, which features the three colors arranged in a triangular shape on a circular background. A proper tri-light would be very difficult to recreate at scale with Lego, given the triangular arrangement on a circular background.

Lego 4541 Road and Rail Service Truck

Many designs of color light signal have been built in Lego, and have even been included in Lego sets, such as 4541. One major gripe that I personally have with these is that they are “go/no go” signals that lack a yellow approach indication. While these types of signals are often used in yards, terminals, or other slow-speed locations, they would practicaly never be used on the mainline (at least not in North America). A train would not be able to stop for a red signal if it was operating at full speed when the engineer saw the signal, which is why the approach indication is so important: it tells the engineer the next signal is red, so be prepared to stop then. This gives them plenty of time to slow the train, before they even see the red signal.

Searchlights

Two-head searchlight signal.
Mark Vogel photo.

Searchlight signals consist of one light with an internal mechanism that moves different colored lenses in front of the light. Working searchlights are also difficult in Lego, as they would depend on a multi-color LED.

Position Lights (PLs)

A trio of Position Light signals on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in Queens, NY.
Matt Csenge photo.

Position lights were developed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and consist circular heads with lines of lights at different angles (the center light is common to all aspects). These position of these lights mimic the position of the blade of a semaphore signal, the predecessor to these signals. Most PLs have a second head with at least one light, so they can shown additional speed aspects.

Here’s an example of a Lego position light signal:

Modular PRR Position Light signal by Matt Csenge.

Position lights were installed throughout the Pennsy’s territory, and can still be found along the Northeast Corridor and the lines of many other railroads, like CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS), and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR, sic). Variations include dwarf and pedestal PLs, which are used in yards, terminals, and other areas where a full PL is not needed. (Note that “dwarf signal” is the correct industry term for these small signals used in yards, terminals, and other restricted clearance areas.)

An Amtrak train racing past a PCL signal at Secaucus Junction station in New Jersey.
Matt Csenge photo.

Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between New York City and Washington DC was once the Pennsylvania Railroad mainline, and thus was chock full of PLs. At some point Amtrak added colored lenses to their PLs, making them Position Color Lights (not to be confused with Color Position Lights, which we’ll talk about next). PCLs also resemble “Red Eyes” PLs, which are standard PLs with two red lights for the stop indication, but red eyes PLs have a center lamp for use with the approach and clear indications.

Color Position Lights (CPLs)

B&O Color Position Light signals.
Photo from railroadsignals.us

Color position lights were developed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad around the same time as PLs. They feature one main head with up to four indications (the ones listed above), and as many as six marker lights above and below the main head to display speed information. CPLs can be differentiated from PLs because there is no middle light and the aspects are in color: vertical is green (clear), horizontal is red (stop), 45° right is yellow (approach), and 45° left is lunar (restricting).

Here’s an example of a Lego CPL Lego:

Full Color Position Light signal WIP by Matt Csenge

Similar to PLs, CPLs have dwarf varitions as well:

Modular dwarf Color Position Light signal by Matt Csenge.

Additional Complexity

This covers the basics of railway signaling in North America. Getting further into route and speed signaling, home signals, and interlockings will require their own articles, as these concepts get very complex. The indications of signals vary slightly from railroad to railroad, thus adding to the complexity. I was told once that Amtrak engineers on some routes need to be able to interpret as many as 6 different types of signals by memory, as their routes use the tracks of various freight railroads and thus their signal systems too.

Here’s one fun shot I wanted to share, of a cable car signal in San Francisco. I took this shot to tease my CEE 410 Railway Signaling professor by asking what the indication is for “red X over green over green arrow over white person?” He just laughed and suggested we order another beer!

Cable car signal in San Francisco.
Photo by Matt Csenge

Inspiration, Layouts, People

Building a LEGO Train Club

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This article was written for us by Richard Carter, a founding member of the LNUR, or LEGO Northern UK Railway.

What do you do when you find other adult LEGO fans who love LEGO trains? Start a LEGO train club, of course!

We were all inspired by the collaboration we had seen on railway displays from LEGO Train Clubs (LTCs) in America and Australia. Groups such as PennLUG and Texas Brick Railroad in the US, and Melbourne LEGO Train Club and Victorian L Gauge Railways in Australia.

FOUNDING THE GROUP

LNUR was founded by three members – myself (aka Bricks McGee), Jack and James. We felt there was room for a LEGO train club in our area of the UK, and LEGO Northern UK Railway (LNUR) was born. The name and logo of the LNUR group are pastiches of LEGO Northern Eastern Railway, a historic and also current operating name for a major railway route in the UK between London and Edinburgh.

We were fairly local to each other, based in North East England and Yorkshire, and had talked before at LEGO shows we had been exhibiting at. Every LEGO train club seems to have plenty of loco builders, so our aim was to build a large main railway display for members to run their locomotive and rolling stock models on.

There are quite a few LEGO User Groups in the UK already, so our aim was not to replicate the functions of those, but to create a group in which LEGO train fans could collaborate more closely.We now have members from every LEGO User Group in the UK – something we hadn’t envisaged when we first started!

OUR FIRST LEGO RAILWAY DISPLAY

The first official LNUR display was at Hull Block Con in August 2017, though a handful of British LEGO railway modellers had displayed together at Bricktastic LEGO show in Manchester earlier that year. The layout was based on Richard’s Felpersham railway station model, and James’ 9ft long Intercity 225 was incredibly popular with visitors to the show.

A model of Stephenson’s Rocket locomotive on our display at Hull Block Con 2017.

As a group, we average around 12 – 15 LEGO shows a year, which gives us plenty of chance to run locos and wagons on longer layouts than we could probably set up in our living rooms. As a LEGO train club, our flagship show for displays is Shildon Brick Show.

This has become our major show for displays for a few reasons: firstly, Shildon Brick Show is in a railway museum, which is the perfect backdrop for our LEGO railway. Secondly, the show is held in November each year so it gives us 11 months to prepare a new display to tour.

Last year, our display was “Darrington”, centred around a railway station based on Loughborough Central, now part of the Great Central Railway heritage line. The layout also features a traditional steam locomotive shed and a traction maintenance department.

A view from the road bridge over the railway station.
Felpersham Traction Maintenance Depot (TMD) on our Darrington LEGO railway display.

We use standard LEGO track where possible, though larger radius curves from both Brick Tracks and Trixbrix enable us to run at higher speeds for shows, and their custom crossovers, points and slip points are really helpful for allowing more interesting running for the public.

ROLLING STOCK AND LOCOMOTIVES

The majority of our members build British locos and wagons, though we do have a token railroader in Matt, who is building a modular US-style railroad display. Between our members, we have LEGO models of many of the more famous locomotives to run on British railways, including Jack’s Intercity 125:

James’ Intercity 225 on our layout at Bricktastic 2018 in Manchester:

We seem to like building the more quirky rolling stock, too. This is Pete’s FNA nuclear flask wagon:

MEMBER LAYOUTS

Now we’re a little more mature as a LEGO train club, we’re seeing members building their own LEGO railway layouts ready to display at shows and exhibitions, too. We displayed our Ambridge & Paxley layout earlier this year at a show, which is a new end-to-end display. It made for a fun few days of operation as it required more coordination between drivers to use the single line between the stations.

A LEGO 02 locomotive on passenger service above the cricket pitch. A LEGO dinosaur (bottom left) always seems to be present on LNUR layouts! Photo: Isaac Smith.

We also have two narrow gauge railway displays in progress, and our long-running “playout” – a drive-your-own LEGO train display – is hugely popular at LEGO shows. Part of our remit as a LEGO train club is to encourage interest in the LEGO train hobby, so the younger we can inspire LEGO fans the better!

LNUR TODAY

3 years since starting LNUR, we now have a steady membership of around 20 members, spread throughout Scotland and England. We even have a member in the US who builds British locomotives!

If you love LEGO trains and building displays, we would highly recommend getting together and building your own LEGO train club.