Hello everyone. It’s that Holiday time of year again. The air is turning colder, strings of lights are going up, and Christmas music is playing somewhere in the distance. Trains and the Holidays were made for each other. We here at Brick Model Railroader are getting into the Holiday spirit, and to start things off, we’re having our annual Black Friday Cyber Monday Weekend Sale!
We also have some important store updates, so please read until the end.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale
Starting Black Friday, November 26th at 12am save 10% on all our Locomotive, Freight Car, Passenger Car, and Caboose Premium Instructions. All Decals will also be 10% off. The discount will automatically be added to your cart. $10.00 Minimum purchase, sale ends at at 11:59pm Monday November 29th (EST times). Just visit our the BMR Store at the link below and start shopping.
So you want more? Well we have a special bonus for you. The first 50 orders this weekend will receive a free Brick Model Railroader Swag Pack. It’s filled with the following goodies.
Brick Model Railroader printed 2×4 Tile (first time we’ve done the 2×4)
BMR Pin
Special BMR Sticker
BMR Refrigerator Magnet
The Swag Pack will not show up in your cart at checkout, we’ll add it to your order afterwards.
We will also have full restocks of all our Premium Instruction Kits.
You heard that correct. We’ve brought back Brick Model Railroader shirts. We’ve teamed up with Printify, an on demand printing service to bring back BMR shirts. We have two Tees to choose from. First is the Gildan Ultra Cotton. It’s a good quality shirt that’s not too expensive. The second is a Comfort Color shirt. It’s a premium quality shirt, fits great and is super soft and comfortable. I have a few railroad shirts that are Comfort Color and they are by far my favorite make of Tee I own.
And it’s not just T-shirts this time. We also have long sleeve T-shirts, Hoodies, Hat’s Tumblers, and Mugs.
Some shirts colors or sizes may be temporarily out of stock with our printer, so if you don’t see something available, just check back at a later date to see if it’s in stock again.
Premium Instruction Kits Price Increase
As many of you are surely aware, the cost of goods had steadily risen recently. We here at BMR are not immune to this. Many of the components and materials used in making our Premium Instruction Kits have gone up. From the parts used to make our ball bearing wheel sets, to the labels we put on the box, we’ve been paying more this year to produce our products. While we try to keep our retail prices as affordable as we can, we have made some price adjustments recently to keep up with production costs.
However, coming next year, we will likely be seeing our biggest production cost increase. Printing our instruction books.
As some of you may be aware, we have had our instruction book printed through our friends at Brickmania. They have done excellent work for us and have treated us well on printing costs. However starting in January BKM will no longer be taking on outside printing jobs so they can focus on their own printing needs. This means we will be switching printers for our BMR instruction books beginning in 2022. Don’t worry, we have some good contacts and are already 95% certain we have a new printer lined up. What this means though is that our printing costs for our books are very likely to go up. That is just something beyond our control and a reality of our current market.
While we don’t have firm numbers yet, we know that it is inevitable that we will need to raise prices on out Premium Instruction kits to keep up. However there is some good news. Brickmania will still be printing for us through the end of December, so until then, our current prices will stay where they are. If you’ve been on the fence about getting one of our instruction kits, now is a great time to do so, especially with the Black Friday Discount this weekend.
Production Delays
In addition to costs rising as mentioned above, this year has also brought the difficulty of just getting components. Stocks of some parts are non existent, and even when you can get them, they take longer to get. Our book printing has been delayed due to paper shortages. We’ve had to source axles and bearings from other suppliers. Without this stuff we can’t assemble our Premium Instruction Kits. Rest assured that we at BMR are doing everything we can to get what we need to produce our products in a timely manner. But we ask you to be patient with us this Holliday season. If it takes a few extra days, or a week or two to ship your order, it’s not because we’re not trying. We genuinely may not have the product to ship right away because of circumstances beyond our control. But we will ship your order, and do it as soon as we possibly can.
Sneak Peak at Our Next Premium Instructions
Finally, we’ll leave you with this sneak peak at our latest Primeum Instructions model coming soon. The National Steel Car Co. NWA33 class All-Purpose 3-Unit Well Car designed by Chris Stone. Additional we have instructions coming for the 20ft and 40ft Smooth Side Containers, 53ft Trailers, and 48ft and 53ft Insulated Containers seen loaded on the well car set. Look for more details in the near future for these models.
And with that, we wish every one a Happy Thanksgiving here in the US, and Happy Hollidays to all.
Hello train builders. October is here and you may have noticed that we’ve been a bit quiet on our annual OcTRAINber build challenge event this year. Life as, it sometime does, has kept us busy with things other than LEGO® trains. However, we didn’t want the community to miss this years OcTRAINber. So, we decided that for the fifth year in a row, OcTRAINber must go on!
Last years OcTRAINber, “Dioramas, Dioramas Everywhere”, was a big one. Both in scope, and work for builders and us judging. Since we have not had the big pre announcement of theme, and run up to October allowing builders to plan big projects ahead of time, we have decided this year to head in the opposite direction and pick a theme much smaller in scope.
This years theme will be “Critters”.
“Sweet Toot” a critter style locomotive built by Plymouth for the Domino Sugar co. Now preserved at the B&O Railroad Museum.
Loosely defined, a critter is a light-duty or industrial switching locomotive between 300 to 1000 h.p. weighing less than 100 tons, although most tip the scales at less than half that weight. These small locomotives are usually built to fill a specific need for each customer. This results in these tiny engines often having an odd look about them. They can be found in most industrial settings, such as a steel mill, but can be seen hauling coal at a power plant, clay at a brick factory, as well as junk yards and lumber mills. Some are used by the railroads as shop switchers to move dead locomotives around for maintenance or repair. Critters have been manufactured in standard or narrow gauge. Critters can be diesel electric like their “big brothers”, some are pure electric running on trolly poles or even battery power, and others are gas mechanical with a transmission.
Reading shop switcher 1251 certainly fits the spirit of the critter locomotive.
While smaller steam locomotives are not typically thought of as “Critters”, there are abundant examples throughout the steam era that fit the critter mold perfectly, so we’re going to throw them in as well.
A battery-powered shop switcher at the Chessie System/C&O terminal in Huntington, West Virginia is seen here during May of 1984. The little critter was built by General Electric in 1917 for the Chesapeake & Ohio and today resides at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. Rob Kitchen photo.
But wait, there is more. Locomotives are fun, but rolling stock can be great too. And what use is a locomotive if you have nothing to pull with it? So we adding small rolling stock categories in as well. This can be anything from a mine cart, to a small caboose. Any type of rolling stock that is a bit smaller than usual.
Lehigh Valley 2606 is a classic “Bobber” style caboose. Short in length and with only for wheels. These cabooses were not the best riding cars, but they are iconic of early 20th century railroading.
Like the previous installments of OcTRAINber, the idea of this building challenge is to actually challenge builders. To get us out of our comfort zones. We Trainheads build a lot of trains, but we too often focus on the big fancy trains. The big freight locomotives and the first class passenger trains. But there is a whole world of interesting railroad subjects that while smaller in stature, are just as hard working and important. This is your mission, to build the little unsung heroes of the train world. Unleash the Critters!
Rules
Ok, we do have some rules to go over first. Our intent is to keep things simple here and let you have as much creative freedom as possible, but do have to keep things orderly and fair, so bear with us.
Entries must be original models. No stealing. This also means no MODs (thus also no sets), only original MOCs.
One entry per person, per category. You can enter as many categories as you like, but you can only enter one model in each category. We want quality over quantity. So pick your best model and make it shine.
Third party parts are allowed, clone bricks aren’t. We know this can be a thin line, just walk it wisely, and we’ll do our best to judge fairly on this.
We are making no rules for the scale you choose to model in. We are welcoming models of 6, 7, and 8 studs, and anything in between or beyond! However, we appreciate detail and accuracy. Reasonably sized models are usually better for that, but we don’t knock anything or anyone with serious skill.
NEW BUILDS ONLY. We are willing to accept anything unpublished or anything that was not published before August 1st 2021 as new. We want to inspire and promote a challenging build, entering an old model doesn’t quite work in that regard.
Entries MUST be made on our Flickr group in the appropriate thread. This is the ONLY place we will be looking for entries, nowhere else. Sending photos to us on social media or showing us in person do not count as entries! These threads will open on October 1st.
We will be accepting entries from Midnight on October 1st to Midnight on November 15th (meaning November 14th, at 23:59 PDT). That’s right, you have six weeks of OcTRAINber. Why the late deadline? Well in the past we’ve announced the theme ahead of time, giving builders time to plan and order parts if needed. Since we did not have a pre announcement this year, were giving you all an extra two weeks bast the end of October to get your entries in.
Digital entries are allowed. Keep in mind though that digital entries are competing in the same categories as real physical models. So to be fair we will be looking at digital models as if they are genuine physical models. Ask yourself, can this be built in real life? If not, then it may not fair well in judging. This is where showing your “work in progress” will really be important.
Categories
This year there will be six categories you can enter in. Three for locomotives, and three for rolling stock.
Locomotives
Any locomotive weighing less than 100 tons and producing less than 1,000hp, not typically used in main line revenue service. Think industrial, mining, shop switcher. Think small.
Steam – 0-6-0 or smaller. Usually a tank style locomotive. Sometimes fireless. We are also accepting compressed air powered locomotives here.
Internal Combustion – Anything using an internal combustion’s engine for power. This can be gasoline, diesel, propane, distillate, etc.
Electric – Any locomotive using straight electric power, either from 3rd rail, overhead wire, or by on board batteries.
0-4-0 No. 1 is a compressed air locomotive built by the H.K. Porter co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Rolling Stock
Any non mainline revenue equipment, typically shorter than 30ft in length, and often running on less than 8 wheels. If it’s big and carries freight or passengers, then it’s not what we’re looking for.
Bobber Caboose – Bobber cabooses were short 4 wheel cabooses.
MOW – Maintenance of Way equipment. The rolling stock used to maintain the railroad. And yes we know some MOW equipment can be huge, but that’s not what we’re looking for. Think speeder car, track tamper, dump cart, tie crane, etc.
Industrial – Any car used in an industrial setting such as a factory, mill, ship yard, mine, etc.
Used in Maintenance of Way “MOW” service, this Central New Jersey speeder car would transport work crews around the railroad to help maintain track, signals, and other line side items.This industrial style car was used to transfer coal to coke ovens in a Coke Plant.
Best Motorized Model
We will have a special award for best motorized model. This can can be from any one of the above categories (we can’t wait to see how you try to motorize a bobber caboose), so all entries are automatically entered for this. Assuming of corse you have some type of motorization. Motorization is not a requirement though for the main six categories.
Some Notes on Entries
Keep in mind that OcTRAINber is a ‘quality over quantity’-building event. This means that we rather encourage you to build one amazing build than several sub-par ones. Build your best, not the most.
We’ve also tried to give you a wide berth in the definitions for each category. We want to encourage you to explore as much as possible and come up with some really interesting stuff. But we also know that it could be easy to stretch those definitions into something not really in the spirit of the theme. Sure an EMD SW1 could technically fit the letter of the rules, but is it in the spirit of the theme. Remember to think small. The theme is critters, and we want to see your best, small modeling.
Just like previous years, we want to encourage you to show off your Work in Progress or “WIPs”, so we can make OcTRAINber a month that is all about trains within the Lego community. Therefore, extra credit will be given to the best WIP stories and/or pictures during the event.
Points
Points will be awarded in three categories: Credibility, WIP Story, and Build.
First of all, credibility of the prototype. This means we will be looking at how much the build represents the real life prototype. If you are sending in a fantasy model, we will look at how credible the build is; would it fit in, does the backstory make sense?
Second of all, the WIP story. This refers to both showing off your building process, but also to how and why you decided to model a certain prototype. The better the story and the more updates you give and the more elaborate your building story is, the better.
Third and last but no less important, the build itself. How detailed is it, how accurate is it, does it look like what it is intended to look like. Does it use pieces in a clever way. Does it use clever build techniques. Does it make every ones jaw drop in amazement.
Prizes & Winners
We haven’t finalized on prizes yet, but since this is a building challenge, we will for sure have some, just like in previous years.
We will pick the winners after we have announced the official close of the competition and have stopped accepting new entries, which will be some time after November 15th. Once the judges (who, just like last year, will be announced in an upcoming article) have come to a sound conclusion regarding the winners, we will post one final article announcing them, and then we will be in contact with those winners regarding their prizes.
Final Words
For the past four years, OcTRAINber has been organized by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, a.k.a. Raised. Unfortunately due to a growing family life and career commitments Gerbrand felt the need to step down from organizing this year’s event. We are extremely grateful here at BMR for all the hard work Gerbrand has put into OcTRAINber and we will miss his presence in this year’s challenge. With out him, OcTRAINber would not be what it is today. So let’s all give Gerbrand a big thank you making OcTRAINber the event we all know and love.
Thank you Gerbrand, and we hope some day you find the time to once again have a hand in this challenge. Until then, we will do our best to continue what you started and keep it awesome.
So, that’s it for now. OcTRAINber has officially started. Now the only thing you have to do is start building, and unleash the critters! Happy OcTRAINber!
Gerbrand on the left , and Cale Leiphart on the right, visiting the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in 2019.
Hello everyone. The world has spent the last year in lockdowns and isolation while we’ve been fighting a global pandemic. All our favorite LEGO® Fan Events have either been postponed or moved online. And while we have made the best of the situation and persevered, we are happy to say that in the United State at least, public evens are starting to return. Today we’re going to highlight a few of those coming in the next few weeks.
L Gauge Modular System
New official LGMS logo.
Before we get into the events, we wanted to make a quick note of what is going on with the L-Gauge Modular System, LGMS for short, since the standard will be featured in several of the events coming up.
On the LGMS website you will find the latest updates to the standard, information on upcoming events where an LGMS layout is being organized, links to various LGMS resources, and articles on LGMS. Of course we will still cover important LGMS info here on Brick Model Railroader as well, but the LGMS website will be a great tool as the standard continues to grow.
Nebraska Brick Days-Omaha 2021
Brick Days – Omaha is a family friendly event featuring 15,000 square feet of amazing custom creations, games, and interactive activities, all built from LEGO bricks by LEGO enthusiasts from across the Midwest. With this being our flagship event, Brick Days holds nothing back. You will see the newest creations from many different builders, the best prizes, and the newest up-to-date swag from the most popular vendors within LEGO® community.
https://brickdays.com
This year Brick Days-Omaha will be held on July 24th & 25th, at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA.
Photo from the 2019 Brick Days event.
BMR attended this even in 2019 and had a really great time. I will be raveling back there again this year, though I will not have the PennLUG layout coming with me. I still very much look forward to seeing the event, catching up with old friends, and meeting new train fans. Look for me to be hanging around the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club layout with a few models to show off.
BrickFair Virginia 2021
BrickFair Viginia is one of the premier LEGO® fan events in North America, bringing together hundred of LEGO builders and their creations. Held every year in Chantilly, Virginia, the event returns this year on July 28th to August 1st.
This year will be the first time an L-Gauge Modular Standard (LGMS) collaborative layout make an appearance at the event.
Final LGMS Layout Plan for BrickFair 2021.
Several clubs and individuals will be participating in this layout, including myself with my Red Lion Station layout. A big shout out goes to Monty Smith for organizing this for the 2021 event. I’m really looking forward to running some trains on this.
Brick Slopes 2021
BrickSlopes is proud to return to the Mountain America Expo Center for their 2021 EVENT. After being forced to cancel the 2020 event, they hope you are too. The event will be held on August 26th- 28th 2021.
Brick Slopes is excited to announce that it is putting on its first LGMS train display this year. Don’t have a train? No worries, buildings, scenery, and just about anything city can be displayed next to some train tracks! Just as long as its made to the LGMS standard.
HOW DO YOU JOIN IN THE FUN!
When you register your MOCs on the BrickSlopes website, select city and train as the theme. Then feel free to reach out to Brad Rowley so they can find the best place to put your layout on the loop! If you have any ideas, suggestions, or just want to share, send Brad a PM! The time is closing fast, so get those MOCs ready!
BMR Store Shipping
One final note. As the BMR Store shipping department (that would be me) is going to be on the road the next two weeks attending Nebraska Brick Days and Brickfair Virginia, I will not be shipping orders until I return. The store will remain open so you can place orders, and download our Knuckle Coupler Cad Models and Knuckle Coupler Conversion Instructions, but any orders requiring shipping will not be shipped until I return on August 2nd.
Thank You, and I hope to see you at Nebraska Brick Days or BrickFair.
It’s been a long time coming, but the day is finally here. Today we are releasing our Premium Instructions for the EMD SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive. Available now in the Brick Model Railroader Store. And we have a few special surprises in store for you too. But first, let’s take a look at the model.
EMD SD40-2 Premium Instructions
Norfolk Southern model in the “Horse Head” paint scheme with optional parts shown.
The EMD SD40-2 is a 3,000-horsepower (2,200 kW) C-C road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD from 1972 to 1989.
The SD40-2 was introduced in January 1972 as part of EMD’s Dash 2 series, competing against the GE U30C and the ALCO Century 630. Although higher-horsepower locomotives were available, including EMD’s own SD45-2, the reliability and versatility of the 3,000-horsepower (2,200 kW) SD40-2 made it one of the best-selling models in EMD’s history, edged only by the GP9, and the standard of the industry for several decades after its introduction. The SD40-2 was an improvement over the SD40, with modular electronic control systems similar to those of the experimental DDA40X.
Burlington Northern model in the “White Face” paint scheme, without the stripe.
Peak production of the SD40-2 was in the mid-1970s. Sales of the SD40-2 began to diminish after 1981 due to the oil crisis, increased competition from GE’s Dash-7 series and the introduction of the EMD SD50, which was available concurrently to late SD40-2 production. The last SD40-2 delivered to a United States railroad was built in July 1984, with production continuing for railroads in Canada until 1988, Mexico until February 1986, and Brazil until October 1989. As of 2013, nearly all built still remain in service.
CONRAIL SD40-2 wearing the “CONRAIL Quality” paint scheme.
Our model of this famous locomotive has been designed by BMR Team Member, Chris Stone. Chris has done a wonderful job capturing the iconic look of the SD40-2.
For this, our first Locomotive Premium Instructions, we are trying something new. For past freight and passenger car models we’ve covered multiple variations in a single instruction book. But the SD40-2 is a larger model and more complex than previous Premium Instructions and covering all variations and paint schemes in a single book would be impractical. So we are breaking the SD40-2 up into a series based on the railroad paint schemes we plan to offer.
BNSF in the “Heritage 2” Paint Scheme.
The advantage of this is that we can offer a better build- ing experience with parts list specific to each paint scheme. Each instruction book will be tailored to a specific railroad with details explicit to that road high- lighted on each model.
Our instructions include options to build each railroad’s SD40-2 locomotives in several paint schemes. Also included are instructions for various optional upgrades to the model including No. 6 Wheels, Custom Fan Shrouds, and Knuckle Couplers. More on those optional parts later.
SD40-2 Instruction Books
Our SD40-2 Premium Instructions Kits contain the following:
1 professionally printed 96-124 (page count depending on railroad) page instruction book with full color instructions, part list for each of the build variations, prototype information, and building tips. The books are spiral bound for easy use while building.
1 set of black roller bearing tiles (12 tiles per kit)
2 black Brickarms Monopods used for detailing
4 black Brickarms U-Clips used for detailing.
8 Upgraded Traction Bands
All you need to provide is the LEGO bricks from your own collection. You can purchase decals to build the locomotive in one of a number of authentic paint schemes.
The first four railroads we are offering are:
Norfolk Southern
Conrail
BNSF
Burlington Northern
In the future we hope to release more railroads. If you have a particular road you would like to see, please let us know.
We also have a range of decals available for each road name.
Decals sets available for the SD40-2.
Produced for BMR by OKBrickWorks with art work by Cale Leiphart, these decals feature authentically replicated graphics for each of the road names offered.
Decals are printed on clear vinyl. They are durable, water resistant, and easy to apply. Each decal set will complete one locomotive, and comes with extra numbers so you can change the road number to your desire.
And now about those options. We have more than just decals to add to your SD40-2 model. We have a few other items that can really bring your model to the next level.
Custom No. 6 Wheels
The real SD40-2 locomotive uses wheels that are 40 inches in diameter. In our 1:48th Scale model this scales to within 1 inch of a No. 6 (MS) size wheel. The standard LEGO train wheel ( No. 5 or S ) scales to 33 inches.
Common LEGO wheel sizes.
Our model includes instructions for using either the standard LEGO wheel, or the upgraded No. 6 wheel. For those wanting a more prototypical appearance, the No. 6 wheels give the model a great look.
No. 6 Wheel Pack for the SD40-2.No. 6 Wheels Installed on the SD40-2 Truck.
These are custom 3D Printed No. 6 (MS) Wheels designed by Cameron Miller and produced by OKBrickworks for Brick Model Railroader.
Includes: 8 3D Printed No. 6 Flange Wheels and 4 3D Printed No. 6 Blind Wheels
Custom Fan Shrouds
If you are looking to add a special detail to the appearance of your SD40-2 model, we are offering this Custom Fan Shroud Pack.
Fan Shroud Kit
This fan shroud upgrade kit replaces the stock LEGO parts used to represent the dynamic brake and radiator fan shrouds on the top of the model. Also included are fan decals that go under the fan shrouds for that extra detailed look.
Custom Fan Shroud kit installed on the Norfolk Southern SD40-2.
These are a 3d Printed Product designed by Cameron Miller and produced by OKBrickworks for Brick Model Railroader.
Includes: 3 Black 26mm X 6.4mm 3D Printed Fan Shrouds and 2 Black 3D Printed 26mm X 4.8mm Fan Shrouds, and 6 Fan Decals (used under shrouds).
Wheel and Fan Shroud Combo Pack
Planning to buy both the No. 6 wheels and the custom fan shrouds? We are offering a combo pack just for you.
Wheel and Fan Shroud Combo Pack
Includes: 3 Black 26mm X 6.4mm 3D Printed Fan Shrouds and 2 Black 3D Printed 26mm X 4.8mm Fan Shrouds, and 6 Fan Decals (used under shrouds)
8 Black 3D Printed No. 6 Flange Wheels and 4 Black 3D Printed No. 6 Blind Wheels
Extra Bearing Cap Tiles
Each Premium Instruction kit comes with 12 printed 1×1 round tile Roller Bearing Caps for the trucks on the SD40-2. Printed by Brick Print Studios. These tiles recreate the look of roller bearings on the trucks the locomotive. For those wanting to build additional models, we have these bearing caps available separately in packs of 12.
Bearing Cap
Replacement O-Ring Traction Bands
For this model, we recommend the replacement of the stock traction band on the RC Train Wheel with SAE AS568A0.16 Metric 1.5×42 (#35) size Rubber O-Rings for better traction and increased clearance between the track and fuel tank. These will also fit the No. 6 Train Wheel.
Eight O-rings are already supplied in each Premium Instruction Kit, but if you are building a second model, or just want to have some spares on hand, we will be selling a set of eight individually.
O-Ring Replacement Traction Bands
Knuckle Couplers
And last but not least, the SD40-2 can be outfitted with our knuckle couplers. Instructions are included with each model for using either standard LEGO magnetic couplers, or our new knuckle couplers.
Knuckle couplers shown.
The 747S coupler is used with the standard LEGO (No. 5) Train Wheels and the 743S is used with the optional No. 6 Train Wheels.
You can find all these optional parts in the store link bellow.
It’s finally time to reveal the winners of the 2021 Brick Train Awards. Today we’ll be taking a look at the Americas winners, but before that, to see all the winners from around the globe, head over to the BTA website.
For the Americas Region this year, we had three Judges. I returned as judge this year and was joined by BMR contributor Chris Stone, and Cameron Miller from Brick Train Depot. We had over 200 entries across 11 categories for just the Americas region, and the overall quality of the models entered was truly excellent. The work being showcased from the LEGO train community for this year’s awards is a testament to the skill and passion of the hobby’s fans. Of course, this made our task of picking winners all the more difficult, but it we also loved going through each and every model and discovering all the great build techniques and design ideas used, and also just looking at the beautiful, finished models. The Americas Region was definitely on their A game this year as five of the winners also took home the Global Award in their category!
Now it’s time to take a look at the Americas Region winners and share some thoughts on why we chose them.
Best Steam Locomotive
Glenn Holland, United States New York Central L-2a 4-8-2 Mohawk no. 2791
Glenn’s locomotive is modeled after the New York Central’s beautiful L-2a class of 4-8-2 steam locomotives, also known as “Mohawks”. The original prototype L-2a was built in 1925, with ninety-nine more production models being delivered in 1926 from the American Locomotive Company, bringing the class to a total of one hundred locomotives operating on the New York Central System. Producing 72,700 pounds of tractive effort and 3,320 horsepower, the L-2A was equally at home leading long coal drags or speeding down the mainline with a fast freight consist.
Mohawk No. 2716 pauses at Wesleyville, Pennsylvania (just east of Erie) in 1946.
Cale’s Thoughts; The 4-8-2 has never been a favorite wheel arrangement of mine, but wow, Glenn has built a 4-8-2 I have really fallen in love with. He has absolutely nailed the look of the L-2a. From the shaping of the boiler, to every little detail (the detail inside the cab on the backhead is crazy!), this locomotive does it right. There was some really stiff competition, but Glenn’s Mohawk does everything so well, and it’s hard to imagine a detail he missed here.
Cameron’s Thoughts; I have been a lifelong fan of the New York Central. When this locomotive was first shown in late 2020, I was immediately in need of it. I have looked at doing my own version many times so to see one so well executed was very nostalgic. There was a lot of debate on this category, but this locomotive really stood out from the pack. There were some great honorable mentions that also stood out exceptionally for me. In no particular order, C&O #2716 Berkshire from Jeffery Fonda, Maine Central #501 Consolidation from Dawson Santoro, and Chicago & Alton #656 Light Pacific from Aaron Burnett.
Chris’s Thoughts; Including “all the bells and whistles” is the usual standard for Glenn’s models, but even with that this engine has gone to levels of detail that stand out. I had to get almost outrageously nit-picky with the top entries to suss out which one was best, and this NYC L-2a had everything I could think to look for and then some.
Best Diesel Locomotive
Aaron Burnett, United States Chessie System GM EMD GP38 Locomotive #4806
The EMD (Electro Motive Division) GP38-2 is a 2,000hp four-axle diesel locomotive which was built from 1972 to 1986. It is an upgrade of the original GP38, with EMD’s 645E 16-cylinder engine, and new modular electronics cabinets. There were 2213 GP38-2s built, and many still exist and are still currently in service. Aaron’s model is based on the GP38-2s owned by the Chessie System.
Cale’s Thoughts; It has lights, it has sound, and it has that awesome Chessie livery. It’s a combo that’s hard to beat. Add in Aarons meticulous attention to detail and this model takes it to 11.
Cameron’s Thoughts; Thoughts: I have worked with Aaron on and off over the years and this GP38 model is one I have always loved. I have a copy of an older version from our time at Iron Horse Brick Co The updates made since then really set this locomotive up for success. The details and the shaping do a lot to capture the look of the prototype.
Chris’s Thoughts; Thoughts; The shapes and textures in the brickwork on this engine alone put it as a top contender easily, but the extra work with the lights, sounds, and even running board safety tread decals bring it to a level of polish not many models see.
Best Electric Locomotive
Michael Ruzzi, United States Acela Power Car
The Acela, originally the Acela Express until September 2019, is Amtrak’s flagship high speed service along the Northeast Corridor in the Northeastern United States between Washington, D.C. and Boston via 16 intermediate stops. The route contains segments of high-speed rail where the Acela trains attain operating speeds up to 150 mph (240 km/h). Michael’s model recreates the power car. Each Acela train is made up of two power cars, one at each end, with six passenger cars in between.
Acela Express train #2155 to Washington, D.C. passes CP 217 in New Rochelle at 10:14 a.m. on August 25th, 2004. Photo by David Sommer.
Cale’s Thoughts; America has high speed rail? Yes we do. And Michael’s Acela is a nearly perfect tribute. The nose modeling is inspiring, and the color scheme and decaling are caried out so well.
Cameron’s Thoughts; When I first saw the renders of this locomotive, I thought there was no way that the front could be attached by anything more than hopes and dreams. Then It was entered and show rolling around the track. It was a pleasant surprise to see. The detail and the shape are very well executed.
Chris’s Thoughts; The brickwork in the nose of the engine is phenomenal, but the rest of the engine behind it really hits it out of the park as well. It’s a lot of fun to watch the video of this engine running.
Best Other Locomotive for the Americas, and Best Global Winner for Other Locomotive
Rob Hendrix, United States 1:48 scale Narrow Gauge Shay
The Shay steam locomotive was the most well-known and widely used of the geared designs to operate in the country with nearly 3,000 constructed from 1880 through nearly the mid-20 century. Designed by Ephraim Shay, an inventor, among his many, many job titles he held over the years, and built by Lima Locomotive Works, the Shay geared locomotive proved to be an invaluable tool in the logging industry through the first half of the 20th century as it could operate on almost any type of track. Rob’s model is based on a 15 Ton class A Shay.
Cale’s Thoughts; It’s a working narrow gauge Shay in 1:48th scale. What more needs said? Rob just dropped the mic with this one.
Cameron’s Thoughts; Thoughts; A tiny shay that RUNS! The model alone is amazing to get all the gear drive detail but Rob took it a step further and powered it with his Tiny Train Motor. The flat car to move it to its final railroad was a great touch of realism. The entire entry really captured the life of a Shay locomotive.
Chris’s Thoughts; I loved the detail on this model at first sight. Getting a small locomotive build like this to look this good is no easy task, but then I found out it was powered? Yeah, I needed a moment to process that. Amazing Shay build.
Best Freight Wagon for the Americas. and Best Global Winner for Freight Wagon
Ryan Harris, Canada Gunderson 40′ Intermodal Well Cars
This 3 unit Gunderson 40′ Intermodal Well Car set is a multi-unit well car designed to carry two stacked intermodal shipping containers. While its base well is 40′, it can accept larger containers such as 45′, 48′ and even 53′ in the top position, making the car a versatile addition to a railroad’s intermodal services.
Cale’s Thoughts; Intermodal is my modern railroad guilty pleasure. I love a good well car set, and Ryan has certainly provided. The scale is perfect, all the right details are there, and the containers complete the look.
Cameron’s Thoughts; Well cars got me into trains when I came out of my dark ages in 2015. I remember trying to design a set of these and failing hard. Seeing Ryan’s execution of these cars has inspired me to pick up my project again. The details and shape accuracy of this model was a favorite feature. There was quite the debate over this car, Aaron’s Waffle Boxcar and Glenn’s Turtleback Boxcar. All 3 were well executed and were deserving of winning.
Chris’s Thoughts; Very nicely detailed and proportioned well cars, and I especially love the way the bottoms of the wells have been detailed. Great work.
Best Passenger Wagon
Benn Coifman, United States Amfleet II Car
Built at Budd’s Red Lion plant in Philadelphia between 1975-1983, the Budd Amfleet family of passenger cars were a fleet of 642 intended to upgrade Amttrak’s elderly fleet of cars, some in service since the late 1940s, Amtrak took delivery of its first all-new Amfleet I cars in 1975 for inter-city service in the close clearances of the eastern US. Based on the Budd-built Metroliner, nearly 500 coach and food service cars were delivered by 1978. Starting in 1981, new Amfleet II coaches and lounges were introduced especially for long-distance trains. Both types are still in service today!
Cale’s Thoughts; One of the best examples of an Amfleet car I’ve seen, and it’s in 6 wide. Benn hit the subtle egg shaping of the body with a bullseye, and in 6 wide. The widows are nicely proportioned and spaced as well. It’s an unmistakable “AmCan”. Did I mention it’s 6 wide? Bigger is not always better it seems.
Cameron’s Thoughts; These cars are an inspiration to car builders all throughout the LEGO world. The attention to detail on the shape and the execution of it made these an instant favorite. I don’t build any passenger equipment but these have me considering some AmCans for my layout.
Chris’s Thoughts; Benn’s managed to make a 6-wide passenger car set that raises the bar for even larger-scale models. The great, nearly seamless shaping on the sides is perfectly executed and the thought to put in the bricks behind the windows to give an illusion of an interior was a really nice touch.
Best Special Wagon
Nick Dombi, United States Nickel Plate Road Bay Window Caboose 423
Nick’s model is based on the International Car Bay Window Cabooses owned by the Nickel Plate Road. This is the Phase 3 variant based on the family of steel bay window cabooses developed by International Car Company beginning in the early 1950s. Over the years the design of the bay windows evolved and each phase features a number of bay window style and other detail variations.
Cale’s Thoughts; Nickle Plate had one of the nicest caboose paint schemes, and Nick nailed it on this one. Great details on the outside, and a detailed interior inside. Love this caboose!
Cameron’s Thoughts; What Cale said haha! This is a great caboose and was very well executed. It was a tough call between this and JT Batheldoer’s RPO cars.
Chris’s Thoughts; Very nicely shaped and detailed model, and an interior is always a great addition. Very fine caboose in a very memorable paint scheme!
Best Structure for the Americas. and Best Global Winner for Structure
Eric Swanson, United States Germantown Maryland Train Station
The Germantown Station, in Germantown Maryland, is a passenger rail station on the MARC Brunswick Line between Washington, D.C. and Martinsburg, West Virginia, with a branch to Frederick, MD. It is one of the busiest stations on the Brunswick Line along with Silver Spring and Rockville stations. All Brunswick Line trains stop at this station. The original Germantown station, which was built by Ephraim Francis Baldwin for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was destroyed by arson in 1978, and was reconstructed for MARC.
Cale’s Thoughts; The great thing about this model is how it pulls together all the separate elements so well. The station is lovely, the little waiting shelters are great, and the landscape and platform details tie it all up in a perfect package.
Cameron’s Thoughts; The entire scene on this set it above the rest. There were so many details, I found new things every time I looked over the pictures. It’s a really great diorama of the station.
Chris’s Thoughts; The attention to detail on this station and all the other surrounding builds is fantastic. Looking at the photos of it, I could almost imagine actually being at the real station – stand out build!
Best TFOL Locomotive for the Americas. and Best Global Winner for Best TFOL Locomotive
Jonathan Artz, United States Strasburg Rail Road No 90
Strasburg no. 90 is a 2-10-0 Decapod type locomotive that was originally built in 1924 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA for the Great Western Railroad. No. 90 was purchased by The Strasburg Rail Road in 1967, and is now one of the last operating Decapod type locomotives in the United States. John’s model of no. 90 is wearing the 1960s era paint scheme from its early days on the Strasburg.
A full side view of Strasburg 90 shows off its “heritage” look, replete with gold striping, white drivers and the iconic “egg” herald, which hasn’t been used since 1983. The former Great Western decapod is Strasburg’s largest and most powerful locomotive. Christopher Pollock photo
Cale’s Thoughts; I have seen this model in person, and it is as faithful a model of Strasburg no. 90 as one could reasonably get. John is a member of the Strasburg Model Railroad club and knows this engine well. He’s even gone as far as to use real recordings of 90’s bell and whistle and programed them into the Pfx brick powering the model. He is one heck of a builder for his age.
Cameron’s Thoughts; This category was full of great entries but the detail and features of this model made it a worthy winner.
Chris’s Thoughts; I knew there were some very talented TFOL builders out there, but I was truly surprised by how many there were – and how good, too. This model has all the right details in all the right places, and I really appreciated the effort that went into hand-making the decals as well as getting the proper sounds for the model. Amazing work.
Best TFOL Wagon for the Americas. and Best Global Winner for Best TFOL Wagon
Owen Meschter, United States NER/LNER 15-ton Brake Van
The Brake Van or Guard’s Van are terms used mainly in the UK, Australia and India for a railway vehicle equipped with a hand brake which can be applied by the guard. The equivalent North American term is caboose, but a British brake van and a caboose are very different in appearance, because the former usually has only four wheels, while the latter usually has bogies. German railways employed Brakeman’s cabins combined into other cars. Owens model is based on a 15-ton Brake van used by the NER/LNER.
Cale’s Thoughts; Big models are easy to pack a lot of detail into. You have all the room to do the crazy SNOT and subtle offsets. Small models are a different story where you run out of room really quick. Owen’s brake van is definitely on the small side, but is big on detail. It’s also got some great character too.
Cameron’s Thoughts; This was a toss up between the Owen’s two entries. His plank wagon and brake van are both very well executed. I looked into the prototype of this because UK rolling stock is not my normal location or era. I was impressed to see just how well the detail and feel of the real thing was captured. The rigging detail under the frame really impressed all of us. The animal horn used as a spring detail was a new part usage for me.
Chris’s Thoughts; Owen’s Brake Van, as well as the rest of his entries for that matter, showcase an incredible ability to do a lot of amazing work in a very small space. The shape and textures of this brake van are all great, but have you seen that undercarriage work? I just can’t get enough of that.
Best TFOL Structure/Layout
Calvin Bramble, Canada Canadian National Layout
Cale’s Thoughts; Though it may be small, this little layout doesn’t feel cramped. Everything has just the right amount of space to stand out. The landscaping is well thought out, and there are enough little details to add life to the sceme without becoming too busy in such a small space.
Cameron’s Thoughts; This layout is TINY but packed with details. Some of my favorite details were the use of structures and the containers that are not “on grid” but sitting at an angle. The feel of the layout was definitely of a busy rural freight house and surrounding area. The honorable mention in this category is Owen’s signal tower. There was much debate over who should win this category. I even lobbied for adding a category just to accommodate both winners haha!
Chris’s Thoughts; Thoughts; Great attention to detail, with a very good balance in the amount of detail as well. The layout is filled with things that tell a story and bring life to the scene, and to me it strikes very well the essence of what a model railroad should try to be.
Final Thoughts
Once again, it was a great experience to judge and be a part of the Brick Train Awards. And it was a pleasure to work with Cameron and Chris on the judging for the Americas. Thank you to both of them for their work. The models summited this year were amazing, and the TFOL categories were the most impressive. Many TTFOL submissions could have been very strong contenders in the adult categories. To see such skill and talent in the younger community is such a thrill, and if it is any indication of what is to come, then our LEGO train hobby has a very bright future. I’m very much looking forward to next year’s Brick Train Awards.
This was a tough competition this year, and many models came within fraction of winning. While they may not all have won, every entry was awesome.
Cameron’s’s Final Thoughts:
Cam here, building on what Cale said, I was honored to be invited to judge the entries this year and it was a lot of work but also very fun to talk about all the entries with Cale and Chris. I was very impressed with the entries across the board. There were plenty of builders I had not seen before so seeing their work was inspiring. Pretty soon all the the TFOL builders are going to have to give me a couple “Old Guy” categories to even stand a chance.
Chris’s Final Thoughts:
It was awesome to be able to participate in Brick Train Awards as a judge this year, I loved going through the entries. It was a lot of fun, but also very difficult – there were so many good entries that it really wasn’t easy to choose, and we had to really dive into the fine details of a lot of these models to have any hope of figuring out a winner. At the end of the day, though, that’s one of my favorite things about the hobby: Seeing and studying all the ways people approach their models. The skill level and standards have been going up, fast, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next. For now, I just want to congratulate the entrants, even the ones that didn’t win – you guys have amazed and inspired me.
The Brick Train Awards is a global virtual competition to showcase LEGO train builders around the world. The Awards where founded in 2020 and with a surprising 732 entries last year, the organization decided to run it again this year. Like previous year, the Brick Train Awards is a collaboration between LNUR, Bricks McGee and BMR. The awards are free to enter and judged by members of the LEGO® train fan community worldwide. The entries are op from 1st – 28th February 2021. The winners of this year’s awards will be announced on March the 5th.
You have one week to still get your entries in. For more info on the Brick Train Awards, follow the link below.
Funny Freight Contest! Sponsored by Texas Brick Railroad
The Texas Brick Railroad is sponsoring a “Funny Freight” contest. You have nearly six months to design and build your entries – judging will take place at Brick Rodeo (Houston, TX) on Friday, July 23, and all 12 winners will be announced Saturday night.
What It’s About Create a LEGO railcar (or string of cars) that is . . . funny. It’s funny if it makes us laugh. Or at least grin. That’s the only definition. Parody, satire, weird historical rolling stock, plain old absurdity . . . whatever floats your boat. Just keep it rated G or PG, since Brick Rodeo is a family event.
Prizes!! FIRST PRIZE – an 8-wide TBRR tank car kit designed by Edward Chang, with custom award printing. (And maybe more – we’re open to prize sponsorship, and some has been tentatively promised.)
SECOND PRIZE – A new-in-box Brickstuff animated Metroliner billboard for your town. (And maybe more.)
THIRD PRIZE – A LEGO “Charles Dickens Tribute,” 40410, new in box. (And maybe more.)
BUILD BONUS – $100 in booth credit at the Brick Rodeo “Too Many Bricks” booth – for the best physical entry that is actually brought to the show. That is: If the first place winner is an actual build at the show, it will get the build bonus. If the first place winner is not at the show but the second place winner is, the second place will get the bonus . . . and so on.
AWARD BRICKS – We’ll create a dozen “2021 Funny Freight” 1 x 8 bricks, and give one each to the top dozen people who enter.
Details Who can enter? – Any living human being. But no more than two entries per person, please. Judges will be asked not to vote for their own entries.
Required info – We need the name of each entry, your own name (or a screen name), and a means of contact if you win. We will not share your info with anyone, or retain any info after the contest except the names of the winners. We do ask that if you run your entry on our track, you put an identifying sticker on the bottom so we can get it back to you. Scale – From 6-wide to 10-wide, as long as it runs on standard LEGO track.
Judges – The contest will be judged by the TBRR members displaying at Brick Rodeo.
Format: Your entry may be an actual build brought to the show (preferred!), or a photo/video of a real build, or a virtual build. Virtual images or photos should be sent to texasbrickrr@gmail.com, and should arrive by noon on Friday, July 23rd.
Rights – You retain all rights to your entry, but we get to display images of it, and to build one for our layout if we love it.
Awesomeness – When choosing between equally funny entries, the judges will favor real builds over any other format, and will take into account technical excellence, light, sound, and movement effects.
Novelty – Entries must never have been displayed at a Brick Rodeo before. But this is the first Brick Rodeo, so bring out your best!
Q – Can one entry be multiple cars? A – If the joke requires multiple cars, sure, that’s one entry.
Q – Tell me more about Brick Rodeo. A – Ten years of awesomeness, now with a new name. www.brickrodeo.com.
Q – Should I explain the joke? A – That’s up to you. Many good jokes don’t need explaining. If your entry embodies a witticism about court intrigue in the days of Louis XIV, you’d better explain it. But often the title of the entry will be enough additional explanation.
Q – Do I need to include instructions? A – No.
Q – Can I do a funny locomotive? A – What do you think pulls all the funny freight?
Q – Do you have a disclaimer? A – LEGO is a registered trademark of The Lego Group. This contest is not sponsored or endorsed by TLG.
It’s been a long wait since FX Bricks first teased their metal rails, but finally, the word is out: March 1st, 2021 will see the second coming of the 9V line! 15 years after the official introduction of Plastic Rails (and the demise of the good old 9V track) the one and only plug-and-play track system that TLC ever had is returning to the markets.
In fact, FX Bricks send us a pre-sale package of R72 and S32 rails last week so that we could already experience the look & feel of the product beforehand. In the seven days I had a blast playing with it, but also just staring at it, to be honest.
(p)review of FX Tracks
I’m not going to do a full in-depth review, because I think zephyr1943 over at Eurobricks did a very fine one already. I mean, if you read his piece, there is no need anymore to say anything else. Also, I mostly agree with the points he makes. And I also think that none of these points are big enough for me to actually make a fuzz about it. So, this review will be mostly an Unboxing Therapy. In fact, I’d say it’s more a Preview than a Review, but hopefully interesting to the community nonetheless!
First of all, the packaging. When I received it, I was immediately stunned with the high level of quality of it. In the past I did receive ME Models track (ziplock bag with a cardboard banner), Trixbricks (same) and Bricktracks (nice cardboard box, but with a sticker). This however is a totally different ballpark. The design is gorgeous, the packaging feels very high quality, and the rails are even held together individually with cardboard spacers.
Which, in fact, have different sizes to accomodate the tracks best as possible. Overall, it’s amazing work, and I can see these taking center spot in those good old Brick and Mortar stores.
The track itselfs looks and feels pretty high quality. The plastic is just a liiiiiitle bit more translucent then Legos, but from a little distance it’s almost invisible. Thanks to the metal rails the whole rail also feels a lot heavier and thus more high quality then a regular plastic rail. Also, the rails are clamped beautifully around the track. You can really see Michael and his team put a lot of effort into making sure this is engineered to the highest levels of quality.
A very nice addition is the embossing of the rail size on top of the rails. Both ME Models and Bricktracks also have this in their injection moulded rails, but they have it on the backside of the track. While this is already a great improvement of not having any identifiers, to me it’s pretty annoying to all the time turn around your track to see which radius it is. By embossing it on the top of the studs it really gives you the possiblity to see wich track you are holding with one short look. Which will definatly come in handy if they are really planning to expand to more diffent radii of curves. Also fun: the S32 straight track also has this embossing.
Regarding running 9V trains on FX track I didn’t see any difference at all (yeah the 9V motor is a bit old, have to admit that). I didn’t see any loss of power in this curve, the train just kept on running at regular speed all the time. It did lose a little bit of speed in the curves, but that’s normal due to the nature of curves to begin with. Mostly, I had way too much fun with the power controller, the haptic feedback of it (being an actuall thing instead of an app), and seeing an instant reaction of the train. Something that I haven’t experienced in ages, because of the annoying line-of-sight of the IR controller and the digital experience of a BT controller. In fact, not even the PUP controller (because of the push buttons) comes close to the good old speed regulator. Go 9V Go!
Pre-Conclusions & thoughts
I have to say that I’m pretty excited for this for several reasons. First of all, I was one of the people who invested (OK, fair enough, post-Kickstarter) in ME Models, hoping it would deliver on it’s promise to bring back 9V. It never happened unfortunately, and the products that they did manage to ship out, both plastic and metal rails, were sub-par to say the least. Thanks to Bricktracks this gap was finally plugged for plastic rails and wide radii were finally possible in a reliable and Lego-worthy manner.
And to be honest: I’m still very excited for the Bricktracks R104 switch, and I have two rounds of R104 and R120 laying around here. I think a lot of Trainheads who never grew up with the 12V or 9V system, and who have been using plastic track for all their Lego-lives, will be still very much interested in getting Bricktracks products.
However, for people like me, who grew up in the 9V-era (I’m not old enough that I had to go through that horrible period of 12V to 9V luckily), and who still have a decent amount of 9V motors, 9V track (mostly curves, obviously…) and about 10 power regulators laying around, the new FX Track really gives some interesting possibilities.
FX Bricks actually explains the three most important ones in the video, but for me one really, really sticks out and that is the plug-and-play part. To be fair again: I love the PF system, because I can decide on wheelbase length, motor power and everything else. However, the more shows I do, the more fed up I get of that annoying control and power system that both PUP and PF have. It’s so irritating to have a train going out of range, a dropping BT connection, a non-functioning IR remote, or even worse: Batteries dying on me. In fact, I’d say that 75% of the time I’m running trains at a show, I’m busy with the absolute horror of changing batteries, charging them, or trying to reconnect a BT controller, or even worse, trying to find out where I left my IR remote this time around. It just really destroys a lot of the fun of running trains. And yes, I know it’s cheaper. But it’s just not worth it anymore if you ask me.
So, long story short: Yes, I really look forward to this! And yes, I really want to thank FX Bricks for sending us this pre-sale package. I had a ton of fun and feel pretty special to have this product on my desk already a good 2-3 weeks before it actuall hits the shelves.
In 2017 we published the results on November 17th, in 2018 on December 9th, and in 2019 on January 6th of 2020. This year it is January 24th. Partly this is due to ever more busy lifes of our editors and judges, but partly it is also due to the ever increasing level of the builds. Every year it seems to be more difficult then the last year to judge the entries, which is great to see!
Just as the previous years we really enjoyed all the WIP stories of this year, and the entries as a whole. Making OcTRAINber a two-month edition really worked this year, both for the quality of the builds, the ammount of entries, and the higher quality WIP stories. This means we are pretty sure that a two-month OcTRAINber will again be a thing in the coming installment.
Prizes & Judging
In total, there are five prizes to be won in this years OcTRAINber. One Grand Prize (meaning the winner of winners) and four category prizes: Small, Medium and Large Real Life Entries, and one Digital Entry. The Grand Prize this is the Lego Crocodile 10277, this year sponsored by BMR. The other four prizes are a PFx Brick + XL Speaker (two times) and a set of R104 switches by BrickTracks (two times). Also, all winners will get one set of BMR Knuckle Couplers. Lastly, and this is new this year, all winners will receive a BMR OcTRAINber printed brick.
For judging, we have set up a couple of rules to give every creation the best chances of winning. We decided on 3 categories on which we would assign points:
Credibility of the prototype. This means we will be looking at how much the build represents the real life prototype. Both the diorama itself, but definatly also the train that is on it. If you are sending in a fantasy model, we will look at how credible the build is; would it fit in, does the backstory make sense?
WIP story. This refers to both showing off your building process, but also to how and why you decided to model a certain prototype. The better the story and the more updates you give and the more elaborate your building story is, the better.
Diorama Factor. This is all about how you build your diorama. is it extra funky, does it have strange connections, is everything build on it’s side, is everything off grid… The more creative, the better, but as always with OcTRAINber, it’s about quality first, and quantity second.
Every of the three categories were assigned points between 0 and 10 by our 4 judges, independent from each other.
Due to unforseen circumstances, Glenn Holland had to decide to not take up his Jury duties this year. We were very sad to hear so, but in the person of Erwin Jacobs (Ervvin) we found a very fine replacement.
Prizes will be handed out on basis of total points given by all four judges. This means that the Grand Prize Winner will be the entry with the most points aggregated. When there is a tie with a Digital Build, the Real Life Entry will always have priority, because of the mission statement of BMR. The other four prizes will be on bases of choise by the winners, with the builder with the most points having priortiy, then the one with the second most points, etc.
So now that we have established the prizes and the judging, let’s go on to the awards!
The diorama has a really organic feel to it, and feels like something one could see at a modeltrain show!
+ Very detailed + very realistic/natural + interesting building techniques + technically well done + Motors in engine and dispenser + lighting + good WIP story + Nice presentation, inkl. Video
This builder shows an amazing WIP story, where you can see that even his terrain kept on evolving. The use of mock-ups is pretty inspiring as well. The quarry itself really looks like one of those model railroad diorama’s, and I can see myself play with it the whole day. The only thing it lacks is a little bit of backstory, but hey, beggards can’t be choosers.
There are several neat details to this diorama. The track has that barely maintained, sparsely used, industrial track in the middle of nowhere look. There is animation and lighting, The structures are as ramshackle and rundown as the track serving it, and the little engine servicing the quarry is quite charming.
Narrow_gauge: The round shape and rotating base make it a real display piece. I keep on finding new details to explore.
+ interesting building techniques + very good WIP story + very Nice presentation + Train model designed specifically for diorama + Train motorized despite small size/gauge + Landscape itself rotating
Amazing WIP story, that does everything a WIP story should do: Show the lowest lows and the highest highs of a build. The builder really showed how he came to his design. For a pizzadesign this is very credible, and its definatly a diorma. Impressive stuff. No wonder the builder tends to end in the top 3 of OcTRAINber every year he enters.
Alexander is no stranger to OcTRAINber, he has won previously, and for good reason. His models are always stellar. His Woodshed Flat diorama is no exception. It’s an amazing little fully operating layout. His back story and documentation is second to none, and there is just so much great detail picked into the small space.
WOW, what else can I really say, I love everything of this!
“+ funny idea for a diorama + nicely composed landscape + very detailed, fun stuff + great train model, built especially for the diorama + Wip story + good presentation ⁃ trees
This builder shows that you can achieve the full 30 points in OcTRAINber. Thanks to the backstory with pictures, the layout is very credible, even though normally a train running through a golf course should make no sense. The WIP story really shows the hurdles the builder had to take, and also the corners he had to cut due to time constraints. As a diorama it also sticks out, it really is a stand-alone piece with a story. I’d like to ace that hole, or whatever you should call it.
Just epic! I’ve never been to Australia, but this is what I imagine Aussie railroads to be like. The scene just goes on forever, the landscape has that perfect Australian character, and the back story is as good as the model. The diorama is huge, but all the detail is there in perfect ratio. Amazing!
Excellent use of colours, the fact the base isn’t round too really adds! I keep on returning to see what I’ve missed.
+ wonderful buildings + incredibly creative story + incredibly realistic build, „off the grid“ + very thoughtful use of different techniques + nice vehicles + great presentation & storytelling + Wip process This model defines a league of its own in terms of both creativity, presentation, designing and building skills!
Stunning WIP story, stunning diorama with a lot going on, and pretty credible as well, seeing how the prototype looks like. Also, with a lot of interesting building techniques and also a lot of off-grid building, AND incorporating 7 wide building plus the Legoland / Miniland athmosphere (without making it feel unbelievable) this one really tops the charts for me.
A digital model that does not look like a digital model. The rendering quality is top shelf. The structures are huge but so well detailed, the train is full of character, the landscaping works perfectly with the scene, and there are some great hidden Easter Eggs scattered around. Everything is so well presented, and well thought out. I would love to see this as a real model.
Both 2007_boy and Scruffulous had exactly 116 points, proving that big diorams, real life builds and digital builds are all succes factors. Knowing the layouts that our community builds, shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone! Since there was a tie between both, as per the rules we have decided that Scruffulous, who build an amazing IRL diorama, will be the winner of this years OcTRAINber!
Excel File
Different from previous years, we also have compiled an Excel file with all of the aggregated scores, and remarks from all judges. This to inspire all contestants and to give them feedback, so that hopefull next year they will be on top of the boards as well. You can download the file here.
Final words
We cannot say this enough, but we would really like to thank all contestants. We as BMR had a blast seeing all those entries, and we as judges were actually happy that with many of the entries and categories it was such a close call.
We are very gratefull for our two sponsors, BrickTracks and FX Bricks. Without them this would have been a contest without prizes, and what’s a contest without prizes?!
Last of all, we would like to congratulate all the winners of OcTRAINber. Also, we will contact you on short notice on picking your prize and shipping it to you.
I have been using Kadee O-Scale knuckle couplers for almost ten years. Because they are designed for traditional model trains, in order to connect them to LEGO trains, I had to literally bolt them on to Plate, Modified 3 x 2 with hole. So when I heard Brick Model Railroader announced they were releasing Kadee couplers with custom molded, LEGO compatible draft gear boxes, I was very intrigued.
From the beginning, one of the great advantages offered by Kadee’s couplers, besides the realistic look, is the ability to automatically uncouple cars and engines by use of magnets. This makes realistic switching operations in rail yards or at industries, without the “Hand of God” pulling cars apart, more realistic and enjoyable. There are a variety of ways to uncouple cars equipped with Kadee knuckle coupler from uncoupling “pics”, permanent magnet uncouplers, and electromagnet uncouplers. In traditional model railroading the most popular and simplest way to uncouple cars is with an uncoupling “pic”. Kadee sells #241 Dual Tool – Manual Uncoupling Tool & Built In Spring Pic, any pointed object, such as the LEGO Spear 93789 or a sharpened pencil will work. I personally use a Wooden Manicure stick, I prefer the type with a flat tip. To uncouple cars simply insert the “pic” of your choice between the knuckles of cars and twist counterclockwise to open the couplers and push them to the side. While holding the couplers open with the “pic”, pull the rest of the train away from the car being left.
Examples of useful tools for manually uncoupling BMR Kadee Knuckle Couplers.
Kadee couplers are equipped with curved a metallic air hose detail that doubles as the coupler trip pin. The magnet attracts the trip pin and moves the trip pin to the side, opening the knuckle and allowing the cars to uncouple.
Couplers in normal operation.
With the couplers positioned over the magnets mounted under the track, the magnets move the couplers to the open position. The locomotive (left) can now pull away from the car (right) leaving the car over the magnet.
Couplers open and pushed out while over decoupling magnet.
While the coupler is over the uncoupling magnet, the magnet will hold the coupler in the delayed position, knuckle fully open and coupler pulled to the knuckle side of the car. When to adjacent couplers are in the delayed position, the locomotive can shove the car to the desired spot.
With the couplers still positioned over magnets, the couplers are held in the delayed position.
The locomotive can now shove the car into it’s final position to be left without the couplers recoupling.
Shoving car with couplers in the delayed position.
The couplers will fully uncouple when slack is allowed in the joint between the two couplers. To avoid this when retrieving a car that has been left beyond the magnet, or otherwise passing over the magnet when uncoupling is not desired, it is important to maintain tension when pulling, or compression when shoving a train over the uncoupling magnet.
Couples under tension while passing over uncoupling magnet.
The couplers in the open position remain connected when the connection remains under tension with the locomotive steadily pulling on the train.
Couples in compression while passing over uncoupling magnet.
The couplers in the open position remain connected when the connection remains under compression with the locomotive steadily shoving on the train.
To ensure the magnet can adequately attract and move the trip pin to fully open the coupler, the trip pin must be adjusted as close to the magnet surface as possible, without interfering with between track obstructions like grade crossings or switch tracks. This is relatively simple to do with a gentle squeeze of Kadee #237 Coupler Trip Pin Pliers – For HOn3, HO, S, On3 & O Scale Couplers, needle nose pliers can also be used, although that method requires twisting the pliers to affect the appropriate bend.
Bending down coupler strip pin.
Using the Kadee #237 pliers to bend the coupler trip pin down.
Bending coupler trip pin up.
Using the Kadee #237 pliers to bend the coupler trip pin up.
To facilitate ensuring proper adjustment of trip pins, I have made a simple modification to BMR’s coupler height gauge.
To add a trip pin gauge I removed the bottom plate (shown above the coupler gauge) and added the parts shown below the coupler gauge.
Parts needed for coupler height gauge modification. move 4×8 plate.
BMP Coupler Height Gauge with added trip pin gauge. Note the coupler on the right has the trip pin adjusted to work best with uncoupling magnets, the left coupler’s trip pin is shown as it comes.
Modified coupler height gauge.
The modified BMR Coupler Height Gauge in use. The trip pin gauge helps to adjust the coupler’s trip pin is as low as possible while ensuring the trip pin is high enough to clear obstructions between the rails, such as switches and grade crossings.
Checking coupler trip pin height.
For those who want a more hands free or automatic way of uncoupling their railcars, there are a number of ways to accomplish this with magnets, between the rails magnets, under track magnets, and electromagnets. The first magnet I tried was Kadee #308 Under-the-Track Hidden Delayed-Action Magnetic Uncoupler – HO, S, On3, On30, O Scale. The magnet is slightly wider than the 4 stud track gage of LEGO track. I cut the magnet and intensifier plate down to four studs wide to fit between the rails while leaving enough clearance for the LEGO train wheels to pass without causing derailments. I removed a fraction of an inch from either side of the magnet to keep the polarity even. In order to allow the magnet and intensifier plate to fit flush with the top of the rail of a LEGO R/C straight track, I needed to shave off and file the studs on one of the ties. I then super glued the intensifier plate to the studless tie and placed the magnet atop the plate. This magnet worked well, although, I was not completely satisfied with the look of a large magnet mounted between the rails.
Kadee #308 Under-the-Track Hidden Delayed-Action Magnetic Uncoupler mounted between the rails.
As the name implies, Kadee’s #308 Under-the-Track Hidden Delayed-Action Magnetic Uncoupler – HO, S, ON3, ON30, O Scale, is intended to be mounted under the track. For larger scales (O scale and bigger) Kadee recommends stacking the magnets with a single intensifier plate. I tried stacking several magnets atop an intensifier plate, six in total, with no real success. The stack of 6 magnets is as tall as a section of track on a standard MILS base, making it impractical to incorporate into a MILS module without increasing the height of the MILS module.
I stacked six Kadee #308 Under-the-Track Hidden Delayed-Action Magnetic Uncoupler – HO, S, On3, On30, O Scale. Not only is the stack too tall to fit within a MILS module, they six magnets did not have enough pulling power to activate the coupler’s trip pin.
6 stacked magnets.
During the Brickworld Virtual Halloween show, the suggestion was made to try Kadee #809 O Scale 3 Rail Between-the-Rails Delayed-Action Magnetic Uncoupler. The package includes four skinny magnets that are stacked 2×2 and placed on an intensifier plate near each rail. This method provided great results but requires a deep area between the rails to accommodate the thickness of the double stacked magnets. This means standard LEGO track will not work, or will have to have ties removed from between the rails. I had some Me Models rails that I used during my testing, which would be an ideal solution, if they were available. The area at either end and between the magnets could likely be filled with LEGO ballasting to help blend the uncoupling track section in with the surrounding track.
Kadee #809 O Scale 3 Rail Between-the-Rails Delayed-Action Magnetic Uncoupler.
Kadee also offers Kadee #810 O Scale Thru-the-Ties Delayed-Action Electric Uncoupler Kit, which is an electro magnet kit to allow the user to electronically control when the magnet is active to uncouple cars. This would be useful for installing the uncoupler in mainline locations and other areas where accidental uncoupling would be problematic. I have not had any experience personally with electromagnetic uncoupling. Electromagnets will require a power source, and a button or switch to activate them.
Neodymium magnets were also suggested during the Brickworld Virtual Halloween show. I selected K & J Magnetics BX884 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/4″ thick Neodymium Block Magnets. BINGO! I ordered four of the BX884 magnets and stacked them 2×2 and placed them 4 studs apart underneath a section of ballasted track. The magnets are just shy of 5 studs long and about 1.5 studs wide. I used 2x bricks between and at either end of the magnets, and snot bricks with 1x tiles on the outside to prevent the magnets from moving around. With one plate of ballast between the bottom of the LEGO track piece, and the top of the magnets, I placed tiles on the baseplate where the magnets would sit. I added plates as necessary to complete the boxes to securely hold the magnets in position.
The boxes created to hold K & J Magnetics BX884 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/4″ thick Neodymium Block Magnets. Note the SNOT bricks with 1x tiles.The K & J Magnetics BX884 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/4″ thick Neodymium Block Magnets in the boxes.The K & J Magnetics BX884 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/4″ thick Neodymium Block Magnets in the completed boxes. When the baseplate is attached and the whole MILS module flipped right-side-up, the magnets will rest on the tiles.
It took a bit of checking to make sure I had the magnet polarities oriented correctly to properly open the BMR Kadee couplers. To correct the polarities only requires flipping one, or both, stacks of magnets over so the correct polarity is pointed up, being careful not to let the one stack from attracting the other. Neodymium magnets a very powerful, the BX884 magnets have a pulling force of 26.2 pounds each. They can be quite difficult to pull apart, and can attract each other from a fair distance. It can hurt getting a finger or skin pinched between two neodymium magnets, and they can break if they come together with too much force.
Once assembled, the results are fantastic! The BX884 magnets operate the BMR Kadee couplers smoothly and reliably, even under one plate, LEGO Track with filled in tie spaces, and 1×4 tie tiles. The double stacked magnets also fit easily within a standard MILS module concealing them from view.
The K & J Magnetics BX884 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/4″ thick Neodymium Block Magnets will be my magnet of choice for uncoupling magnets in my layout. I plan to incorporate at least one of these BX884 uncouplers into my current LGMS module and have it available for people to try out at shows, such as Brickworld Chicago, Brickworld Milwaukee, and Trainfest.
A MILS Module with the K & J Magnetics BX884 1 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 1/4″ thick Neodymium Block Magnets seamlessly integrated with other standard MILS modules.
Happy New Year to our followers and supporters. The Brick Model Railroader team hopes you had a wonderful holiday season.
Today we celebrate our fourth birthday. 2020 was filled with many new experiences, new challenges, and new opportunities. We’d like to reflect on some of that today.
Brick Model Railroader launched on December 31st, 2016. We were just a rag tag bunch of LEGO® train enthusiasts with an idea to crate a sort of hybrid blog for LEGO trains. We wanted to take what was great about the old RAILBRICKS, the in-depth articles on the LEGO train hobby, and give those types of articles a new place to be read, free of the constraints of a bound publication.
Our introduction article.
Our mission for the Brick Model Railroader website was and still is to serve the LEGO Train Hobby as an online news resource, and to help promote and grow the hobby of LEGO Trains in all it’s forms. Of course we have since added to that, primarily with our line of Premium Instructions, train parts, and decals. But the main focus of the website here will always be sharing everything great and news worthy about the LEGO train hobby with our fellow hobbyists.
We’ve grown quite a bit from our humble beginnings. And 2020 would continue that growth. So let’s take a look now at what we’ve done this past year.
The BMR Team Adds New Members
In 2020 we added several new members to the BMR family. From Europe we added Gerbrand (a.k.a. Raised) and Enrico Lussi. Both have contributed some great articles to the website and have become our window into the European side of the LEGO train hobby.
Raised (left) and Cale hanging out at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.Enrico fixing (or breaking) Raised’s yellow NS 1600 at Lego World 2019.
We also added three new contributors form the USA, Aaron Burnett, Matt Csenge, and Chris Stone. All three are excellent model builders and also pretty good writers as well.
Aaron Burnett, who has been previously featured on BMRMatt standing between Frisco no. 1621, a 2-10-0, and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy no. 9908, Silver Charger in St. Louis, Missouri.Chris Stone: winner of OcTRAINber and featured previously on BMR
We look forward to more great LEGO train articles from our team, and we are looking to add several more in 2021.
Events We Attended in 2020
2020 proved to be a challenging year for events. The Covid 19 pandemic forced the cancelation of numerous LEGO fan events and model train shows across the globe. But the team at BMR was still able to attend a small number of events this year.
Our first event of the year came in January with the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The New England LEGO Users Group was there displaying their amazing Lego train/city layout at the show again. Fellow PennLUG member Nate Robinson and I traveled up to participate in the display, represent Brick Model Railroader, and experience the show.
Also in February Glenn Holland and myself participated in the Winter Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, Maryland. The winter show this year was held on February 1st and 2nd, and was the first time a L-Gauge Modular Standard, LEGO train layout was displayed at the show. The display was organized buy Monty Smith, with participation from several area LEGO clubs including PennLUG, Charm City LUG, and WamaLTC.
Bob Hayes concrete arch bridge from the Timonium show.
With the outbreak of the covid 19 virus Allin person events from March onward were pretty much canceled. However some LEGO fan events were able to hold virtual events online. Members of the BMR Team attended several of these, including hosting LEGO Train Roundtables at several of the Virtual Brickworld events.
New BMR Products
This year also saw the continuation of our original Premium Instructions products by adding several models to our regular lineup as well as the introduction of our new knuckle couplers.
This year BMR launched a band new online store.
Our old store served us well, but we were starting to out grow it. As we added new products, it was increasingly hard to navigate and find what you were looking for. Also the look was growing stale, and our products were not being shown off to their fullest potential. So in June we completed moving our store over to a brand new platform. One full of shiny new widgets, and hopefully a much better buying experience for you.
With the new store, we also launched three new Premium Instructions. The Gunderson 60′ High Cube Plate F Boxcar, the American Car & Foundry 70-Ton 1958 Cu. Ft. Covered Hopper, and the Pacific Fruit Express R-30-9 and R-40-9 Reefer as well as a full complement of decals for each.
In October we launched a brand new product for Brick Model Railroader. Our Brick Train Compatible Knuckle Couplers. BMR, in partnership with BrickForge, created a replacement for the old LEGO® 9v era magnetic train couplers. These new couplers are now available for sale in our BMR online store.
We have even more cool new products coming for 2021, including our EMD SD40-2 Premium Instructions.
CONRAIL book cover.
We originally planned to release the SD40-2 in December 2020, but we wanted to make sue we had a few last details completely sorted and not risk rushing out a product that does not meet the highest quality we strive for. So we’re pushing it to January for release. The first four road names offered will be Norfolk Southern, Conrail, BNSF, and Burlington Northern. All four will each offer a choice of two different paint schemes. Look for an announcement on sale date soon.
Burlington Northern
We will also be restocking all our other Premium Instructions next week.
Brick Train Awards and OcTRAINber
In 2020 BMR was involved with he Brick Train Awards, a virtual, global competition to showcase LEGO® train builders from across the world.
The awards started in 2020 as a response to much of the world being in lockdown due to COVID-19, giving a chance for LEGO® train fans around the world to meet and compete internationally. The competition is organised by Richard (aka Bricks McGee) of LEGO Northern UK Railway and Cale and Glenn of Brick Model Railroader, and supported by a range of generous sponsors from across the world.
The 2020 Brick Train Awards had 10 categories for judging the best LEGO® models for locomotives, rolling stock and LEGO® train displays. Each category is judged at a regional level, and the winners from each category then go head-to-head in global awards.
The Brick Train Awards will return again in February 2021. More details coming soon.
BMR’s own OcTRAINber challenge returned again in 2020. This year’s theme was dioramas. We had some really great entries, so good that it’s taken us a bit to get through them all. Yes, we know you are all still eagerly awaiting the results. Soy for the delay. Of course Rased, who runs the OcTRAINber challenge, has been busy with a brand new baby, so that hasn’t helped. But some things are more important than LEGO trains. Don’t worry, we will have our results soon.
Product Reviews
LEGO released two special train sets in 2020 and BMR reviewed them both. The first was the 40370 Steam Engine.
The set is a replica of 7810 a push-along steam locomotive that was released in 1980, and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the 12v train line being launched worldwide.
It was quite a surprise to see a LEGO train set targeted directly at adult train fans, but it was certainly welcome, and is a great set to own and build. We hope this is a sign of more good train sets to come.
We also had the opportunity to review a new book on LEGO trains. The LEGO train project book by Charles Pritchett.
This is a great book for those new to LEGO trains who want to expand their collection or want a couple of interesting designs to use as inspiration.
We did have one more review planned for 2020, the North Pole Railroad train set from BrickTracks. But the US Post Office decided to hang on to our copy for a few extra weeks. So look for this after the new year.
The purpose of this standard is to allow for builders to build and collaborate on intermodal equipment for LEGO® trains and train layouts. It defines standard lengths, widths, heights, and connections for LEGO container and trailer models that are based on real world intermodal equipment sizes.
This new standard will allow intermodal designs from BMR to interact seamlessly with those from Brick Train Depot. This is win for every one. It continues to create a healthy ecosystem for the LEGO train hobby, where builders can freely enjoy models from both of our groups, and any one else following the standard, with the knowledge the they will all work together seamlessly.
This will also hopefully be a welcome addition to collaborations between train builders. Builders can create intermodal models that will work perfectly with those from other builders from across the globe. This is key in being able to bring back the Train Club Container Swaps. Something I’m very much looking forward to.
Look for instructions from BMR based on this new standard to be released in 2021.
Coming Soon from BMR.National Steel Car Co. 3 Unit all Purpose Well Car set. Model by Chris Stone. Instructions coming in 2021
Thank You for Supporting Us
Lastly we would like to thank all of you out there who have supported us this year, visited our website, and read our articles. We love sharing this hobby with you. We will continue to support this wonderful hobby and work to grow our community. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives. We very much look forward to 2021 and all the cool things that await.
On behalf of the entire BMR Team, have a Happy new Year!
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