Brickworld Chicago, being one of if not the largest gathering of AFOL train builders in the world, is often a time of incredible conversation about the hobby as well as announcements regarding new models and products.
This year saw new innovations and a wonderful announcement from BrickTracks, which is today’s topic.
BrickTracks’ New Short Straight Track Pack, Box #1, signed by Scott
This is comes as a very welcome breath of fresh air since ME Models stopped producing track. As a community, we’ve largely been stuck to straight track in 16-stud multiples. Unless you’re alright with cutting up track here and there, there hasn’t been anything smaller than that for those of us who need it.
Wait no more. Scott Hoffemeyer of BrickTracks is now offering a solution. Enter the Short Straight track pack, available from BrickTracks for $19.95 USD.
Brickworld 2019 has come and gone. It’s time to reflect on all the excitement, pain, wonder, frustration, and joy that characterized my trip this year to one of North America’s premier LEGO fan events. Brickworld takes place at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL every June, and is one of the largest LEGO fan events in North America. It draws some of the best builders in the country, and even a few from over seas. It is also typically the largest gathering of LEGO train fans, and train clubs in the US. If you love LEGO trains, you’ll be in good company at Brickworld.
Every now and then our readers themselves get so excited with BMR that they send in their own articles. This is of course something we really appreciate, so please keep them coming! Today it’s Enrico Lussi’s turn, who has written an article about his MILS layout “NeuKirche”. You might have already seen his layout before in our coverage of Legoworld 2018, but today he will give some more insight to how this layout came to light. Enjoy, and thank you Enrico for this entry! Please feel free to keep them coming!
Introducing Enrico
Well I can’t believe I’m actually writing a post for BMR! What a honor. First I would like to introduce myself. My name is Enrico, 18 years old and currently studying to become a civil engineer at the University of Applied Sciences in Rotterdam. I have been building 1:45 scale trains for the last 3 years (could be 3,5 already). My passion is history and especially train related history. So I build a lot of steam locomotives and historic railway wagons.
My current collection is 7 steam locomotives, 4 diesels, 1 Intercity train (ICM 4001), 2 diner wagons, 1 postal wagon, 2 passenger wagons, 5 closed freight wagons and 4 flatbeds. My biggest project is my Bahnsbetriebswerk. In this article I would like to take you through the design and building project. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did building my layout!
Several weeks later, we’re happy to report on the incredible event that was Nebraska Brick Days!
Nebraska Brick Days is a regional Lego show hosted by Lincoln-Omaha LUG, LOLUG. They have been putting together this event since 2017, and have done shows in both Lincoln, Nebraska and Council Bluff, Iowa (the latter is right across the river from Omaha). Don’t ask why event called “Nebraska Brick Days” is held in Iowa.
Brick Model Railroader was present at the event, represented by both Cale and myself (Glenn). We also represented PennLUG, and were joined by Jay Steinhurst. Here’s a record of the fun we had.
Cale met me at my apartment on Wednesday afternoon, and we drove to Jay’s house to spend the night. We got up early the next morning to finish the drive. On Thursday we met up with NILTC at the World’s Largest Truck Stop on I-80 in eastern Iowa and finished the drive together. We got into Council Bluffs that night.
I would elaborate more, but the drive out there was pretty monotonous. Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa look very similar from the interstate.
To celebrate Cale’s birthday while on the trip out, we stopped at the World’s Largest Truck Stop. It was not the birthday he had in mind.
Setup
The three of us (Cale, Jay, and myself) were responsible for the PennLUG layout that weekend. Having only three people with one massive layout meant we would need some serious help, especially in unloading our 14 foot trailer and setting up tables.
And boy, did we have plenty of help. Thanks to the generous hospitality of LOLUG, no less than eight or nine people were there to help us unload and begin setting up on Friday morning. We had the trailer unloaded completely and were beginning to put up tables in about an hour and a half, which has got to be some kind of record.
After the trailer was parked and the tables were completely set up, layout construction began. Several people stuck around to help out with this phase as well, including Richard Glatter.
Setup went extremely well and the first train completed a lap of the layout at 4:50 PM on Friday. Details were added and the layout was complete (minus the plexiglass and skirting) at roughly 9 PM that night, a little over twelve hours after the trailer first rolled through the door of the convention hall.
Our gracious hosts provided us dinner on Friday & Saturday. Everyone hung out and enjoyed each others company. Of course, the train nerds congregated in one area.
The Show
Various weirs from the event. Photo courtesy of Nebraska Brick Days Facebook page.
The show ran from 10-6 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Saturday began with some regular train running (set and forget locomotives) while Cale and I assembled the 80 Premium Instructions kits we had brought (Brickmania delivered our books the night before). Once that was done, we could really enjoy the show.
I feel it necessary to state here that Nebraska Brick Days is a small show. By my estimates it is about half the floor space of Brickworld Chicago. However, attendance records, as I was told, have rivaled Brickworld. There was seemingly no end to the friendly visitors who wanted to know more about the displays. I was fortunate enough to walk around for about twenty or thirty minutes on Sunday to check out some of the other displays, and I was definitely impressed.
It almost seemed that train-oriented displays took up nearly a third of the show. PennLUG’s layout was present, as was the NILTC layout and of course LOLUG’s layout. Brian Williams was also present with his Indiana Jones display (with a dash of Lawrence of Arabia), and was running two themed trains around the perimeter. Having seen a very limited amount of Brian’s work in person, this was one of the highlights of the show for me.
After a pizza dinner on Saturday, some guest train running, and plenty of talking, we were forced out of the hall at 9 PM.
Sunday was just like the day day before; more train running and talking to friends and the public. I was also able to hang out with Dan Siskind of Brickmania for a little while (sorry, no cool news on that front right now).
PennLUG’s main rules for layout operation is that the trains must run until the end of the public hours. We began packing up extra trains beforehand, and at 5 PM, after the final lap was complete, tear-down began. Again, LOLUG had an army of people waiting to help. The layout was dismantled and properly packed into the trailer in record time. Starting from a complete layout at 5 PM, we were saying our final goodbyes and driving out the door a little over three and a half hours later.
Attendees checking out the PennLUG layout. Photo courtesy of Nebraska Brick Days Facebook page.
The Aftermath
PennLUG was on a pretty tight schedule, needing to be back at my apartment by the end of the day on Monday. We drove (safely) into the early hours on Monday morning, put down for the night, and were back on the road by 9 AM. We reached Jay’s house around 6 PM, and my apartment around 10. Cale made it home around noon on Tuesday.
Just a short trip out west and back.
Brick Model Railroader Staff Pick Awards
BMR awarded it’s second round of “Golden Driver” staff pick awards on Sunday morning before public hours. Instead of gathering everyone together, we presented the awards individually. This is only the second time we’ve given out awards but it certainly will not be the last.
Best Steam Locomotive – Union Pacific “Big Boy” #4014 – Nathan Flood
Okay, so Cale and I both think the Big Boy is a bit overrated, but that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy them to some degree. Nate’s model of 4014 certainly captures the presence of the largest successful articulated steam locomotive ever built. It ran pretty well, too, pulling Jay’s military train easily.
Best Diesel Locomotive – Kansas City Southern F Unit – Shawn Kelley
This was pretty much a no-brainer. There was some deliberation on whether or not to award this model at NMRA last year, so it made sense to give it to Shawn this time, as it’s still a very deserving model. Shawn’s model presents well and is cleanly put together. While using modified parts, it still captures the iconic F unit style while using a much different technique than Tony Sava. It’s always nice to watch two good builders tackle the same problem and produce different results.
Best Rolling Stock – Pancho Villa Raid Train – Brian Williams
Rolling stock was a touch pick this year, but we ultimately had to give it to Brian Williams. Brian is well known for building excellent models, and his rolling stock is no exception. The level of detail is second to none, even considering the use of structural stickers. We almost couldn’t choose a single piece of Brian’s fleet to award, but I convinced Cale to give it to the boxcar/stock car on his Pancho Villa Raid train. It’s been a personal favorite of mine since I first saw it.
Best Landscaping – Cornfield Module – Jim Pirzyk
Of course, what would a train layout be without landscaping? Jim Pirzyk of NILTC has built an excellent corner module for their layout which includes a cornfield, farmhouse, and sunflowers overlooking a railroad cutting. We especially like the rolling hills look of the cornfield.
Best Structure – Grain Elevator – Justin Chrisp
There were a few contenders for this award, but Justin’s excellent grain elevator won in the end. Justin took special care to model the surrounding buildings in full and also put lights everywhere. It was an impressive building, and even more so with the lights on.
Wrap-Up
I have to say in full honesty that Nebraska Brick Days is probably my new favorite event, and this particular event is probably my favorite one I’ve ever had the privilege of being at. LOLUG welcomed us with open arms, and so many of them were willing to help us out when we needed it. If anyone from LOLUG is reading this, let me be the first to say that you guys made this event incredible, and I’d be ready to come back in an instant. It was a blast.
I’d also like to thank Nate Flood specifically for convincing Cale and I to make the journey. I’m certainly hoping I can go next year.
Group photo of all the AFOLs and staff who made Nebraska Brick Days a success.
Today I’m writing on behalf of the L-Gauge Modular Standard Oversight Committee.
Last August was the NMRA National Train Show in Kansas City, Missouri. A number of LEGO clubs and LTC’s were in attendance, and it was certainly one of the best non-LEGO shows with multiple clubs I’ve ever seen.
The participating AFOLs from the 2018 National Train Show
Of course, when you put that many LEGO train fans in one place, they start getting ideas. On Saturday evening after the show had closed for the day and everyone had eaten a Bar-be-que dinner, several people invaded the basement of Shawn Lazarz for some good ol’ conversation. There were several topics of discussion (and debate in some cases), one of the biggest being standardization. This was then broken into two categories: electronics and layouts.
Discussions about LEGO train modeling are always fun.
Everyone was starting to get their hands on Lego’s new Powered Up! Train sets and putting them through their paces, finding the capabilities and limitations of the new system. Many people didn’t like what they found, so there was some discussion about the introduction of a “standardized” third party system, be that LEGO-based like a PFx Brick or SBrick, or train-based, like a radio-DCC system, or DelTang.
A suspicious looking group of misfit train builders discussing a Modular Standard.
The conversation then turned to layouts and collaborative displays.
This article was submitted to BMR by our good friend Gareth Ellis, who discusses his experience with DelTang control systems in his models. Thanks Gareth!
Introduction
DelTang RC Control systems is a well-designed radio control platform, with many benefits for a growing LEGO® model train community. The system comprises of a transmitter and receiver, bound with each other for discrete, individual and reliable control.
The basic principles of DelTang radio control for battery locos, in its simplest form are a transmitter and a receiver that has an integrated Electronic Speed Control unit which in turn is connected to batteries and a motor. When the throttle knob on the paired transmitter is moved the motor increases or decreases in speed accordingly.
DelTang currently produce many transmitters and receivers for a wide range of model control, we will focus on Model Train specific variants of the transmitters and receivers. As there is such a wide range we will cover the TX22 Transmitter and the Rx-65 (22) specifically. At the time of writing this, the TX2 was on V207, and the Rx-65c (22) was on V611.
When Brick Model Railroader began in the late December of 2016, we had no idea where it would go. We certainly didn’t have plans to be selling instructions for models, and be working towards selling full kits as we find ourselves today. But fate seemed to intervene and has switched us to this express track we’re on now.
On February 25th, 2019, Brick Model Railroader reached a milestone. We sold and delivered our 1,000th Premium Instruction Kit.
Kevin Johns, a member of PennLUG, is the proud new owner of the 1000th BMR Premium Instruction Kit sold. His plans for the kit are to use the instructions to build a Muppet themed train with his wife Stephanie.Continue reading Excuse Us While We Toot Our Own Whistle→
It seems that lately TLC is really trying to release train sets outside of the Lego City theme and by doing so, trying to tap in more different categories of kids that come into contact with Lego trains. All of them use train wheels and fit on Lego track, which is great compared to the old times (I’m looking at you, Time Cruisers 6497!) For example, we have seen several Hogwarts Expresses, but also the Lone Ranger and Toy Story trains. Of course, even more than the Lego City trains, these are aimed at kids as a toy, to actually play with them, and just have them run around. Also, they tend to not have any PUP or PF on board, but can be motorized quite simply (it’s Lego after all).
This week, Lego released a new child in this family, as part of the Hidden Side-theme. Lego is planning to have this theme be a fusion of Real Life and augmented reality (AR), by using apps and whatnot. For more information on Hidden Side, I recommend you have a look over at TBB, who posted the whole press release plus some extras.
For us here at BMR, there is of course only one important thing: set 70424, better known for it’s highly creative name: “Train”.
So, what’s new, and what’s interesting for us as trainheads? Well, let’s shortly summarize:
A new train piece! It seems to be a re-railer, meant to easily get your trains on the track. Since this set only has about 3 pieces of straight track, meaning that it’s meant to play with without track to begin with, this is a great addition to playability. Even more for kids, because now you can run your trains both on the track and seperate from it, without having to fysically remove it from the tracks. For us as trainheads this can be very interesting as well, I for one always have troubles getting my trucks properly on the rails!
“New” couplings! As we all know, the new style of Lego Train Magnets is pretty weak. There is a solution by using 1×2 plates to connect them together, but it seems that even for Lego this wasn’t a viable option anymore. So, they are now using ball-joints to keep the wagons connected in a more durable way. I have the feeling this is just meant for this specific set (also because there is indeed a Lego Train magnet available on the end of the train) but it’s interesting to see nonetheless.
It’s an American Diesel! Yes, it’s not going to win any beauty pageant, but still, after the last two European-styled trains, it’s a nice addition for kids that live across the Great Pond.
A black Front Window and black Train Doors! Now I have to be honest, I have never used either of both, but I’m pretty sure some of use will love this.
The number on the loco says 30877, even though according to the box-art its supposed to be 70424. Knowing Lego’s style to just put the set number on their trains, this seems to be an interesting decision, even more because the number 30877 also doesn’t exist as a set…
It’s also a monster, it seems 😉
Anyways, I know this might not be the absolute masterpiece that some of us are always waiting for, but I’m really glad to see Lego is incorporating trains more and more in their other themes. When you ask me, the more trains the merrier. So, what are your thoughts about this new set?
Last fall I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lionel Strang and the crew of the A Modelers Life podcast. Today that podcast was officially published and is available to download.
If you’re not familiar with the Modelers Life podcast, it’s a show about the people who make up the model train hobby. From the shows website, “All modelers have a life, but what do we know of it. This podcast is as much about the people in model railroading has it is about the hobby itself.”
Lionel Strang hosts the show with a rotating crew of regular contributors from the model railroad community. Lionel is best known as the builder of the Allegheny and Lackawanna Southern, a 20’ X 30’ HO Scale layout. He also built two project railroads for Model Railroader Magazine: the Northwest Timber Company and the Appalachian Central. Lionel wrote the monthly column Workin’ on the Railroad for Model Railroader magazine from July 1998 until May 2005, then continued to serve as a contributing editor for another six years after that.
It was a really fun interview to do and I’m honored to help represent both the LEGO® train hobby and BMR to the greater model railroad hobby. I hope you enjoy the interview and let me know what you think of the show. You can download the episode on the AML website, on iTunes, of listen to it on the AML Youtube Channel via the links below.
As you may have read, I’ll be attending the Amherst Railway Society’s 51st annual Railroad Hobby Show in Springfield Massachusetts January 26th and 27th. While there I will have the prototype model for our upcoming Reading T-1 Steam Locomotive Kit on display at the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association booth in the Young building. The ASR group is currently restoring Reading T-1 no.2100 to operation, and with whom BMR has been working with on our model of the T-1.
I’ll be splitting my time between the New England LEGO User Gorup’s LEGO train layout in the Mallary building, the ASR Society booth, and just enjoying the show. But if you can track me down, look for the guy wearing the Brick Model Railroader T-shirt, I would love to talk about the T-1, other BMR kits or just trains and LEGO in general. Hope to see you there.
We’ve got a very busy month ahead of us! We’ll be at several train shows joining the Pennsylvania LEGO Users Group (PennLUG) at their train layout as well as visiting friends. Let’s take a look at what January has to offer.
World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour Show, Oaks, Pennsylvania
A Norfolk & Western duo, A class and a Y6b, are being serviced in the yard before going out a coal drag.
This coming weekend, we’ll be at the World’s Greatest Hobby show in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Public hours are Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th, from 9-6 and 9-5 respectively. For those in the area, it is the same convention center where Philly Brickfest is held every year: the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. We attended this show last year when it was on Monroeville, Pennsylvania (closer to Pittsburgh) and it was one of our favorite shows. There will also be several model train manufacturers in attendance with their own displays, and much more. More information is available on the show website.
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