Not the Emperor of Japan, of course (which is what Mikado actually means, by the way). Rather, a 2-8-2 steam locomotive – Anthony Sava‘s latest creation.
Texas State Railroad: Four out of five for Tony
A renowned master of LEGO steam engines, Tony is almost done with his ambitious project of building faithful LEGO reproductions of all five steam engines of the Texas State Railroad. I can’t help but wonder what’ll come next after that…
I’ve always had a thing both for realistic LEGO train models and more weird MOCs on rails. This one though goes (at least) one step beyond anything I’d ever classified as “weird train” – and that’s saying a lot considering the kind of train creatures that Megan Rothrock is famed for usually building.
Trans-clikity-clack goes the train... I guess!?
Megan’s caterpillar-on-wheels reminds me quite a bit of those lengthy Chinese dragons that you see in celebrations (which by the way seem to have been the inspiration for this). This caterpillar though doesn’t need people beneath it to provide it with motion power and goes on rails instead – while being apparently powered by a yet unseen source of happy-go-lucky trans-clikity power. Train craziness on!
This year we’ve decided to be one of the few sites out there that don’t try to prank you come April 1. Instead, we’re bringing you some news that probably sounds too good to be real – but apparently, it is as real as it gets.
Mike Fetsko and Eric Olsen’s ME Models have launched their long-anticipated new product – metal rails compatible both with PF and 9V. Currently there are multiple different lengths (and colour finishes!) to choose from, and in the future new curve radii are also coming.
Image courtesy of Railbricks - go ahead and check out their review.
Our friends over at Railbricks have already done an extensive review and interview which sounds rather convincing. Only time can tell whether this will breathe new life in the 9V system after its much lamented demise, but it is surely a wonderful surprise for all AFOL Train fans.
And it goes straight for the heavyweight champion belt. Scott Wardlaw finishes off the hibernation season in style with a wonderful 4-6-6-4 steam loc complete with a couple of UP cars.
Bound to Omaha?
I could fill a few paragraphs waxing lyrical about this one and it still wouldn’t be enough. Instead, I’ll sign off with a “fun fact” – it is precisely the UP 3985 which is the last one standing of its kind, and coincidentally it’s also the biggest steam engine still in operation today. This LEGO model of it has won the Best Train award at BrickWorld 2010. A worthy MOC for a most worthy train then, I’d say.
As a throwback to times gone by (or are they?), Eurobricks Train Techie Ema (Lego Train 12 Volts) presents us with a gorgeous Euro-styled train station.
Wait, why are those rails... PF!?
Stone and wood make a perfect match for this station’s exterior. As to the interior – well, suffice it to say Ema has gone all out (er… in?) – check out the full set on Brickshelf or the MOC’s presentation at Eurobricks.
Build anything that passes for a 6×16 container – it is that simple! Maersk-blue-loving Eurobricks Ambassador Mikael Sjöstedt (or CopMike, as we all know him) has got a hold of 15 sets of Maersk employees who seem to have somehow lost their 10219 train and are therefore looking for a new home. He’s giving them away for free to 15 random participants in the Container Raffle taking place in Train Tech over at Eurobricks.
Dreaming of containers? I'm sure CopMike is...
If the fact that the dilligent workers come sans the orange vests actually bothers you, you should probably look for another easy way of getting a hold of these rare minifigs. Since I couldn’t care less about vests though, I just can’t see when’s the next time anyone would stand the chance of getting 3 rare and highly desirable minifigs for free. There’s just about a week left now – so get container building!
Tons of straight track pieces, elaborate loops and a truckload of 9V or PF motors… Who needs those if you can build such displays and have just as much fun?
Gorgeous smoke effect there.
I’m sure most of you are aware of Cale Leiphart‘s prowess when it comes to steam train building. This MOC makes it pretty obvious that such skills are even capable of making small(ish) static scenes come to life in style.
Quoted from an ongoing Eurobricks Train Tech discussion forum. The new recent discovery of the unexpected 3677 LEGO Cargo Train set was spotted in LEGO World 2011 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The new 3677 LEGO Cargo set
More images can be found here. What do our fellow readers think? I, for one never expect to see a new Cargo Train to be scheduled for the 2011 releases. It certainly looks appealing with all of the train elements together.
One of the many new future sets revealed recently has been a Unimog U500. It’s amazing in Technic scale, but is even more amazing in minifig scale, like this one by Maksymilian1.
Unimog U500
Maksymillan1 has built his truck with a great boom flail mower and has made it a hi-railer. He’s also built a red U400 with salter and plow.
Master train builder scruffulous does it again with his T Class Diesel-Electric Locomotive in Victorian Railways livery. This train is chock-full of innovative designs, like levers for the ladder and custom decals. This loco is built in the dark blue Victorian Railways livery. See for yourself on his flickr page.
T Class Diesel-Electric EMD G8
A previous, 9V version of this locomotive won best train at the recent Brickvention in Australia. It is now PF powered, and has been largely revamped.