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A night in the life of AFOL

 Just a quick note, somewhat related to the Quest for Inter-City train. I have been researching the 1980 LEGO Trains and also my old collection, seeking parts and so forth. I got into my head to reproduce the full (not just the partial) 7710 Push-Along Passenger Steam Train locomotive, for some trials. While I was at it, I also decided to collect any missing minifigure and other parts for the 7740 Inter-City Passenger Train. In any case, I did manage to find most of what I was looking for, but spent a good three plus hours on the case – and all I got as a result were a few…

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12V lights vs. PF lights (vs. tin-foil)

 As I recently experimented in fitting Power Functions (PF) inside the 7740 Inter-City Passenger Train locomotive, I got to thinking about the optimal lighting setup there – and how PF lighting compared with the original 12V lighting of the train. Below are three different light setups, positioned behind a red 1×6 electric train light prism…

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LEGO accessories re-cap

 Over the past year and a half, not only have I worked on quests, visited places and built regular LEGO sets, I have also explored the world of LEGO (and related) products outside of regular building toys, shops and amusement parks. Here are all the “other” things I’ve taken a look at on this blog…

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850423 Minifigure Presentation Boxes

 Minifigure Presentation Boxes are one of the many official LEGO accessories sold. Like the 853195 Brick Calendar, Minifigure Presentation Boxes are a brick-built accessory set. They are actual LEGO, although with a more real-world purpose. The boxes are meant for displaying LEGO minifigures. Interestingly for a LEGO set (I don’t recall seeing such a set…

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Lights, camera, action, go

 Quest for Inter-City train: A few nights ago I decided to take out my collection of new and old LEGO Trains bricks, as well as my Power Functions (PF) pieces, and toy a little with the locomotive. Run the baseplate with some PF magic. I know many others have successfully Power Functioned the 7740 Inter-City…

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Power Functions revisited

 I briefly took a look at LEGO’s Power Functions electronics platform last year (see for box photos). With LEGO Mindstorms EV3 just around the corner, and the project which my Power Functions exploration is associated with involving the second greatest LEGO electronics feat in history (the 1980s LEGO Trains), I think LEGO electronics is topical.…

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LEGO ages like wine

 Well, maybe not. Hot on the heels of old LEGO part discoveries and tips on how to hurt your vintage LEGO, a quick look at how LEGO ages. What we have here, in the middle, is a part 4170, or Electric Train Light Prism 1×6 Holder, as Peeron calls it (together with two transparent light…

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Old parts, old friends

 Quest for Inter-City train: I have previously gathered new parts and started to catalog old parts for re-creating the 7740 Inter-City Passenger Train. I have also made a few BrickLink acquisitions, including the 12V transformer. My use of old childhood parts will be far more limited on this set than on the Lion Knights’ castle…

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LEGOLAND Billund 2013

 Following is a re-cap of my summer 2013 visit to LEGOLAND in Billund, Denmark for easier reference. By the way, if you still fancy a visit before spring/summer 2014, LEGOLAND Billund is open until October 27th. Before diving into modern-day LEGOLAND antics, may I also suggest a trip down the memory lane, by the way…

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Five ways to hurt your (L)EGO

 No, this is not an article resulting from frustrations in my quests for Lion Knights’ castle or Inter-City train – although it does have root in both of those projects. This is my attempt at documenting some of these faux pas, so others (or my forgetful self) won’t have to repeat them. If you are…

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Miniland 2013

 Return to LEGOLAND in Billund, Denmark: I have previously covered the brand-new Legends of Chima Miniland in LEGOLAND Billund and last year’s (2012) regular Miniland experience. As I’m wrapping up the 2013 LEGOLAND Billund visit, I think a suitable send-off for the topic is a fresh look at the Miniland. In addition to the gallery…

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Wiping LEGO clean

 One of the most tedious tasks of building with old LEGO is cleaning old LEGO. While LEGO usually stands the test of time pretty well, the bricks that come from either my childhood collection or via BrickLink, can be in pretty much whatever state of dirtiness and weariness – and all those small studs and…

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Half the train – brand new

 As the Quest for Lion Knights’ castle winds down to a close and completion, spare time has been freed for the Inter-City passenger train. I recently pondered just how much of a 1980 LEGO train can you get new. While the pondering in that blog post was mostly academical, I have put the idea into…

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Castle stands (down)

 It has taken 534 days and 285 new bricks, we even got to celebrate an anniversary, but would you believe it – my Quest for Lion Knights’ castle is finally done. Back on March 10, 2012 I promised you it would take a while and that there’d be frequent breaks. Well you could certainly say…

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Homade brick calculator

 I have reviewed some LEGO accessories on this blog, as well as discussed LEGO clones a little. Some of you may have noticed something new decorating the Lion Knight’s math article, namely a calculator with a distinctly LEGO look and feel to it. First things first, this is totally a “clone” product. While many online…

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853195 Brick Calendar

 I have been briefly showcasing some LEGO accessories on this blog, including LEGO Ice Cube Tray and Salt & Pepper Set. Now it is time for something a little different, 853195 Brick Calendar – a desk calendar actually built with LEGO bricks. The set includes a brick-built calendar (dual-sided, printed label pieces for each month)…

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7291 Street Rebel

 Alongside my own AFOL ambitions, I build with my son. One of the sets we recently completed was the 7291 Street Rebel motorcycle from the LEGO Creator 3 in 1 theme. I think these Creator sets are just great, we did the 6913 Blue Roadster last fall for example. Not only do they offer repeat-build…

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Lion Knight’s math

 Quest for Lion Knights’ castle: How close does a childhood LEGO collection with maybe half-a-dozen smallish 1980s LEGO Castle theme sets, two haphazard BrickLink orders (254 pieces total, some redundant ones), one LEGO Shop Pick a Brick order (31 pieces) and some minifigure mauling get one to the 6080 King’s Castle? As it turned out,…

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40081 LEGOLAND Picture Frame

 40081 LEGOLAND Picture Frame Billund Edition is one of a series of LEGOLAND exclusive picture frame sets. The brick-built sets released this year (2013), seem to be identical aside from packaging and cardboard inserts. They mimic the park entrances and function as table standing photograph displays. The packaging of the picture frame and the entrance…

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Where have all the civilians gone?

 While the focus of my Quest for Lion Knights’ castle has been on the main military fortification of the 1984 LEGO Castle, the 6080 King’s Castle, the same series was also famous for a fairly strong civilian presence within the theme. For example, the theme introduced the farmer’s hat to LEGO, a fine piece of…

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