A Study - My GFLUG Agenda for the Fall

Festival of the Masters and Tampa Train Show

It was originally planned that I would attend the 36th Annual Festival of the Masters in Orlando, FL and hang out with the GFLUG as well as check out the various art exhibits. That plan is renounced, and I will instead be gearing up for the Tampa show in December.

http://www.gserr.com/shows/2011TampaLetter.pdf

Golden Spike Enterprises, which organizes several train shows throughout the country, as well as an organization which has developed virtually off of the demise of GATS, the ol' Great American Train Show, is continuing to commit to an annual Tampa rail expo and show.

To model train aficionados like me, this lately doubles as not only a LEGO train conduit but a model train one as well. The show has been noted for providing several in-and-out-of-stock model trains to willing buyers. The team of Paul Mathis, Mike M., and others, from South Florida, usually scouts some items from shows like these.

But why is this on the LEGO blog? My largest involvement in any train show is the LEGO train. GFLUG welcomes guest trains (I'm not a paid member yet but am willing to catch up in that aspect) to this day, and just the camaraderie is convincing to this day for me to get off of my couch and head on over there. The winter shows are usually the best in that they have good weather, good moods, et al. Also, the Fairgrounds are close to the A- and S-Lines, offering good interim railfanning opportunities.

I debated with this option whether the more cozy Orlando show was worth it or this, and this is what I came up with:

• Festival of the Masters is a static display, and only really provides photo ops and camaraderie. The LEGO Store is literally next to it but under the provisions of the Brand Ribbon Project, the terms of a promised discount do not provide for the discount to be attained through DTD.
• LEGO wants their Brand Ribbon models on the 12th. Either the 10th or 11th is ok, but the 12th is the dead last day. I have la escuela on the 10th and on the 11th, my parents will both probably be busy (Veterans Day, No School)
• Tampa Train Show may be a blunt failure like WGH (I was only there for one hour following the brutal traffic conditions on I-4. It turned into a railfan outing) but then again, we're not going 75 miles on I-4.
• Tampa Train Show falls on the third Saturday of December, the Plant City car show. So much action can happen in PC, as seen on March 19, and yet I have a few must-get pics of the depot for the ongoing LEGO project.
• Tampa Train show provides for train operation and other HO scale seeking. Overall, it means that I can do more than just sit around in the GFLUG display. A good example was Plant City 2010, where I was able to hang out with Mike Gulino and others who are into the trains, and check out the various scale train displays. Not surprisingly, I concluded that GFLUG's display was much better. ;)

Learning from mistakes

As I pointed out, the Tampa Train Show in March was a failed trip in terms of the show. When WGHoT said they were coming to Tampa, it felt like a World's Worst Hobby-on-tour. Very airy displays didn't help, and to add insult to injury, the trip was a mess. We wasted three hours, one on I-4 only getting 15 miles on the odometer in a jam (Exits 67-52), one and half down a detour on US 92 (at least I got a Q453-19 crew swap), and a half an hour on the west end of I-4 in Tampa. I arrived at the show with tired legs from sitting so long and even neglected taking my LEGO trains since it would be a quick look, because we went there for the show and we were just not going to blow it off. When we saw I-4 in Lakeland to be jammed, I even thought of turning back, and when we arrived in Plant City (WB on 92) the thought of killing four hours there was not a far cry either. Luckily, the railfan aspect balanced the lack of timeliness in this trip, and I got some enjoyment out of it on the other hobby. I may put up show video very soon to YouTube as a preemption to WGH.

With this story, I feel that we have to master plan this trip. Luckily the 30 minute burden on I-4 (which was due to a college football game) will not exist, because the Fairgrounds are in the east side of town, and I am fairly used to day tripping there via I-75. Either a day trip will be the plan or we will scope a hotel IN Tampa.

Scheduling
The Day Trip

6:00 wake-up
7:00 (As need be) get rental car
8:00 Head north
12:00 arrive @ show, eat lunch and get CSX trains as needed
4:30 leave show for Amtrak, Juice Train
New plans:
5:15 Plant City - action as provided
7:00 leave Plant City
8:00 hang out in Orlando, very traditional
12:00 arrive home


The Two-day trip

6:00 PM - leave
10:00 - arrive TPA
8:00 AM wake up
11:00 - show, trains (2:30 lunch)
4:00 leave
7:00-12:00 (see above)

A GREAT Feeling

As of 3:43 PM, EDT on Oct. 29, 2011, all 101 builds (2 that were later put in the DO NOT BUILD list), are completed. Big relief! It's been a really fun ride with this project. There were ample ups and downs, not to mention frustrations, but it was a wonderful thing. Will I take it on again? Only if the sets are completely different. Though, I could use more time than a month. This project took 2 months flat, from starting off the Trolley ride from school at about this time until finishing now. While originally set for 27 days, the store underwent three delays, to Oct. 6, Oct. 20, and now the final date of November 5. So Richard, Jim, and the others that are working with me, I'm ready to roll! Oh wait, after I film all 99 that are going to the store in their deity.

Moving on to the Christmas layout and my first "McTolga's" location...

Extra Vs. Missing Pcs.

It should be taken as no surprise that, in the end of the 41 model Brand Ribbon, that the impressive amount of extras (600+ pcs) can actually budge in missing parts. I am in the process of axeing out the compensated parts and am getting amazed how many missing pieces are either fewer, or not missing at all.

The Feeling of Missing a Hard to Locate Element

Well, I found it. Horses, the model, had an empty box but its parts moved to another box which made it ready for the road, but it never made it out of the house.

With that said, 1.25 models left, which are 2/3 of the black horse and the entire Witch Doctor (2283).

Yet, I'm missing a part I'm either too cheap to compensate, or too short of having in my stash. A connection to the Red-Brown horse, the 1x2 technic brick with TWO holes is missing, in black. I could budge in with a pair of 1x1, but it is such an integral part to the numerous mocs the part is in that I can't risk the structural liberty for a stupid, yes, stupid, 300 part brand ribbon model. Is the world going to end? I suppose not. But I guess the moral here is, there are alternatives when making such a critical decision for a model that is no importance to virtually anyone, except the company, who wants it to represent a good image. As an interesting hint, the blue element on a brown horse implies directly that it is inside of something, and will not be shown. If you guys are commissioned to build like I am and stumble upon something, here's a tip, a spare 2x2 brick, or the simplest element that will suit the connection if they say "use your collection to factor in missing elements". I have a few yellow/orange 2x2 bricks (we're connecting a 1x2 with 2 pin with a 1x2 with 2 hole here) shot over from the Apples model; it'll go perfect. And yet, the black horse will be more firmly connected to the brown one. So frustration cleared, for now, until the next damned Brand Ribbon; oh wait, this is the last one!

Sawgrass Update

3.25 models and a bit of worry. I just cannot find the Horses model. Last check had it downstairs but it is possible I put it in the Jeep, and will check that tomorrow. Otherwise, the Horses are completely lost or even stolen.

2/8 cows remain and I also cannot locate the string. I think though that my room has it, and will check it as well.

The untouched sets not mentioned: The Hero Factory Witch Doctor and the Fig Parade

Meanwhile it's my birthday (YAY!) and I'll probably be given "no frills packages" to get some sets and HO Scale Trains at chump cost on Veteran's Day (Make a wish!) when LEGO Sawgrass opens up.

Yet Another Sawgrass Update

Opening as scheduled (almost obviously; has more to do with them than me)

3.5 models left, one Hero Factory, the Cows 1/2 way, Fig Parade, and Horses. Surprised that I haven't done the horses since they're pretty easy to do but they'll be done after the Cows.

The set reviews that I have not recorded yet that are planned: Whitecap bay, Atlantis (City AND portal), Skull Truck, Duplo Big City Hospital (as a sort of joke), Unimog, Technic Tow Truck, and Technic supercar.

On 10/30/11 all boxes will be unpacked so that I can take a final video of all the models in their completion. Many models don't even have a box so that's not even a problem for them.

Sawgrass Update

Opening estimated 11/10/11, delivery scheduled 11/05/11.

I'll be there on the 11th to redeem my discount.

7.5 models left, Cows at 25% and the Duplo Zoo in progress. All Duplo sets except the hospital are finished. I overlooked it and thought it was complete, but the box was sealed. :O well, 111 pieces, so what, 15 minutes?

Remaining sets: Hospital, Alien Conquest command center, Hero Factory Skull Doctor (largest set of its kind), and Technic truck thingamabob (600 something pieces).
Remaining Brand Ribbons: Cows (in progress), Zoo (In Progress), Minifig Parade, Horses.

LEGO Set Review: Set 7189

The Mill Village Raid is reviewed in this here video:

LEGO 2012 - Another Golden Year for City?

2007 was one of the best years for City. Then there were a few goodies in 08, 09, and 10. 11 - not so much even though I like the fishing line. But this coming year, my friends, is a must for any fan.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=61214

The Hi-Res pics are out now. This also means that the details of each set are available for one to marvel, since it is so clear now. Cut out the Fire and the Ranger Police and Trucks lines are the best you'll ever see. While I prefer to skip sets like the offroad carrier and ambulance, I say that a devoted fan MUST AND MUST get the garbage truck, recycle truck, and caravan! Needless to say I just built a similar model (in macro-scale for Sawgrass), the caravan is a sleek beauty.

In the police line they are bringing out a new roll of bricks, nougat brick bricks! They are like a brick wall except in 1x2 form. Not only would I be able to build brick structures (I prefer plates for it though) but I feel now that I can do the Florida bridges with all of the reinforced earth walls since many have a brick pattern. Maybe put a railfan fig on the girder taping the train beneath.

Meanwhile, for what seems like a continuation of 2010 and a new liberty to city, they can now appeal to older kids with the new inclusions of dark red, dark blue, and dark brown elements. I approve.

In other news, the Star Wars line is a big fat meh. Nothing exciting so far.

LEGO Sawgrass Store

Incurred another 2-week delay, targeted 11/5/11. Perfect.

10 models remain in line.

4194, 7066, 8071, 1/2 of 8070, 5828, Whitecap bay, and 4 brand ribbon models. Couldn't find cows but I know it's somewhere.

LEGO BRBP Progress This Week

Since last weekend I have only completed a couple of models. The Apples model and one set, the 8487 have been finished. Otherwise, I guess much of the rest can be figured out to enumerate the 13 models I have left.

1. Cows
2. Horses
3. Fig Parade
4. Duplo Zoo
5. 5828 (Duplo set)
6. 4193
7. 4194
8. 8070
9. 7066
10. 8071
11. 1/2 of 8078
12. Witch Doctor
13. any others I forgot

My Idea on CUUSOO

Hope you guys like this one; an American intermodal playset. Playability is a sure target of this big boy.

http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/1435

LEGO CUUSOO

http://lego.cuusoo.com/

LEGO CUUSOO is a Japan-originated but globally expanded program allowing a democracy to choose the next sets LEGO produces. Currently in open beta, it is a wonderful internet tool and an opportunity to monetize the hobby, if your idea is effective enough of course. I personally like it and am submitting a few ideas. Let's see what punch my ideas have. :)

Gather 10k supporters and you have yourself a set and 1% royalty. Make a 150 USD set and that would be 1.50 per sale. Reminds me of Google Adsense, because it's very similar. Google gets the click money when you get a percentage of the conversion as royalty for publishing the ad.

Deadline Extended

The store won't be opening for another two weeks... Wonder where the fortunate news comes from? My coverage?

I am quite happy of this delay. 23 models really can't be capped in a matter of hours. Today would've been delivery day but I'm shooting for the 15th or 16th, maybe the 18th if I have to.