Posted by
Dan
at
12:52 AM
| Name of Model: Garrison of Moriah |
| Created by: gerburrows (Gerry Burrows) |
| Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerburrows/sets/72157626512173154/ |
Details:  We've seen other epic models before - but never anything quite this ambitious. This room-eating display was built in about 9 months by one person. In some of the photos, you can see a bit of a bridge and a couch. The LEGO bridge actually goes completely to the other end of the couch, where more is being added to this colossal model. One interesting technique used to quickly reach some of the heights seen here is using baseplates at various angles - in the image shown here, the large grey expanses are all 48x48 (15 inches square) baseplates. Don't miss the second centerpiece, which is a bit more Castle-y and features some great landscaping. The inside of the arena (behind the large statue) is surprisingly detailed considering how hard it must be to get in there and move the minifigs around.
I, for one, can't wait to see what's on the other side of that bridge. |
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Posted by
Dan
at
9:42 PM
| Name of Event: LEGOPalooza 2011 |
| Created by: NCLUG |
| Found at: http://www.nclug.us/2011/03/06/legopalooza-2011-photos-and-coverage/ |
Details: 
I'm still pretty exhausted after a long, strenuous weekend at LEGOPalooza. I stepped up to coordinate the town & train layout, and pretty much everything that could go wrong did - the final result came out well, but I was surprised we managed to pull it off at all. Since I already wrote up a proper round-up on the NCLUG (North Carolina LEGO Users Group) website and would rather not have to keep track of this in two places, I'm going to direct you there for photos and coverage of the event.
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Posted by
Dan
at
4:00 AM
| Name of Model: A building complex started in 1991 |
| Created by: aror |
| Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=463229 |
Details:  Every once in a while, you come across a gorgeous large layout that feels like minifigs could actually live in it. It's less like looking at a model, and more like seeing a little world. This minifig-scale model clearly meets that criteria - the four large buildings are flanked by smaller buildings, vehicles, and landscaping, in a way that resembles a well-maintained professional or academic campus early in the morning (before the crowds have come about). This project was started in 1991, and the colors reflect that - note how red and white are the main colors, and green is used sparingly. Back then, large plates and plants were the only widely available (non-DUPLO) parts in green. In spite of the limited palette, there's still a colorful ceiling pattern and plenty of other subtle details. The tall windows make this interpretation of minifig scale very close to that of the Cafe Corner set. The details around the windows aren't filled with tricky techniques, but they still take on a grand effect when repeated over these large walls. Don't miss the use of grey goblets on the chimneys, or the fantastic use of Imperial flags outside of a Pirates-based setting. |
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Posted by
Dan
at
11:14 PM
| Name of Model: moonbase |
| Created by various people, but today's photos are offered on flickr by: jonpalmer |
| Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bumcrush/sets/72157624888198989/with/5015218913/ |
Details:  LEGO Space fans have a hard time putting together group layouts. They, understandably, used to feel pretty left out when fans of other evergreen themes put together large collaborative set-ups - while there are relatively simple ways to set up town layouts or giant castle battle scenes, it's not terribly easy to create a space layout as a group. The Moonbase standard is an attempt at creating a standard for a large, planet-based space station so that LEGO conventions can include a cohesive giant Space display. Inevitably, there are still more spaceships than will really fit on the layout, but it's still the best way for space-loving builders to work together and create something enormous.
While the popularity of moonbase has waxed and waned over the years (primarily as a result of the moonbase website being available on a less-than-consistent basis), it retains a presence at seemingly every convention of adult fans of LEGO (or "AFOLs"). Now, the photos explaining how to build in this standard are saved in the flickr set I'm featuring today. If you're registered for an upcoming LEGO convention, you no longer have "I can't find the standard!" as an excuse for not joining in the space-y fun. |
| This is Sunday's model of the day |
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Posted by
Dan
at
12:39 AM
| Name of Model: Containment - Rebuilt |
| Created by: Tyler Clites (Legohaulic) |
| Found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/legohaulic/4951850724/ |
Details:  Remember the Containment layout that was unveiled at this year's BrickWorld? It's been re-done at a smaller scale. This was necessary in order to make that giant two-person layout fit comfortably on one person's shelf. Sadly, this meant removing some of the features - no lights, sound, or movement in this microscale version (yes - we seem to have found an application that would require a still smaller iPod ). In spite of that, though, a surprising amount of detail was able to be squeezed back in, and the layout is fairly recognizable. | | This is Saturday's model of the day |
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Posted by
Dan
at
1:24 AM
| Name of Model: unknown |
| Photos by: Mike Walsh, Melonkernel, and LegoEH0520 (Sorry, no separate flickr set for that last one) |
| Found at: various places, click the above links for photos |
Details:  In late 2008, many LEGO fans were disappointed that they wouldn't be able to order the Vestas-employee exclusive Vestas wind turbine set that LEGO made. More recently, a LEGO/Vestas display surfaced in an airport in Sweden, which might not be the only such display. The display makes an interesting use of mixed scales, featuring a miniland-scale dollhouse, a minifig-scale layout, and larger sculptures. |
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Posted by
Brickapolis
at
9:43 PM
 Browsing through Brickshelf today, I found some photographs of an event that took place in Switzerland. While I really don't have much to say about this at all, I do suggest you take a look at some of the other photos from this event.
They've [people who put this show on] got some great ideas that could add to any persons layout or creation.
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Posted by
Dan
at
8:39 PM
| Over at http://www.hklug.hk/blog/?p=21 (the Hong Kong LEGO Users Group blog), there's some great info on their new Olympics-themed layout. There are also more photos in their Brickshelf gallery and on FlickR. Last time someone told me about the Hong Kong group, I was assuming that they really meant the Malaysian group - but no, these guys are a different group and very awesome too. There are lots of great techniques in this layout too. It'll be on display at the Grand Century Place in Mongkok, Kowloon through August 31st. | | This is Sunday's model of the day. Don't ask me where Friday and Saturday went. |
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Posted by
Lego Model of the Day
at
12:12 AM
| Name of Model: A unique duplo train tower. It uses bridge halves to raise the track up more than four levels, around at the top, and down again. | | Created by: Jeremy Wedel | | Found at: http://cavefish.net/intelli-train/pages/DSCN4750n.htm | Details:
 Yes, DUPLO models do count - LEGO has always been the manufacturer of DUPLO bricks (and they're also to blame for that "LEGO Explore" rebranding initiative a few years back - what were they thinking?). I've recently been looking into the world of DUPLO trains as a way of getting the little kids more excited about the displays my local LUG (LEGO Users Group) puts up. Surprisingly, there's actually a "programmable" train kit for young kids that's easier to work than the nearest adult solution (apparently when this came out in 2003, you could buy the DUPLO train motor for $55 dollars (to work with track not included in the set - a set with track could be bought for $100) but if you wanted similar control over a regular LEGO train at the same time, you would have had to invest in a 9V train set ($100+) and a MINDSTORMS RIS kit ($200+) - not to mention having to work out the programming yourself). Of course, I missed my chance to get any of the DUPLO train motors at a good price, but this one builder has taken it upon himself to create a resource for the people who did manage to get the parts. The site above has a complete hacker's guide and a variety of exciting layouts - this is just one highlight out of the bunch. The track from the more affordable Thomas the Tank Engine line works the same way as the more expensive track, so if you have some Thomas tracks you can try some non-motorized versions of his layouts at home. The tunnel and bridge pieces aren't comparable to anything in the "big kid" train lines (OK - I think that the very hard-to-find monorail sets might be similar), so it's pretty much impossible to build layouts like this one with non-DUPLO track - but that only makes this more awesome. |
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Posted by
Dan
at
9:24 PM
| Name of Model: Duna Plaza Layout | | Created by: MALUG members brob, Tibicsoki, Akos, GP, Gyurma77 and Matyo | | Found at: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=306151 | Details:
 The Magyar LEGO® Users Group (MALUG) put together this fantastic layout for the Duna Plaza in Budapest, Hungary. It's on display for the rest of March. There are a dozens of photos at the link above, but every one has another surprising detail to be seen - it's one of the most complete cities I've ever heard about. There are quite a few smaller sections that would have justified entries of their own here - I'd mention some standouts but I'd surely insult something amazing by forgetting to mention it.
This being a good model for a Sunday, I had picked it out to be Sunday's model of the day, but I was having trouble finding details about where it was and if it was on public display - however, while I was off doing other things, Brick Town Talk found this city and got info from one of the builders about where it is and such. I'm sorry for the delay, but it was worth it to make sure that the builders get proper credit. |
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Here's the start of a nice minifig-scale train layout - a shed and a signal house. I love the shed here - it's a very effective use of the "brick" brick element. This is a very classic use of the bricks and it works quite well. The simple ballast for the tracks is surprisingly convincing. I can't wait to see how the rest of the layout looks. 
