Howdy,
I showed some photos of Lego Scale layouts at the 2026 NMRA National Train Show (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=7707.0). I happen to have built a few locomotives in Lego Scale myself. While I was away from the forum I managed to keep myself busy with hobby-related activities and Lego Scale fell in that.
I don't intend to build a Lego Scale layout or for the matter any more kits/sets. Unless of course it's something that I must try ;D
Here is what I have done in Lego Scale. Not all these kits are brand new. I have purchased "retired" offerings from the 'Bay. On average one should not pay more than 10¢ per piece for these kits/sets. That seems to be the "golden rule" amongst the "brick enthusiasts".
Here it goes.
This Shay is way cool. It is remote controlled via Bluetooth and the running gear works like the real thing.
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7744.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7745.jpeg)
The lights come on once you turn on the rechargeable internal battery. This photo below shows that battery and on/off button hidden under the tank's lid.
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7750.jpeg)
This Big Boy is very big. It was fun putting it together. It is static. However, all the wheels do roll.
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7752.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7753.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7754.jpeg)
This is the inside of the cab of the Big Boy.
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7755.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7756.jpeg)
This crocodile loco is the only Lego brand kit I have put together. I had to get this one second hand on the 'Bay. When I got it it was unassembled in 4 separate ziplock bags and had no instructions. Luckily, Lego keeps an archive of all their instructions online. Also, Lego has an app for your mobile device with the instructions and actual 3D schematic of the kit as it is built that you can manipulate in 3D space. Lego has made it fool-proof to put their kits together. This locomotive can be powered with an additional kit sold by Lego. The one I bought is static even though all the wheels roll. I could make it powered if I bought the power kit.
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7757.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7758.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7759.jpeg)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7760.jpeg)
This one was not as fun as the others. Nevertheless, it is a locomotive so there is that. The model is static but all the wheels roll. I didn't apply the stickers for the tender with the railroad's name. I left it "undecorated" :-)
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7761.jpeg)
This is not a locomotive but how could I resist it!? It took the longest to put together and it made my fingertips sore. The piece were hard to snap together and they were small. No one ever said the hobby didn't require sacrifices. It is a static model even though all the wheels roll. I put an HO Scale truck in front of it to give it some reference. By the way, the radio to the left was the first Lego I built as an adult. It was a blast and it got me to build the locomotives.
(https://www.narrowperspective.com/narrow/public_html/media/images/ForumUploads/2026NMRANTS/Resized_LegoScale_IMG_7762.jpeg)
These Lego Scale kits are fun. However, they are dust magnets. Also, they are a tad larger than O Scale. The rail gun is actually smaller than HO. You need a lot of space in your home if you want to display your built up models. Some are very expensive. Some are affordable but not as fun to put together as they are not actual Lego brand so the fit isn't always on point. The Lego brand kits always have amazing fit and the instructions are by far the best.
Will Lego Scale bring in those on the fringes of traditional model railroading into the "fold"? I hope so.
I bought a friend's twin boys 'Lego Mindstorms' one year for 'winter holidays', and watched them open the package. One boy started ripping open the bags of bricks, the other grabbed the CD and headed for the computer. By the end of the evening, they had built a catapult to toss bricks at their little sister....
dave
Quote from: deemery on Today at 01:28:51 PMI bought a friend's twin boys 'Lego Mindstorms' one year for 'winter holidays', and watched them open the package. One boy started ripping open the bags of bricks, the other grabbed the CD and headed for the computer. By the end of the evening, they had built a catapult to toss bricks at their little sister....
dave
That's a sure fire way to lose bricks ;D At 10¢ a piece I'll stick to building locomotives even if tossing bricks at icky girls is fun :o