Rick

It seems that it's a stretcher being used as such a 'net' for the white cat. btw: That ladder truck seems to have two seats (behind each other, which is a little unrealistic, but still, it can seat two minifigs).

Yes indeed, it's probably a yellow stretcher, which is a nice accessory for a Lego fire brigade. I agree, it's certainly a nice set, just not much new compared to the previous fire station. Still, I might be tempted when it goes on a deep discount somewhere... I'll throw this in with the previous fire station and make a big four-bay station. I guess you can never have too many fire stations.

Agreed, that would definitely be the end of the pirate theme (for me at least)! As I said somewhere else on here before: in my view Pirates should be considered by TLG as one of the four core System themes, next to Town, Castle, and Space.

What?! Checks calendar, no it's not April 1. I was totally not expecting this, especially when a few weeks ago a call for ideas was released by TLG via the ambassadors. All those AFOLs gave their input hoping that TLG put their ideas into production. But the last thing that could be expected from that 'signal' was that the line would actually be discontinued. I sure hope Pirates just takes half a year off and that it will be back by Christmas 2010/January 2011. :pir_bawling: :pir_bawling: (How many of these are considered spamming? Hope I'm still below the critical amount) edit: [optimistic mode] Now that I think about it a little more, TLG may have intended it to be a 'one wave' theme, but based on sales above expectation decided to put their designers to work and ask AFOLs for input. The call for ideas was certainly too late for early-2010 sets, but realistically also for mid-2010 sets. So, perhaps we should be optimistic and see the recent call for ideas as a sign that Pirates will return after a - hopefully short - break in 2010. So: did I tell you I wanted a S@H exclusive two-deck soldier ship? [/optimistic mode]

Indeed, not much to get excited about. I'm curious about the construction of the yellow 'what-do-you-call-that-thing-in-English' in the bottom-left corner of the box. The ladder truck is a pretty good version of a Mercedes Benz Econic ladder though. I'm curious about the construction of the ladder mechanism as well. The 2 x 4 tiles (first spotted in Toy Story) seem to be making their entry in City as the signs on top of the garages. It could make a nice expansion pack to the previous City fire station, as it uses the same color scheme, but it's a shame TLG never includes a good engine (as opposed to pretty decent ladder trucks and aerials) in these fire station sets. (btw: I am excited about 2010 City pics turning up, so are more City 2010 pics being posted on your forum? ) edit: The staff are probably (more like 100% probability ) going to require you to turn that image into a link as no 'confidential pre-lim pics' are allowed on EB. Better turn it into a link yourself so that everyone can have a sneak-peek on your site.

Nice display. I like the torso you use for the soldiers. But the Swedish monarch should really make funds available for new shirts since all of them are torn

Great idea. I indeed hope TLG continues these types of bigger sets (which remind me of legendary sets like Main Street).

Good that they acknowledge it at least and good that they are intending to take action towards the future. Any idea whether changes will be introduced to the current line of affected products (new batches that will have parts from other sources, I guess not)?

Maybe he should keep a list of completed and pending requests in the first post of the topic. That could reduce 'overlooked' requests and you'd know when it's your turn. But then again, maintaining that list would keep him from drawing So, because he's so such a nice guy for doing all these requests for drawings for complete strangers, I indeed think we should leave it up to him what/who he likes to draw first, if he feels like drawing our/your/my sigfig at all. Anyway, Hound Knight, I'd appreciate it, when time permits, if you would keep up the excellent work you've been doing the past couple of months

Thanks for the extensive review. Too bad it only contains two light bricks. Looks like a fun set nonetheless.

How about these? Andrew Lipson recreates Dutch artist Escher's work in Lego. Slightly more complex Escher's Belvedere Escher's Ascending and Descending Escher's Relativity Escher's Waterfall

Ha, I was right about the 2 x 4 tiles I bet AFOLs would have been happier with 1 x 3 tiles instead. With these applications, 2 x 4 tiles aren't really necessary, but they can be useful to create bigger smooth surfaces (car hoods, for example, but they don't appear to be using them for that purpose in the Toy Story theme ) and for signs of course.

Thanks for the review. It's amazing that this is under 200 pieces and I still considered it a 'big' (or at least 'medium')-sized set when I was younger. This is of course largely due to the 'openness' and the use of the big curved windows. I really like the 'everyday life' feel this set has. I never noticed the 1 x 1 trans round plates being used as decoration (under the 1 x 6 arch) before.

Apparently, each store has such a special store opening set.

Great posing on the jester. I agree clowns are freaky, but jesters are kinda fun (as long as they don't have any face painting ).

Great job, I also really like the color scheme. But not exactly minifig scale, so if you feel like it: try to make a minifig scale version (I guess that would be max. 4 studs wide).

For me it's also always been 'no questions asked' so far, so - I agree with the rabbit - let's not abuse this company's excellent customer service.

My bets and hopes will be for a Pirates set (detailed soldier ship with two decks please ).

I too have nothing but positive experiences with TLG service. Fast and correct. Mistakes can happen, they typically resolve them satisfactorily. (At the moment I am waiting for 2 'pillars' (used as mast bases) from 6243 Brickbeard's Bounty, which were 'twisted', i.e. the studs on top were not in line with the base of the element.)

Nice. I especially like the front.

I plan to add some decks to mine as well, so thanks for some inspiration.

In my opinion, the creator house series fits in nicely with City, when properly arranged, and with the Modular House series. But also (classic) Castle and Pirates could be integrated with City. Castle could be used as old city walls or forts and a pirate ship could be in your harbor as a tourist attraction. You could even let the castle and pirate minifigs be actors in the scenario.

What about the sheriff's sign then? There is a clear 'break' between studs 4 and 5, but nothing between studs 2 and 3 and studs 6 and 7. So they must be four 1 x 4 tiles then, where two 1 x 8 tiles would have made more sense. Furthermore I don't see an indication on the left and right sides of either the sheriff or jail sign that it is made up of 1 x X tiles. (But I agree, there's too little detail to give a definitive answer)

Are those 2 x 4 tiles being used on those signs?!

Saw on the Brothers Brick recently... its an amazingly detailed scene...