Frankie Roberto

I wonder whether being iOS compatible means that we'll see a bunch of third-party apps for programming and controlling the EV3, as well as the official one? That would be great and would lead to a ton of innovative new interfaces I suspect. Also, does anyone know if the EV3 is likely to be compatible with the PF motors and the existing third-party NXT sensors, like the ones from HiTechnic?

I'm sure Lego are bound to do narrow gauge straight tracks at some point. After all, the curved and ramped track pieces have been used in a few sets now, e.g. 7199 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=7199-1 and 6857 http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=6857-1 It'd be great if they could do a narrow gauge cross-track too, but I'm not holding my breath on that one...

I love the wooden palettes stacked up - very clever.

Thanks for the review. This set, and the MBA concept, was introduced at the AFOLCON in Manchester last month. The concept originated from Lego's CRM team (CRM = Customer Relationship Management) and is essentially designed to do two things: 1) help kids to become "better builders", more confident in building on their own rather than following instructions and 2) to increase customer engagement by having a more direct relationship with them. It seems like a really interesting product/concept, and I bet kids (and their parents) will get a lot from it. The instructions are meant to be a lot more detailed, explaining some of the building techniques rather than just giving instructions on how to build a single thing. Kids who sign up for the next 5 sets also get each one individually mailed to them (one every 2 months) - which I bet they'll be hugely excited by. I think parents also have to "sign off" their progress, and as they complete the series they'll receive a "graduation" (with a certificate I think). There's also an online aspect too (kids get access to online resources and can share their creations with others at the same age). We were told at the conference that it launches in the USA only this year, and if successful, will launch in Europe next year.

I'm going for the Thursday ("setup and trading") and Friday conference days. Looking forward to meeting other Lego fans, hearing the talks, and buying some Lego... :D

Really nice that. How do the controls for the crane work?

So, from your photos, looks like you build platforms to a height of 2 bricks, 2 plates, and a clearance of 2 brick from the tracks, making for 6-stud-wide island platforms? I may see if I can get away with the Emerald Night pulling into a platform with a 1 1/2 brick clearance (ie a 7-stud island platform), as that'll give the waiting figs a bit more room. I'll report back how it goes.

Hi all, I've set up a oval of double track, and have recently been planning a revamped station. I wondered whether people have any guidance for platform heights and clearance. Given that my double track has 8 studs between the tracks (which is the standard suggested by the points and double crossover pieces), I built an island platform that was was 8 studs wide (ie runs right up to the edge of the sleepers), and 3 bricks high (which seems to match the height of a standard Lego train plate on top of the standard bogies). This works pretty well for most of the trains I've built before... but the Emerald Night crashes the platform, mainly due to the coupling rods. So... do I rebuild the platform as 6-wide, and have passengers "mind the gap"? Or compromise on 7-studs (in the hope that I have enough jumper plates)? Alternatively, I could not bother with the island platform, and have a platform on either side of the double track, with a bridge to cross over both tracks. Any suggestions?

Yup, it should available to buy later in the year. Hopefully the rechargeable battery box will continue to be available, giving people a choice.

Assuming we get a Pet Shop, can we speculate which 'pets' would be included? Cats and dogs seem obvious. I'd also guess at a parrot (in a cage?) and a snake, possibly in a new colour (in a vivarium?). Other options might be a monkey (though that seems unlikely as it's illegal to sell them as pets in most countries, I think), the rat (too ugly?), spiders (too out-of-scale?) or an owl (a few to choose from now given the Harry Potter sets).

But stopping the trains (or not, and letting them crash) is half the fun! :-) That said, it might be fun to create a remote-controlled red / green light signal. You'd have to use two of the PF lights though (as the two LEDs on each one can't be controlled separately). Adding the colours can be done by using a 1x1 trans circular plate. If you wanted the lights to change automatically, you could rig up a NXT controller with a sensor to detect when the train has passed. There's some instructions for building a motorised switching track (or 'points') here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whoward69/sets/72157621512518259/with/3731607999/ - it's relatively straightforward to follow. You'll need a small PF motor and a few technic components (and a spare PF battery pack and IR receiver).

Ooh, that product looks interesting. May give that a go, thanks. Still live in hope that Lego produce a new PF lighting option... :)

I actually have an Arduino and a ton of LEDs and electrical components. But using them within Lego feels... cheating somehow. Maybe I'll get over it. I imagine that Lego will produce a few new PF components in the years to come - including perhaps a new light piece. My ideal design would be like the existing PF light, but with a single LED, a longer cable, and less of a right angle between the LED and the cable. The cable could be thinner too (at least past the 2x2 brick, which presumably contains a resistor).

Hi all, Thought I'd ask what people do for lighting in their towns. Whilst I have a couple of old 9V system lights (like these), I don't have any 9V battery boxes any more, and have moved over to only using the newer Power Functions system. It seems that the only PF light released so far though is this one, which seems to have been mainly designed for vehicles (hence having two LEDs). Has anyone tried using it for Town-based fixtures such as streetlamps, window displays or illuminated signs? I've also got a few of these, which are included with sets branded with Power Functions, but are really self-contained, with a small internal battery and a push-button. Not quite sure what to do with these yet.

The rechargeable one also has the advantage that you can recharge it without having to remove the battery box from your model (in this case the tender of the Emerald Night). It is a lot more expensive though (especially with the power adapter). But at least you won't have to buy batteries for it.