carebear Posted July 8, 2018 Posted July 8, 2018 Always a surpise what you put in your city next love this Greetings Quote
jimmynick Posted July 12, 2018 Posted July 12, 2018 Greg, how did you build the greenhouses? I can't tell if they are a single specialized piece or a more intricate construction. Quote
greg3 Posted July 12, 2018 Author Posted July 12, 2018 2 hours ago, jamesn said: Greg, how did you build the greenhouses? I can't tell if they are a single specialized piece or a more intricate construction. Hi The houses with the greenhouses/conservatories are actually official sets (Creator 3-in-1 Park Street Town House 31065) I'm sure the instructions are online somewhere!! Cheers Quote
greg3 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Posted July 23, 2018 (edited) A follow up to the last update sees the hospital finally open and serving the local community. As you can see, a few last minute changes to the building design took place allowing it to provide a greater range of services... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I wanted to try and include all the parts of the original set but a 3 storey building just looked out of place in my small town so I rearranged it a bit and I'm pretty pleased with the results. I've also found myself moving away from the classic open back (and in this case side as well!) design in favour of the Creator style of closed building but still with easy interior access. Section are easily removed to access the various departments... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The gaps in the original building are filled with easily removable panels... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally the main entrance... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So there we go, Ballabreek now has a modern, well equipped medical facility... let's just hope it's not needed too much!! Thanks for looking... comments always welcome. Edited July 23, 2018 by greg3 Quote
greg3 Posted July 29, 2018 Author Posted July 29, 2018 This week has seen the emergency services called to the mine following reports are that 2 people have been injured. The exact circumstances of the incident remain a mystery but the authorities were able to confirm that neither casualty was an employee of the mining company. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So what's been going on? Find out here Quote
greg3 Posted August 27, 2018 Author Posted August 27, 2018 (edited) Well with the police still investigating the incident at the mine, (in other words I haven't got round to finishing the comic yet!) today we're off into the countryside surrounding the village for a bit of a history lesson... Back in the 1700s, an enterprising local landowner saw a chance to make some money from the farmers and traders who passed through the village on their way to the nearest market town. In those days, most roads were simply muddy tracks and journeys took days so he decided to invest in a well maintained road that ran directly through his land. This new road cut journey times in half but travellers would have to pay for the privilege! To collect the tolls, a toll gate was built at the start of the route - a structure that still stands today. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr To the right of the gateway, is the tower where the toll collector lived. To the left is a smaller structure which was a strongroom where money and goods were stored (people lacking cash could pay the toll in goods). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr During the mid 1800s, more modern (and free to use!) roads were constructed (the routes the modern roads through Ballabreek follow) and the toll road eventually fell into disuse. For a while it became a popular walking path (the current gates date back to the late 1800s and were designed to allow people through on foot). The route is now very heavily overgrown but parts of the original cobbled surface can still be seen. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Since then, the building has seen a variety of uses but is now abandoned. However, in recent years, Ballabreek has seen an increase in the numbers of people using the surrounding countryside for leisure activities resulting in renewed interest in the historic structure which the locals refer to it as "the Wizard's House"!! Here we can see a variety of outdoor activities going on; hiking, camping, bird watching, rafting, biking etc... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can tell, I've recently bought the Whomping Willow set, the Outdoor Adventures set (and a couple of the plants GWP sets) and decided to add them to Ballabreek! The idea of the toll gate came from a local version which still stands today and is a popular spot for running, cycling, walking and observing nature. (although the gate keeper's house has been demolished and turned into a viewing area) Then Postc204f by g.nat, on Flickr Now 4669320545_e22c784e13 by g.nat, on Flickr Finally a few more pics of the scene... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I've not quite decided what's to become of it... perhaps it will get a new owner and lease of life but as what? Maybe a real wizard will move in!! In the meantime it's going to go on a nearby shelf. Anyway, thanks for looking... comments are always welcome. Edited August 27, 2018 by greg3 Quote
Fenghuang0296 Posted August 27, 2018 Posted August 27, 2018 Looking good. That's a good use of the castle parts. ^^ And yes, do a wizard! Quote
Vindicare Posted August 28, 2018 Posted August 28, 2018 Wow! That real life building is fantastic! I would love to drive by that everyday. Another great update. Always enjoy seeing the creative ways you use the sets. Quote
greg3 Posted September 22, 2018 Author Posted September 22, 2018 (edited) On 8/28/2018 at 8:50 AM, Vindicare said: Wow! That real life building is fantastic! I would love to drive by that everyday. Another great update. Always enjoy seeing the creative ways you use the sets. Thanks for the comments... that real life archway is one of my favourite spots to go walking. Anyway, speaking of historic buildings, here's my latest build; a recently renovated structure that can be found in a field near to a main footpath not far from Ballabreek. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's stood there for over 100 years and once served a vital purpose... now it just attracts curious walkers... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This build is actually based on photos of structures that can be found dotted around the North East of England. It's still a bit of a WIP (the centre bit is bugging me as the curved part should be completely smooth but I can't figure out how to do it!!) I also aim to show it as it would have been while in use. But what was it for? Any ideas? Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!! Edited September 22, 2018 by greg3 Quote
Kristel Posted September 22, 2018 Posted September 22, 2018 56 minutes ago, greg3 said: But what was it for? Any ideas? That was my first thought! No idea. Nice angle on the wall! I was going to suggest using a 3x3 dish in the centre held to the larger dish by a half technic pin - this will give a smoother transition between the two dishes, but you'll have stud in the centre. Quote
Humdrum Posted September 25, 2018 Posted September 25, 2018 (edited) On 9/22/2018 at 9:28 PM, greg3 said: But what was it for? Any ideas? Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!! I could be mistaken, but I believe these dishes served as a crude/early radar system. Their purpose was to amplify the engine sound made by the zeppelin bombers flying over the Channel during the first world war. Wikipedia has an article on these: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_mirror Edited September 25, 2018 by Humdrum Quote
greg3 Posted September 25, 2018 Author Posted September 25, 2018 Yep you're spot on... it's an acoustic/sound mirror designed to detect enemy aircraft (originally Zeppelins). Built during WW1 they supposedly gave around 20 min warning and were used right up to WW2 before being replaced by radar. I just need to add the sound collection apparatus (a kind of large cone mounted on the plinth in front of the dish and connected to stethoscope type earpieces!!) On 9/22/2018 at 9:34 PM, Kristel said: That was my first thought! No idea. Nice angle on the wall! I was going to suggest using a 3x3 dish in the centre held to the larger dish by a half technic pin - this will give a smoother transition between the two dishes, but you'll have stud in the centre. Thanks for the comments... the angled wall was a bit of a challenge!! As for the dish it really needs to be concave - I might just remove the boat stud piece altogether. Quote
greg3 Posted December 26, 2018 Author Posted December 26, 2018 (edited) It's been a while since the last update (not had as much LEGO-time as I'd like recently!!) but I've finally got around to bringing some festive cheer to the citizens of Ballabreek!! In previous years I've tried to use the official seasonal sets (especially the free ones!) to decorate the town and this year is no different but how to integrate the Christmas Carousel into a mining scale scene? Well here's how... In a break with tradition, the people of Ballabreek decided to forego the traditional Christmas tree this year. Instead they commissioned a group of local artists and engineers to create something "unique" - the result; 2 large animated sculptures in the centre of the town... image by g.nat, on Flickr The "Snowglobe" features a life-sized Santa and tree. At 15min intervals, powerful blowers create a snowstorm inside the cylinder... image by g.nat, on Flickr The "Carousel" - again every 15 mins the sculpture comes to life; the top section rotates as it plays Christmas themed tunes. image by g.nat, on Flickr A transparent viewing wind allows a view of the intricate mechanism... image by g.nat, on Flickr At first, the works divided the locals. Some minifigs complained, and even launched a petition to get them replaced with a traditional tree. However, the sculptures had their fans - especially among the town's younger citizens and the park has been regularly filled with children eager to see the displays come to life. The sculptures have also attracted visitors to the town giving local businesses a much needed festive boost and winning over many of the original detractors. A few more views... image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr So there we go, Christmas has come to Ballabreek (just in time too!) and 'd just like to say that I hope you're all having a great Holiday Season!! Merry Christmas!! Edited December 26, 2018 by greg3 Quote
Roadmonkeytj Posted December 26, 2018 Posted December 26, 2018 On 2/18/2018 at 1:11 PM, greg3 said: <Other stuff> Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And that, ladies and gents, is what you get when you buy the Lego Batman Movie Justice League Party set for the minifigs and then need to find a use for the rest of the set!!! Anyway, thanks for looking!! I had bought multiples of this set for parts and figs and used the turntables with the batman records and the cmf scientist with the batman shirt under her lab coat with one of the crazy friends hair pieces and "DJ Mad Scientist" rocked out the monster bash in my Lugs Halloween section at BrickWorld this year. it's blurry as its zoomed from the entire layout lol should have taken individual pictures. But I really enjoyed reading through this... It's neat the way you evolve the city with current sets.... I really love the way you used the balloon man and the cop! Your stories are really what take it to the next level. And it was nice to bring back memories... I used to set up a town this sized in the living room for a weekend as a kid (everything had to be put away on shelves) Quote
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