Member postings for Bricked1980

Really pleased to see my Lego Traction Engine is in the latest issue of Model Engineer.

Thought this might be of interest to people. Lego released this model of a Ferguson tractor just a couple of months ago. This was a special edition model and limited to just 80 copies produced. I love the vintage style packaging on this. If ever my Traction Engine was produced then I would love the artwork to be designed in this style.

Thank you very much John, that's much appreciated.

That's really interesting to see some pictures of those old bricks. Not a lot of people realise that Lego wasn't the first to manufacture this style of toy. Originally Lego made traditional wooden toys and it was only during the 50's I believe that they started to make the famous Lego system bricks. And this idea was based on the original Kiddicraft blocks that had been patented first in the UK.

That's great, thank you very much for tweeting in support of the model Neil, I'm very grateful for that. And thank you for feeling my model is worthy of being included in the Traction Engine topic.

I think the Technic sets are great for introducing children to basic engineering and using cogs and gears etc. Lego even makes sets these days specifically for adult collectors. Have a look at this beauty. If you don't mind splashing £330 on a Lego kit then this is the sort of thing that's available. **LINK**

There is actually a very large online community of adult Lego collectors and builders, and I know several of these who started out with Lego as children and have gone on to become engineers and architects.

I agree with that in many ways. A good example is some of the aeroplane sets Lego have released over the last couple of years. It's difficult to recreate the streamlined shape of a plane using standard Lego bricks so instead they manufactured special prefab nose cone pieces just for these sets. The finished model looks great but there is pretty much nothing else you can build using an element that's been specifically engineered for making the front end of an aeroplane.

Having said this though, there are many Lego sets available under the "Lego Creator" range which tend to have more generic pieces and each set offers ideas for 3 different models to be made. So these are definitely designed to promote creativity.

I also think that with many kids turning their backs on traditional "hands on" style toys in favor of video games and apps etc, Lego are doing a pretty good job at getting kids interested in model making and using their imaginations. They are one of the few "traditional" style toys that are actually thriving even under huge pressure and competition from modern, digital forms of kids entertainment.

Many thanks. Thanks a lot for signing up and voting.

I'm very grateful for that Bill, thanks very much.

Thank you very much Rod. My big hope is that if I was lucky enough to reach 10,000 votes and the model was produced as a set, then it would help to motivate kids and get them interested in Traction Engines and Steam heritage in general. There are loads of kids nowadays who've got no idea what a traction engine is, so I reckon Lego is a great medium to promote these magnificent machines to the next generation.

Thanks again for voting.

Yes it is a bit bit of a drag having to register your email to be able to vote, so thank you very much for taking the time to do that, I really appreciate it.

Hi everyone

I'm not entirely sure what sort of response this will get from people as it's definitely not the typical sort of model engineering that gets featured on here. Also because it's only a static model and designed more for fun than anything else, I felt it was best suited to "tea room topic". If any of the moderators feel it would be better suited in one of the other topics though then please feel free to move it.

Anyway I wanted to show some images of a Traction Engine I have designed using LEGO. The model features the engine itself in classic green and red livery. The model has working steering, a spinning flywheel and detailed cab interior.

Also included is a wagon with drop down sides and various small structures and items that can be towed in the wagon.

Hope you like it. I have entered the model in an online contest called LEGO IDEAS. If it receives 10,000 votes from visitors to the Lego website then it will qualify to be reviewed by Lego professional designers with the view to manufacturing it as an official retail Lego kit.

If you like the model and would like to vote for it then please do so at the following link. **LINK**

Many thanks!

Thank you for the welcoming comments guys.

Regarding my Lego models. I agree it's not really the sort of thing that covered on here. Personally I do feel Lego is a form of modelling but definitely is more towards the artistic end of the spectrum and definitely not engineering at all.

Anyway I am interested in other types of model making too so hope to pick up some good tips on here.

Hi everyone. Just signed up to the forum. I am interested in model making in general, especially related to railways, traction engines and all things steam.

I am a volunteer for the Mountsorrel Railway (connected to the Great Central railway) and the associated Mounstorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre in Leicestershire.

Not sure what sort of reaction this will get as it's a different sort of modelling, but I am also very keen on building models from Lego. You can see some of my Lego work on my Flickr page. **LINK**