The Locomotion
My brother and sister-in-law were nice enough to indulge my train fixation with a LEGO “My Own” locomotive for my birthday.
This is a pretty good LEGO set.
It was fun to put together. It features two distinct, non-trivial configurations.
It includes stickers.
And best if all, it’s operable. There are swivelling wheel trucks with spinning wheels. It’s a little disappointing that no reciprocating pistons drive those wheels. But unlike LEGO’s rigid frame 1903 Wright Flyer, this simplification doesn’t seriously compromise the historical accuracy of the model (like the particle beam cannon that I constructed out of the extra pieces does, to give another example.)
One complaint: the box the track came in clearly depicts my happy, LEGO-sized train-conducting counterpart. However! Opening the box did not reveal him. Danish toy-making friends: please include a conductor in future track boxes, or failing that a disclaimer starburst.
All aboard!