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New LEGO roller coaster tracks system

Ever since the #70922 LEGO Batman Movie Joker Manor was first revealed a few months back, there has been a lot of talk amongst LEGO fans about the new LEGO roller coaster track system that comes with the set. It has been a dream of many LEGO enthusiasts to build a proper LEGO roller coaster, and with the new tracks and roller coaster cars we are getting very close to make this a reality. So I thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit about the tracks in more detail. 🙂

To recap a bit of LEGO history here, LEGO originally used single plastic track pieces for their trains that needed to be pieced together to build a proper track. The trains running on these tracks were powered by batteries inside one of the train cars. By the 1980, LEGO replaced this system with pre-moulded plastic track sections with a piece of metal in the middle, which allowed the trains to be powered by the tracks themselves. The power source for the tracks was from a standard wall outlet via a power converter. This is much like how standard hobby trains are powered. Many LEGO fans still used this system, as it at allows the trains to run indefinitely (as long as the tracks are powered), with no need for batteries.

In 2006, LEGO replaced the powered track system with simple plastic track pieces. The trains are again powered by batteries, but instead of using a battery car, the batteries are inserted into a universal battery box that can be attached anywhere on the train. Just like previously, the track pieces are 8 studs wide, with the tracks 6 studs apart (4 studs in between tracks). The track pieces are available in straight and curved configurations, and there are also switches and flexible segments (see above).

In 2009, LEGO introduced a narrow train track system for the #7199 LEGO Indiana Jones Temple of Doom set. The tracks were 6 studs wide, with the tracks 4 studs apart (2 studs in between tracks). This system only had two configuration; a curved track piece and a small ramp with 5-bricks elevation. Both of these pieces were specific to this set, and were only reused a couple of times since then. (The ramp only appeared in the #6857 LEGO Super Heroes Dynamic Duo Funhouse Escape from 2012, and the curved track in the same set, as well as the #7065 LEGO Alien Conquest Alien Mothership from 2011, and the #41130 LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster from 2016).

Besides using the narrow curved track mentioned above, the #41130 LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster also introduced another new track piece; a small ramp with 3-bricks elevation. (The curved narrow track piece is available in dark-bluish-gray, black, and medium-azure, the taller ramp is available in dark-bluish-gray and black, and the shorter ramp is available in medium-azure only.)

The roller coaster in the #41130 LEGO Friends Amusement Park set is a fairly respectable size as far as layout, but it is not very tall (6 bricks at it’s highest point). It is more like a slightly elevated train track rather than a true roller coaster. While the set didn’t satisfy those who wanted to build a realistic roller coaster, it did indicate that LEGO designers have been thinking about roller coasters. This gave hope to LEGO fans that we may see a real roller coaster in the near future. And they didn’t have to wait long. The #70922 LEGO Batman Movie Joker Manor was announced in September of 2017, and released in December (see at the Online LEGO Shop.)

Instead of just modified narrow train tracks, the new roller coaster system includes proper roller coaster tracks, and a specialized roller coaster car base that securely attaches to the tracks. The roller coaster track system includes six pieces; two straight pieces (short and long), a curved piece, two large ramps with 6 1/3-bricks elevation (one with an inward curve and the other with an outward curve), and a small ramp with 3 1/3-bricks elevation.

LEGO fans are already at work experimenting with the new pieces, and I’m sure we will see some wonderful creations at various LEGO fan forums and conventions in the near future. The BrothersBrick recently posted an interesting video, where they demonstrate how a roller coaster using the new tracks could be powered using LEGO Power Functions elements and some clever building techniques (see below).

As mentioned above, the roller coaster track pieces first appeared in the #70922 LEGO Batman Movie Joker Manor. The tracks are dark-purple, and the roller coaster cars are lime-green. The recently released #60188 LEGO City Mining Experts Site includes the straight and curved track pieces in light-bluish-gray, while the roller coaster cars are black.

The roller coaster system will also be prominently used in the #31084 LEGO Creator 3-in-1 pirate-themed roller coaster later this year, and there are also rumors of a large roller coaster coming in the LEGO Creator Expert Builder line to match the other fairground sets; #10244 LEGO Creator Fairground Mixer from 2014, the #10247 LEGO Creator Ferris Wheel from 2015, and the #10257 LEGO Creator Carousel from 2016.

What do you think? Are you excited about the new roller coaster pieces? Have you experimented with them already? Would you like to see LEGO releasing a large LEGO roller coaster? In what other ways would you use the pieces? Feel free to share your thoughts and own ideas in the comment section below! 😉

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The LEGO Nexo Knights saga continues for its third year with new episodes and new sets. In the January 2018 wave, we are getting six new sets, some including vehicles for the good guys, and some for the baddies. Below, we will take an overview of all six sets, and I have also included video-reviews from JANGBRiCKS, so you can check them out in more detail. 🙂

#72001 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS LANCE’S HOVER JOUSTER: This is one of the smallest sets in the new wave, and it may not look like much, but it has the really interesting feature of running on hidden casters. I don’t remember ever seeing this technique in other sets to give the illusion of hovering. To see how this works, watch the video-review below. Here is the official description: Help Lance defeat Cezar and CyberByter Dennis with his Hover Jouster, featuring a minifigure cockpit with 2 transparent-red lances, 2 flick missiles, 2 movable deflectors, 2 shield holders plus 4 rotating wheels for speedy jousting action. Includes 3 scannable shields, a CyberByter Dennis figure, and 2 minifigures: Lance and Cezar. 217 pieces. Price: $19.99 – BUY HERE

#72002 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS TWINFECTOR: This is the second smallest set in the new wave, this time with a vehicle for the badguys. The design, colors, and transformational features remind me of the LEGO Ultra Agents sets, as well as some old LEGO Space themes. The black and translucent-green color-scheme works really well, and is going to be very useful for LEGO Space fans. The vehicle is basically a tricycle that can be separated into two hoverbikes. Great little set, and the minifigures are interesting too. Here is the official description: Help Aaron fend off Fred and Pola in their powerful 2-in-1 Twinfector cycle with dual critter shooters. Divide the Twinfector to launch the 2 individual flyers and double the LEGO Nexo Knights battle fun. Includes 2 scannable shields, and 3 minifigures: Aaron, Fred, and Pola. 191 pieces. Price: $19.99 – BUY HERE

#72003 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS BERSERKER BOMBER: This ninja craft has such a sweet shape, a great color-scheme, and the integration of the mech is really well done! It is also generic enough that it would fit into any LEGO Space or futuristic theme. I really like versatile sets like this! Make sure you watch the video-review below to see all the details. Here is the official description: Prepare for high-flying action with the Berserker Bomber, featuring a detachable winged eye, dual 6-stud tech infection shooters and movable wings, plus a detachable Vyro Suit for the MechaByter. Attach the jet pack to Macy and send Berserker flying back to Monstrox! Includes 2 scannable shields, a MechaByter figure, and 2 minifigures: Macy and Berserker. 369 pieces. Price: $29.99 – BUY HERE

#72004 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS TECH WIZARD SHOWDOWN: This is the third large knight mech released in the LEGO Nexo Knights line, after the #70326 LEGO Nexo Knights Black Knight Mech and the #70327 LEGO Nexo Knights King’s Mech from 2016. The mech itself is a really innovative design with a battle suit inside the mech (basically a mech within a mech!) Check out the video-review below to see how it all fits together. Here is the official description: Pitch Monstrox against Merlok 2.0 and Clay in their highly posable mech, featuring a cockpit for Clay’s battle suit, buildable sword, 6-stud rapid shooter, Combo Nexo Power shield and a detachable Merlok 2.0 hologram figure attached to a flyer with a sword and shield holder. The Monstrox hologram is on a critter base with 4 legs and 2 critter shooters. Includes 3 scannable shields, a CyberByter figure, Merlok 2.0 and Monstrox hologram figures, and 2 minifigures: Clay and InfectoByter. 506 pieces. Price: $39.99 – BUY HERE

#72005 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS AARON’S X-BOW: Just like in previous LEGO Nexo Knights waves, the vehicles for the good guys are shaped like medieval weapons – in this case, a crossbow. LEGO designers seem to really like this shape, as they used them previously in other themes as well. One of the big advantages is that the back/tail can be used as a handle for kids to fly the vehicle around. And who doesn’t like swooshing around airplanes and spaceships? There are some other great features too, like the dropping of Aaron’s bike. The color combinations are still strange though. Here is the official description: Launch an attack on VanByter No. 307 and the CyberByter with Aaron’s X-bow, featuring rotating blades, crossbow and dual flick missiles. Use the X-bow’s dropship function to release Robin’s Knight Raider featuring dual stud shooters, and then rescue him from the battlefield for a speedy escape. Includes 3 scannable shields, a CyberByter figure, and 3 minifigures: Aaron, Robin and VanByter No. 307. 569 pieces. Price: $49.99 – BUY HERE

#72006 LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS AXL’S ROLLING ARSENAL: This is the largest set in the 2018 LEGO Nexo Knights collection, with a castle-tank combo vehicle. The tank carries a couple of other smaller vehicles that can be detached. Both the color-combination and the shaping of these LEGO Nexo Knights vehicles are an acquired taste, but if you like fun and imaginative sets, they are definitely an interesting option. Here is the official description: Get ready for a heavy-duty LEGO Nexo Knights battle with Axl’s Rolling Arsenal, featuring hidden flick missiles and opening drawbridge. Pitch the Jestroyer with its dual 6-stud rapid shooters against the Vyro Glyder. Lock up the critters in the Critter Trapper’s storage chest and save Knighton from the tech infection. Includes 3 scannable shields, and 4 minifigures: Axl, Jestro, VanByter No. 407, and a MegaByter. 604 pieces. Price: $59.99 – BUY HERE

The LEGO Nexo Knights minifigures are pretty interesting in themselves. While they may not be as collectible as the LEGO Ninjago characters in their different suits, but they still come with very useful parts. The armor pieces, headgear, hairpieces, and face prints are particularly noteworthy. Here is a picture of the whole gang from the new wave.

I never quite got used to the unusual color-combination of the LEGO Nexo Knights good guy vehicles, but I appreciate the play-features, interesting shapes, building techniques, and useful parts and color. I very much like the vehicles for the badguys though. In 2016 they had great fiery vehicles with lots of browns, blacks, reds and oranges. They worked well in both LEGO Castle and fantasy scenes. In 2017, the color-combination for the badguys was dark-gray and purple. I know some people didn’t like the dark colors, but I thought it was a great combo with lots of very useful parts (grays can be used for practically any type of LEGO creation). This year, the badguys are getting more futuristic vehicles, and they fit well with any of the previous LEGO Space collections. So, at least from my perspective, the LEGO Nexo Knights badguy sets are a better deal, as they are more useful overall. But of course, the knights are awesome too, even with their strange color taste.

I’m actually quite impressed that LEGO Nexo Knights is in its third year now. Especially considering that it is running parallel with the LEGO Ninjago TV show and The LEGO Ninjago Movie stories and sets. The target demographic for all three of these product-lines are the same, and I would have thought that Ninjago would stifle Nexo Knights sooner rather than later. But, here we are, and after three years, LEGO Nexo Knights is still quite alive and well. Good for them! You can check out all the new sets under the LEGO Nexo Knights section of the Online LEGO Shop.

What do you think? How do you like the 2018 LEGO Nexo Knights sets? Do you watch the TV show and follow the story? Or are you only interested in the sets? Do you have any favorites? Feel free to share your thoughts and own review in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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