A Brief Diversion

I'm not ready with Lego Futuron's 6990 post yet, but here's a little stew of musings about Space Trains that I've thrown together.

Monorail Cuusoo.  I voted, how about you?  As you can see...it lost.


Lego was not the first to conceive of trains going into space.  I profess I am no expert on this topic, although I'd like to be.  The oldest story I know of involving Trains in Space is Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa.  This work was written in 1927; it was then published posthumously in 1934.  This story is about a boy accompanying his friend on a journey through space to the southern cross (thematically this journey is concerned with questions about true happiness and self sacrifice.) it's a story the author wrote as he was struggling with the death of his sister.
 

I am more familiar with a newer TV series/movie that was developed off of Night on the Galactic Railroad.  I speak of my favorite retro tv series, Galaxy Express 999; You might say my appreciation for Leiji Matsumoto's epic space opera comes from my love of 6990...and Star Wars...and anime.  Galaxy Express 999 began serialization as a manga in 1977, a full decade before 6990 would appear under Christmas trees and almost a decade before I would exist.  It's got space trains, machine men, an homage to Star Wars, bright colors, and retro sci fi. It's worth a look for reference material, if you're into building Lego trains, and for its distinctive take on 70's space opera. 

Don't fret if you haven't heard of this show, it was big in Japan in the late 70s, but it's remained relatively obscure in America, though french readers might be somewhat more familiar with it.  It's streaming on Crunchyroll if you're willing to try it.  Galaxy-Express-999-TV 

Although the namesake train from the tv show does not look like 6990, there are some other trains in the show that resemble the sleek modern style that Lego would go on to use.  Here's a selection of the show's space trains to choose from. 



Now let me draw your attention to Seunghoon Yoo's excellent Lego version of Galaxy Express 999 
If this were a Cuusoo project I'd vote for it; it's that well made.

I've put an embarrassingly large amount of time into 6990's blog entry and it's still not done yet. It's coming, I promise.

Once again I depart, but soon you will see what things I have for you; Adieu.

Classic Space Fly in at Brickfest 2007

Hey all, I'm taking a long time on this last Futuron set, so while I'm busy with that, look what I found.

Lego Space on display.  This is everything for Space through 1998 excluding the Aquazone sets  If you're not sure why I mentioned Aquazone in the same breath as space, you will have to wait for me to explain myself, or google it now. Aside from that this thing is incredible.

Here's most of Futuron and Space police and M-Tron, but you can follow the link and prepare to be distracted for ten minutes...at least.




I'm beginning to realize how herculean this blog could be in the long term.

I'm slow on this last Futuron set, because I'm not yet prepared to tackle another full theme and 6990 is big.  So please be patient, and enjoy this little diversion.

Sincerely, Cureallpill

Futuron: Box Retrospective Part III

Today, due to delays with the last Futuron set post, I'm giving an update to the Futuron box art.

First up we have 6850 Auxilliary Patroller
Source: Brick Pirate

Here's the alternates panel.  I like that they used the quarter windows in 2/3s of the alternates.  I found them hard to use with this small of a set.  My favorite is the little station.

6953 Cosmic Laser Launcher.  This is from my personal collection.  I have 1 Futuron box and this is it.  Saves me a Google search...

Mine is open and built, so no images of glistening sealed parts to see here.  After all, isn't Lego meant to be opened and played with?  Ignore me, I love a good sealed set when I can find one.   But nowadays everyone thinks they're worth a lot so I generally settle for used sets.

Here's the back.  I favor the spaceship and station on the left.  They're much cooler than those on the right. 

6932 Star Defender 200

From Bricklink's legotrainfan
He's got a sealed copy...I'm happy for him...mine is sun damaged.

 
Also from Bricklink's legotrainfan
This is an image of the set when the front flap is opened.  Lego doesn't have packaging like this anymore.  So much selling is done over the internet that the added cost was deemed excessive.  But let me tell you; I miss this old method of packaging.  Check out those beautiful unmarred bricks.

I finally found a much nicer picture for StarDefender 200's alternates.  This image came from Simon_829's listing on Ebay.  I'm in awe of that top left spacecraft.  It's insanely cool for a secondary alt.  The famous giant canopy appears in only one model.

Lego 1974 with Star Quest
From Brickshelf: Nori-gallery... The arrow is very insistent.  Free Space set. 
 
I honestly didn't expect to find this, but once again Nori-gallery to the rescue.  It's interesting that they only show the alternates built out of the individual models.  Nothing is a combination, similar to what was done with lego-1616-combo
I like the bridge and the left most space fighter.  Overall, very nice. 


From AirMauro on Brickshelf.  Here's 6703 Space Minifigures

And also from Airmauro.  The back of the box lacks alternates.  But there's a nice handy inventory.


That's all for today folks.

Lego 6770 Lunar Transporter Patroller

Lunar Transporter Patroller, Otherwise known as Light and Sound Magma Carrier, was a 1988 release that brought back the 9V battery box print made famous by 6990.  It was part of the Lego company's line of electric light and sound sets that first appeared in 1986.  The 9V Light and sound system was a major highlight of Lego building sets through the end of 1998.

Lego 6770 was, first and foremost, a method of getting Light and sound parts out into the market for a reasonable price.
It is just a transport and trailer with a built up battery box on top of it.  If there was ever a Lego light and sound set to bring out the cynic, 6770 might be it.  Fortunately; with some additional thought it can be more than that.  More on that last bit at the end.

Like the rest of the Futuron lineup, 6770 sports a selection of moving parts.  Those moving parts include the radar dishes on the battery box, steering levers, and the trailer connection.  Compared to other Futuron sets,the moving functions don't leave much of an impression.  The steering is as straightforward as a car pulling a removable trailer. 

The use of transparent parts is spare relative to the size of the set.  There are 7 transparent parts, and all of them are quite small.  Two of the transparent pieces are light covers, and of those parts one is Futuron's rarely seen Transparent Green, which feels out of place.  My guess is that Lego didn't want to use the blue color lest it appear to look like a Police color pattern, but I would have preferred either Blue or red to the green.  In fact other than the blue visor there are no transparent blue parts; making this the only Futuron set that does not include transparent blue dishes, plates, or windows.

As a transport rig Lunar Transporter Patroller has a few elements in its favor.  The battery box unit can come off and tip up, becoming a radar tower way-point.  (It is back heavy without the battery, and will fall if unweighted.)  Additionally, when paired with the cargo from 6990 the trailer can become a third cargo transporter for the Futuron fleet; thus living up to its name.  Of course, the audience for this set was probably composed of parents who couldn't get 6990, and opted for something else with light and sound elements, so there is that limitation on further playability.  That aside; there're plenty of crates in the Space theme that need carrying; or in a pinch we build one ourselves.

 Adding one 6990 crate to the model creates a much more 

compelling addition to the Futuron fleet.  

The battery box is much more useful as a waypoint station

than it is atop the transporter

Lunar Transporter Patroller is the largest Futuron set to not include an accompanying mini scooter.  This makes it most comparable to Lunar MPV Vehicle.

I was one of those kids who never had any electric LEGO sets, and I could never understand my parents, or other parents who didn't like them, but as I grew older I became aware of the grownup distaste for things with which children can make noise.  Not to worry, as the sound brick is not very loud and can be operated without harassing frustrated parents. 

The brick produces two space sounds as can be heard here.  Turning the Light brick around will switch the lights from flicking on and off to a steady light.  I only discovered that feature upon getting the set.  It's pretty cool.

There is also a soundbrick with town sirens, so...try not to mix them up if you can

Additionally, the electric system gave sets like this a price premium.  Given the plain design, 6770 doesn't generate a lot of demand.  I managed to find a lightly used example for the original retail price of 24.99 which was only $3 dollars less than the price sticker I found on my Cosmic Laser Launcher box.

Here's the full list of the Lego Space 9V assortment.

 Classic: Sonic Robot: 1986

  Classic: XT Starship: 1986

  Futuron: Monorail Transport System: 1987

 Classic: Sonar Transmitting Cruiser: 1988 (The last Classic Space set)

 Futuron: Lunar Transporter Patroller: 1988

 Space Police: SP Striker: 1989

 Blacktron: Future Generation

Alpha Centauri Outpost: 1991

 Unitron: Monorail Transport Station: 1994

UFO: Interstellar Starfighter: 1997

Here's a selection of 6770's more interesting parts.

1 short bar for you. 


2 long bars but if you combine the Castle set, Smuggler's Hayride, from Star Quest's bundle you can jack that number up to six.


1 rocket booster.  For being a space theme, it's kind of depressing how few rockets Futuron has to offer, here's one of them.


1 light brick.  This was a somewhat common piece as it featured in many of the Light and Sound sets, it's just that there weren't too many of those to begin with.  They're incandescent bulbs, check the listing to see if it's working before you buy.  The sellers usually specify working or not.


1 sound brick.  You turn the top indented portion.  This was the last Space set to feature this piece, which is a pity, as I like its sound better than the town siren.  It only came in white, though you can get the town siren in black.  This is another part you'll want to check seller listings for, as they can fail eventually.


1, here's that transparent green part I told you about.


 1, this is a 1x2 electric plate, it has gaps in the plastic to let the metal plates conduct electricity through the construction.


1, here's a larger 2x4 electric plate, this is a little more common than the 1x2 electric plate.


1, and here's the big 2x8 electric plate, for getting your electricity to distant locations.


1. Here's a coupling that is very common in the town theme, but not so common in space.


1, and here's the other half of the coupling.  I prefer the Lego Space theme's other steering methods more, but, this part is serviceable, and it brings options to the table.


2, this ordinary looking plate is only in one Futuron set in black, but you get a pair. It's more prevalent in white


Overall, the parts selection does provide something extra for the Futuron enthusiast, and the electric parts provided here definitely help to expand your lighting and listening options.

I've brought it up before, and I'll just bring it up once more.
This printed battery box only appeared in two Lego sets, and the other one was very expensive, so 6770 is a great way to collect this otherwise rare piece for a reasonable sum.



In the end Futuron 6770 is a model of mediocre design with a pretty nice selection of electric parts, and a decent assortment of wheels, and parts to expand a collection.  I wouldn't recommend it as a first Lego set.  On its own It's lacking in the design and play category. 

It occurred to me that the short bar can be moved down by one stud and will prevent tipping; should you not have an available battery.

Now let's see what kind of alternates can be achieved.

Radar transport truck; with spare tire

My personal favorite: hovercraft

Battery Box...woot!  I especially like what I did with the radar dish. 

You win some, you lose some.  The parts strain the credibility of any use I can come up with for the battery box.  So, I actually prefer the middle hovercraft over the other two.  I also found the parts to be lacking in computer tiles and slopes, which I would have loved to use.  Once again, the sheer number of plates places some restrictions on the building options.  If you need a lot of bricks, 6770 has four, so good luck with those.  It is an excellent way to build out your old school technic wheel supply.

Final Grade: C+
Pros: less popular = better prices, 9V battery box, sound brick, good part addition, 8 wheels.
Cons: Uninspired model, yellow spaceman, few transparent parts, limited play-ability.

Until next time, ~Cure-all Pill