The newest big modular building for 2018 transports the much-loved series forward by a couple of decades, landing square in the middle of the 1950s.  It's not just a new gimmick with a pretty exterior; this is actually one of the more spacious big builds to date.  In addition to introducing some new prints and basic part recolors, this set brings back the classic "teal" color that was wiped from the LEGO palette over a decade ago.  Grab a snack because this is a long video!Video: LEGO Downtown Diner modular building review! 10260Original linkOriginal author: theJANG

With the second wave of TLJ sets in the books, I've gone back to take a look at the entire lot together, first checking out the (brick-based) builds, then the series of minifigs that so far number far less than we got for TFA.Videos:All LEGO Star Wars The Last Jedi sets: A Retrospective [SPOILERS!]All LEGO Star Wars The Last Jedi minifigs: 2017 summary [SPOILERS!]Original linkOriginal author: theJANG

Over the past two short weeks I've purchased more than $2,700 USD worth of new sets (above is pictured barely over 1/3rd of that) and published 42 videos of them.  That adds to the over 45 reviews made during the 5 weeks prior, with a sprinkling of hauls & throwbacks interspersed.  I haven't gone back to check previous years, but this feels like my most productive Winter season to date, though it's not yet over!  Still at least two dozen late-2017 & early 2018 items remain in the queue to cover before I can take a deep breath & relax for a moment or two.  With this volume of production obviously I've not been able to keep the blog updated, and I must apologize for that; it's not a situation I'm happy with, but I'm running right around maximum capacity, requiring some things to fall by the wayside in favor of...

Hey!  More work in progress!  My last update was pretty boring & pedestrian, covering a lot of little grunt work, cleanup & basic chores that had a subtle, but important effect on the overall appearance of the layout.  Now I've undone some a bunch of that tidiness, but mostly in the corner where the Planetary Defense Force base is going.  I've put up a lot of Big Ugly Rock Pieces with Duplo supports and completed most of the first sweep of smoothing & randomizing, with at least two more such passes to go.Video: A better LEGO city update! Terrain, train, mess, etc. Feb. 1, 2018In this video I also show the "done for now" form of my latest passenger DMU train, which thankfully runs smoothly the first time out.Original linkOriginal author: theJANG

This was a slowish week on the video side with "just" 10 videos released in 7 days.  With the transition away from release season I completed one MOC (for now), made good progress on a new one, and did all manner of cleanup & important foundational chores around New Jang City. Videos:LEGO City Off-Road Chase review! 60170Custom LEGO intermodal container gantry crane (STS) MOC complete! (also previous WIP update)One unexciting LEGO city update after hours of work! Jan. 23 2018Work In Progress: New custom LEGO passenger train MOCMega Construx Halo Fireteam Castle set reviewLEGO parts order unboxing from Bricklink.com ? #216LEGO Technic 1:10 scale Rally Car review! 42077LEGO Build My City Accessory Set review ? 40170LEGO Star Wars The Last Jedi DJ polybag review! 40298With those couple boxes of parts received from Bricklink, I've since finished paneling off my elevated rail track and dove back into the terrain work for the Planetary Defense...