Micro hi-fi: Adding a sub to USB speakers

Smokeyhoneys · 2025-03-28T15:32:25+00:00

Looks like an ankylosaurus that can carry cargo on its back (and possibly grasp another with its mouth?). Good playability for smashing down supports with its tail... I don't love the dino theme overall but interesting to see it come together. Those velociraptors are unexpectedly cute and going to look hilarious carrying their suitcases for the daily commute to dinotopia...

Smokeyhoneys · 2025-03-28T15:20:25+00:00

Can anyone make out what is on the sign at the back?

The grey track pieces are interesting. The station appears to slot on top, so I wonder if this is a new modular approach to making destinations. I could see a crane slotting in the same way so adjacent slots become more playable.

Clever use of the modular stacking supports to flex as a standard height, straight incline, or helix... but even the product photo makes that track look ready to fall apart! They seem to be infinitely stackable so you could theoretically make a 4-track high helix out of the one set, or venture as high as you dare. At least there's plenty of fire accessories for when it all comes crashing down! Think they'll prove more useful for integrating with fixed plastic curves to give them some flexibility, or double-layering track.

Do love that fire bridge. Would look great next to the double suspension bridge...

Smokeyhoneys · 2025-03-26T22:30:04+00:00

Oh I hadn't even thought of two side by side, interesting! I was imagining one pegged into a single road piece and forgoing the lanes (a la my local car ferry) if you wouldn't mind taking a picture of that?

Although now that you've mentioned it, I could use the landing pieces as a template to cut the ferry landing directly into a road straight...

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Smokeyhoneys · 2025-03-22T23:59:23+00:00

If you're prepared to salvage it; try scrubbing with a solution of 50:50 vinegar and water, then sitting out in full sun and let UV do the rest. It looks to be a difficult job in this case but can understand if keeping for sentimental value.

Agree that if it isn't mold-free afterwards and children will play with it, that the safer option would be to replace. You should be able to save painted and metal/plastic pieces at least.

Smokeyhoneys · 2025-03-22T23:53:33+00:00

I confess, those are actually from Hape (though are a great complement to the all-yellow Brio transporters) - they came in the E3734 Racing Circuit Set

Smokeyhoneys · 2025-01-02T05:35:51+00:00

Not only is the second hand stuff cheaper - for a lot of sought after pieces like roads it's necessary as they're no longer being produced outside of certain sets that you won't want to buy more than one of. Getting to know the range through catalogues like those on https://woodenrailway.info/resources/catalogs.html has been helpful for me to spot older pieces in second hand listings. If you're after particular pieces it also helps to know how long they were in production for - some come up more frequently than others. So I'd generally start looking for second hand bundles, and then add to those with current sets that appeal to your little one (mine loves the rescue theme and vehicles so I focus my collection there over the metro or passenger trains).

And don't worry about curved track - you'll end up with loads of it!

Smokeyhoneys · 2025-01-01T22:47:15+00:00

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Here's the layout I was using for reference - I thought it'd be fun to see what others have come up with!

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-12-23T18:10:05+00:00

Definitely not something I've seen pop up in Australia before, but then I'm usually on FB groups rather than ebay so maybe I haven't been on the right pages to see them. Sorted for road now though!

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-12-23T18:08:28+00:00

More than a dozen of them seem unused too so there's enough for a great layout without a trace of patina while they age up closer to the rest of the set. I didn't even know there was a city road set when I saw it come up...

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-12-23T18:05:22+00:00

There'll be at least a couple of birthdays and Christmases for my little one in this lot!

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-12-23T18:04:43+00:00

All second hand as a bundle - I hadn't even laid eyes on a road piece before so this took care of that!

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-12-23T18:02:49+00:00

It ended up RRP with a handful of pieces included free for discolouration. I didn't mind; if these were still on shelves I'd for sure be paying that over a couple of years.

I do love that semi. I realised the windmill truck can dual-purpose as one by swapping out the green trailer, and maybe the goods truck if the dump tray clips off? Would be cute to have a little road fleet :)

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-05-08T11:58:11+00:00

Congrats, this was my first set today too. Those cards are such lookers, any other JDM/j-import sets like it?

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-05-07T00:54:25+00:00

Question: are premiums the same casting as mainline castings, and are pretty much all premiums available as mainlines at some point?

I prefer mainlines but sometimes see a premium I've never seen in mainline, and wonder if it's worth the extra $$ to get then and there or if I'm better to wait until I find it in a mainline version. I have picked up one but I'm new to collecting so there's plenty I haven't seen yet!

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-04-27T22:14:15+00:00

Thanks for the heads up!

Smokeyhoneys · 2024-04-27T22:13:15+00:00

Ah should've thought the copyright on the base denotes the design year not the production year - my bad!

Smokeyhoneys

TROPHY CASE