Michigan LEGO® Users Group

Attendees:

• Chris, Sandy, Kira, & Ethan Leach
• Jim Garrett
• OnDrew Hartigan
• Amy Hughes
• Larry & Nik Pieniazek
• Lester Witter

Overall Picture Directories:

 

Larry Pieniazek

Jim Garrett

 

Report / Interview by Jason Spears

The 2005 NMRA National Convention was in Cincinnati, OH. 13 Lego Clubs, over 75 ALE's setup a 50x70 foot layout. MichLTC had a 22.5' x 17.5' part of that. I interview five MichLUG members to share their thoughts about this event. (Larry Pieniazek (LP), Lester Witter (LW), Chris Leach (CL), Jim Garrett (JG) and OnDrew Hartigan (OH))

1) What expectations did you have for this event and were they met or exceeded?

JG - Seeing a Lego display of that size was impressive and something that the pictures fail to convey.

LP - I expected a rocking layout with some rough edges. I was concerned that we, ourselves, had bitten off more than we could chew though. My expectations were exceeded; it totally rocked.

LW - I expected lots of good models and layouts. The actual was way better than I imagined.

OH - Well since I really wasn't involved in the planning of the layout I really didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived at the event for setup I remember seeing MichLUG’s layout and way far in the distance IndyLUG’s layout and thinking "Wait I thought it was going to be one layout" then I realized it was and that it was just that big. It honestly took me the whole weekend to get over the sheer aww factor that this layout placed on me. I'll never forget it.

2) Did you build anything specifically for this show? Were there any challenges in completing it in time?

CL - For this show I built a replica of a downtown Detroit building (the Dime building) and incorporated the date of the NMRA show date into it.

JG - I built a 2x3 block of six buildings for NMRA. This had buildings ranging from five to 17 stories high and used my most realistic combination of colors yet (Tan, light gray, dark gray, dark blue gray, dark brown, medium blue, etc.) I finished the block about 1 week before the show. The challenge was when I got to the last two buildings, I had no idea what they would be as late as 2 weeks before the show. Obviously I figured something out.

LP - Yes, I built a 2x3 town block, my first conventional town block (before my stuff has always been loose buildings etc). I had a lot of challenges to complete it as I can only build on weekends. I think it came out nice though.

OH - Well yea actually. When I decided to go to the show about 2 weeks before the event I was asked to build a 2x3 block. Amazingly without ripping out any hair I finished it. Although not huge, I managed to build a fairly detailed gray building with SNOT’d windows and skylight which let light into the fully furnished SPACE restaurant complete with the International Space Station hanging from the ceiling. I also built a dark gray building based off of one of John Neal's designs, complete with fire escapes. I have pictures if needed.

3) There were 13 LTCs and over 70 LEGO fans participating in this layout. What was it like being surrounded by that BIG of a layout?

CL - This show was so big that a member of the ITLCO group named John received a phone call from another asking him where he was because he is at the layout and didn't see him. John said "I'm way on the other side!" That tells how big this was.

JG - Amazing. Seeing all the frenetic activity, the massive buildings, and the dozens of trains running made me think: Koyaanisqatsi! (Cue the Philip Glass music)

LP - Trains as far as the eye can see. Even from across the hall. It was amazing.

4) This show was a lot of work, with a 5 hour trip each way and a big layout that had to connect to other clubs and setup while hundreds of dealers and other displays were being setup at the same time. Did this event leave you exhausted or energized to build more?

CL - Although very exhausting I went right back to work on making more detail items for future layouts the day after I got home!

JG - I brought a total of nine buildings that filled a full size van and weighed in aggregate about 400 pounds. Helping with table assembly and then putting the layout together the next day was a lot of work (at least for a desk jockey like me). The wait to get into the show to unload was not too bad. The tear down and reloading was exhausting. It took me several days to repair damage to three of my buildings. After about two weeks since the show, I am ready to start building again!

LP - Both! I decided to go all out for my Build the Trust entry.

OH - Completely energized. I have never left from a show feeling so relaxed and ready to build something.

5) Did you get to do any site seeing in Cincinnati? What did you like the best about Cincinnati?

CL - Cincy has a lot of great buildings in it's downtown and would make some great MOCs!

JG - I spent most of my time at the show (I have been to Cincinnati before). I do like the architecture and the Roebling suspension bridge. Kings Island is one of the great roller coaster experiences.

LP - I've been there before a lot so not so much. Had fun at Billy and Kristen's house, where we all jointly invented Add-A-Piece, a great game!!! My favorite bit was... GOING TO SKYLINE CHILI!!!!! Love that place. Second favorite was hitting King’s Island with Nik and OnDrew on Monday and riding all the coasters. Third favorite was visiting the real CUT and checking it out from the outside and inside including the cool murals and Tower A.

LW - I meet a very interesting person outside of the hotel. He was out of gas and needed money. He even had a small gas can. Funny he ran out of gas every day.

OH - I did a little bit of site seeing while in town. The most memorable things were the architecture and the skyway. The city truly is beautiful. I also got the chance to tour the real CUT which was just as amazing as the model. Finally when headed out of the city with Larry and Nik we stopped at Paramount’s King’s Island. With it's world record coasters beautiful landscape and live steam trains it truly is a fantastic park.

6) What creation(s), not by a club member, really grabbed your attention?

JG -

• 1. IndyLUG's trestle and mountain was very impressive.
• 2. The Cincinnati Union Terminal was very well constructed but suffered from lack of details such as people, cabs, etc.
• 3. The automated garbage truck that lifts and dumps the dumpster.
• 4. The Cows.
• 5. The Columbus skyline. The overall effect of the 10 skyscrapers is impressive. On the other hand, its too bad Columbus has so many modern buildings that do not lend themselves to more detail.
• 6. Toronto's river feature. Good topography and nice bridges.

7) Do you have any last comments about the event and your experience at it?

CL - This was fun in so many ways and I am looking forward to Detroit hosting the national convention in 2 years.

JG - I had a tremendous amount of fun. I picked up some ideas for building techniques and ran into one or two people who said they got some ideas from me.

OH - This show was definitely one to remember. I met tons of people and made some great friends.

Layout Details:

Event Pictures: