Esteemed builder Jonathan Lopes writes: "I've been creating highly detailed train layouts out of LEGO bricks for years. My goal has always been to build a replicate real life and attain a truly gritty feel with my layouts. altBricks tree leaf elements have allowed me to take my personal layouts and buildings up a notch with their realistic Continue Reading altBricks started in 2012 selling Fall color leaves. We expanded the product line to carry more leaf colors; We also found that the folks at Brick Conventions love “kits” (more than bulk items), so we created the tree kits for each of the leaf categories. Following the leaf products altBricks released several alternate architectural elements, columns, arches, decorative pieces etc. And a few train and military related elements. At the end of 2013, altBricks teamed up with Tommy at Brick Engravers to offer a series of Street Sign Kits. We ran a Kickstarter project and funded over 600% ! We knew we had something!
Now altBricks sells 5 different Street Sign Kits… Thanks to all the supporters! In 2014 we spent a lot of time behind the scenes designing a cost effective way to make a mold for both metal and plastic LEGO compatible train track in four different radii. We are on hold with our plans until we see how the ME Bricks Kickstarter project and products support the community. In 2014 we are now focusing on releasing variations on the leaf products. We are thinking about a small leaf and a couple symmetrical style leaves for smaller trees or used as internal infrastructure for larger trees! We are also working on a set of elements for “brick” and “lap siding” model needs… more to come in the future! Steve BarileI started building and designing in 1997 after rediscovering LEGO 9v Trains! I was an instant convert and soon after abandoning N-gauge for L-gauge, I co-founded PNLTC, one of the first LEGO train clubs in North America. In 2001 BricWorx was my first LEGO related businesses where we designed and sold custom trains and train instructions.
My most proud moment Continue ReadingmoreJay BirthdayBirthday LegoFun Desserts For KidsBirthday Treats To Take To School For BoysSchool Treats For KidsFun Foods For KidsSchool Snack Ideas For KidsFun Kids SnacksBoy Birthday CakeForwardLego Rice Krispie Treats from The Stay At Home Chef. Perfect for a Lego Birthday Party or a birthday treat for school. Kids will go crazy over these! Complete recipe and instructions with video tutorial.Update Incentive (05/16/14) - For those of you who have already pledged $1,000 or those of you considering pledging $1,000 or more, we are offering the additional incentives: German E44 Engine, plus an additional $200 ME Store credit towards the purchase of any product in the online store including sets, rails, and decals.ME Models has been designing and producing custom town themed building kits using LEGO® brand building elements since 2003. Over the years, we have developed our own unique line and have made many different sets representing automobiles, trucks, businesses, houses, planes and trains.
We have also produced many promotional sets for companies all over the world. We would like to thank all of our fans for their continued support! In 2007 the LEGO® Group stopped producing the 9-volt train line in favor of a more economical solution. The 9-volt system functioned just like a traditional model railway system where train engines are powered by picking up current from electrically powered rails controlled by a transformer. The LEGO® Group produced this system for 17 years and it included straight rails, curves, a 90-degree cross and left and right switches. As more and more hobbyists embraced the line, it was evident that the system had its limitations and needed additional work and geometries to develop a mature model railway system.The ME Models rail system is designed to expand upon the abandoned LEGO® 9-volt electrically powered line and sustain it for the future. After discussions and conducting surveys with many LEGO® brand train enthusiasts, ME Models undertook the task of producing a fully compatible “L” Gauge System.
The project began in September of 2010 and ME Models released our first test “METAL RAILS” known as the “straights” in April of 2011. After a successful and well received launch, we turned our attention to developing new geometries and radii.Lesson’s LearnedDrawing circles using a compass is easy, but making toy railway track circles out of metal is as complex as putting men on the moon! ME Models has spent the better part of three years as well as substantial personal capital in the development of additional radii for the “L” gauge model railway system.For ME Models it has been a tough road of lessons learned. We had a number of setbacks from the making of molds with the wrong dimensions, to having a supplier run 22,000 feet (yes more than 4 miles of rail!) that was improperly extruded. Despite the setbacks, we have learned a lot, stayed the course and have continued to focus on developing our rail product.We have designed, tested, manufactured and proto-typed rails in both metal and plastic over the past 36 months.
We have engaged more than a dozen metal fabricating companies, three different mold makers, two plastic parts manufacturers in our quest to deliver what we promised to the LEGO® Brand Train Hobbyists – A fully functional compatible railway system. Not only in metal, but also in ABS plastic! ME Models metal R56 curve compared to LEGO® standard R40 curve. Ready to MoveME Models has contracted an experienced metal fabricator, a mold maker who makes injection molds for a variety of major industries and an injection mold plastic parts producer who has contracts with the U.S. government. All the companies that we have contracted are within driving distance of the ME Models Ohio location. We developed a personal relationship with each of these manufacturers and they are excited that we have chosen them to be part of our production process. We are confident that once we have all production systems in place, the final products will be delivered on time to our customers and fans.As of writing this, our mold manufacturer has delivered several of our 8 injection molds.
Our R56 curve in metal has been tested (see video) and the final production set up for manufacturing is being finalized. Planning for additional metal radii is under way. CNC Fixture for straight metal rails. Use of Capital – Where is the money spent?Answer: Injection Molds, Metal Tooling, Fixtures, Raw Materials.While ME Models has been a self-funded company, the expense of creating injection molds, tooling and fixtures for metal fabrication is very high. In order to meet the standards the LEGO® brand building community expects it takes a tremendous amount of investment to meet the following criteria we have demanded of our product: Quality: Our manufacturers understand that the product produced must have the highest quality control standards in place. Comparison of ME Models metal rails in half, standard, and double. 2014 Rail Delivery TimelineWe will produce and make every effort to deliver on time the following NEW geometries and elements on or before the third quarter of 2014: Please note, that curve sizes are based upon the radius of a complete circle measured, in "LEGO® studs", from the center of the circle to the center of the completed track.
For reference, LEGO® standard curve track measures R40. ME Models Universal Connectors in dark blue gray, dark brown, reddish brown, and black. Radii and rails blueprint - R40, R56, R72, R88 Why did ME Models choose Kickstarter?Over the past 11 years, ME Models has been a self-funded company. We have sold thousands of custom sets and diligently re-invest into our successful concept. The expense of financing multiple injection molds, metal fabrication tooling, fixtures and the purchasing raw materials has placed a tremendous amount of financial stress on our small firm. While we do have other funding avenues available to us, we decided to reach out and ask our fans and supporters to be a part of the creation process and to help give us a “KICK START” so we can deliver what the “L” gauge rail community wants.As a THANK YOU and in return for your support in this project, ME Models will be rewarding ALL levels of backers with a variety of rail products as well as ME Models custom sets.