FAQs about LEGO trains & LUKR

Questions about LUKR

1. Can I have instructions for…?

Sorry, most of our members’ locomotive and rolling stock models don’t have instructions! If you’re able to come along to one of our displays at a show, try asking a member in person.

These are the models we do have instructions for:

• BR class 08 by Masao Hidaka – we seem to have a swarm of these growing as it’s such a clever design, and they look fantastic!
• Paid and free instructions for British LEGO loco models are also listed here.
• Many of the LEGO Thomas The Tank Engine models you see on our displays are available to purchase as fully built models from legothomas.weebly.com.
• Some of William’s designs are available on his website, Block Junction

2. How do I become an LUKR member?

Membership of LUKR is open to adults aged 18 years or more based in the UK. Please read our membership page.

3. Could you come to my [LEGO / model railway] display?

Maybe! Read our events page for more information. We ideally need around 3 – 6 months’ notice as we plan our displays in advance.

4. Any tips for learning to build models like your members?

Plenty! The key points are:

1. Be patient – what you see at LEGO shows on our displays is usually the work of many years of collecting parts, building models, them collapsing, us rebuilding and redesigning, etc.
2. Go digital! If you don’t have a large collection of LEGO bricks, why not try using a LEGO model computer program such as LDD, or Bricklink’s Stud.io?
3. Talk to other LEGO train fan builders:  this is what we’re all about, really! Talk to a fellow LEGO or train fan about your model if you’re stuck – this is a great way of getting some constructive feedback, as well as perhaps finding a better solution to the design you wanted to build. (See our list of recommended LEGO train Facebook groups and website below!)

5. Can I take videos / photographs of your displays at shows?

Of course! We love to share our passion of the LEGO model railway hobby. We’d really love it if you credited our Facebook page, Twitter account or website too, but that’s up to you.

Questions about the LEGO train hobby

You’re interested in the LEGO train hobby? Excellent! We hope you’ve got the bank balance to back it up. Here are our answers to popular questions about the LEGO train hobby we have from visitors at shows, or via our social media accounts.

1. Where do you buy your parts from?

Most of our members use Bricklink.com, an online marketplace for LEGO parts with sellers from around the world, to buy our parts from. It takes a little while to understand it, but after that you’re an addict (you have been warned!).

2. How do you catalogue your LEGO collection?

Most of our members use Brickset.com to catalogue the LEGO sets we own. This doesn’t (easily) cover the loose parts and custom models we’ve built, but is a good place to start.

3. Can you recommend any good LEGO train Facebook groups?

Yes! There are loads of LEGO-train and LEGO-railway related Facebook groups and pages, but here are our recommended groups:

• LEGO RAIL: founded by an LUKR member, Pete, before we existed, this LEGO rail Facebook group is really popular, especially with LUKR members, and British Rail fanatics.
• Lego Train Fan Club: a great group for international LEGO train

4. Can you recommend any good LEGO train fan websites?

Here are our favourite LEGO train fan websites:

• Eurobricks.com LEGO Train forum – there are some seriously epic builders on this forum (Requires registration, which is free).
• Victorian Railways – an Australian LEGO railway display group with some superb locos and scenery.
• PennLUG – prolific LEGO railway builders based in America.
• Bill Ward’s Brickpile – where many of our members first started looking for LEGO railway inspiration, including an excellent introduction to the various types of LEGO trains available, and the article about LEGO track geometry.
• L-Gauge.org – Michael Gale’s excellent (and WIP) guide to the LEGO train hobby.
• Brick Model Railroader Magazine – written by some excellent adult LEGO fans who are truly passionate about the LEGO train hobby.

5. Where can I find a list of LEGO shows in the UK?

Our member Richard (also known as Bricks McGee!) maintains an annual list of UK LEGO events on his blog at bricksmcgee.com.

6. Where can I find a LEGO train clubs near me?

Is there a LEGO train club near you? The short answer is “maybe” – there might be a LEGO train club near you. Here’s a list of those LEGO train clubs worldwide we know about; if you can’t see a LEGO train club located near you, try looking for LEGO User Groups, where you’re likely to discover other adult LEGO train fans!