Well Uhlenbrock have some really cool new toys. The overhead Crain looks interesting, but I am pretty sure that they announced that last year? The servo's are great and could be useful. The sound system has some great possibilities. Lissy chip on the train (not the loco). Pulls into the station, suitable announcement as to what train is arriving etc. One possible downside is as to how many units you can use together. I have started initial planning for my layout and think I need about 6-8 speakers under it doing different things. The IB II looks horrible. Sorry but it is just not ascetically pleasing to me, and as for the function buttons around the speed dials, no thanks. To my eye it looks (not the interior, just the exterior) like a cheap rip off of the ECOS, Commander, CS of everyone else. John

Very impressed with the huge Blast furness building on the Trix stand. You would need a hell of a size layout to accommodate it. Fantastic to get correctly proportioned 1/87 heavy industrial buildings finally. David

Hi David, In terms of size it is impressive, but in terms of looks and construction, I think that it looks a bit flat and lacks depth on the sides of the buildings walls. I understand that it is laser cut card, so it will also be very difficult to weather well using existing techniques. As a background model IMHO it maybe ok but as a foreground centre piece I would have some concerns. John

Hi John, I agree, but as a basis Its a good start. corrigated plastic card and lots of weathering would produce a very convincing structure. But saying that, what will the price be compared to the U S Walthers/ Cornerstone kit? David

Some very nice stuff in there. Will have to start saving I guess.

Yeah there is some nice stuff, but is it me or does it seem a bit "flat" this year. I really cant find anything "new" that really leaps out and has the WOW factor? Even the Trix ICE doesn't have that special type factor. John

Micro-Metakit new items 2008
Hello, the new items 2008 of Micro Metakit, and their very special versions by Micro-Feinmechanik / Lokomotivmanufaktur München , can be found , including a lot of pictures, in this new items report 2008: http://www.lbforum.com/messe_2008.html In the report you can also find a lot of more models of other small manufacturers, RTR-models, kits, cast parts, buildings, accesoires and so on, for all gauges and epoches. There will be a lot of further new items added in the report in the next days and weeks. Dirk Edit: the model-versions of the finished model of the rack loco prussian T 28 / DRG BR 97 401 can be found on an extra page: http://www.lbforum.com/t28.html