Welcome to today's edition of the LFC Blog! I'm your host, Michael, and I am honored to present to you one of the OG members of the Lego fire community, Russ C! Enjoy the interview below!
~Michael LFC Blog: Welcome to the blog Russ! Tell us about yourself. When and why did you start building Lego fire trucks? RC: I am an AFOL and have been building with Lego’s since 1978. My first Lego set was given to me at the age of 4 and it was the Lego Fire House set 590. I still have it built and on display on one of my shelfs. I started building Lego Fire trucks in 2000 after I joined Bay Ridge Vol. Fire Co., in Queensbury NY. I found it was a way to deal with the stress after being at a “Bad Call”. I didn’t really get to heavy into building though until after Memorial Day weekend 2007 after losing my younger brother. For me Lego building has always been therapeutic. It helps me relax and focus. However building Lego Fire trucks took it to a new level, try to make them as detailed as possible while keeping them within the constraints to be usable by MiniFigs. LFC Blog: Sorry to hear about your loss! But it's awesome to hear how you used Legos to cope with life! Legos are a fantastic medium to express a variety of feelings! Who/what inspires you to build? RC: I got inspired by Sixby Fire and by various builders on the mocpages. I was also inspired by Sean Kenney. His detail for the FDNY truck was really awesome. Today I get inspired by a lot of the builders in our group. They have some terrific building techniques. LFC Blog: Indeed! There are so many talented builders out there today! What's in the name Brick Ridge Fire and why did you settle on the current color scheme? RC: Brick Ridge Fire was named after my real department. My department is Bay Ridge Vol. Fire, so I figured why not Brick Ridge Fire. The color scheme is White over Red just like Bay Ridge, however as I added more stations to my department each station had its own color scheme. I have black over Red, all black and also all blue. LFC Blog: Your blue fire trucks are among my favorites! That's a color you don't see everyday! What is the most challenging rig you've ever built? RC: My most challenging build to date is not a fire truck. It is my new station that I built. I wanted it to be a 3 bay station that connected to an inside corner building which housed communications and offices. The 2nd floor of the apparatus bays contained the living quarters for the members. Trying to get the inside corner building to work with a tower was challenging. LFC Blog: Fire Stations are ambitious projects, and yours is really astounding! What is your most favorite rig and why? RC: My favorite rig is my original mid-mount tower. It was my first tower design that I did and it was functional. The outriggers supported the weight of the truck when the bucket was fully extended and working off the side. LFC Blog: Awesome! Completely functional ladders are a challenge to replicate in Lego due to the scale. What is one Lego piece you wish were manufactured and why? RC: I want Lego to make a inverted Slope 30 1 x 1 x 2/3. I like to use these for the wheel wells for the rear of the trucks. Currently I use SNOT to do it, but it would be nice to have them. LFC Blog: Now that is a new kind of brick that would be great indeed! What are your future plans for your department? RC: Future plans for my department is to add a Marine Rescue Unit and also Wildland Firefighting Unit. I want to build a side by side with different skid units for Fire, Rope Rescue and EMS. LFC Blog: Awesome! I personally can't wait to see those new rigs! What is the best part of the Lego Fire Community? RC: I thought about this long and hard. I use to think that the best part was seeing everyone’s creations and getting inspired by everyone’s builds, but as I sit back and really think about it, I think the best part is the friendships that have been made. Yes most of us have not met each other, however we are all brought together by our love for Lego Fire trucks. LFC Blog: You're totally right! When I got into posting my creations on the web, I never knew that I would meet some really cool and down-to-earth people! How would you like to see the LFC grow better? RC: I think the way LFC is growing is great, we have a tight group of serious builders who want to push the envelope on how much detail can be put into a Lego Fire Truck and the scenes that are created are fantastic. I like the fact that each one of us in the LFC is there to help each other out if they get stuck or need a suggestion on how to do something. As long as we continue being that type of group, we can grow by getting more people involved. LFC Blog: It's been an honor to have you with us today Russ! We look forward to seeing more of your creations in the near future! To those reading this blog, I hope you enjoyed this edition of the LFC Blog! If you haven't done so already, be sure to stay up to date and subscribe using the form on the right side of the page!
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~Committed to presenting outstanding LEGO firefighting MOCs from around the world!~
Blog Updated: 10/28/22
PurposeWelcome to the Lego Fire Community Blog! Presented here are outstanding builders who captivate their audience with their MOCs (My Own Creation). The purpose of this blog is to educate others of exemplary builders both past and present. DedicationThis blog is dedicated to Eric S. McDonald, the Fire Chief of the original Lego City Fire Department who died unexpectedly on Aug. 21, 2002. His vision is what started the whole LFC, and for that we are eternally grateful. About the moderating teamChief editor - Michael P. - Founder of Castle Beach Fire Department and Los Angelego County Fire Department Archives
October 2022
DisclaimerThis website is not affiliated with The Lego Company, or any real life fire department for that matter. All builds presented here are original works by the respective builders who gave strict permission to utilize the photos on this website. None of the photos were/are kept for personal use. |