I can hardly believe it is August already, and I am delighted to share once again my perspective on attending Bauspielbahn-Treffen 2023 (BSBT). As a reminder, BSBT is a LEGO fan event dedicated exclusively to trains and takes place in the charming town of Schkeuditz, just 12 km northwest of Leipzig, Germany. My previous BrickNerd articles discussing BSBT are linked here for 2021 and 2022.

As always, the sublime quality of layouts and trains exhibited is truly special. BSBT attracts a fellowship of like-minded and passionate LEGO train builders. I cannot think of an event that sparks a similar level of inspiration and excitement from the perspective of a LEGO train fan. Also, I cannot forget to mention the amazing team which organizes and hosts BSBT: LEN-Eisenbahner, a subgroup of LEGO train fans within LBrick.de. It is an enormous amount of work to coordinate an event like this, and BSBT's success is due to the hard work of the LBrick team of volunteers.

In this article, I will offer a travelogue of my visit to BSBT and spotlight a few topics not discussed in my previous articles.

BSBT is hosted in what can only be described as the ultimate venue! A former tram shed built in 1909, currently in the custodianship of a model train club and offered to BSBT for one week in August.

Me in my happy place: just after arrival and ready for a long, yet relaxing setup of tracks and trains!

My company (Fx Bricks) was proud to sponsor the construction of a large 11-siding train yard. This yard allows for easy storage and operation of multiple trains into the collective double track mainline which runs its way through the entire exhibit.

The opportunity to contribute this massive train yard was special since it was the first large-scale deployment of a double-ended yard built exclusively with the Fx Bricks track elements. In particular, P40 large radius switches and new fractional-length straight track elements which make building grid-aligned yard ladders of any size possible.

I am always impressed to see examples of LEGO train fans adopting amazing ideas and technology from the traditional scale model train world. Below are a couple of notable examples:

I don’t think I have seen an example of a train track “Helix” implemented in LEGO before now! This impressive structure was built on site, allowing trains to access layouts built on different height tables. The helix allows trains to transition vertically in a relatively compact space with a gentle gradient.

I am not sure what I like best: the amazing craftsmanship and design or the incredible utility value of this hinged track bridge! This useful structure allows operators to conveniently and safely access enclosed layout areas. I have often vowed to build a structure like this someday since I always find myself crawling under tables at every event!

Activities / Competitions

In my previous articles, I neglected to discuss the fun activities/competitions organized by the BSBT team. These activities are aimed at train builders wanting to flex their locomotive performance and/or operating prowess in the spirit of fun and entertainment!

The poster above does give a helpful illustration of each activity; however, for the sake of completeness each activity is summarized as follows:

Heavyweight - Locomotives are driven onto a 64-stud long weighbridge track under its own power. Points are awarded to the five heaviest and five lightest locomotives.
Locomotive Pull - Locomotives are coupled to a weight and must pull the weight as far as it can. As the locomotive progresses, additional weight is added until the locomotive is unable to move. Each locomotive is given only one attempt and points are awarded to the ten strongest locomotives.
Train Surfing - A locomotive is coupled to a “Surfer” wagon (a LEGO minifig “surfer” standing on a flat wagon without stud attachment). Each contestant must pull the wagon at least 4 metres (13 feet) in as little time as possible within two attempts. If the “surfer” falls, the attempt is void. Points are awarded to the top ten fastest locomotives. This is a great test of the overlooked and difficult skill of driving a model train as smoothly as possible!
Train Climber - Locomotives must attempt to climb five progressively steeper inclined tracks. For each level of incline, the locomotive must advance at least 32 studs within two attempts. A point is awarded for each incline level successfully completed.
Train Curling - Just like curling, except with trains! Each locomotive must push a standard “curling wagon” past a start line towards a target distance. Points are awarded based on how close each participant can place the curling wagon to the target. Each participant is given three attempts and an attempt is void if the locomotive crosses over the start line during the initial launch.

Night Mode

I always look forward to Saturday evening, not just for the friendly BBQ and hang-out with train fans, but for the magical “lights out” event. The tram shed lights are turned off and RGB "ambient” lights are aimed at the ceiling to create an ethereal space focused on the layouts and trains fitted with their own lighting. The transition to “night” allows for a completely new and different appreciation of amazing models which transform under the effect of lighting.

Conclusion

As always, the reason we travel vast distances and give up precious holiday time to attend LEGO fan events is to connect with our friends in the community and to make new friends and connections. Inevitably, someone will make the observation that our hobby community is a “small world” in which we seem to have some connection or acquaintance with everyone else. In reality, this “small world” spans the entire planet with builders of all ages, backgrounds, and “heritage” in the LEGO train fan community. It seems “small” only because tools such as web communities and social media make it easy for a global community to coalesce around a shared passion or hobby.

However, it seems even smaller when you factor in the impact of attending fan events in person and putting a real face and voice to a familiar name or social media handle. Even more impactful is the opportunity to meet our so-called “heroes” or “legends” in the hobby—the builders who unknowingly lit the spark of inspiration for new builders and continue to nurture the hobby with their experience and knowledge. Pictured below is one of my “heroes”: Holger Matthes (centre) — a legend among legends in the LEGO train fan community. I can think of no better way to spend a weekend than to hang out with friends like Holger and simply play trains!

Footnote

As a footnote to this article, I want to mention another small build activity/competition offered to all the BSBT participants. We were each given a LEGO Dots set (41960 Big Box) and a limited time to fill a small bag with 200 g of LEGO elements of our choice from LBrick’s huge “activity” brick inventory. Using the set and our selected elements, we had to build a diorama inside the box. Therefore, you had to come up with a theme/concept and quickly select LEGO elements that would hopefully support your diorama concept.

My concept was to build a diorama of a London Underground subway/metro station—an appropriate and fitting idea from my perspective! Shown below is my submission:

When I completed my build and presented it to the organizers, we collectively realized that I had a completely different interpretation of the competition’s intent! They wanted the diorama to be built inside the black 16 x 16 stud brick-built box made with the Dots set elements. For whatever reason, I proceeded to cut open 41960’s box and built my diorama “in the box.” (Incidentally, I was delighted to discover the interior dimension of the box was conveniently 32 studs wide!)

In any case, they appreciated my “out of the box” thinking so much they declared it the winner. I am humbled by their consideration and will hopefully pay more attention to the building competition instructions in the future!

What would you have built in the box? Have you ever been to BSBT? Let us know in the comments below.

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