Transporting Lego MOCs by Air
As some of you may know, I am attending the Great West Lego Show at STEAM this year (Oct 4,5,6) in the UK. Since I want to display some of my train MOCs and run them on Carl Greatrix's beautiful layout, that means I need to get them from Ottawa Canada to the UK.
After reviewing my options, the best method (economically and logistically) was to bring them with me as additional checked baggage. The excess baggage fee from Air Canada is still far less than any shipping method and I get to keep my MOCs with me during transport.
Keeping the MOCs safe for transport / baggage handling required some more thinking. In the end, I decided to buy a standard 28" hardshell suitcase and modify it. The hardshell case is relatively durable and is fitted with TSA/CATSA compatible locks (useful to allow easy access for security/customs screening). Rather than wrap everything in foam and hope for the best, I decided an "engineered" solution was required! In particular, a hardshell case will deform and squash under load which would crush MOCs even if wrapped in foam. Therefore, I added a slotted compartment system which is adjustable, lightweight, prevents MOCs from moving, and provides a rigid framework to prevent crushing. MOCs will stay safe if they cannot move, hence the compartments. They will also stay safe if impact forces are spread and absorbed by the entire structure, hence the rigid foam inserts between compartments along the floor and walls.
Ultimately, time will tell if this solution works. Right now, the focus is getting my MOCs ready! So many things to clean up and finish and so little time. There will be no more public updates for "Tornado". Its debut will be reserved for STEAM. So, if you're in the UK area Oct 5/6; that will be your chance to see it for real!
Transporting Lego MOCs by Air
As some of you may know, I am attending the Great West Lego Show at STEAM this year (Oct 4,5,6) in the UK. Since I want to display some of my train MOCs and run them on Carl Greatrix's beautiful layout, that means I need to get them from Ottawa Canada to the UK.
After reviewing my options, the best method (economically and logistically) was to bring them with me as additional checked baggage. The excess baggage fee from Air Canada is still far less than any shipping method and I get to keep my MOCs with me during transport.
Keeping the MOCs safe for transport / baggage handling required some more thinking. In the end, I decided to buy a standard 28" hardshell suitcase and modify it. The hardshell case is relatively durable and is fitted with TSA/CATSA compatible locks (useful to allow easy access for security/customs screening). Rather than wrap everything in foam and hope for the best, I decided an "engineered" solution was required! In particular, a hardshell case will deform and squash under load which would crush MOCs even if wrapped in foam. Therefore, I added a slotted compartment system which is adjustable, lightweight, prevents MOCs from moving, and provides a rigid framework to prevent crushing. MOCs will stay safe if they cannot move, hence the compartments. They will also stay safe if impact forces are spread and absorbed by the entire structure, hence the rigid foam inserts between compartments along the floor and walls.
Ultimately, time will tell if this solution works. Right now, the focus is getting my MOCs ready! So many things to clean up and finish and so little time. There will be no more public updates for "Tornado". Its debut will be reserved for STEAM. So, if you're in the UK area Oct 5/6; that will be your chance to see it for real!