Making History at Brickworld Chicago 2023

Fx Bricks is honoured and thrilled to present Cale Leiphart, editor of Brick Model Railroader and a legend in the LEGO train hobby community, the very first box of our retail P40 9V track switches.  This first box was donated by Fx Bricks to the infamous Brickworld charity auction; an event which has collectively raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Make A Wish Foundation with the generosity of Brickworld attendees.

Little did we know, this auction was also an historic milestone.  Cale Leiphart generously contributed a stunning complete steam train consist, built especially for this auction.  Not only did it surpass the previous train-themed auction closing bid of around $3500, but set a new auction record fetching a little over $6000 USD for a single lot!

The lucky winning bidder has stated that a purpose built display cabinet will be made to showcase this special and exquisite locomotive and period-correct freight cars.  Incidentally, the locomotive is a replica of none other than Illinois Central 790, a 2-8-0 steam locomotive, surviving into preservation with the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

On a personal note, knowing that my good friend Cale is the recipient of our very first flagship track product, makes it so much more special.  Cale has and always will be source of inspiration for all of us in the LEGO train hobby.  He truly has earned legendary status, not only through his exemplary models, but for his kind mentoring and nurturing of new-comers to the hobby both in person and in print with the superb evergreen Brick Model Railroader.

Michael Gale
Fx Bricks