For the Christchurch Brick Show 2014 I build a Topographical LEGO Map of Middle Earth. I measures 2×2 meters and consists of 7 levels. It took approximately 30.000 bricks and four months to build the map. All the main characters of both books are presented on the map as minifigures. Even the path of the ring is illustrated through a breadcrumb style line of golden 1×1 round bricks. The map is accurate as much as a map of a fantastic land can be. I heavily consulted The Atlas of Middle-Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad. This project was made possible through a strategic grant of LUG 4/2. I also created an album at Flickr for this MOC.
First, very, very cool map. You always give such attention to detail.
Second, I built a “Race 3” (modified your Race 2 for use with 1st – 4th graders and credited you). Your Race 2 is a very durable off-road vehicle and wickedly fast, but with the younger kids, it was just too hard for them to assemble without help (small, weak hands). You and Isogawa Yoshihito (“Tora no Maki”)are my biggest inspirations for design simplicity and structural engineering. Please keep posting!