WesternOutlaw

oops! -fixed.

Great review RF! This is a wonderful classic set with all the makings of an excellent adventure. It always reminded me of Outback, but without the yellow. I give it a 5 for playability. You might also check out this review, which I noticed was not in the review index.

Jeb jumps in the tractor after a few tie some ropes to the side of the tanker. Chhh... Chhh... Chhh... Grrrrrr... The tractor starts up, (Grrrrr...), then sputters (Chhh... Chhh... Grrrr...), then stops. Don't think this here tractor has got what it takes to pull the tanker off the tracks. It's just too heavy.

My 5th version of Train Town introduces my newly acquired Town Plan, with Cafe Corner, and Farm. I must say that this simple layout is among my personal favorite so far having lots of "swoosh" room. I was also able to squeeze in the Farm set, one of the items that I lost in a previous design. What I did loose, however, is the old classic Main Street that I still haven't taken apart, but not much room to squeeze it in. Also, the style is quite a bit different (and smaller) than that of the new Town Plan. I also lost room for additional trains only having the one switch track near the back, which leads into the train engine shed. So, here's the new pictures: Complete Layout (it looks small in this picture, but a lot larger in real life) Town Square (I don't think that Town Plan looks bad next to the Cafe Corner at all). Town Plan gas station next to Cafe Corner (not bad either) The small farm on the East side of town (also space for some forklifts and train cargo) This simple layout took me quite a bit of time, but I'm please with the final outcome.

How are you going to move the switch? Remember, the switches can not be manually "switched". To where? Eventually, the Croc will hit it.

It's not that simple... We will need to move the tanker out of the way. There's still a lot of fuel left inside, and pushing this rusty tanker with the Crocodile is a real risk - if the Crocodile can even do so with minimal power. If we decide to merely move the tanker forward along the track, eventually, the Croc will hit it. Remember that we can't move the switch track manually, which prevents us from moving the tanker to a point past the Croc's rail line. Understand?

Murder on the Emerald Express: Chapter 15 Runaway Train - The exciting conclusion of Murder on the Emerald Express It has been days within the sleepy little town of Willoughby. While some might say that Willoughby is a place in which time has passed, a place with no worries or the stresses of work and of people hurried by their jobs and tasks, others know the town as something else. A special group of passengers who decided to ride upon a mystery train into the Sierra Nevada mountains know Willoughby as a trap, surrounded by those that would stop at nothing to keep the place a sullen town in which outsiders are not welcomed, for they bring dreams and hopes of a better place. Jeb's tractor has pulled the fuel tanker to the train engine shed where Steve Thomas has made all of the repairs he could to the one single hope of escaping Willoughby, the Crocodile locomotive. The Emerald crew, assisted by a few of the passengers and townies run an a hose from the tanker to the Crocodile filling up its twin tanks with diesel fuel. The only "minor" detail remaining is how to move the tanker out of the way so that the Crocodile can pass along the tracks.

Won't work - the Croc has the series HC-514 diesel mechanism, something not found on steam locomotives. I've about got this engine primed and ready? Any sight of that fuel tanker? Hey look! It's the others. I can see them pulling the fuel tanker with Jeb's tractor. End Chapter 14A

The "Tractor Group" make it to the Fuel Tanker where they jump off and begin tying a few ropes between the tractor and tanker. "Starter 'up", Schmelt sets with anticipation. Jeb does so and his tractor begins pulling the fuel tanker along the tracks. After nearly an hour, they reach the train engine shed where they see the others with thumbs up. End Chapter 14B

Okay, make it 20 then.

+10 Life Points for Striker.

Well slap my @$$ and call me Jethro - My Bad! Thanks - but as a suggestion to all of you, cheers = (+) life points. (okay, just kidding, but I like to see you all enjoying rather than complaining) - but I'd like to see this to an end as well. Thanks for the feedback.

Jeb looks at Jethro with evil eyes, and says "I'll drive BOY! Move on over". The tractor lets out a huge puff of black smoke and as it shakes for just a moment, it starts moving. Get ready to burn some rubber boys! We're on our way to that there fuel tanker! (corn stalks begin flying in the air as the blue tractor makes it's way along the road (at about 5 miles/hour))

That's a good question. Based on my experience with "run-away trains", we'll probably be only able to start this train once (if that). Once we get it started, it will accelerate to a normal speed and speed up going down any hill. We'll have limited brake function, but we should be able to slow things down to a reasonable speed. What we can't do is stop the train, with fear that we won't be able to start 'er up again. We can cut the fuel line to stop it once we make it to our destination. That's where I come in. (begins doing a little "Who's Yo Daddy" dance) Definately! That's thinking positively. I think we may need to move the fuel tanker first. Any sight of the Tractor Team?

Gambort: It's great to have you join us here at EB Train Tech. I had blogged your "Box Train" back in December after seeing it for the first time. I don't know if I'm more impressed with the box or the train itself. I love your creation, esp. the caboose. As a huge fan of the Wild West, I always though a steam train was missing from the theme. This would make a fabulous addition to the theme, more-or-less "finishing off" the theme perfectly. How did you create the box? Is it simpler than it looks? Excellent creation - thanks for sharing, and again, it's great to have you here on Train Tech. EDIT: please take a moment, and share your train interest in our Train Tech Registry.

Jethro jumps in the drivers seat and starts the engine. Fortunately, it starts right up. Everyone grab on and hold on tight! - just kidding!

Outstanding! I've thought about building the old Scooby gang as well, but these figs are the best I've seen. Great job.

Oh brother! Next he'll be having converstaions with talking mystery dogs.

Okay Jimbo- now you're just being daft! Now would I lead you through this here shortcut to simply get you from the back? Anywho, I was in front of y'all. Now that the rain has let up, just look over there. No, not at Schmelt, over yonder! It's the tractor! Let's all climb on. After bandaging up Schmelt's sliced back, everyone runs over to the shiny blue tractor: Even Schmelt is smiling again.

Hi Hyphen - make sure you share a bit about yourself and train hobby in the Train Tech Registry. In regard to your question, you may post more than one picture, but only the first image will count toward the contest.

Okay, at long last I took some images of my "token" entry for the Train Tech Building Contest. This one doesn't really count, as I'm staff, but I had to share my Classic Mining Train. I had a very difficult time photographing, so here's a single 640x480 shot with each of the cars (Loco + 4 wagons):

I'd say simple based on the fact that you only have the one side rail, that isn't too long. Oh, great! It is a good site.

Oh CRAP! I think that was one too many clanks. I seem to have damaged the starter/speed regulator mechanism. What does that mean you ask? It means that IF we get this loco started, we won't be able to control it; meaning one start and a constant speed. You mean NO BRAKES? Minimal brakes Is it "fixable"? Not in this crazy @$$ town. I'd need some old electrical parts off another Swiss Crocodile to fix it - you thought finding a Johnson Rod was tricky. Well, this is MUCH worse.

The rain begins to subside and Jethro, Jim, and Charlie catch up with the others.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. - you too Piranha.