WesternOutlaw

Suddenly, Schmelt feels a sharp burning pain in his back! Realizing that something sharp has cut him, he turns to look. Lying on the ground is a bloody farm sickle (harvesting/corn knife). Schmelt receives three life points damage (-3), before falling to the ground. Jeb, Max, and Snitchman find him on the ground. Jethro, Jim, and Charlie are still lost in the corn field.

Jeb extends his hand out and just as you grab it, you loose him in the tall stalks of corn In fact, as everyone treds along the muddy ground with the rain pooring down, visibility has dwindled to nothing. The group becomes separated, with little to see than the muddy ground a few feet in front, and the tall rows of dripping corn stalks all around you. You call out, but with the rain pooring down, you can not hear one another! HELP!

CLANK! CLANK! CLANK! oops...

Rain begins to come down... slow at first, then harder. Jeb leads the group but visibility becomes a little difficult with the heavy rain.

Thanks Batbrick. I read your post. I won't "kill off" your character, unless one of the townies get you. Enjoy that vacation!

The group lift and roll the fuel barrel along the street toward the Train Engine Shed. No contents are spilled. Reaching the Crocodile Engine, they lift the barrel upright popping off the lid -smells like diesel fuel. Now that we have some fuel, lets attempt to syphon it with this small hose (pulls hose out from under one of the sides of the Crocodile). Sucking on the end of one hose with the other in the fuel container, the gas starts to enter the Crocodile's tank. Blup...Blup...Blup... the contents in the container slowly drain into the tank. What I know about train repairs is that it will take a little time to get this engine primed, since it's been years since the loco has run. I can't guarantee that we can get this thing started, but I'll try my best. Also, with just a small barrel of fuel, it won't get us very far if we can start it. Does someone smell rain coming?

The group walk slowly along the narrow path through the corn field. It looks like some rain clouds are blowing in from above. The scent of rain permeates the air... CLAP! CLAP! the sound of thunder can also be heard in the sky.

There is no such thing as a "Useless Chapter" in my mysteries. While the group decided to explore all the lines (not me), there was a reason for you journey to the bridge and discovery that it was unsafe (on your own), and another chance for the Town Council to cause trouble. Listen, with the threat of sounding blunt, if you don't like the mystery or want to continue to criticize it, you're welcome to stop participating, as have a few others. Do you really think its pleasant for me to have to update the mystery on a daily basis for three months plus. I do this for the enjoyment of those participating and interested in continuing the mystery. I have a life outside of Eurobricks that I'd love to catch up with, so I too would like for you to solve this and get on with it, without offering multiple choice questions; or in addition to reading the mystery, respond to your criticism to things you don't always understand.

Over the past several months, I've been exploring different layout designs for my Train Town and it got me thinking... Do you prefer a simple loop around your town/city with perhaps a small shunting yard? (simple layout) - or - Do you prefer a layout with a number of switch tracks and alternate routes for your train(s) to follow? (complex layout) Both options provide a few advantages and disadvantages including more space with simpler loops, but more switching fun with a more full and complex layout. To provide a tip for aspiring train fans and beginners, what do some of you more seasoned train builders find more useful/enjoyable?

Okay - I'll take your input into consideration. I will say that you guys are getting pretty close to the final conclusion, so it shouldn't be a lot longer.

This is like a roleplaying game that is very open-ended (aside from just shooting someone). I would like for you to provide a solution vs. multiple choice questions. Yes, I can speed up things from time-to-time, which I have done, but I'd like for you to initiate the action vs. me telling you what you can do. Perhaps you'll think of something that I have not.

That settles it! The group continues along the dirt paved road for a short while before seeing a small scarecrow resting in the corn field. Jeb says, "that's it, follow me". A small path leads into the corn field.

The length of these mysteries is really based on the actions of those participating. While I'd like to get things moving toward the end as well, it all depends on what you do, unless of course you die first. I will say that a final solution is close, but that depends on you. What does help is specific action by all vs. dialogue. Maybe

That's one for the shortcut, and one against. Anyone want to break the tie?

Looks like we've found some fuel. How do you folks suggest we move it?

TOPIC CLOSED You're more than welcome to post your MOC when you have an image to share.

In walking between the corn field along the dirt-paved trail... I know a little short-cut through the corn field if any of you City Slickers want to follow. It'll cut an hour off this here walk to the farm. (begins singing the theme song to the classic favorite television show, Green Acres) "Is the place to be"...

The "let's fuel and prime the Crocodile" group make it to the post office where they discovered the small barrel of fuel.

Yes, in fact this town is Willoughby (or at least some version of it). Good observation. I do like the green baseplates. While I have more in old grey, I just like the extra color with the green. The picture doesn't do the town justice, but the trees and the cars look good with the green plates.

As I was looking through a number of Lego train instruction scans, trying to create my own 12V train MOCs, I noticed a number of different undercarriage designs. It got me thinking, sharing some of these might make good building tips for aspiring train builders. For lack of a better name, the undercarriage is that section between the two wheel sections of a train. For those of you who have a better name for this, please share. I picked a useful design from three different train eras (12V, 9V, and RC) and have pictured below. The first image shows a nice basic, yet elaborate design used for the boxcar in 12V set 7735 Cargo Train; and a more simpler, yet sturdy design used in 9V Classic Train 3225: The third illustration shows a simple, yet effective use of side tiles used for many of the wagons in 7898 RC Cargo Train. I like this design which is clean and affords the opportunity to add decals. These are three simple, yet useful designs when creating your own rolling stock undercarriages. If you have one you'd like to share, or find yourself using often, please share here.

9V track, although I've got enough RC track from the Cargo Train if I want to change it. I like the 9V track in look and because I like to run 9V trains as well. Here's my current layout (Train Town 4).

I'm running the PF system Piranha, and have not tried using a 9V motor. I think some have tried w/ a 9V motor - perhaps someone might add some tips/tricks.

belonging to...

Just to let all of the participants know: I will be out of town Monday - Wednesday, 8/24 - 8/27, and unable to post. I hope to catch up Thursday. I'll go ahead and leave the threads open, but please don't have too much fun while I'm gone. Talk to you soon.

My fourth re-build of Train Town finds the interesting challenge of adding a modular structure, Cafe Corner, to the classic country town. Utilizing green roadplates as well as old Main Street, this new town infuses a horizontal Train Engine Shed bringing some balance to the scene with the tall Cafe Corner on the left. The new build also includes a sneak-peek of my token Train Tech Building Contest entry, a classic-style mining train (images will be shared later). This isn't exactly how I wanted to integrate Cafe Corner, but I do plan to rebuild it again with a completely new look.