WesternOutlaw

You're definately a great train builder Dave. More fantastic creations! I was actually browsing Brickshelf this evening and came across the tractor flat-bed wagon, not realizing it was your creation. It's my favorite of your collection. I love the simple yet effective design of the TTX. Yellow and black go so well together, and with the brightly colored "classic town style" tractors, it's a wonderful train car. The use of the chains to hold them down is a nice addition. Why can't Lego diversify a bit and add a few rolling stock cars like this and the others from your collection? They would make great $20 - $30 (USD) priced sets and I think they would really appeal to train fans. Very nice!

Train Action! For those of you that didn't think trains could be fun and exciting among other Lego themes, think again. Train builders have been creating a number of very interesting MOCs and topics on EB and sharing their creative works in the Trains & Town Forum. Check out what you might be missing: And not to forget fantastic reviews of official Lego Train sets from 12V to the new Emerald Night! So, what are you waiting for? Head over to the Trains & Town Forum today and share your love of trains on EB!

Coop: this is really clever. I absolutely love the color. It really does look like mint & chocolate. You could also call in the Andes Mint Express, or even the After 8. The engine is equally impressive. I like the playful look that it has, but both the loco and the boxcar have fantastic detailing. Excellent creation! EDIT: Does the boxcar open?

Okay, thanks a lot Dave. Now I'm going to have to break out my Hogwart's Express. Seriously, this is fantastic! I love the locomotive that I'm sure I don't need to say, far surpasses the original set. I love those large train wheels on this model, something that the original set completely lacked. Your addition of the custom passenger wagons is superb. It's definately ready for some HP action. Seeing the entire train on your green foresty layout makes it look that much better. Great creation here, and very deserving of a "Train Tech" link. Believe it or not, I was going to share a topic in Trains & Town on "other-themed" trains including the HP train and Spider Man's subway car set (forget the name of it) - just had not decided the details of the topic yet. Top notch creation here! I'm very impressed. EDIT: This train deserves special mention on Classic-Town!

Wow! Even considering that 7898 isn't 9V, I'd say it's doing pretty well compared to 4512. I'm definately in agreement over the reasons why train fans like 7898 better. Perhaps I'll share some pictures for comparison.

The group carefully builds a ladder utilizing the wood and nails that they discovered in the main room. In no time, they assemble a makeshift ladder that reaches to the 2nd floor. They climb up the ladder slowly, one at a time until the entire group reaches the second floor. Inside is some sort of storage room with lots of hanging tools including blades, saws, log picks, bands, and ropes. In addition, there's three barrels in the corner of the room marked "explosives". Large windows face the river and a door is located at the far end of the room.

Fantastic creation Dave! It's great to see these 4.5 and 12V sets recreated once again. I can see a lot of resemblance to the 7760 Diesel Shunter here. I don't recall this set from my childhood but it looks like it would have made a young child very happy. I can see how it sucked you into the hobby. Lego should produce a few of these sets as Legends - or even some sort of "classic train collection". Wouldn't that make a great set? In regard to this model, I like the double lights and sticker used for the front end and the split shutters between the front and back. It really does look a lot like the 7760, just a bit smaller. Overall, very nice. And I see that you have it pulling a blue hopper. That's like a double awesome. I might check out the instructions for the blue hopper never having tried to make one. Great build/restoration! I hope you share more.

While I like the 9V system much better than the Cargo Train Deluxe R/C system, I really like the rolling stock that comes with 7898. Having both sets, 7898 has a huge "play value" with its accessories and extras. I love the crane car that can be a stand alone set (an excellent addition). The boxcar is also pretty nice. I must also admit that I enjoy pressing the train horn on the R/C controller - makes me feel like a conductor. I like the loco in the older cargo train better though. While the newer 7898 has the nice green train doors and the single molded front ends, the overall engine seems a bit long and plain, esp. in the middle. My vote goes to 7898 though.

World City Cargo Train 4512 produced in 2003 was a splendid 9V train set complete with Euro-style diesel engine, a boxcar, hopper, and cargo wagon. With a complete oval of track, switch point, and track end, how does it stack up to the R/C Cargo Train produced three years later in 2006? That's right, 7898 Cargo Train Deluxe. Sporting a green R/C crocodile-style engine, Cargo Train Deluxe also includes a boxcar, hopper, and cargo wagon, but also adds a crane car not offered in Lego trains since 4552 in 1995. And for some added fun, the track assortment includes two switch points as well as a new R/C controller that has a train whistle -Hoo! Hooooo! 9V vs. R/C... Cargo Train against Cargo Train... All things considered, which set do you like better?

I'd have to agree w/ Cap'n GH. I think some landscaping like some trees would really add to the scene. Cargo, perhaps and a few more people hard at work or play. Your station looks great - maybe just some additional details with minifigs. I also like how you made the lamp posts - nice touch.

Just too good! How can anyone not love that Euro-wit of his? Ich nails you look for, vhy not just ask Hans? I see a nails mit the box on the floor over here. Pete may have a hammer-deal on his tools belt. One hammer coming right up. Try that Schmelt!

The Mayor, Steve, and Lorraine begin looking for another way up the stairs. Mark grabs Grease by the hand and they skip off together to look for a ladder. Eleanor begins looking through the log piles in the other room to discover a small train pin with the classic two-ended arrow lying on the floor. Bulldog checks to see if the saw still works, and to his surprise it does. Arin goes outside to also look for a ladder. Snitchman tears off his shirt and starts to do some awkward little dance while flexing his muscles as the bright light from his chest causes all to look toward the other side of the room. There's a lot of wood in here - perhaps we can build a quick makeshift ladder. We just need to find some nails.

I apologize for the double-post, but Holodoc inspired me with this comment regarding his red shunter being closer to the original: I broke out the "old parts box" from the garage and got busy. Washing each of the pieces carefully (like the 2x3 windows and the grey sloped roof pieces, the result is a creation much closer to the original. I left the small 1x3 door and added a grey 1x4 plate near the motor for a personal touch: Night photography is a bit tricky - let's try this one: I must say that I'm truly enjoying building these classic 12V sets. What a great era for Lego trains. The designers of these classics deserve a lot of credit. I think sets like this are just fantastic and will live on forever in the history of Lego trains. And adding a few custom decals:

Hobbes: I realize this is an older review, but after attempting to build this little loco in red, and re-designing it to look more like the original model, I can see your love for this little set. 12V trains were truly amazing, and this little set must be among one of the best. Admiring my version in red, I can only imagine how much better this set looks in blue with it's rare 2x3 windows and blue shutters. There's only a few sets that offered these parts in blue (meaning the windows and the shutter 1x2 bricks). It's great to look back at these fantastic sets, and I must say that I really enjoy attempting to restore them to the originals. A+ set and a great review. Added to TRAIN TECH! PS. I envy the fact that you have this among your collection. What a great find!

Train parts needed. The selection is grim. -Single pieces of track, train doors, windows, bogies, buffers, plates, and perhaps even offering some of the classic 12V parts would be awesome (like old train engine plates).

Fonix: let me first say welcome to EB and the Trains & Town forum. I can see you are still a fairly new member to EB. In regard to this wonderful MOC, it looks fantastic! Your station captures the look and feel of Classic Trains using newer pieces, and has the charm of a European station scene. I like as the Cargo Train Deluxe rolls into the station from the right side of your patio/porch. Red is always a great color for a train station and with the standard (now Classic Town) white windows and black roof, it really captures the look and design of the inspiration structure. Great rendering in Lego brick, and I hope to see more of your train and train town MOCs in the future. Added to the Train Tech Index and a BLOG on the way.

Mat: I'm just seeing this creation from your signature link today. What a nicely made creation. What catches my eye is the rickety-looking wooden tower, a great design addition to your MOC. This motivates me to look at more Harry Potter creations. Great job!

Track Mix Grey, Bley, & Metal Rails - How Do You Mix Your Train Track? Classic Blue Shunter 7760 is riding along the the metal rails of Train Town. Modified with a 9V motor, the shunter reduces speed before a whistle is heard. CLICK! A switchtrack moves the shunter toward another set of tracks, this time bley from the World City and Harry Potter Express collection. Meanwhile, a beautiful Emerald Express steams into the station along non-metal rails with a busy Cargo Train Deluxe working in the background. Perhaps even a row of 12V track can be found in the fuel yards as it collects dust from an older era of Lego Trains. It's a great day in Train Town, for the many engines of the Train Theme. Blue track, grey track, metal, bley... new R/C track in dark grey. Lay the track and build your town, too many colors, you might frown. How do you arrange the track? Mix it up and put it back? Lego's made it hard, you might find, but all is worth it, don't you mind. With lots of options for the train fans and collectors of trains through various track eras, how do you mix your train track? Do you build a single 9V layout for all your trains including R/C? Do you run a 12V line and a 9V on the same table? Are you connecting R/C track with an existing 9V layout? Do you combine old grey with new bley 9V track? So many track choices, how do you arrange your track layouts?

Nice! Equally impressive. I had thought about green but rulled it out because I had not thought of using the Cargo Train parts. I like the dark grey stripe and the doors as opposed to the shutters. Strangely, take a look at the other side of the front side: I only had two red shutter part sets from Gold City Junction so did the same thing as you. You too Hobbes! It's nice to see post in Trains & Town. It reminds me of the good old days. What a great Ebay find. May I ask what your winning price was? Now isn't that just weird? I really like the use of the front end tiles. Great idea that I had not thought of. I was planning on printing some custom stickers. I lile your idea much better. Yes, yours is closer to the original with the classic town windows. I actually have these classic windows as well (and the 2x3 windows in the front are pretty rare). I believe I have them from my old Brick Yard set. I also did not use a standard light grey ladder along the front end. The reason is that I wanted to nly use my newer (cleaner parts) for the MOC. Strangely, we both changed the back end side (I used a small car door, you the 1x2 grill brick). Great train minds must think alike!

Greaseman attempts to pick the large lock on the sliding door outside the mill. CLICK! The padlock opens. Brakes helps slide the large door open just as Mark attempts to open it from the inside. They scare each other as they realize they have both opened the same door. Austin stands guard outside laughing at what just occured. Meanwhile, Eleanor takes a peek into the other room discovering piles of logs within, along with a large band saw. Snitchman, Shmelt, Arin, and Herman begin climbing the rickety stairs toward the second floor. The old stairs let out a large creek before the combined weight of the four individuals cause the steps to give way. They come crashing down landing in a pile of saw dust and wooden debris! Each receive one point of damage from the fall (-1 Life Points). The others stand motionless in the main room.

The group finds the door to the old mill along the opposite side of the river (North side). It lets out a loud squeak as it is slowly pulled open. Inside is a dim-lit room covered in saw dust and old pieces of lumber and machinery. A visible path through the dust leads toward the other side of the room to what appears to be another room. There is also a large sliding door inside the room as well as a rickety wooden staircase leading upward. The smell inside is musty and moldy. The track appears to stop near the the west side of the mill. Nearby is a sliding door with a heavy padlock.

Once poor Snitchman and Jim's wounds are addressed by the medics in the group, the group decide to keep moving before the forest gets dark. I'll take lead, Mark says enthusiastically - but I can't find anymore M&Ms along the trail? Poor Snitchman is in no condition to lead the group. In the distance, the faint sound of water can be heard. About 45 minutes pass and a wooden building can be seen in the distance. It looks like some sort of mill. Getting closer to the structure, the building appears to be an old wooden log mill. - A river runs throught it... (is that a pun?) The sun is setting... Looks like it'll be dark real soon.

Thanks Stauder. I tried to keep most of the original design intact. Take a look at this instruction page. Strangely, the doors are set the other direction. I did add a few small doors to the rear for added detail: In regard to pulling the Emerald - it won't pull it with the gears intact - just the weight of an Emerald.

I've been really admiring some of the classic 12V train sets and locomotives recently, especially this all-time favorite among Lego train fans, the Blue Diesel Shunter 7760: How can anyone NOT love this all-time classic train loco? So, (TheBrickster begins thinking...). I'd like to build a 9V version of this outstanding little classic. I broke out some parts, but had a rough time with the blue (no train doors or shutter bricks in blue - shucks ). But how about red from the good old Crocodile Hobby Train (plus lots of black plates from bulk sets ). The result is what I call a "Red DB Shunter", another classic train set with some modification. The little shunter that could: Front angle view: Pulling a custom blue boxcar: And a top view: This little engine took me about 2.5 hours to build, pulling the right pieces, replacing pieces I didn't have, while using instructions from Peeron (Set 7760). And it flies around the track and also does a pretty good job pulling heavy cargo (including the Emerald Express with broken Johnson Rod). Comments welcome.

Snitchman leads the way along the thick overgrown path along the train tracks. In some places, he does so in single-file with Jim Butcher and others following close behind. Suddenly, a THWACK is heard! Snitchman has been bushwhacked by a thick tree branch! Attached to the tree branch is a series of sharp wooden spikes that are now stuck in Snitchman's chest, with a few that have also hit Jim's side. Snitchman immediately suffers three life points damage with one more through the loss of blood (-4 Life Points Total) Jim Butcher suffers two life points damage from minor wounds to the side (-2 Life Points)