WesternOutlaw

Outstanding review of a very special set! I actually remember seeing this set on the store shelves of local department stores. Can you believe it? Fantastic review Walter. I really enjoy looking at these vintage sets. This one deserves a BLOG!

The group has decided to return back to the last switchtrack and head N/NE. This route is similar to the last NE line in which the wagon was found. The forest is thick almost covering the track in some areas. No sound is heard ahead save the lone chirps of a cricket. A narrow path that runs parallel to the track cuts into the dark forest. Only two people at a time, and sometimes only one may tread along the narrow path. It's definately been a long time since any train ran through these parts. You guys sure you want to continue along this path?

That's very good!

HINT: North is up. Do I need to add a Johnson Rod that points upward?

But whose counting? I think I'm confused now. I recommend you guys draw a map from Switch 5 on the map: It will help you with the coordinates.

Southeast that is (sorry about that). Either way...

Definately not, otherwise we'd be able to move it manually. I fear most of these switches along the outskirts of town were never changed. The group is somewhat split as to where to go next, but without counting, I think more of you said Southwest. So, heading Southwesteast, there is another fork in the tracks, one continuing Southwesteast, the other directly East. There is also another old wooded sign posted at the junction. The sign reads, Auburn 550 Miles (pointing to the track toward the East). Another sign reads DANGER! pointing to the Southwesteast. Along the track to the Southwesteast; in the distance, is a hand car resting on the tracks. It's not too late to turn back and head Northeast if you'd like.

Upon further inspection of the switch, it is definately only movable through electronic means. Yes - I remember when Willoughby purchased these antiquated switch systems. They were tied to the master control system not allowing manual override. Due to safety reasons, many of them had been replaced years ago, but Willoughby ran out of money long before we were able to retro-fit all of them. I trust many of these switches are in the same order.

I was browsing through Lego Pick A Brick recently, and noticed the complete lack of Lego Train parts. In addition, after recently attempting to re-create an old 12V locomotive, it got me thinking, Lego should bring back some old train parts for train fans. Some might argue that Lego's Hobby Train 10183 did just that, but after looking at classic train sets, they really missed the mark. So, that brings me to the question: What train parts should Lego bring back? As a starter, here are some useful pieces that I think train fans would love: - Classic Train doors in black and yellow (Hobby Train gave us red ones) - 4x3 train windows in basic Lego colors - 3x2 train windows in basic colors - 6 x 16 plate with motor cutout (black and red) - Train Steam Cylinder 2 x 2 x 1 & 2/3 Curved (part x461 -an unusual piece used in many of the 12V locomotives) - A wheel set with large black and red wheels (similar to the wheels found in the Emerald Night set) - Assorted train decals (in a sheet or Idea Book) What other pieces might be useful to train fans? Share your thoughts here.

Nice job Cap'n Z. Simple design, yet very effective (like Classic Town). The colors work well and I like the use of numerous train windows on the sides of the building. The stair design works very well (like the use of the different color tile steps), and the lantern is a pleasant detailed touch. I esp. like the use of the black lance for the hand rail. What exactly is holding it up? Great job on this signal building - a great addition for any classic train layout. Are there any clues or additional details within the interior?

Thanks for the feedback guys. Sorry the pictures don't look a little better. It is a modified version of the loco from 7727. I had to swap parts and colors as some of the pieces are exclusive to the 12V era. You could probably say that it's my version of 7727. Thanks, but I still like the original a lot better, esp. with the black doors and red base/wheels. Can't say that I played that game. The LGB MOC was just a re-vamped version of the engine from 3225. I only replaced some of the black with green to capture the look of the LGB engine. Here it is: It's a much smaller locomotive. Yes, I would have loved to close it up with train doors, but the red ones I have looked awful. Black would have been fantastic like the original train. Lego SAH doesn't even offer a train door (and judging by the Emerald Night), have phased them out. Like you say; however, playability is improved with a nice open cabin. I'm still debating if I like the use of the red ladders at the base of the engine. I may change to black (having used black initially). I was trying to alter the color a bit as all black is a bit dull. Thanks again for the comments. This was a fun build, just wish I had more of the parts.

The following two items are sets that I'd love to see Lego offer: 1) the return of another early 9V or 12V classic train as a legend, just like they did with the Metroliner. I love to look at all the Lugnet and Brickshelf images of these classic trains (like 7727 and 7730 from the 12V era, and 4563 and 4564 from 9V). I'd want to see the complete set though, with motor, track, and transformer. 2) a realistic Wild West 4-4-0 locomotive (with detailed design like the Emerald Night) with a few cars/wagons to go with it. I would be very impressed if Lego were to offer either of these. This topic really brings up an interesting discussion as we know that sooner or later, Lego will offer a new train set. I also think that they will expand train buildings with perhaps a highly detailed station or trackside structure. It's interesting to discuss the numerous possibilities.

Strangely, the switch track is locked into position. It does not budge despite efforts to push and pull it the opposite direction.

Walking through the dark tunnel, feeling the walls, and talking about D&D, the group eventually sees a light at the end and quickly picks up their pace. The tunnel opens back up to the forest where the fading sun can be seen in the distance. Walking for another 10-15 minutes, the group reaches another fork in the track. The track leads in the same direction; Southeast, and another track branches off to the East/Northeast direction. Snitchman gets the urge to look at the switchtrack lever realizing that it is rather rusted, although it looks like it had been recently moved (and now the track leads toward the SE direction).

Good tip - thanks. I have at least one from the Cargo Train set (4512) that I meant to break out (under a stack of boxes). Buffers do add a nice quality to the end of the track. I actually tried. Two of my trains are a bit too tall and crashed through both the silo and the barn. The stables are on the far left front of the table - jusy can't see them in the image.

Nice job Majek. The car has that 20s/30s look that you've done a great job capturing in Lego. I like the addition of the blood. Nice!

The group has decided to enter the dark tunnel... (musical "DA DA DA" plays in background). With NO torches in hand, and just a small flashlight that Pete carries, they make their way into darkness following the train track. There is very little space between the track and the wall, requiring you to walk atop the tracks. Visibility is very poor aside from the beam of the flashlight aimed toward the forward tracks. DRIP DRIP DRIP... can be heard inside the damp tunnel...

I've been wanting to build one of the black and red locomotives from the 12V era for a long time now, and spent some time last night putting one together. 7727 Electric Freight Train has a great classic-town/train style engine, reminding me of old German steam trains. Unfortunately, I don't own any 12V train parts including a red motor, red buffers, and a red 6 x 16 Plate with Motor Cutout; important parts for this classic train (not to forget black train doors). So I put on my thinking cap and was able to find many of the pieces in black (from the My Own Train Steam Engine and bulk black collection), adding a splash of red for added detail. The doors were the most challenging and after trying red ones from the Swiss Crocodile, they just didn't look good. So instead, I left the engine open. Here's the result, a Classic Steam Train using 9V parts. Unfortunately, my camera never takes good pictures of black MOCs. Inspiration model from 7727: Electric Freight Train My engine: Without flash: The complete classic train: Comments and criticism welcome.

Murder On the Emerald Express Chapter 11: Danger Tracks! The time is now 5:00 in the afternoon. Returning to the fork in the tracks, a tired group decides to explore the Southeast track. Walking along the tracks, the forest begins to become more dense eventually leading to the edge of a steep mountain. A tunnel cuts through the rock with track that leads into darkness...

A closer look at the end of the tracks reveals a most definate dead end with a buffer that stops at the end of the clearing. There is no path past the end of the tracks, and the forest looks pretty thick past the clearing. Deciding to go back to the the fork in the track, the group begins walking back the way they came...

That's a great idea. Thanks. I was really wanting some sort of ramp that attaches to the gondola itself, but your Lionel idea would work well. Yes. That's one of the printed 1x6 wood tiles from the Harry Potter Shrieking Shack, a nice piece for some added detail.

This is a frivolous topic and has been closed. Please do not post topics like this again.

Continuing my classic train build, I thought I want try building a classic-style cattle car using new and old elements. The result is this red and tan cattle car for Farmer Jeb's black & white cows: W/Blue Boxcar Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to get them off the wagon - perhaps a cow crane?

Thanks for the feedback guys! It's on the left side of the image pulling the MOT collection of rolling stock. You can see the very end of it in front of the blue/black log car. Yes, that's it. I think it's a great set. Oh, that's just a baseplate that I placed there to build my next train wagon (safe place so I don't misplace it). No, unfortunately the train has to be backed up to the station. The rail ends past the station and crossing. Placing these buildings are difficult when you have limited space. I must admit that I don't particularly like the configuration, but I'll re-arrange again. Here's another picture that shows the right side of the table a little better: This particular layout allows for one train to be stationary on the outer left side of the track (and another to run on the inside - and interchangeable) - important when you have a few different trains that you'd like to place on a layout without a shunting yard (although the shed and station provide shunting areas and have the 9V locos). I could have ran two different lines so that both trains could run, but I like for all the rails to be connected. It is very difficult to combine buildings and roadplates with track when you have a small layout. More space is always needed. -EDIT- Here's another image that shows the layout a little better:

Snitchman crawls under the old flatbed wagon to discover a small area covered with a blanket. It appears that someone may have slept here. Searching the area further, he finds a few candy and junk-food wrappers, as well as an empty Coca Cola bottle. A small note has been tucked in one of the bottles. Reading the note, it says... BEWARE THE DANGER TRACKS! -X