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My Own Train Caboose Set #: 10014 Theme: Trains / 9V Year Released: 2001 Piece Count: 170 Minifigs: 0 Track: none List Price: $15 (USD) Welcome to a review of Lego's best little "loose caboose", 10014, part of the My Own Train Collection. Released in 2001 at a price of only $15 (USD), this little caboose has won the heart of many Lego train fans. Some might say that this little caboose looks like a Wild West train addition, and to those individuals, I would definately agree. With red walls, a black roof and detail pieces, and a single yellow stripe, the simlicity of the caboose is what makes it so special. Now lets take a look at this caboose, starting with the box: Hey! There's Conductor Charlie - what's he doing here? I think he's going to be sharing this review with you train fans. Don't you just love the My Own Train boxart? Take a look at the back of the box with vintage train images: Like other My Own Train sets, the instructions are printed on blue paper/background that isn't too fancy, but easy to see: Although this wheel assembly is not the first part of the caboose build, the image shows what's under the 6x16 baseplate: NOTE: the 6x16 baseplate is short enough to allow single train wheels on each side that create very little friction around turns. Here's a closer look. A dark grey 2x8 plate is placed over the wheels to create extra strength: I love the interior detailing of this set. It has a single brown chair and table, a little oven range with round 1x1 trans. red bricks for fire, a smoke stack, and a kettle for some "pork & beans". A classic red door provides an entry: The back section is nicely detailed with some break lights and "train end" piece: My only real complaint about this caboose is that the roof was not designed to easily remove. One must break each 4-stud wide section off separately to allow access to the interior. There are four sections including the higher section in the middle, but they do come off without too much trouble: Pardon the dust Heres the roof at a different angle to show the raised section with windows. I like the use of the trans. light blue windows: The front of the caboose has a "liftable" ladder and door so that Charlie and others can easily access the interior: A side view shows the entire caboose. Isn't she a beauty? And another side view with Charlie and a rail road worker for scaling: For comparison, take a look at Playmobil's Christmas Caboose from their Christmas Train (#4035). You'll notice a similar design and interior details: Here's a few "real images" of different cabooses. I'd say Lego did a pretty good job at their design: And lastly, the set featured in Train Town (aka Willoughby): SUMMARY 10014 Caboose is one of my personal favorite train cars from the My Own Train Collection. Is has the overall look and design of a classic caboose so reminiscent of American western trains from the late 1800s to the early 1900s (see also the Playmobil Caboose pictured above). The color is perfect, especially with the black detailing and yellow stripe. One can also replace the 4 1x2 grille bricks on the side (between the windows) with 2 1x4 bricks for the use of a custom sticker/decal. With the details of this caboose, the versatility to add it to many Lego freight trains, and an original price of only $15, this set gets 5 stars from me! REFERENCES Peeron Lugnet Choo Choo!

You discover no traces of blood past the ground near the tender. There are NO bullet casings to be found.

We may want to turn back. It looks like there's a storm moving in. Trust me, you don't want to be up in this plane during a storm... (A loud clap of thunder is heard... CLAP CLAP!) George turns the aircraft again causing it to fly North.

A close look at the body and area reveals: - the woman is dead (no last words). - her locket opens and has two small pictures inside. The pictures are of two older individuals, most likely her mother and father, or perhaps an uncle or aunt. - along the ground near the tender (toward the backside opposite the town), is a small pool of blood. There's also some blood on the horizontal rods that serve as the ladder. - there does not appear to be any bullet casing on the ground or on top of the coal in the tender. - All of Eleanor's bullets are accounted for. Her handgun is NOT the murder weapon. NOTE: Pete made the assumption that this is Jennifer based on the note discovered in the Willoughby Records Office.

George steers the plane toward the East. Dark clouds can be seen in the distance.

The group decides to return to the Emerald Express. After a somewhat exhausting walk from Main Street, they arrive at the train. Their first order of business is to conduct a thorough search of the train starting with the Engine and Coal Tender. While the Engine doesn't reveal anything of interest, they decide to check out the tender. A small row of horizontal bars along the side of the tender serves as a ladder leading to the top. Pete is the first to climb up... STEP... STEP... STEP... He makes it to the top, then suddenly yells... "Oh my gosh! I think we've just discovered a Murder on the Emerald Express." "J...j...j...ennifer...", he says with reluctance, "Jennifer Chamberlain has been shot"!

Nice review Paanjang16 - very vivid pictures. These little Impulse sets were extra nice at a price of only $1.99 (USD), and made great stocking stuffers. The same set today would go for $6.99 at Toys R Us, and not have as much to offer. While the old blue minifig torso is a bit plain, I like the fact that the fig had a white space helmet with trans. blue lense. Also, judging by your pictures, it looks like this set has no stickers, but rather printed parts. That's a real plus! I like this little racer set. Thanks for sharing. I would probably rate this set a 3.5 to 4. EDIT: I've INDEXED this review and also added a poll so that others may vote.

Murder On the Emerald Express Chapter 9B: Grounded As Grill'n George takes Austin, Snitchman, and Bulldog for a flight above Willoughby in his 4-seated Wiener-Mobile, the others on the ground begin to get restless. They decide that it may be time to visit another part of the town, since there's not much they can do even if George is frying up a diabolic plan.

George drops altitude near the Emerald Express for some of the group to get a closer look. It's track is definately NOT connected to the Willoughby line. As the plane drops lower, something can be seen in the coal tender behind the locomotive. It appears to be a person lying down, on top of the coal. It's hard to make out the details,

As a single hot dog falls from the sky, George points out the Emerald Express below...

Fantastic creation! I love the "realistic look" the office has, esp. the large table. The gun also catches my eye under the arch. This is really a very exquisite creation. Great job!

Great stuff Mark - it's alsways interesting to read your thought on trains. I love the shorter lengths of the Classic Lego Train sets. They have a certain charm about them. Longer train wagons like the passenger car of the Emerald Night are very nice, but just don't remind me of the trains I remember seeing in the old toy stores. I'd love for Lego to release another 9V classic set like they did with the Metroliner - one of the more colorful sets. Some really good thoughts. I find it interesting as well.

George's airplane swiftly gets off the ground, and for the first time, the group can identify Willoughby from an aerial view. "Hey - there's Main Street", Austin says with delight. "And check out the Haunted Hotel", Snitchman adds. George comments, "Isn't this great? There's nothing like flying - 'cept for maybe frying. Hot Dog anyone"? (as he pulls a Johnsonville Brat out of small cooler next to the seat before slapping it on the electric grill) (and NO, that's not a Johnson Rod Herman)

You bet ol' Jeb, but I don't think there's a clearing for me to land near your farm. Oh, by the way, let me grab some tools before we take off. Just need a screwdriver and a hammer. Here Austin, hold on to these tight.

Hey, this is great! Austin, Snitchman, and Bulldog... unless anyone else wants to hop into the cargo hold, we're ready for some dying frying flying. (just kidding). I warn you though, this little plane can be a bit rough near the mountains.

Just the better of "the two". The "More Classic" of the two.

George points out that he did add a small electric grill between the front-row seats, (for the "doggies"), but aside from that, none of the buttons or switches appear to be out of place on the aircraft. You do not find any secret compartments within/behind the controls.

I've resorted to bribery through Life Points and beer - it works every time, but I realize it was probably the beer. EDIT: Anyway, it's obvious which is the better creation. How can we let Hinck win? It just wouldn't be right. Plus, wasn't his entry after the deadline anyway? Okay, I suppose since WF extended the voting deadline, that makes up for his late entry.

You do discover the number 6444 written on the wings.

WATCH IT!

I'm a big fan of 9V, although I love the new Emerald Night. Be prepared to spend some money for the 9V track, motor, and transformer though, if you go this route. You could always pick up the new 7897 R/C Passenger Train for $90 (a little more than you have to spend). It would give you a full circle/oval of track and a pretty nice looking train. I also love the design of 7898 Deluxe Cargo Train (for $150). Both trains are R/C (battery operated), but the track and pieces can be used to build your future trains/layout. It's just that the R/C system is obsolete. With the 8866 motor, you will need a battery box and electric wire (as mentioned above). To me, you're better off just spending the money on all the Power Functions accessories needed to power the Emerald Express (for around $100). Then you have to go out and buy the Emerald. It is pricey, but the latest train system. Things were really a lot more simple with 9V trains. EDIT You might also want to check out this article.

George first opens the cargo hold revealing a small empty area that may have room for about two, though rather tight. A look at the cockpit and seats reveal no traps or tricks, although the instrument panel seems a bit overwhelming with the numerous controls. The wheels/landing gear seem pretty sturdy with no evidence of tampering or faults. To the naked eye, the airplane looks like a sturdy aircraft. Austin is interested in taking a flight and Snitchman as well. "Are there any other takers"? George asks with enthusiasm. PLEASE NOTE: George was not aware of the post office/radio station nor the location of his airplane prior to the group's decision to visit the Northwest. These items have been written into the story and provided "just-in-time".

Wow! A triple-birthday treat. Here's some Gemini reading for you: Gemini These three individuals are really six according to the sign of the twins. Happy Birthday!

As some of the others continue to look around the truck, kicking the tires and feeling for Johnson Rods under the seats, Eleanor walks over to George's "My Own Airplane" kit followed by Jim. The airplane is actually larger than you expect with two small twin engines. It has an "Outback" look about it with yellow and black color combination. Grill'n George's name is prominently displayed on the side of the aircraft. The plane looks as if it would fit about four and has a small cargo hold in back, which is closed.