WesternOutlaw

Nothing is written on the tape. In fact, it does not have a label. The truck has no registration within the glove compartment, but George states that the truck really belongs to the City, and he uses it from time-to-time to deliver mail, supplies, and hot dogs to his stand on Main Street. The tank is actually half full, but you can fill it up with the gas in the container if you'd like. Nothing special about the 4-stud wide vehicle, other than it being a real "Classic". Nothing is revealed upon further inspection of the inside. The "Big Rig" is located near Main Street - but it contains an 8-track player. The smaller truck has no tape deck. George states that if you're done looking at his truck, he'll be glad to show Eleanor and the others his "Acme Build-Your-Own-Plane" kit.

This was my first Desert Adventurers set that I bought two of (one for me, and one as a gift). It came out around the time or a little before the movie, Mummy. I really think this is a fantastic introduction to the Desert Adventurers theme. It has Johnny Thunder as our favorite Adventurer hero, scorpions, and extra gear - a perfect combination for a small set. I wished I picked up a few more when available back in the day. Thanks for the review. It's always great to see reviews of fantastic little sets like this one. EDIT: I like how you pictured it with the sand piece from the new pirate collection. I used the piece in my Indy Desert Adventure Diorama as well.

Interesting point. Lego has created some short hoppers, but also some long ones like 10017 Hopper Wagon from the My Own Train collection. I've seen real ones being just as long, if not longer than boxcars, esp. in the Western U.S. The shorter ones remind me of the old narrow gauge hoppers used in copper/mineral mining. EDIT: I was hoping to get a few more responses from the Train Heads on the board. - Just hoping no one trumps this thread with a Johnson Rod joke.

The tape does not play despite several attempts to speed up the boom box. A walk toward the landing strip reveals a small aircraft (build by Grill'n George). Althought it smells like hotdogs on the grill, the airplane appears to be well constructed. The plane is a four seater (including the pilot's seat). An eager George is more than willing to take anyone for a ride. In the distance is a small shunting yard where two sets of track come to an end. There is also a small flat-bed pick up truck parked nearby.

The paint on the axe/hatchet appears to be the same from the metal radio. Neither side of the boom-box plays the cassette, even when flipping it on both sides. Do you wish to go to the airstrip now or look around some more? George seems to know the way.

This is really a nice review. Your images are very crisp and clear, and bring out the wonderful lime green color used in the set. I bought this set about a month ago and had planned to do some sort of beach scene review. This is a 5 star set in my opinion, and while it's not exactly Classic Town - it's still an excellent set. Thanks for sharing!

The boom-box does not seem to play the cassette tape, just "garbling" the words in an extemely slow manner. The little paint on the hatchet is definately red paint that must have come off whatever item the hatchet had contact with. The barrel is otherwise empty. WHAT? Why are you guys looking at me? Okay boys! That's enough of that play'n grab @$$ with each other - buncha City Sissies!

Over the years that I've been a train enthusiast (even before I started collecting Lego trains), I always wondered why some train wagons are very short in length while other are much longer. Take for example classic Lego 4.5 V and 12 V trains. You'll notice that the majority are very short in length, usually no more than 16 studs. Then came the newer 9V train wagons (like those from the My Own Train collection) with base plates around 24 studs in length. The Santa Fe wagons extended the length another 4 studs making them 28 studs long (not counting any additional length added to the baseplate). Then there's some of the newer mixed length train sets like 4512 Cargo Train and 7898 Cargo Train Deluxe that combines train wagons with varying length, making the hoppers shorter than the other wagons. For you train fans, is this realistic? Is there any sort of standard for train wagon lengths? like the sets that are part of the My Own Train collection (minus the caboose)? I'd be curious to know why some trains have such shorter lengths than others? Is this part of narrow gauge railroading? or perhaps simply the evolution of Lego trains (like vehicles getting larger over the years). Share your thoughts.

The small diesel fuel tank appears to be rather heavy - perhaps half full. The lids easily lift off. Jim opens the larger grey barrel discovering a canister filled with oil. Opening the red barrel, he discovers a small axe/hatchet with some red paint on the blade. The blue barrel appears to be empty, but something is definately toward the bottom of the barrel. What could it be? It looks like a small cassette tape.

The group decides to have a look at the barrels outside the office. There is a small red one, a small blue one, a larger grey one, as well as a small white fuel tank marked diesel fuel. You can not tell if the fuel tank is empty or not. I've got a small airplane nearby, that I've been building over the last year. It's my hobby you know? (winks to the passengers from the Emerald whispering "gonna get out of Willoughby"). It fits four if anyone wants to take a little ride.

No, but I'm sure Schmelt has something to add. The radio has been smashed. The boom-box has no cassette inside.

Interestingly, Grease discovers a small piece of paper stuck within the inner side of the desk (the size of a fortune cookie). It has the following number written on it: 1101110 No luck finding a trap door, but there is also a dual casette player "boom-box" on the desk. You're not sure if it works or not.

The shelves have mail slots that are all empty. There doesn't seem to be any hidden compartments as the back of the slots touch the wall of the building. No loose wood located where the "X" is etched (right outer side of desk). Hold that thought. Nothing in the mail slots. I'll let one of the townies answer your question.

There does not seem to be anything under the calendar, and no bathroom. Walking over to the desk, it appears that someone has smashed a brightly colored red radio. There is no way of telling when the last transmission was made. There is; however, a small "X" etched along the side of the desk.

The group decides to enter the small post office and radio station from a small door along the south side of the building. Inside, the place is rather dusty and it appears to have not been used in a very long time. There is a counter with a wooden shelf with a number of open slots for mail. All the slots are empty. There is a calendar on one wall with a some sort of shedule for mail pick-up or delivery. Each month has a Wednesday or Thursday circled with the next date being June 25, 2009, circled. Along the other end of the building is a short wall separating some sort of desk with radio equipment.

Although not rated very high, thanks for the feedback re. this set and the review. Interestingly, I never really considered this a WW train, but I used it with my WW town (purchasing as my first electric train, before Classic Train 3225). I liked the use of the blue for the open freight wagon for adding to the Union Army. The Union flags fit perfectly into the hooks. I also liked the versatility of transporting just about anything one would want - barrels, crates, cannons, arms, etc. The engine, green passenger wagon, and caboose also fit well for the WW theme, but the hopper and fuel tanker seem to modern.

I've never had any problem with my switch track, aside from the Emerald Express running a little rough over them when I didn't align the wheels properly. Are you running 9V electric track? I'm wondering if you have a short of some kind.

There was nothing more of interest within the Records Office. The gun is a semi-automatic with a clip/magazine - one bullet shell (meaning the gun had been fired). Nothing more identifiable about the gun. ALL: If I do not respond to your comment(s), it's becuase you have not been specific about your action(s) (like: I'm going to look for weapons), or there is nothing of interest. However; once in a blue moon, I have overlooked them entirely.

So the group begins their long walk toward the Northwest part of town. Fortunately, there's an old road from Main Street that leads toward the general direction. After nearly an hour and a few degrees cooler, they see a small airstrip with the beautiful snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. A small structure stands toward the end of the airstrip, that the townies immediately recognize as the Willoughby Post Office and once Radio Station, KCRP. Been a long time since I heard that station play some music - was that song Crocodile Rock, seems just like yesteryear.

Well slap my @$$ and call me Ethel... Seems this town iz gett'n more-n-more mysterious by the minute. I'm not the sharp'st tool in the shed, but perhaps we should cast a vote to see where we should go next? VOTE in Chapter 9: What Will They Do Next?

Murder on the Emerald Express: Chapter 9A What Will They Do Next? Help the group decide...

By most indication, just those who have died. Death: Natural Causes No names that look familar.

Strangely, these records do not seem to be within the filing cabinet. The gun appears to be a semi-automatic weapon. There is a clip within the handle that, once you empty, you discover an open shell - meaning, the gun has been fired once before.

No, you have not found any weapons.

Pantograph: I think these types of topics are better discussed in the "Buy, Sell, and Find" forum. I've moved it there.