WesternOutlaw

Pulling the file labeled "X", Max discovers a record that has been carelessly misfiled, the only record filed under "X". It is the birth and death certificate of a woman by the name of Elizabeth Rose Thornton, born 1896, died 1979. Eleanor does not discover any marks on the other sheets of paper.

Bulldog and Pete grab the C and T files within the large file cabinet. They appear to be birth and death records of numerous people that have lived in Willoughby over the years. In looking at the records under C and T, none of the names stand out.

Looking at the desk very closely, Greaseman and Brakes begin checking the compartments and drawers. Opening the right drawer, they find an open packet of fancy parchment paper. The left drawer is empty, but upon closer inspection, there appears to be some sort of false back. Discovering a hidden compartment within the drawer, Greaseman pulls out a small handgun with an attached silencer.

Jim has a seat in one of the chairs, then jumps in the other. Nothing special about the chairs. The shredding machine appears to be a small portable unit resting on top of a trash can. Upon closer observation, he sees that there are some pieces of paper in the trash can that didn't get shredded. Two are blank, but one appears to be a letter. Jim reads the interesting letter aloud: If you shall find this letter, know that I came close to discovering a way out of Willoughby. The Town Council has thwarted my attempt to make it out of this horrible town, and I have done something that I am not proud of, but necessary for my own survival. I have lured you to this wretched place in hope that you shall bring light to the darkness that plagues Willoughby. Please forgive me for what I have done, but you were my last resort. I remain in hiding and shall make myself known to you after your arrival, if this letter is not intercepted by one of the Town Council. Meet you at the Emerald Express. -JC The letter is not dated.

WF: It's great to see you bringing back old yellow castle to Retro-Classic Town. I think you should have entered this nice creation into the contest. In terms of some constructive suggestions to make your already clever creation better, I think it could benefit from incorporating more of the building components from the old Yellow Castle set. I applied some of the building techniques when creating Grimwell Manor. Some examples: - The addition of some 1x2 slit windows. - Arches above the entry. - Perhaps a classic castle tower attached to the wall. It would add dimension and extra detail. - Shield decals from Classic Castle or the addition of some shileds for decoration (EDIT: just noticed that your last picture has a few shields - nice). Lastly, perhaps adding a flower stand, a phone-booth, a bus stop, or other additional structure would add some additional interest. Overall; however, very nice; and as I said above, it's great to see you bringing back Yellow Castle to Classic Town.

Madcat: I've merged this topic into one started a few months ago.

Nothing behind the file cabinet and the room has no pictures.

My Own Train Open Freight Wagon Vitals: Set #: 10013 Theme: Trains / 9V Year Released: 2001 Piece Count: 121 Minifigs: 0 Track: none List Price: $17 (USD) A little less in price than the My Own Train Hopper and Fuel Tanker, this Open Freight Wagon would serve as the backbone of the My Own Train collection providing opportunities for lots of different freight. As with other My Own Train sets, beautiful train art decorates the box: The instructions are rather plain just having a blue background: The main build of this set is rather simple with just a baseplate, a layer of blue bricks, then another black layer of plates to top it off (not including the end walls). Unfortunately, the layer of black plates line up with those of the blue, not securing the pieces in a nice fashion. The design is probably due to the use of the side ladders and hooks that require placement in this manner. This makes the base layer easy to break apart: Tall slopes are used at the ends along with a 3x4 wall piece in the center. A train end caps the top. This wagon also includes two printed 1x2 train tiles: Ten poles are inserted into the hooks providing a way to keep logs within the wagon: Three logs are included for the wagon, each with 12 round bricks. They are rather secure without the use of any beam within: Two chains are placed over the logs and secured to the side walls of the wagon. They are loose if one follows the instructions (as pictured): The bogies/trucks are rather easy to make and will soon be attached as the final step: The completed wagon is ready to roll: Summary The Open Freight Wagon is a "must have" for any Lego Train collector. It can be added to any freight train and looks good with the black and blue colors. My main complaint is how the base layer comes apart pretty easily due to the design. In addition, the poles are always popping off if one is not careful with how they lift the wagon. Unfortunately, there's not much one can do to eliminate this issue. It's ashamed that none of these wagons came with minifigs, like the 1980s train sets, but it's still a nice versatile wagon for hauling all sorts of items. I purchased two of these wagons back in 2001, the second on clearance at my local Target (right after Christmas). Here's one additional shot of my Open Freight Wagon used to transport weapons for a Wild West Union Army: Anything can be transported with the Open Freight Wagon!

Bulldog is the first to open the file cabinet. The drawers are stuffed with Willoughby town records dating back many years. Hanging file folders are marked A - Z. Greaseman walks over to the curtains and opens them up. Light immediately fills the room from the two large windows. A small shredding machine in the far corner of the room is now visible. Brakes has a look at the roll-top desk. It has a number of compartments and two drawers, one on each side of the base. Max begins examining the walls looking for "Xs" along each side of the room. Nothing seems to be of interest. Lorraine watches the others and begins taking a little cat-nap. Mark looks at the lamp a little closer. The small ball/chains are used to turn the lamp on and off. By all indication, it is a normal lamp. He then begins examining the table and chairs. He moves the chairs, then the table, looking under them with nothing standing out. Pete helps Brakes examine the desk, noticing the two drawers and all the little compartments. He also glances over to Bulldog looking at the large file-cabinet.

As the group walks in the direction of the farm, Greaseman has another plan. Since you are still in the vicinity of the down town area, another look at the mysterious locked office may be worthwhile. Returning, Greaseman cracks his knuckles once again before he pulls out a a few small metal picks and tools. The door lock easily CLICKS! and presto, it opens. The office is dim with the 1979 curtains drawn. (VOTE for 1979!) Inside is a stacked 4-drawer file cabinet, a large table with two chairs, a wooden roll-top desk, and an old two ball/chain lamp.

I love it! The sign is very nice. I like the font/lettering.

I think this is really slick Cooper. It reminds me of something one would see as a LGB or Toy Trains G-scale train wagon. I really like the idea of placing the motor in the boxcar, vs. the traditional loco or tender idea. I think one of the early Lego 4.5V or battery cars had the battery case & motor inside a red box car. I'll have to look and see which set it was. Your boxcar has a nice departmentalized build to it, very neat and organized. It looks like you spent some time perfecting the gear truck/bogie. Gears always intimidate me. The use of the grilled bricks creates a good design for the exterior. My only recommendation would be to perhaps add some standard bricks so that you can place a few decals toward the base of the boxcar, adding to the already nice detail. Great job! and thanks for sharing these more detailed images of your boxcar. EDIT: That train I mentioned above was 7722, Battery Train Set.

And the Mystery Continues... A rather large group returns to the safe in the Town Hall. Greaseman cracks his knuckles, then places his right ear on the safe door. "Shhhh'ing" everyone, he turns the numbers carefully listening to each one click as he does so. 1... 0... 1... 8... 3... CLICK! Pulling the latch on the door, the safe opens. Inside is a expandable green rod, with little white teeth, definately a mechanical part of some kind (not to be mistaken with still pipes, bear rods, and Johnny Appleseed kettle holders). "What could this be for"? Herman asks. Jim Butcher enters the Mayor's office to have another look at that fancy shmancy pen (if you don't mind Mayor). By all indication, the pen is fancy, but just a normal pen. After much discussion of where to go next, the group decides to return to the farm led by Jethro and Herman. Everyone begins walking along the street toward the tracks that lead north to Jeb's Farm. As you walk, Herman starts tying a red bandana to the end of the green rod, whistling as he does so.

Hey now! I told him he can come out of the barrel to cast his vote. Don't try to stop him. After you vote, you can go back to the barrel. If I win, I'll let you out again. Win = Freedom, Lose = Barrel. It's really simple.

-99 Life Points for being a Hinckley kiss-up. You'll never get the Emerald started again! Flip-Flopper!

Now this guy understands the role of a true Murder Mystery participant! You better hope he's not on the Town Council, because if he is, and Hinckley falls, he's wearing a speaker with the "Voice in the Sky" over his head. The "Big Giant Head" looks favorable on those that offer tribute! How can anyone disagree!

+99 Life Points for Schmelt and another 6-pack for everyone who votes for me (if I take Hink down)! Damn he is good! I'll be proud to be your Mayor.

Hey Guys! You're not going to let Hinckley or Luxor take me down, are you? You know the better creation, you're just voting for Hinckley because he's funnier than me. I realize most of you weren't born yet, but let's focus on the exquisite "1979" MOC, shall we? Wouldn't you rather have this creation in your classic town? Do I need to place a picture of it in my signature to remind you? Come On! I'll buy you a beer. EDIT: 6-Pack of Life Points if you vote for me, and I take down the competition (for those of you playing in everyone's favorite Murder Mystery)

Hello Everyone: I just made it back tonight and have a little time to catch up on some mail. I see that there was some discussion while I was away, and I'd just like to share a few thoughts: I've really enjoyed all of your participation in the mystery. We've really had some excellent players this time around, all with very unique abilities. I've found this mystery very interesting to host, thanks to all of you and the wit that you've shared (often LOL reading the numerous posts). At the same time, I'd like to keep the focus on the mystery, vs. the interactions and style of the participants. Keep in mind that we all bring a different perspective to the game, and that's what makes it "DYNAMIC". This is an enjoyable game with jokes, innuendos, international wit, and puns, all intended to make things more fun. Let's keep it light and enjoyable for all to continue to enjoy. I'll catch up later in the morning before I'm off to celebrate a special occasion. Will post soon! -TB

I've provided a summary of facts (not all necessarily clues) in Chapter 8. PLEASE NOTE: I will be unable to post between now and Wednesday evening, but I'll go ahead and leave Chapter 8 open for discussion. Actions may occur once I return from my trip and I catch up with the thread. See you soon!

Unfortunately, the group is unable to piece enough of the clues together to provide them with a way out of Willoughby. What will they try next?

Murder on the Emerald Express Chapter 8: Another Look Through Willoughby The group is stumped! Will they ever find a way out of Willoughby? Four teams have gathered important facts and perhaps even clues bringing them back to Main Street. Group 1: - Discovers two train parts in the Engine Shed, both of which may be used on the Emerald. Unfortunately, the Johnson Rod and Bracket are still needed. - Sees the word "Sanctuary" with an "X" written on one of the walls in the engine shed. - Finds a Swiss Crocodile Locomotive that may still work. No fuel, and missing a vital part, a Crocodile Rod. - Journeys through a dark tunnel that comes out on Main Street. Group 2: - Discovers that a lady by the name of Jennifer Chamberlain stayed in the Willoughby Hotel last year. - Finds a letter in one of the hotel rooms that indicates clues being placed around the town, signed with an X. - Locates a hidden safe with a five digit combination. Can not open. - Unable to open a locked door within the Town Hall. - Finds a fancy pen in the Mayor's Office. - Discovers another letter signed "JC" telling of clues hidden in each of the four corners of town, perhaps leading to a way out of Willoughby. Group 3: - Does NOT find a Johnson Rod in the bear trap or the still. - Told an old story about a train that use to pass through the forest near the farm. - Finds a reversed sign. One side points to danger, the other to Willoughby. - Discovers a diesel fuel tanker along the tracks to Willoughby. Group 4 - Told by Lorraine that there's 3 ways out of Willoughby, two by road (one washed out, the other over an unsafe bridge "Cassandra Crossing"), and a train route not accessible by vehicle. - Finds an old map within the train station. An "X" is marked on the Rail Road Crossing/Switch Tower. Two points/sets of track are torn off the map. - Discovers a switching system with 7 points/switches that parallel the train station map. What do these facts mean? Perhaps some may be important clues to determining a way out of Willoughby! INTERMISSION IN PROGRESS

Good try Schmelt, but that's the leaders job. You've gotten very far, but have missed a few things. Look back through the posts and see what you may have missed. I will give you a clue that the two chapters where you didn't pick up everything you needed include "Looking for Repair Parts" and "Mysteries of Main Street". Oh, and the Farm too.

Perhaps you guys need to retrace your steps to determine what you may have missed. Do I need to throw a few snakes into the mystery to help?

I borrowed a couple from a friend. The Emerald has 10 - just needed two more.