WesternOutlaw

You arrive in an extremely quiet Main Street as you get the feeling that Willoughby has been set back in time 30-40 years. There are two buildings that the Mayor points out. One is an unmarked town hall, the other a hotel that seems to be under renovation, with a large crane and scaffolding out front. As you make your way toward the buildings, an unsettling feeling comes over you. This is definately a strange place, you think to yourselves, and quiet... almost too quiet...

Patience... I like to give everyone a chance to participate before we get too far. I can't explain much more, but keep in mind that this entire mystery is one story that is inter-connected. It will make more sense as we continue. You can help one another.

I'm glad you like it. Good question. You're more than welcome to follow the other sub-chapters. It will also help piece together the overall mystery.

You never know... You bet! I'm glad you're part of the mystery and equally glad to hear that you're enjoying it.

What'd that boy say? Where's Klauss-Dieter when you need 'em?

Well, there's the town hall, we have a small hotel, and even the old jail. That's about it for the sites down on Main Street. Perhaps some of the others might suggest what you folks would like to check out first.

Following the train tracks toward the sunset, Lorraine leads the way with two gas cans in hand. The others follow as Lorraine responds to Eleanors' questions: 1) Well, there was two that I know of, but unfortunately, the road toward the west was washed out by a landslide the year El Nino hit. That left us with one, and it's a bad route. It goes over the Cassandra Crossing, and that's an unsafe bridge. I'm surprised it's still standing! There is also the train route that's not accessible by vehicle. 2) Willoughby is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Beautiful country though! 3) That would probably be Auburn, almost 8 hours North / Northeast from us. I believe I do have an old map in my truck.

The ragtag group leaves the train track following a small winding path that leads into a dense corn field. I'm getting a funny feeling about this. Rut Ro!

At this time, the mystery will resume momentarily within sub-chapters 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D. I understand that some of you are new to these types of mystery/mafia games over the internet. In addition, I'm trying a few new things to help make the mystery a bit more fun and interesting. Here's a few rules/items that will help with game flow: 1) Each of the next four sub-chapters, 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D will take place in different threads. 2) For story purposes, the sub-chapters are taking place simultaneously. 3) Only the six individuals mentioned at the beginning of each sub-chapter may post in that thread. This means that you can NOT post in another sub-chapter. 4) Help cut down the chatter. I love the wit, but let's keep the additional jokes and comments down to a minimum and focus on the mystery and/or actions. Unless you are sharing something for the benefit of the group in gathering or analyzing clues, speculating about what's going on, or performing an action, don't respond. This will help prevent a lot of useless messages that people in different time zones have to read/sift when catching up with what is going on. 5) Dynamic Movement has been suspended/turned off. Please do not PM me with Dynamic Movement messages. If you have something to say or do, you must do so in the threads. Townies have received some additional information regarding this for story purposes. 6) Have fun! This is just a game. Don't get mad or take it personal if another character tries to harm or even kill your character. 7) Your character has X number of life points listed on your Character Card. When your character is harmed, I will tell you how many Life points you have lost. When you are at zero, your character has died. 8) Dead characters can not post. If you are dead, your character is not to tip off other players by doing so. 9) Please do NOT assume that you have a knife, a gun, a pitchfork, or any other weapon at any time. If you have a question, send me one before you say something like, "I pull out my antique dagger that I was hiding in my pocket and throw it at Scruffy (sorry Scruffy, just an example). 10) I make it a habit of posting at least twice a day, once in the early morning, and again in the afternoon. Please do not get too far ahead of me or the story if you are on a different time zone. This will allow others to catch up and have a chance to respond. Sub-Chapters 6A, B, C, and D will be open shortly.

Conductor Max responds, "I suppose I can not keep it from you now that we are outside the train". He then goes inside the train and returns shortly with Eleanor's gun handing it to her reluctantly. Eleanor looks and Scruffy and very quickly hides it in under her shirt. Not exactly a "person", but yes.

Scruffy the Mystery Dog sees your rifle, immediately pounces on you grabbing the gun between his mouth. He then runs off toward the farm. You won't be needing that now. Scruffy comes running back about 10 minutes later and says, "Ruh Roh, Rarmer Rohn rusn't rave ris RUN rany rore"...

That's part of the Mystery...

I've read through all the comments above. Most will get the team that they requested, but I did have to shift a few people. Here are the teams. C= Crew P= Passenger T= Townfolk Team 1: Looking for Repair Parts - Steve Thomas

That's enough everyone! I'm not going to entertain the judging of others, blaming, or derogatory remarks on this or any of my mystery threads. It's negative and unproductive. The next person that does so will be invited to leave the mystery - no further discussion. You're more than welcome to ask questions or discuss the mystery at hand, as White Fang pointed out above.

Okay, no that I've had a good nights rest, I've got a lot of reading to catch up on (it works both ways). As far as editing posts, it has not been an issue. Try not to, but if it's just to correct typos and such, it's no big issue. A 12th townie has joined the mystery as a surprise guest. He will be posting soon, and his character will be a funny one. If I see that the teams are still having problems forming, I'll see what I can do to make things run a little smoother. And no country bashing in my mysteries! We've got enough to worry about with the strange town of Willoughby. And let's have fun out there people! This is entertainment.

Please Note: There has been a participant change. Striker™ will now be playing the role of David Gaylord. His name has been added to the participant list on the first page of this thread.

While the City Slickers mingle with the Kin Folk, the warm sun is quickly cooling and fades in the distance. It'll be evening soon in Willoughby, and that's not a good thing...

You may take anything from the train that you'd like, although there's not much in the line of weapons.

Murder on the Emerald Express Chapter 6D: Getting Out of Town - Conductor Max (Crew) - Team Leader - Eleanor Grigsby (P) - Mark Williams (P) - Lorraine "Big Rig" Bailey (T) - Grill'N George (T) - Howard Snitchman (T) "Well, I don't know if we're going to be able to get the Emerald Express repaired in this small town", Conductor Max warns, "I think we may want to find another way out of Willoughby". Lorraine "Big Rig" Bailey quickly offers her services. "I've got a semi truck that I don't drive much any more", she tells, "I keep it parked behind the old railroad station". Grill'N George quickly adds, "and if that don't work, I'll fix you up the best Hot Dog you've ever had and show you my airplane. I've been building one of those "mail order" airplane kits, and it's just about done. I can't wait to get it up in the air"! "We might want to get going", Lorraine warns, "if that's okay with you Cap'n (I mean Conductor)".

Murder on the Emerald Express Chapter 6C: Visiting the Friendly Farm - Herman (P) - Team Leader - Austin Parker, Jr. (P) - Bulldog (P) - Jethro (T) - Jeb McFarlin (T) - Scruffy (T) Jeb McFarlin and Jethro eagerly offer the abundant resources of their farm to help the wayward passengers. "Got some eggs", Jeb says. "Got some milk too", Jethro adds. "We got lots", Jeb states, "perhaps we might even have another way out of Willoughby for you boys and bulldogs. Even gots a nice warm stable filled with hay should you decide to spend the night. You likes it real well, boys. Jethro, Boy! were'd that mangy flee-bit'n dog take my gun. You better find it boy! Now let's get a mov'n. Our farm's a bit away from this here train. You likes it though; you will"!

Murder on the Emerald Express Chapter 6B: Exploring the Mysteries of Main Street - Jim Butcher (Crew) - Team Leader - Schmelt (Crew) - Arin Schafer (P) - Mayor Brown (T) - Charlie Williams (T) - Constable O'Reilly (T) "Well, I think we need to get to the bottom of this", Jim Butcher demands, "there's something definately rotten in Denmark (no offence intended Schmelt). Mayor, I'd like you to take us to Main Street, and perhaps even put us into a hotel for the night, as I'm not sure I want to be out after dark in this town. There may; however, be some things along Main Street that we'd like to see first. If you're really the friendly "non-crazed", "non-murdering" Mayor who you claim to be, I'm sure you won't mind us snooping around a bit. I'd like to find out more about this strange little town". "Shall we get started", Jim asks...

Murder on the Emerald Express Chapter 6A: Looking For Repair Parts - Steve Thomas (Crew) - Team Leader - Brakes (Crew) - Greaseman (P) - Hans Beckman (T) - David Gaylord (T) - Pete Smith (T) "Well, it seems the sun is beginning to set", Steve Thomas warns, "We might want to get started". Steve asks the townies, "So, I heard someone mention a Train Engine Shed. Do you think that one of you guys can take us there. Perhaps we can locate some of our needed parts. Brakes and I have inspected the engine pretty closely". This is what we think we're going to need: - Johnson Rod - T1 Vertical Drive Gear - T1 Horizontal Drive Gear - 1x4 Johnson Rod Bracket Should we get going?

Okay - lets get down to the bottom of this rumor, shall we? I built my set to the instructions and placed the train over the curved track section of my layout. This is what occurs: 1) When the train is over the curve, the mid section does go over the inner portion of the track. 2) There is clearance with the "studs on bottom" middle section. It isn't much, but it is enough to safely clear the inner track without any touching. I've tried to photograph the clearance as best I can. You can see from the pictture that there is about 1/8 of an inch clearance between the middle section and track:

While most have been outside the train, a few of you go back into the kitchen to grab a knife or two . Unfortunately, someone seems to have taken them . A quick glance at the townsfolk from outside the windows... They're all smiling at you... Strange place, this Willoughby.

Please Note: the goal of all teams is to get out of town (just not all the townsfolk). Group 4 is simply called "Getting out of Town".