WesternOutlaw

I did. I was trying to save what little dignity I still have...

Over the years, Lego has produced a number of outstanding trains. Some of their more memorable designs have been used for passenger trains, like the Santa Fe Super Chief and the beautifully elegant Emerald Night. Others freight and cargo trains have dominated the Lego Train market including the BNSF with wonderful dark green and orange colors, Cargo Train 4512 during the return to 9V as part of World City, and Lego's newer R/C train Cargo Train Deluxe. Fantastic trains indeed, all with very unique and splendid designs. But what do you like better? Do you prefer the playability of cargo trains with hoppers and cranes? or do you like the more fanciful and regal look of a passenger train. Discuss your thoughts in this latest Train Tech poll, FREIGHT or FANCY?

Fantastic lighthouse Eilif. I've always been a huge fan of lighthouses and have never been able to build anything good out of Lego (must be the "square pieces"). I like how you created the vertical modular construction allowing one to stack the sections. The colors are excellent, and there's a lot of very nice details, esp. the base. That Fresnel lense (probably something more modern now) looks very good. It needs some old sailor figs to top it off, the kind with the dusty navy blue pea coats. Great job!

With a name like Galaxy Explorer, I would expect nothing less than this terrific entry. Your scene is packed with details and with the high rise building, it makes a very unique entry that stands out like Svelte Corps Chocomel Factory. I like the colors (classic police style), as well as that fantastic bus. Overall, an excellent addition to the contest. Judging will be difficult with all these terrific entries.

Haven't seen him. I think he's back in the Dining Car.

Schmelt and Mark Steve leave to the Crew Car to sleep. Nighty night folks! (Big Giant Head Above (aka Alex) (aka Voice in the Sky)): I'm going to use my post above to update as people move about over the next few posts. Those not attempting to sleep in the next page of posts will receive (-1) life points for sleep deprivation.

Nighty Night - Engineer Steve Thomas, Schmelt, Jim Butcher, Brakes, Max: Crew Car - Greaseman, Eleanor, Bulldog, Mark Williams: Passenger Wagon #1 - Austin, Arin, Herman: Passenger Wagon #2 All crew and passenger cars aboard the Emerald Express are private. To help with logistics, this is the order of the train cars (which no one has asked about) and accessibility: 1) Engine 2) Tender 3) Crew Car (single bathroom) - locked to non-crewmembers 4) Passenger Wagon #1 - each room has a private restroom) 5) Passenger Wagon #2 - " ") 6) Dining Car (with rear kitchen) 7) Lounge/Observation Car (w/small bathroom) 8) Luggage/Supply Wagon - locked to non-crew members

Except for maybe the red version. I like the smaller train with it as well. It has that "classic feel/look" about it.

Wow! Looking at these old 12V sets really bring back visions of early Lego trains when I was a kid. How I wish I had even one. It looks like you just picked this set up today Panda. It's in great shape! I love the classic set of red train doors as well as the old red shutters - they definately go way back. Are those DB stickers, or are they printed on the doors? In any case, a fantastic set. I tend to agree with Legotrainfan. Your review could benefit from some additional images of this truly Classic Train set. Thanks for sharing though! I've added a poll to your review as well as link in Train Tech. I look forward to seeing what you might share next. You're last train review (Push Along Passenger Train) inspired me to build the LGB-inspired train pictured in my signature. Thanks for bringing back these classics!

Let's see it WF. You're the Classic Town Contest Extraordinaire!

SV: This is a fantastic review. Your images are outstanding and I like all the extras that you added, including the movie pictures. This set looks sooooo fun! It has all the cool stuff that I've been wanting Lego to make over the years: a mine, mining carts, narrow gauge track, sloped track, lanterns, and all the extras - just incredibly fun. One can add this to pieces from the Dwarf Mine as well as Wild West to create one awesome mine! I can't wait to buy this set when available at my TRU. Thanks for the great review. Just AWESOME!

Also in Passenger Wagon #1

Yes, I picked up the new station. I love it, and it goes so well with old Main Street. You can check out more pictures by clicking the Train Town picture in my signature. You bet! I think your doing the right thing. I look forward to seeing your layout. Strangely, it's pretty much the same as the engine from 3225 Classic Train, but I replaced the black bricks with green (minus two 1x1s with a vertical bar on each side - where the round 1x1s appear now). In looking at it now, it does look a bit bulky (like a green wall). Perhaps I'll modify to my own liking. Thanks for your constructive critisism and good eye for details. And thanks to Imperial Shadows and his fantastic decal designs, I printed some of his decals from his 182 train set designs. Modifying a few of the colors for the "1" and "2" decals plus creating a new "DB" decal, I was able to create this: Engine Red Wagon Blue Wagon New Decal Train It's getting there!

Greaseman excuses himself and proceeds to his cabin in Passenger Wagon #1, toward the front of the train.

Thanks for the feedback WF. DB stands for Deutsche Bahn and is Germany's national railway company. I never knew the exact connection, but many early Lego trains had the insignia. Classic Lego train engines were also black and red, very similar to German locomotives. LGB is Lehmann Gross Bahn, one of the oldest "G" scale toy train companies. "G" scale is Garden-sized or "Big Train". I remember as a kid, going into expensive toy shops seeing them in the store windows and behind glass counters. I enjoyed looking at them and admiring all the exquisite details, thus one of the reasons I wanted to build the "old starter set" in Lego. On a side note, LGB had some sort of relationship with Playmobil (both German companies) and I think was making the classic Playmobil trains. They ran on the large brass LGB track. I own an LGB train (freight starter set) and Playmobil, but I've always wanted to make one out of Lego. The fine details aren't present in my MOC, but rather the simpler design of early Lego trains.

There is nothing special about the knife and it lacks any identifiable marks. Dynamic Movements in Progress - Herman, Mark Williams, and "Bulldog" have left the Dining Car to discuss some of Herman's "girl issues". They went through the forward entrance/exit. - Engineer Steve Thomas has decided to go check out the Engine through the forward entrance/exit as well. - Schmelt and Brakes take the knife and leave through the rear of the Dining Car. The Conductor recommends that it has been a long day and a good nights rest may help everyone. Passengers may go to their cabins or choose to have a nightcap in the "self-service" Observation Lounge toward the rear. Everyone is getting pretty sleepy.

The late evening is fast approaching. Despite the discovery of a knife, many of the passengers wish to retire for the evening as they had a long day of travel to the station. After some additional discussion re. the knife, it will be nighty night time aboard the Emerald Express...

A mysterious knife is found in Passenger Car #2. Everyone returns to the Dining Car to discuss the purpose of such an item aboard the train???

I've always wanted to build a Lego version of LGB's passenger train starter set. Unfortunately, I never had the right pieces, but attempted it once or twice before, to no prevail. As I was admiring Panda's recent review of Classic 12V set 7710 Push Along Passenger Steam Train, I thought to myself, I love these old classics and this time I'm going to build one. Fortunately, the new Emerald Night has 10 tan train windows allowing me to create the passenger wagons. I broke out 3225 Classic Train to create the wagon bases and red passenger wagon, and the engine would provide the perfect DB-style engine with the addition of some green bricks and revised smoke stack. Here's the result of my efforts, a DB Classic Train. New Picture 5/19/09 The ENGINE: PASSENGER WAGON #1: PASSENGER WAGON #2: COMPLETE TRAIN: LGB's VERSION:

As an old HP Lovecraft fan, your title immediately captured my interest Penguin. Very nice creation. As I scrolled through your pictures, I was waiting to see the Deep Ones. Interesting creation indeed. I like!

Murder on the Emerald Express Chapter 2: Fowl Play at Hand? Engineer Steve Thomas whispers to the crew that he found a knife. After an attempt to silence the worried passengers, Conductor Max agrees that anyone who wishes to walk with the crew toward the front of the train to Passenger Car #2 may do so. The reluctant crew followed by some of the passengers make their way toward the passenger wagon discovering a glistening silver knife laying on the floor. Everyone wonders, is fowl play at hand? Logistic Request: At this time, I need to know which passengers are in Passenger Car #2 with the crew, and who stayed behind in the dining car. For the sake of the mystery, all will soon know about the discovery of the knife.

What a fantastic set Panda. Thank you for sharing a review. This little classic definately deserves a BLOG! Nice review, but I'd love to see some additional images of the train cars and engine, esp. the interior. Do the roofs of the wagons lift off for playability? I really appreciate the fact that you have a great collection of these 12V classics . Hope to see more. Also added to Train Tech.

Exactly! Well said indeed. Mystery is always around the corner.

All good questions. Let me explain: All of you began in the dining car where Jim Butcher provided a brief orientation. While no description of the dining car was provided, it is not important at this time. You don't want to compare this initial gathering to being inside a "mystery mansion" in which you are searching under every chair and chandelier for clues. You don't know what you are looking for. While Jim was providing your orientation, Steve Thomas was excused by the Conductor to tend to the engine. When he came back, all of you overheard him whisper that he discovered a knife on the floor of Passenger Car #2. Regarding Dynamic Movement, WhiteFang is correct in his explanation. Dynamic Movement is intended for very small groups (1-3 or a few more) to leave the main group. However, with the discovery of the knife, just about ALL wanted to follow. This more or less defeats the purpose of "Dynamic Movement". Thus we have ended Chapter 1 and will continue soon. In regard to your goal: like in any "real-life" situation, your exact mission is not clearly spelled out, but part of the mystery at hand. This adds to the value of this mystery and things will become a little more clear as the chapters unfold. It's NOT about CLUE questions (WHO Committed a murder, WHAT weapon was used, and WHERE did it take place). For another example of this type of mystery, see Mystery Ship. Hope you're all enjoying the mystery so far. It's just going to get better.

The discovery of a a knife in Passenger Car #2 has flung the passengers and crew aboard the Emerald Express into a frightened panic. While the crew wish to examine the "clue scene" alone, a number of the passengers demand to follow the crew. A reluctant Conductor Maxwell, fearing "mob mentality", has decided that in the best interest of safety, anyone wishing to follow the crew would be permitted to do so. They slowly walk toward the front passenger car wondering what they will discover in a train destined for Mystery... End Chapter 1