WesternOutlaw

KD: what torso is that? - meaning what set are they from?

Tough question - a poll would be good for this. While I love setting up the new knights and how they look in formation, the Legions of the Undead make a great army as well, and one that lego has not created before. I'm tempted to go with the Skellies for this reason. I'm almost 50/50 on this one though.

Batbrick: I really like how you designed the wall of the dungeon. This construction method would work very well for stone/brick walls. If I have enough 1x1 holed bricks, I'd love to try this technique. Bane looks good to, but I like the old Bat-helmet as well.

Great news! Thanks for sharing. I hope to see it at my local TRU.

I have a thought for an entire new station. I'm not sure if I'll rebuild, but I think I can make it better. I am pleased with the train.

Thanks or your comments SDP. The conductor has the new skelly face, unless you mean the castle skeletons with red eyes. I have used these for other Ghost Town mocs including the Nightmare Stage Coach and the Sinister Stable. I love the new skeletons and would have includes a few in this MOC, but I've got all the new Castle sets boxed up in the garage at the moment. I didn't feel like digging them out just for a few skellies. Good idea though.

Hi Sdpirate. I don't know you yet, but welcome to EB. If you check the 1st page of this thread, you'll see a list of the various ideas from various EB members. I think someone named Pony Express a while back. Still a good addition to any WW town.

That's terrific news to hear! Wild West is a superb theme that offers so many different sub-themes. I'm pleased that I was able to change your view of the WW theme. As I get to know the different EB members a little better, I'm also appreciating themes that I would never have been interested in (like Post-Apoc, Steampunk, and Fabuland (to name a few)). There they go again with the bit about the yellow hands. It's the official lego ghost. I wanted to keep him original, sheet and all. Do you mean the passenger car or my Abandoned Station?

Thanks for the great feedback everyone! I think that is the look Lego was trying to make - I don't mind it at all. It adds a fun playful element to the character. Thanks, but I consider myself a pretty "basic builder". There are so many better builders than me on EB and within the Lego community. My stuff rarely even gets "blogged". Coming at the end of the post. "Bones" jumped off the train in the 1st scene. Consider the hat a blooper. Actually, I made a few "tweaks" to the train for the 2nd image. The hat is one of just a few. I like the chest as a luggage holder. It looks kinda neat when it's open. Perhaps I'll shoot an image of it open. The green bricks come from Legoland Cal. They were too "spooky" to pass up. I had initially planned to use the for a haunted house. My Shadow Inn Hotel used the light green to. See the end of the post - for you and Batbrick. Thanks for that feedback Asuka, and thanks for sharing that great image. There's something I don't like, I just can't put my finger on it. Perhaps it's the height of the bricks. I had thought of using trans. green or making only two plates high, like the Green Passenger Car. I just wasn't sure. \ I had also originally had the smooth rounded bricks making up the entire roof. I took them off and replaced them with the more classic 3x4 roof pieces. I think they looked better - giving the appearance of an older train. Now, for the entire Ghost Train (unless I add another car or two): This image isn't exactly want I wanted, but i went ahead and used it for editing. I may retake and possibly include the station.

Thanks HB. Here's another image of the train rolling down the track:

Jesse and his girlfriend Mary decided to sneak aboard the Ghost Train back at the Abandoned Station. Despite Jesse's reluctance, Mary insisted that "there's no such thing as a haunted train". Little did they know that they were about to embark upon a ride that would test their sanity. Just as the train switched track back at Crawford's Junction, the old Pullman coach got unhitched. As the 4-4-0 Steam Engine turned toward the Shadow Mountains, the passenger coach continued to roll toward the Valley of the Dead, a dreadfull place where few have returned. "We're out of control", Mary yells with fright! "Never mind that Mary", Jesse responds, "there's a ghost standing outside the car, and he's got a yellow hand! ". "HEEEEELLLLLPPPPP"! they both scream! EDIT:

Thanks everyone. I did not IS, but what a great idea to create a little diversity among the skeletons. What I did try was the orc face from the new castle sets as "Shorty", thinking one should be a little different. I didn't like the same green color as the torso and ended up taking it off; plus it didn't fit the "Skeleton Crew" name. The black skeleton would have worked out perfect. You'll notice I used black hands for him as well (as gloves to shovel the coal). To tell you the truth, I almost had all of them in the black caps. I actually think the black cap looks great for a fancy train hat. It's nice because it covers the skeleton eyes slightly. I got the idea from the Classic Train 3225. It includes a conductor with a black cap. In fact, I almost used the same yellow torso. Here's a picture: Thanks LTF. The Indiana Jones and Adventurer themes offer some great parts for WW. I wanted something a little more elegant for the train crew - not just sloppy suspenders and/or other WW torsos. I was after that "Orient Express" look with very "proper" uniforms. I had also thought about using the German tan uniforms as well as the Imperial Officer uniforms, but chose against. I love the light green color and they seem to look good with the black pants.

Thanks for your comments Hinck. I tried a few different front ends, none of which I really liked. In addition, the one dark stone closed dish that I have belongs to the Millenium Falcon which is burried in my garage somewhere. I didn't want to go searching for it. After looking at several ideas on Brickshelf, I saw a train that had used the "webbed" design with another smaller one in front. I liked the way it looked so decided to give it a try. I didn't think it looked too bad, but a closed dish would have probably been better. You've got a great eye for the details.

Thanks guys! It means a lot to me when my creations get positive feedback. Good question KD. I was waiting for someone to ask. I had not designed the interior yet. I wanted something simple, along the line of the official WW bank or general store, but had not gotten around to it yet. As I said on the Ghost train post, I've been spending a lot of time perfecting the steam engine. I may go back and add some interior, perhaps even try to capture a better image. This MOC looks 100% better than how it photographs. I just can't seem to capture it correctly. In any case, thanks again for all the feedback on this one. It looks great with the Ghost Train next to it. I'll take some pictures when I start adding to the entire collection. Thanks. I really like the dark orange. I think mixing the color with black, brown, and tan really adds that "Halloween-look".

I could hear them singing "Oh My Darl'n Clementine". You really are becoming an expert with these WW fig sets KD. That tan shirts works great. I don't think I ever used that torso. My only suggestion would to make one older with a beard. I always picture the "Miner 49'er Look" with an old brown hat, suspenders, and long grey beard. Sort of like this varmint: Nice job though .

Interesting KD. I tried to create a digital creation once, and I found it nearly impossible. You've pulled it off quite nicely. If this were a real creation with a big saloon decal, I think it would look completely different. It's hard to appreciate the overall design seeing it in this format. I'm not sure I like the figs with the caps. They definately need some authentic WW pistols and accessories to add to the detail. I like the use of tan and black which is a good color combination. I just think it needs a little more detail which you couild easily create if this were a real MOC. Overall, a nice job though - esp for your first design.

I'm always amazed at round construction and I would never have thought of designing a roof this way. This really is an axample of thinking outside standard Lego building techniques. The detail of the scene is excellent. I like how you used the chest tops to create the basin -and that spinning wheel is terrific! Most interestingly, I like how you created the old wooden fence. I may try this technique in my Grave Stone MOCs. Overall, a great scene!

This moc really makes me wish Lego had given us a safari theme. I love the color and the animals, esp. the giraffe; and the SNOT technique for the base is genious. Very nice.

Skeleton Crew As the ominous Ghost Train belches black smoke into the dusty night air, it stops at the Abandoned Station to let on its frightened passengers. The four undead crew include Thomas Specter, the Ghost Train's conductor; Bill Marrow, the Switchman and Engineer, "Bones" Skelton, the Ghost Train's porter; and "Shorty" T. McBones, the coal shoveler. What a frightening site as the crew prepares to welcome the midnight guests.

I wanted to focus on the train itself this go around, but I haven't forgot about the train crew. I plan to make them separate. One or two cars only - I've got some ideas for some train structures. Great idea for the ghost cowboys to play cards! Sorry KD. I haven't got around to answering. I plan to comment on your miners as well. I've been focussed on this Ghost Train for some time and even trying to take better pictures.

Now for some "behind the boiler" images: The whole train: Engine #423: The front end with radar dish: This one's for you BatBrick, a bat bell on one of the smokers: One of my favorite features of the engine, the light-up boiler: The web opens, revealing the inner boiler: Now check this out, the lit boiler: The light brick is on the other side of the engine: And plugs into the battery box: A simple tender with large Grave Stone decal: And working hatch/secret coal compartment: The whole train at a different angle (during the day): About the Lighting Mechanism I had thought about using the regular train lighting system to light the boiler as it moves (which would not have been difficult). The problem with the 9V light is that it's very dim on low speeds, and shuts off when the train is not moving. I wanted the boiler flames to stay on for taking pictures, so decided to use the classic battery box/light kit. In addition, as an after thought, I could have put some small shutters over the light brick plug to cover the yellow brick when not plugged in. I didn't want to rebuild the side though, so decided not to. Inspirations As mentioned previously, I got the open/destroyed boiler idea from this great ghost train. It really looked scary after it got dark: The Grand Canyon Express provided much of the inspiration behind the overall look of the train and matching tender: As well as the old 340 engine at Knott's Berry Farm: and lots of research on Brickshelf. This was one of my longest designed MOCs in terms of building time. Having failed miserable at trains in the past, I'm really pleased with this one. What's Next? I plan to expand the Grave Stone Train sub-theme by adding one-two more train cars, and some train structures to go with the collection. I look forward to sharing images of the entire collection. And thank you all for the wonderful comments and feedback.

From the darkest of tunnels within the mysterious Shadow Mountains, where a number of unfortunate miners have met their doom, the lantern of the Ghost Train shines a bright light as it cuts through the darkness. Glowing crimson flames can be seen eminating through its boiler as your eyes focus on the ornate gold lettering of the tender which reads, "Grave Stone", with the unlucky numbers 423 on its engine. No one seems to drive the mysterious engine, yet it approaches the Abandoned Station feverishly. "Why has it come"? you wonder with strange curiosity; yet more importantly, where is its destination? Do you dare hop aboard the Ghost Train? :skull: The Ghost Train, 4-4-0 Steam Engine w/ Light-Up Boiler

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. Yes, intentionally done to create a more "ghostly train". I stumbled upon the thought by accident when I was trying to photo edit the picture. Thanks Jipay. It's always great to see you participating/commenting on my Grave Stone MOCs. You're the only one that picked up (or at least commented) on the boiler. I got the idea from this train after a Ghost Town Tour I went on last Halloween. I was amazed at how large the train was, and the destroyed boiler added to the spooky look. I've been wanting to implement the idea for some time now. There's one posted on Brickshelf. I'm not real fond of all trans elements. I like black much better. Here's a picture: Perhaps if you check back later... But make sure you watch closely.:skull: I thought the quality was pretty nice KD - that is for a Ghost Train.

The Ghost Train It's five minutes until the clock of the Abandoned Station strikes Midnight... Tick... Tick... Tick... In the distance, an eerie light appears from beyond the horizon. The stong smell of burning coal permiates the air. You hear a bell ringing in your head... Ding... Ding... Ding... or do you? Is it merely your imagination playing tricks on you, or do you spy a mysterious black steam engine in the distance? And are those flames that you see burning within it's boiler? - or a burning for mystery within your soul? Is it the legendary Ghost Train on it's way to Grave Stone Station? Perhaps... Do you believe? Because if you don't, it may leave you to rot in Grave Stone... You may see the Ghost Train tomorrow evening, if you've still got your ticket.

Welcome bLEGOnder, theestampede, cyclone501, and others. It's great to see other new EB members interested in the Wild West theme. I hope to see some WW mocs from you. Nice LDraw saloon bLEGOnder.