WesternOutlaw

I recently found a number of Lego Harry Potter Sets and others on clearance at my local Target. Hogwart's Castle and the Knight's Bus was half off. Great deal on the castle! Hagrid's Hut and Sirius Escape was around 30% off. And the Knight's Kingdom Citadel of Orland 1/2 off. A few other sets (World City and Knights Kingdom) were on clearance but nothing as good as the Harry Potter sets in terms of a great deal. For those of you in the U.S., make sure you check out Target for clearance Lego. Some great deals!

I also have a large train/town layout that I'm constantly cleaning. I use a damp paper-towel to wipe off smooth edges. For road plates and larger studded roof plates which seem to really show and collect dust, I use the vacuum with a soft brush attachment. This works very well, esp on the road plates (I usually remove first to prevent smaller items/pieces from getting sucked up. For bookshelves with those favorite models, I tried something recently that a friend recommended. I place a glass of water in the center of the shelf between models. The water supposedly collects the dust preventing much of it to stick to the models. I've had a glass next to my Falcon and it seems to be helping. I'm just amazed at how quick the water evaporates and the water becomed dirty. I'm sure this doesn't eliminate all dust but it does help. I never thought of covering with a sheet but this isn't a bad idea. You just don't always get to see the models without removing the sheet. I've also thought about a custom build acrylic cover but I'm sure this would be rather costly.

The gun is now in Xwingyoda's possession then. Both doors along the West wall are unlocked. You open the door most South which appears to be a kitchen. The other door at the North end of the room leads to a dining room (pictures will be provided when you enter the room).

Q: Are there any marking/s or any significant symbol/s (telling us where it was made, etc.) on the revolver? A: Pete examines the gun and responds, "appears to be a Colt 45 revolver, a rather common gun". Q: Brickster, you stated that the revolver hasn't been used for some time. How long exactly do you mean? A: Pete states that based on the clean condition, the revolver looks like it's brand new maybe only fired a few times. No traces that it was fired recently. Q: The dated letter seems rather recent (a little more than a year). So, my question is: When did Mr. Crowley get murdered? A: For the purposes of this story, today's date is Sunday, October 24, 2004. You are not aware that Mr. Crowley has been murdered, but you think that he may have? Q: Are the two (the letter and the pistol) related in any way? Can someone in the group can provide an answer? A: I cannot answer this question at this time. Q: Put the revolver back or take it with us (for futher examination/clues)? A: Anyone may take the revolver or you can leave it. Q: IMO, we should search/examine the ground floor before going upstairs. What do the doors on the West lead to, Brickster? It would be less confusing if we had a map... A: You can examine/try opening the doors to find out more. No map will be provided. However, once you have gone to a room, you can merely say, I'd like to go back to room X (like the Main Hall).

"Very good Xwingyoda and Darth Ewok. Yes, I agree, we should also examine the revolver", Brickster states. Examining the revolver indicates that the gun is loaded with six bullets and rather clean, indicating that it has not been fired for some time. You can go anywhere else that you'd like. Generally, I will let the first person with an idea lead the group stopping if someone wishes to examine something (like the armor previously). This room contains two separate doors on the West wall and a large staircase leading to the upper level along the Southeast walls.

I'd recommend you buy one soon. I don't think you'll find it on the shelves or Lego SAH much longer. I finally bit the bullet and bought one a month or two ago at full price. It's a great model though, and I think worth the $.

Secret Alcove with Revolver and Letter Before moving on, XWingYoda attempts to pull the axe of the armor with horned helmet. The sound of scraping stone is heard, and a small alcove in the wall next to the armor is revealed. The alcove is roughly two feet wide and long and about one foot deep; four feet from the ground. Further examination of the alcove reveals a brown leather portfolio and a revolver. Within the leather portfolio is a single folded letter, which Xwingyoda reads: February 14, 2004 Dear Mr. Crowley: In the interest of all parties concerned, my company is willing to make you a $2 Million offer, which is more than equitable for the sale of your estate. Further litigation will merely result in a lose-lose situation for both of us and the community of Heceta. I urge you to accept this final offer and upon agreement from you, I can have the proceeds from the sale deposited into your bank account within one week. Kindest Regards, Mr. Athos, Esquire

Definately the Falcon. In fact, I like the 1st X-Wing and Snowspeeder better than the re-designs. Don't have Jango's Slave but I do have the 1st and although brickish, it worked.

It's sad that the big guns and urban monstrosities appeal to the American children and probably the reason why US and not Europe.

These are pretty neat Steve. As someone who likes the Wild West, enjoy seeing vignettes like this. I like the 1st with the gold!

How would you like to examine the armor? Also, appears that there is no fireplace in this room.

:)

Viking Armor Akkhraziel examines the armor more closely. One set has a helmet with horns, the other without. Each also carry an axe; one in the left hand and the other in the right. Brickster adds, "we have an expert in Viking armor among us. Could you tell us something about this armor Bloody Jay"?

Brickster states, "I recommend we stay together. There's no telling what's inside this old mansion and there's safety in numbers".

Alas, We Have Entered The Mansion: Main Hall Pete slowly places a tarnished brass key in the lock of one of the large oak entry doors. The heavy door makes a loud creaking sound as he pushes it open to the dim-lit mansion. The smell of damp dusty air blows from the room to reveal a large octagon-shaped entry chamber connected to a larger room. Pete switches on a tall lamp atop a coat rack that illuminates the large room. Within this large chamber are two smaller doors along one of the walls and a large staircase leading to the upper floor. Also in the room are two sets of Viking Armor. You enter the chamber when suddenly; the entry door slams closed behind you. Pete grabs the handle only to discover that the door will not open, almost as if it has been locked from the outside. Deep bellowing laughter sounds from the walls as some of you fumble with the door handles. Brickster states,

Unlocking the Front Door "Ah, I have located it. I placed the key in my extra pant pocket when one of the town council members gave it to me. We're just going to have to enter one person short. If Sarg can't get in later, then we'll just have to proceed without him", Pete responds. "Let me now open the door to this mansion", he adds.

Thanks for sharing this information. I very much look forward to a remote-controlled train system. Just hope it uses compatible track to existing 9V. I'm guessing a battery inside the train similar to Playmobil with no need for electric track. And maybe even crossings and switch track remote as well (maybe wishful thinking on my part). Hospital and airport sounds great too! Lego definately is getting better. Can't wait to see future images.

I could be and hope I'm wrong, but I would guess that the part selection would be pretty limited. If any of you have ever visited LegoLand's bulk "pick-a-brick" shop, this is what I'm picturing. I just can't see Lego having that many pieces available for orders of single pieces. - but I hope this is not the case.

Awesome Phes. Very nice, but I don't see an army of monkeys carrying surveys? You need to help him out.

Reminds me of an old Fisher Price airplane I had as a small child.

Pete asks, "I wonder what happended to Sarg Kulo? Does anyone know? I'm going to open the door. Let me see, where did I place the key"?

You know nothing other than the info that was provided. Pete has asked that you each introduce yourself providing your profession or something about yourself to the others before entering the mansion. NOTE: this is to make sure everyone is ready to start as well. Once we have everyone, we can take a group picture and enter.

Introductions Pete Falklin has met you at the mansion. He asks each of you to introduce yourself to the group as he does not remember everyone. "Please provide your name and your profession (or) something about yourself to the group. This may be important", Pete adds, "in case you don't make it out alive..." Brickster introduces himself as a private detective and aspiring mystery writer on the side. He also adds that our task will be to determine the answers to the following questions as part of this mystery: What happened to Dorian Crowley and where? (meaning what room) If a murder was committed, how did it happen? (meaning with what weapon) Who committed the murder? (which of the 12 characters did it - excluding Brickster & Pete) Why? (motive) The wind begins to howl as a cold chilling breeze blows through the air. Pete urges, "let's hurry and do this so that we can enter the mansion before we catch pneumonia". :^^D

Great classic train set. I don't have any of the old 12 V sets but certainly wish I did. These would make great legends (but in 9 V to go with new track). The Train Depot is an older web site but has some great basic and more complex layouts from catalogues and other sources. Check out this site under Train Layouts if you have not already => Train Depot I would also recommend the Track Designer program if you don't already have. Great way to build/measure your layouts without building.

Standing Along the Path to Crowley Mansion The mysterious and dilapidating Crowley Mansion stands high atop the cliff before you. You feel a cold, damp, uneasy feeling that raises the hairs on the back of your neck. You now realize the fear and reluctance of the good citizens of Point Heceta to venture along the winding path up the cliff to this decrepit manor. The October winds blow leaves and a damp cold sea breeze along the path as you begin your journey up the cliff. Looming in the overcast and fog covered sky stands the mansion, which is only faintly visible from where you stand. What could have happened to old man Crowley and what hidden mysteries remain locked in the rooms of this ghastly manor? Could evil spirits, apparitions, or the ghostly phantoms of the deceased truly haunt this mansion? Or could it be that the spirit of a deceased Dorian Crowley does not rest and awaits revenge on those that may have contributed to his death? And what do you know about one and other? -Sketchy backgrounds, and hidden skeletons of one another