WesternOutlaw

Cool Bloody Jay. Neat idea. With Lego models, I pictured the Lego Express with a MOT Steam Engine (10205 w/out the coal car) with numerous 10015 Green Passenger Cars (pictured behind my avatar) - more my western influenced version. The real Orient Express (from the 1974 movie) is far more luxurious with a European black and red steam engine with blue or teal and beige Pullman coaches; blue bottom half, white/beige upper section and roof. Some nice MOCS have been created and pictured on Brickshelf. Orient Express has a nice gold crown emblem too if you decide to make decals. Here's a nice image of the real think at Brickshelf: Real Thing Sorry to digress, but I thought about building a MOC myself a few months ago when I was planning a summer vacation and looked in to the American Orient Express. It's a very rich and sharp-looking train. To answer your question though, in terms of the basics: 1) Base Plate: Plates come 6x 24 or 28 studs long. 28 would look better for a train like this. The Santa Fe cars add another 4 studs (2-studs at each end to make the 28 long plate 32). 2) Wheel Assembly: A basic wheel assembly is two sets of wheels placed next to each other with a 2x6 holding them together. A buffer is attached at one end with a boggie plate (4x6) covering the entire assembly. Usually, the wheel assembly works best on the outer hole of your train plate. 3) The train body: generally 5 bricks high (2 for base and 3 for windows and an additional flat on top to hold everything together. I prefer big train windows (3x3) rather than the small windows used in the SF cars or the 2x3 windows on the green passenger car. They look more realistic and let you see inside the cars better. Don't use the Hogwart Passenger Car assembly. It's better to have a removable roof on top (using flats as mentioned above) rather than a car that separates in the middle like the HP train. 4) Roof: I like the look of the SF roof (2x3's with rounded end rather than the basic 2x4 lego roof piece. The more rounded curve gives your train a more realistic look. The roof pieces (2x3s) are connected by a base 4 studs wide leaving an overhang of one stud all around the base. This simply allows you to easily place it on top of the train body and remove it when you want to create those Murder Mysteries. 5) 28 stud base plates with wheel assemblies (2) are available at SAH for $14.99 (US). If you need more base plates or wheels, I'd recommend you just pay a little extra and buy a complete passenger car (10015) for another $5. The base plate is only 24-studs long, but it comes with bricks and the thin train windows. I hope this helps you a little bit and I look forward to seeing what you come up with if you complete it.

Would recommend that you review your clues once more and compare the items you've discovered with the stories/information you've received. - May take a little research on your part as well to make some sense out of what you've found. Seems that you've hit a road block, so now it's time to start puting things together.

Mr. M. responds NO.

Q: Do all the passengers have an alaby to confirm they were in fact in their rooms after they claimed they were going to bed? A: No one has an alaby and nothing would prevent someone from getting up during the night after everyone went to bed. Q: Did any of the train staff happen to notice any of the passengers awake AFTER the point where everyone decided to go to bed? A: Not that you are aware. Q: Had any of the passengers been interogated to ascertain if any of them knew Rosa prior to boarding the train? A: This was the first time you're group has been on this train and it is highly unlikely that any of them knew Rosa, but you can't prove this for certain. She lived a very quiet life working on this train for more than 10 years. None of you have the skills to perform a polygraph (without the machine); and if you could, a good actor could easily pass. Further thought/investigation re. Mr. M's story might prove valuable.

I've ordered one and am looking forward to seeing the real thing. I think they don't ship until mid-June (at least in the U.S).

Good to hear re. the track. I received 2 straights and 2 curved in the new blay a few months ago. Re. the plates: More industrial indeed - reminds me of an ugly gray city. I much prefer grass than a paived roadway, sidewalk, or parking lot any day.

You attempt different combinations relating to 5998. They do not work.

Out of green, grey, and bley, I think I prefer the green roadplates better. Just when I start building up my city, Lego changes plates again. Why can't they just stay with one? On a side note, I recently ordered a single cross-section of track and actually got it in the old grey! I was happy over this one not knowing what I would get??? :)

Mr. M. answers, "I knew Phes and Blackbeard for years. We were old friends and shipmates aboard many merchant and fishing vessels. Phes was my closest friend and I his only "real family" after he lost his family when the Old Gray Lighthouse toppled in the storm of '79. It was a bad year for all of us. Making a living as a private fisherman was difficult after the companies launched their commercial fishing boats. Just about devastated the industry for us. Phes and Blackbeard became partners and started a small company doing ship restorations. Wasn't too prosperous until they found the old Barbep. The ship sank in 1847 and they found it scuba-diving. Took a loan out and brought that old ship up with quite a valuable cargo - not much gold, but a lot of historic artifacts. That missing cutlass was one of the items that he found - was worth a lot of money. I told him not to carry that thing around but he use to say it was his "good luck charm". It probably cost him his life". "I lost track of Blackbeard over the years after he took to the bottle pretty heavy. Squandered most of his fortune on women, booze, and gambling. He aquired a lot of gambling debt in some shady bars with many unsavory characters, hardened-sailors, rough fisherman... the kind of guys that you can't turn your back on. He may of even pulled Phes into some of his problems- but I don't know that for sure. I do recall Phes tallking about some acquaintance that had "a thing" for certain movie characters - really got into it heavy, like a theatrical-type. Phes said that the guy was interested in buying his sword but I never knew what became of him. Phes never mentioned the guy again but I know for sure he loved his sword and would never sell it". "Phes told me he was going on this trip but I never thought it would be the last time I saw him. I hope we find the murderer, and when/if we do, I'll kill him myself"!

The Brickster responds, "Or maybe Mr. M. knows something about the M.urder. He is the only pirate still standing"...

$140 USD is a bit much for me. I hate to see sets over $100 - even if they are nice.

Q: Were the victims killed under a full moon? Or were the bullets silver? A: Not sure, no one noticed the moon at the time of the murders. When you originally looked at the bullets, you don't recall them being silver. Q: Has the person (I.e. train staff member) who issued the lockbox (to snefroe's room number) to this mystery passenger been identified and/or interogated yet? A: Rosa issued the lock box and told the waitor about the man who was insistent about getting one. Q: Brickster can you explain to use why Blackbeard had the PO Box for California, your gun is missing and you carry cards for "Have Gun Will Travel"(an old radio show in the US with the main character named Paladin who was a hired gun from California) ? Is there something you are not telling us? Did he hire you? Is it possible that a former friend of yours is out for revenge and what better way to do so than to frame you for murder? A: From Brickster: I have no idea why Blackbeard had a PO Box and didn't know it was from California. Seems to me that Bloody Jay is the one that knows all about Solvang. I think I explained what happened to my gun already. I think the murderer stole it from my room to make me a suspect. In regard to my cards and Paladin, I'm a big fan of the Wild West and it's not a radio talk show, but rather an old western television show. I carry the cards around because I'm a big fan and people that know about Paladin find it funny. I've actually never been to SanFransisco. But I am I private investigator and carry the gun as part of the theme and for protection. Not sure about your other accusations but I wasn't hired by anyone but rather on my way to the Lego convention. You attempt to use the phone to redial the last number. It does not work.

No contact/phone listing, no saved messages, and no recent callers, but the phone does have the last call still in it's memory: the number 6574, but no area code or prefix is listed. Appears that the phone is as older variety that only displays the last 4 digits of the number.

A day of investigation... What have you uncovered? What clues have you found? Have you missed any clues, such as those labelled, "generic"? In searching the following rooms, you find: Wolf: a book titled, "Canadian Werewolf in LegoLand", Lego Studio set 1380, and a ripped and blood stained white shirt. Sarg Kulo: The 1st complete season of Simpsons on DVD, an infinite supply of Lego ROTS Clone Troopers, and a large leather case containing a deer-hunting rifle with hunting scope and several cartridges. XWingYoda: a number of stuffed "yoda" dolls and Lego Star Wars set 4502. Darth Ewok: various circus supplies including some juggling balls, rings, a clown outfit, and very small but wide red shoes. As you sift through this evidence, Pete the Security Officer also says, "oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you that this was found this morning in the observation car". He hands you a cellular phone. "Now will that be all"? he asks, "Sherlock Holmes is on tonight".

151 was not the correct combination to the lock. As far as Mr. M. goes, don't worry too much re. who is playing him (Athos, Phez, Blackbeard, or other person). He was just a fictitious character added to the story. The M stands for MURDER. One hint is that the murderer(s) is/are in this initial poll. Who that is and why is still undetermined. An additional hint is to look closely at all the evidence you've collected (and also, make sure you haven't missed anything). A check list of evidence/clues, places, and people would not be a bad idea. Good luck today. - and no one was killed last night.

Sorry, misunderstood that one (I think I've been doing pretty well up until now)... You seek out Pete the Security Officer to ask him your question. Since you searched many of the rooms without him being present, he cannot answer your question. In fact, he can't recall which rooms he unlocked for you. Pete says, "Now it's time for me to retire to my room. Kojak is on tonight". "Make sure you don't answer the door if you hear anyone knocking tonight", he adds.

Yes, Mr. M. is quite the enigmatic character... Played by both Athos and mysterious "newbie" that has the style of both Mr. Phez and Captain Blackbeard? And where did he find that suit and walking stick? a mystery within a mystery...

You've decided to take Mr. M's advice and conduct a more thorough investigation of Bloody Jay's room. The room is another very ordinary train room with personal belongings within the closet. Within the closet is clothing, shoes, open suitcase, and the leather portfolio that you looked at before. Mr. M. quickly opens it and again looks at the papers within. On one piece of paper, you find a website written on it that has the following address: http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=3211. On the 2nd piece of paper, there are several drawings of vikings with writing that says, "13th Warrior". Aside from the leather portfolio, there is nothing else of interest in this room. Maria has left you but she says that you can get a hold of her anytime if you need her.

Athos: since Phez hasn't been posting as Mr. M, you can play this character if you'd like. Maria answers your question by saying, "Oh, he sing in fashion all in black like El Mariachi".

I viewed it from the Lego website, but was unable to download. It is very nicely done (both graphics and sound). I like the ending with the orchestra.

I like the scale, but unfortunately, they do take some room. I'd love to build a bigger town with more track than what I have now (which isn't real large at all), but unless on the floor, you need a large room and table to display it. The scale fits city and mini-figs well though, and HO wouldn't do it. What I'd really love to see is more old-fashion buildings and bridges for layouts. I've got plenty of engines and rolling stock now (but I do love to see Lego make new ones). I'm just running out of space (with Train, City, Star Wars, and other models). Also, I find that one motor only pulls about three cars well (not including engine). For trains longer than three-four cars, you need more than one engine.

Athos: remember, Dead Men Tell No Tales! - thanks for being a good sport. Your group get's ready to leave the Dining Hall, when Maria comes in to see you. "Did you hear what happen"? she asks with dismay. She tells, "I wake up to start my shift and walk down hall and hear gun shot. I get scared and run down hall. I look back and see his back side as he leaves room of your amigo and runs away. He was dressed all in a black and I hear him sing a music like El Mariachi. I never see his face though. I run to tell Pete".

You awaken from a loud knock on your door. It's Pete, the Security Officer. He asks that you meet him in the Dining Hall. There's been another murder. You all convene in the dining hall from a restless night of little sleep. Pete states, "last night, another of your friends was murdered. His body was found by Maria, one of our housekeepers very early this morning. He was shot in the chest just like the other murders". You look at each other wondering who is missing at your table. It's Athos. :^^D Pete is sympathetic in telling you that it was Athos who was murdered last night. - But why and who you wonder? Maybe more clues will help solve this mystery...

Before the evening is over, you've decided to search a few additional rooms: 1. Mr. M: you find a small bag of Lego bricks tucked away in the closet. The bag contains the following parts: 2335p30, 43p01, 973p3a, 2562, and 2530. 2. Snefroe: you find another small bag of Lego bricks including 30169, 2454px3, x177px1, and 3068bpx21. 3. BloodyJay: you find a leather portfolio with some papers in it. In looking through the papers, one document has the following website address: http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=3211. Another document has some pictures of vikings with some writing that says, "13th Warrior". 4. JonFett: a copy of the 1972 movie, the Godfather. Your room searches discover nothing more.

I have to disagree. I like both the real engine and the model. I just think the Super Chief has a better interior design. The outer BNSF is pretty detailed and the new dark green and orange look great.