So, here is something I was working on for some time now. After creating my "Bob-Omb tank" drawing a while ago, I started thinking about how to make a full-size Mario themed train. This idea recently came to mind. And then, well, I got carried away.
You may want to download this for a better look.
Anyway, I give you: the Bullet Bill Express! Though many of these sprites and parts were redrawn from sprite sheets of Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island, I actually pixelled most of this by hand. So, now for a gratuitiously detailed description of each car:
2-6-4 Bullet Bill Engine, DL03 One of the most powerful engines belonging to the Dark Land Freight, this beast can thunder down the hilly Dark Land tracks with freight trains of 30-40 cars. The engine also has six Bill Blasters on the sides for defence, or blasting things off the track if necessary. These engines are usually manned by two Dry Bones, due to the high heat in the cabin.
Tender These engines always carry a tender, with a significant amount of coal. Often, they employ low-ranking members of the Koopa Troop to keep watch on the coal and send it over to the engine. This tender also shows Dark Land Freight's main colour scheme of gold over dark red.
Defence Car Every Dark Land freight train will have at least one of these defence cars - likely one per every 6-8 cars on the train, and one on the end too. This, of course, is to ward off would-be attackers (and plumbers). Typically, these cars are controller by a Monty Mole, has 4-6 cannons, and a small army on board.
Box Car - POW Inc A boxcar made to represent my own made-up Mario world company, POW Inc, which would ship all manner of items. But most commonly it would be ?-blocks, jumping boards, that sort of thing. You'll also notice a pair of Shy Hobos there...
Flatbed Car - Tanks Carrying those tanks around to different locations in Dark Land. Of course, on a real freight train there'd be a dozen of these cars likely.
Flatbed Car - Pipes A common load. Looks like they accidentally caught a Venus Fire Trap as well...
Tank Car - Lethal Lava Land Yes, actually, they ship lava. I mean, how do you think it gets into the castles? Notice the warning on the left side - they just can't tell for sure if any live Podoboos got inside!
Thwomp Car Definitely the most Mario-like car here, this is how Thwomps are shipped, 12 at a time (there's a second row behind these ones). Now, the Thwomps are very powerful, and if all 12 were to cooperate (highly unlikely) they could lift their car right off the track and derail it. So, the system here is to use a Power Star. Of course, full blown invincibility would kill one of these Thwomps. However, draining a little power from the star - about 0.5% at a time - acts simply as a tranquilizer to the Thwomps, and keeps them quiet. The lights underneath each Thwomp turn red when they detect vibrations coming from the Thwomp trying to move, alerting the Koopas on the sides to send it a quick zap to quiet it down.
Reefer Car - Ricco Harbor Seafood Hey, the Koopa Troop's gotta eat, right? --------------------
Well, I'd love to know what everyone thinks of this. I'll activate the critique feature here so any of you can give me any opinions or pointers that come to mind.
Wow....this is mind boggling. I personally find machinery difficult to create since it is not organic, but this was done so well! The names are a clever touch, such as lethal lava land from Mario 64 and Ricco Harbor from Mario sunshine You have a lot of patience!
Yes, it would be great in a ROM hack, or perhaps in an original game.
Say, thanks for the fave, and welcome to dA! I see you're a Mario and train fan - with some nice screen shots of MSTS. I think I may watch you from my other, train-related account, ~TrainTracker
Nice avatar, too - I could make it animate if you like.
Thanks a lot! I've just been posting all these old projects that I did for fun. The avatar is just temporary, but it would be cool to have him get hit on the head, look around, and stand back up.
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