WesternOutlaw

Great sets indeed. Since a number of you had some really good ones, I started a list on my original post. I may categorize by theme/subject if we get a lot more.

Thanks WhiteFang. They are suppose to be Chinese and Wild West as many Chinese built the western railroads. Combining both elements is a bit tricky. That's why I chose the WW torsos, but used the asian hats. The figs that you shared (actually the right one to be exact) was the one I would have liked to use. I like the green vest which fits into the WW color palette nicely, plus I have a few of that torso from the Ninja sets.

I like it because of the dk. orange pieces including columns and fences. In addition, the white arches are very nice, as well as the printed (non-decal) pieces. It also has a set of small brown arched-doors that come in handy.

I was really going for something different with this, than a typical boxcar KD. Boxcars are pretty easy to make, and not all that exciting. This one has a bit of added design with the chains and the separate box. I may still do a separate boxcar along traditional lines for a different MOC.

I was looking at some of the great Cities/Towns that many of you have shared over EB, and it got me thinking, what do most City/Town fans enjoy displaying more? Official Lego Sets, MOCs, or Combining Both into one display. I'd be curious as to what most prefer. Share your thoughts on this topic.

Yes, I tend to agree with you Athos. I tried a number of different torsos including those from the Emperor's Ship. They were a bit too armor clad. I think that red ninja/samurai torsos would have done the trick perfectly (as I look at them on Peeron). Point well taken. This particular image took an extreme amount of photo editing time (in fact, much more than most of my other recent MOCs) - with the bush, figs, and other very intricate detailing. If it didn't take so much time, I think I would just rebuild them with different torsos, but I'm happy with the image and will probably just leave it as is.

Honestly, I like the red roof. I thing it gives it a bit of character. I got the idea from the red roof plates used on Fort Legoredo. I'v been building Grave Stone MOCs for a few years now and am tired of always using black roofs. I thought the bit of extra color added to the design. I didn't build an interior, although there is a fireplace with mantle. If I do so, I'll share a picture or two. I did have something in mind. I had a feeling that the red roof would generate some comments like this. See my comment to KD above re. the roof. In regard to the lighting effects, I wanted to capture the look of some string lights that people (like old Millicent) would hang on the porch. I thought they were a nice touch, but didn't want to give the appearance of Christmas lights. In any case, I appreciate your feedback Asuka and value your review.

I'd love to see another haunted mine. No offense if you call it that - I'm sure the name has been around for a lot longer than I have.

I'm not sure I know what you mean KD. Has there been a Lego Train Mailcar? I just found this searching Brickset: Have there been yellow ones?

Over the past several weeks, I've been pulling out a number of old sets to pull various pieces from, for my Ghost Train MOCs. As I did so, I realized that so many of the sets that I pulled pieces from, are sets that I use for various themes (WW, Adventure, and Castle to name just a few). Some of the sets are great stand-alone sets, but so many of them also make great part sets. Just a few that I'm really fond of include: - Orient Expedition Scorpion Palace - HP Shrieking Shack - HP Graveyard Duel - Fort Legoredo What sets do you pull pieces from routinely to build your MOCs (or) what sets have added to your specialized piece collection? I'd be interested in hearing about other great sets for parts. ----------------------- List of EB Favorites - updated 5/28/08 ----------------------- 3829 Fire Nation Ship (large amount of bley pieces) 4508 Titan XP (for space and military: dark bley, black, orange, sand blue) 4756 Shrieking Shack (brown latice windows, brown door, brown slopes, and large dark orange windows) 4766 Graveyard Duel (white and black skeletons, wagon wheels, hooded capes, black gates) 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer (grey) 6769 Fort Legoredo (brown log pieces, union army figs) 7036 Dwarves' Mine (brown, grey, barrels, dark blue cheese slopes, goblets, stockade doors) 7041 Troll Battle Wheel (dark brown 2x6 plates, 1x2 bley tiles) 7418 Scorpion Palace (white arches, dark orange columns/posts, Indian-printed pieces) 7622 Race for the Stolen Treasure (bley plates and tiles, silver studs) 7624 Jungle Duel (weapons, food, pan, and tent) 7626 River Chase (foliage, reddish-brown and dark brown bits, and dark green pieces) 7626 Jungle Cutter (foliage, spider web and spider, five ants, frog, dark green pieces, lots of treads) 7627 Temple of the Crystal Skull (nice parts) 7784 The Batmobile: Ultimate Collectors' Edition 8158 Speed Racer & Snaker Oiler (slopes) 8159 Racer X & Taejo Togokhan (slopes)

Nice job KD. I really like the stairs on the right side of the building. I like to use this concept for WW buildings (an idea I got from Playmobil). Tan is a nice color for the structure, although with some details (like a sign - which I understand that you can't add to a digital design), it would look much better. The nice details inside compliment the overall design. My only bit of constructive critisism is the horse. It's too large and bulky. Take a look at the old Yellow Castle (#375) for a simple, brick-built design. Here's one in this image, although it's hard to see. I'm sure you can find some scanned instructions that show you the build. You're becoming very good at these digital designs. Do you plan to build some, or order parts to actually make them?

Ghastly Railroad Workers Clink! Clank! Clink... Clank... While most train workers prefer to work in the light of day, these Ghastly Railroad Workers begin their shift after midnight and work until dawn. With only the light of a kerosene lantern, they level the rocky ground laying steel and wood in hope of finishing the track that leads out of Grave Stone. Will they complete the line for the Ghost Train in time? They work their fingers to the bone and they'll die trying, if they haven't already done so...

I gave you a hint...

Thanks ExoBuilder. I'm getting better with my Photoshop skills as well as photographing techniques. I think good photos and background really help the overall appearance of the MOC. I need to look at some new backgrounds now.

For those of you who buy so many of this and the other battle pack with Crownies, what do you do with all of them? Is this simply to create a large-scale army, or do you plan to build large castle scenes with all the figs. I'd love to see some pictures (on the "share your castle army" thread).

What an outstanding MOC MRTS! Castle builders never seize to amaze me. You and others who build these fantastic MOCs always seem to build them large scale with wonderful detail. In addition to the nicely designed castle, the landscaping is superb. I love how you created the stream/river and how it flows around some of the rock formations. In regard to the castle, the sloping ramp/stair case with arched door looks terrific; just one of many details that make the overall creation look excellent. It's a beautiful creation indeed. How ong did this take to create. If I were to build something this scale, I'd hate to take it apart. Fantastic!

Thank you all for the feedback. The witch came out nothing like I wanted her to. I really wanted the all-black look, with perhaps a black hood as opposed to the classic witch's hat. I didn't have the black "dress-piece" and the hood piece is burried with my castle sets in the garage, so made do with the HP parts I had handy. "May" is not a for sure either, unlike "would", "will", or "can". I generally choose my wording pretty carefully not to reveal too much or speak in definites. - but I didn't realize many follow the story. It's nice to know.

Thanks for sharing these close-up images of this battlepack WhiteFang. I actually had this set in my hand at Legoland Cal. and could not decide if I wanted it. I'm currently out of "castle-mode" with my large Indy Jungle set up on the table, and creating Ghost Train MOCs that are starting to line up on the bookshelves. Once I buy the Troll Ship, I'll want to start collecting these great fig sets. Thanks again for sharing.

Do I know you? Oh (OK), just kidding. Nice entries everyone.

What a great collection of some classic sets Zorg. I'm loving all those 12 V trains (of which I have none), esp. the blue/yellow one. I need to check that one out. It's always great to see other peoples' collections, this being no exception. Do you dust your city often. The sets look very clean. Excellent! Thanks for sharing over EB.

Thanks for your comments WhiteFang. You're a great MOC reviewer and I always value your feedback. I wish I can take credit for the tree, but it's from the HP Graveyard Duel set. I don't have many brown slopes to have made much of my own creation, so just added the already designed tree. In any case, thanks again.