WesternOutlaw

Interesting concept DS. I like the idea a lot. Love the ghost and I like how you did the hands of the clock. Simple, yet it works very well. I would not have thought of combining the levers as you did. Neat.

Norrington: I'd love to participate, but I haven't had much time to build lately. I look forward to seeing some of the entries though.

Very nice Federico, and welcome to Eurobricks. Excellent collection of figs.

Two of the Schleich Western sets that I really like are the wagon and the Indian in Canoe. The detail of all of these sets are really nice. I was checking Target's web site and they have them. I'm hoping their retail stores will carry them as well, so I can pick up one piece at a time until I have the entire collection. These would make a nice diorama. I've been wanting do make one for a long time - canyon/mountain, river scene, etc. I don't have the pieces in Lego to build a scene large enough to make it look impressive.

This is one license that I would not want to see Lego jump on. I've never been a big fan of Cats.

Here in the US, only finer (higher quality) toy stores cary Schleich; with the exception of Target, which seldom has them on sale, only clearance. Usually, stock is very limited when they go on clearance. In fact, I think Target just started carrying them in the last year (or two at the most). I'm really surprised Kmart in Australia carries them.

Interesting. I had no idea that these were anything special, almost using yellow instead. I have a set from an old Exxon Gas Truck and a Fire Engine. In checking Peeron, it appears that these are the only two sets that had them. I bet I've got more "special pieces" from my old City sets.

I visited a FAO Schwartz toy store today and found yet another new line of American West / Wild West toys. Schleich, which many of the European EB members may recognize as it is a German producing company of mini figures and accessories, has a new theme called American Frontier. Here is a sample of some of the pieces that I saw in the store and are available through toy stores that cary Schleich. I don't believe the wagon is available yet. I've always enjoyed looking at Schleich pieces but never purchased any. I may buy these as they are nicely detailed and painted, and nice replicas of American Frontier history. As I look at these, I can't help to wonder that there must still be a market for Wild West toys, even in Europe. Lego should "hop on the wagon", and design a new WW theme.

Happy 4th to all!

Thanks. After looking at the image a few times and then looking at the actual MOC, I can see why some of you commented the way you did. It did look pretty flat. The new image is still not what I want exactly (the image is angled a bit too much), but it is definately much better. In regard to the story, I hope you and others visit my Web Site. I've added a number of secrets to the story which I have been updating regularly.

I agree. I've built a lot of WW MOCs over the past few years; and I'm not just saying this, but I think this particular MOC came out quite well. I spent a lot of time rebuilding/redesigning from scratch. Perhaps the first image doesn't do it justice, but the one you mention (below) actually shows the dimension. I've tried another rendering to alleviate the one sided view of the original image. I think this looks a bit better and provides a better perspective:

Perhaps I'm missing something. How does the article indicate that we will not see a new WW theme?

Thanks for the feedback. I can see that many of you feel that I should have used skeletal horses. I do own enough to use white or black, but wanted actual horses. Symbolically, I like what a graceful black steed represents. Remember the Legend of Sleepy Hallow and also the Wring Wraths in Lord of the Rings. Both used black steeds. I may try some skeletal horses just to see what they look like, but I prefer regular black horses. Some of you mentioned that you don't like the use of both old brown and new brown pieces, while others don't seem to have an issue with it. I think the use of the pieces are symmetric enough to were it doesn't look too bad. If it did, I would have chose another color completely; perhaps black. I think of all the things to criticize, the image/flash gets a bit petty. I've seen the quality of some of the images shared over the years on EB, and come-on people, are you judging the MOC or the digital image? In any case, I enjoy reading the feedback (even the negative/constructive), and have taken a few more pictures to give you a better idea of the details and dimensions.

The Bone Brothers have decided to hop in the Nightmare Stage Coach and raise some dead in the Town of Grave Stone. As they ride through the town, one of the brothers shoots two pistols into the air to ward off other Grave Stone haunts that might decide to hold up the stage coach. Watch out! Someone has a dynamite stick! My latest Grave Stone MOC, the Nightmare Stage Coach. Comments welcome. And a recently revised image:

Excellent photographs! and I like the comic too. I don't care what anyone says, I love the new skeletons. *skull*

I really like the bishops. They look very good and are a new addition to the Castle figs.

I tried using both a grey and white fence. The grey actually looked pretty good. The white seemed too bright with the brown barn. I didn't consider using black, which may be a little too dark. In regard to breaking up the brown used in the building: I used the original set for my design. It has one solid color which is white: Oh, here's a pic:

Welcome to EB Hussar. I first saw your fort and troops on MOC Pages and commented. Nice job. What most stands out for me is the fort sitting on the mountain. I think this is really a neat idea. I would not have thought of this. The blues look nice. I like the faces that you chose for some of the different figs. I'm not sure if I like the black "pirate-theme" hats though - my only critisizm. One can't have enough Union Soldiers to battle the Confederacy.

I have mixed views. Upon the first glance, the mine looks more like a castle/castle structure than a mine/mountain. Not to impressed. The set; however, does have some interesting features. I esp. like the mining cars most of all. I'm sure many will critisize the large troll; but just like the dragons in the new caste theme, I think they're more intended for play value with the kids. Not sure why people are excited about the winged helmets. They remind me of something from Norse mythology. Thor comes to mind. The drarves look pretty plain too. Overall, I'd like to see some detailed images to really get an idea of the set. Thanks for finding and sharining the image A. I've been looking for one over the past few days wondering what this mine will look like. It's much different that I expected.

7026 according to Brickset.

If this has been discussed somewhere else, please disregard. It appears that the new Dwarf Mining set for the Castle theme has been confirmed. Link here: Dwarfs Mining Brickset lists the set as # 7026 Dwarfs Mining. No picture has been posted. I'm really looking forward to a new Lego mine. I have special uses for such a set if it looks good. *wub*

I enjoy the build, but it's the displaying in a scene with minifigs later that I really enjoy. The story telling is fun for me as well.

It's from Mike's Swamp Boat. I've always liked the torso with the slingshot. Thanks. That's a good idea if I ever package these sets. It gives me another thought as well.

Yes. I usually write my stories after the MOC is built; and after this story, I was thinking that I needed to include an old chest and/or another item in the barn. In addition, I was thinking of the Blacksmith Shop when I was writing, picturing the hammer. I should have had one hanging inside the stable.

I use Lego and Playmobil sets for story as do children use sets for play. It's sort of like applying adult imagination to the theme(s). Having new WW sets would just give us more to work with (as you mentioned, more specialized WW pieces) from which to work with. Not to mention new WW torsos, signs, etc. In regard to Playmobil, it is true that they don't provide the opportunity to build many variations as does Lego, but one can still set up towns, cities, and specific scenes using the pieces; sort of like model railroading with pre-built pieces. Although some pieces may be pre-built, one still has to put it all together in a nice diorama/display. Either way, I join those wanting Lego to bring back the WW theme, and this is one thing I always thought we agreed upon.