WesternOutlaw

I've been working on my graphic skills over the last week and thought I would redo the background of Fort Jacinto (since I liked the quality of this MOC). The result is this image that looks more like an original WW set. I'm still perfecting the background, but I think it came out pretty good.

I didin't rebuild yet, but have retaken a shot and added a digital background. I'm just not real happy with it. I'm a castle fan too and like to also mimic classic castle sets in Lego. I would imagine that there are many AFOL that like MOCs to look like official themes.

The theme can't be ending. I was still waiting for a dedicated Aqua Raiders forum on EB. At least I think that was the discussion a while back...

Minor change if needed. I was trying to set it back so one would see it in the photographs. Not yet. Haven't gotten that far yet. I wanted a larger stable and/or barn. This will be completely redone if I redesign. On a side note Iamded, your signature image looks a little familiar.

I like the look. Even with the new brown 1x1s and old brown tiles, it doesn't look bad.

I've built a lot of WW buildings using stairs on the side. I wasn't looking for this look for a ranch house, though; choosing to instead place the door in the front. This, I feel, gives the building more of a "house feel". I have no issue with the symmetry. Good question. I tried a few different techniques. My 1st choice would have ben to use long brown 1x XX plates rather then bricks, but I didn't have enough. I tried the fence without the tiles, and I thought it looked better without. I don't really like the overall look of the fence thinking it is too bulky. I only have a few of the official WW fence pieces. Agree. A Lego farm theme would be great and cows could be one of the new animals. Interesting thought. I have no issue with the windmill and actually thing it looks pretty good. I think I may even have the yellow piece that you are suggesting. - burried in a box in the garage somewhere... I may try the tiles to see what they look like. Tiles are not really used in the official WW theme, so I may get away from them all together. I would like a barn instead of the single stable. I may rebuild and do this. Not sure I agree with you. The only additional color is the green for the shutters. My own complaint may be the amount of white used though. It gives the house a bit of a gingerbread look to it. If I had a large # of 1x1 hollow-holed pieces to attach the tiles to, I would, but have a rather limited quantity of these though (if that's what you mean). That I would think would look good and maybe be my 2nd choice next to traditional WW fence pieces. I used the technique in my recent O.K. Corral MOC (although it's hard to see the fence pieces). I agree. That's a nice piece. I have a few but not enough (plus ones I have are black). Some are in a box out in my garage. I planned to use, but didn't want to go digging. Lego buildings are usually right on the edge (in terms of the rear wall/pieces). I see what you mean about the fence though. That might be a good idea. Thank you all for the positive feedback and the suggestions. I always ask myself if I would buy a MOC if it were an official set. I have mixed feelings about this. I don't think it's one of my better designed MOCs, but it is a first attempt. Before destroying to rebuild, I thought I would share it for your comments. This is probably one of my early inspiration sets from my childhood: Looking at it now, I suppose my ranch doesn't look that bad.

Within the outskirts of Legoredo is a sleepy little place known as Spring Valley Ranch. Owned by a local Cattle Baron, Spring Valley rests atop one of the only areas for miles where water runs under the ground from the nearby mountain spring. The ranch is operated by the Cattle Baron's sons, Jimbo, Wayne, and Billy Madison. They use the ranch as their home after hearding cattle in the hot dry sun. They're not who one would call "good folk", for they obtain much of their cattle from theft and crooked deals with the good people of Legoredo. Here's some shots of the ranch: A big sign out front lets everyone know that this is Spring Valley Ranch: The first floor of the Ranch House: The second floor provides the Madison boys with a great place to watch the ranch and smoke after a hearty meal: Billy, the youngest of the brothers, tends to his horse Dusty. The well provides some cool water for Dusty to drink: One stable allows Wayne's horse to rest in the shade: It's a good day at the ranch but there are chores to do: Some shots of the ranch from different angles: Spring Valley Ranch is my first attempt to build a WW ranch. I may try reconstructing as I think it could use some improvements. Some of the areas that I will rebuild are the fence (using traditional Lego WW black fences), the stable (perhaps adding a barn instead of a stable), and some of the detail of the ranch grounds. In addition, I was not planning to build a Ranch House, but rather a larger horse ranch/barn. Since this is my first attempt with very few rebuilds, I don't think it came out too bad. Comments welcome.

BM makes a good point here. It really is great to see the additional interest in the WW theme! Welcome, welcome! I'd encourage all of you to send an Email message or a letter to Lego requesting that they bring back the WW theme. If enough people express interest, Lego will hear us.

Early Fall? That's a bit long, isn't it. Are you taking lessons from Brick Miner. ;-)

I own an LGB train and Playmobil which is G scale that uses the same track. For garden railroads, one really needs very good track that can withstand the elements (heat, cold, and water). LGB track is suppose to be the best for this. In addition, I think G-scale is really needed for outside use. HO and L/O (Lego) just isn't large enough and the materials I think would not last. Also, I looked into this: R/C is ideal for outdoor trains as no electricity is needed. You can run track all over not having to worry about power issues. Playmobil trains are R/C, just like the new Lego trains. But for durability, I would stick with Playmobil. I actually considered building a model railroad in my backyard several years ago. They're fantastic and the kids love them, but they are pricey and you need some building and bridges to make the layout look good.

Lego is pretty slick that way. - I'm not a big fan of buying a set just for the figs (except real small sets), but I'm sure some might do this.

I'm truly impressed with the new knights. I really like the colors and the shields are superb (both the traditional and the newer larger shields). I'm still trying to figure out what I plan to do with all the soldiers. I've had an interest in building WW MOCs again and I've been juggling between the two themes over the past week or two.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you design.

Just normal photo paper, but I have sticker sheets as well. I have an old HP Photo Smart that creates photo-quality images. It's getting old and is acting up though. I have to clean and calibrate between each use, and sometimes it still doesn't work properly. I want a new printer, just don't know what to buy. All the new printers seem to be full office machines (printer/fax, copy-machine). I don't want or need all of these functions, just a good photo-quality printer. No, I'm sorry. I don't want to start doing this for one, as others will start asking me and it's difficult enough to just print one sheet with my existing printer (no kidding). Sorry about that. I hope you understand.

Coming from you, that means a lot Athos. You're the vignette master!

Tyger: I tried your torso patterns on some figs to arrive at these: I really like the grey-shirted outlaw. He looks a lot like Senor Polomar from the Adventurers theme. The blue-shirted outlaw isn't bad at all. I'm not real fond of Doc Holliday with the dark grey vest/suit. Perhaps it's the dark grey body with black arms. The saloon keeper is OK. May need another body to look better (perhaps even white). Overall, they're pretty good. If only Lego would try another WW theme/sub-theme...

Outstanding Tyger! I love them. You did a fantastic job at not only designing some very nice western torsos, but they also fit in nicely with the official Lego WW designs. I think I like the 1st gunslinger the best, but they all look great. What graphic program do you use? I may try one or more of your patterns and share the results. Great job!

Thanks for the feedback gentleman. Exactly. That was the look I was going for. Doc is to the left and unrelated to the brothers. Perhaps I should have added a few capes for dusters.

Yes, a movie poster based on the Tombstone image that Bonaparte shared. It is part of the Legends of the Wild West, but I do like to bridge my WW MOCs (like the Snake Oil Wagon). Perhaps we may find these four men in Grave Stone to do battle with the Phantom Rider; or perhaps this may have been what led up to the fall of Grave Stone. Something is in the air, perhaps it is you who can guess... *skull*

Thanks. She comes with another set, Sleleton's Tower.

You should try. This was one of my first WW MOCs. You have to start somewhere. After a year or two of building:

Thanks KD. The Shady Inn Hotel is an addition to Grave Stone that includes the Whispering Windmill, Haunted Mill, Spooky Shack, Deadman's Bridge, and Shadow Chapel. Fort Jacinto is part of another sub-theme (Old Mexico). Do you plan to build some of your ideas KD?

Thanks for sharing one of the inspiration images. Let's try this instead. I think it looks better than the desert background. In regard to the waitor torso, I did this intentionally. The minifig is intended to be Doc Holliday, not a member of the Earp family. I wanted him to stand out with a different look and different face. Perhaps the style is a bit too much different, but he does at least stand out.

Here's a raw image with a new decal (on photo paper). It looks much better. Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I may add some additional sets to this collection.