Classic Wild West

[WesternOutlaw]

I was looking at some old Wild West sets today on a few of the Lego sites, and I couldn't help admiring the simplicity and look of some of these classic sets.

They made me want to put together some sort of image collection since some of them span a few different themes. There may be more, but the following is a collection of the sets that I came across and knew from knowledge:

Aren't they great? I really like the Texas Rangers set, the Town, and the old Steam Engine. These are among my favories. The Texas Ranger set inspired me to build Spring Valley Ranch last year.

For the Wild West fans, do any of these sets spark your interest? Have you built any MOCs based upon these classics? or, do they inspire you to build anything special?

Share your thoughts.

[Flatfoot Thompsen]

I like that one in the middle that's the whole town. I like your Spring Valley Ranch MOCs, I've seen your other MOCs and there awesome!

[Tacitus]

Add a few goat heads, and you've got Fabuland!

[THE-FORCE]

Add a few goat heads, and you've got Fabuland!

And maybe some kind of walrus

[MoonCheese]

Interesting, brick-built horses. When did the horses used today first appear? The "LEGOLAND" castle sets of the 80s?

Too bad the 1996-1997 WW theme never got a lot of the things the old WW sets had.

[Asuka]

Ah, these´re the classic sets from my childhood, so lovely and charming....

Although I didn´t get any of these back then I remember very well seeing the sets and the advertising in toy shops and catalogues,

especially that very great 215 Indian family with canoe.... these sets really showed what you can do with your regular bricks.

[WesternOutlaw]

Interesting, brick-built horses. When did the horses used today first appear? The "LEGOLAND" castle sets of the 80s?

I remember buying the old yellow castle with the brick-built horses. Back then, I thought they were neatest things. I missed out on all the castles in the 80s. In fact, my first "real horse" was those contained in the Wild West sets from the 90s - after a long Dark Age period.

Although I didn´t get any of these back then I remember very well seeing the sets and the advertising in toy shops and catalogues,

I never owned a single one either. I'm not sure why?

these sets really showed what you can do with your regular bricks.

Definately. I really like the steam train - basic bricks, but awesome building/design.

I'd love to see Lego offer a basic WW bucket with lots of parts and WW elements. It would make for a great set.

[Klaus-Dieter]

Very nice pics you put together, TheBrickster!

I really like the look of the Wild West town scene, the Indians' canoe and the steam locomotive. But I prefer the WW sets from 1996-97 because they include minigfigs and more details. But otherwise these "classic" WW sets are of course very nice, too.

I like that one in the middle that's the whole town. I like your Spring Valley Ranch MOCs, I've seen your other MOCs and there awesome!

I totally agree with you, Flatfoot Thompsen!

A little Wild West town with three buildings, a carriage and some nice minifigs (like I proposed here) would be so :wub: ! - And there would be a lot of great WW MOCers here from EB who could help Lego !

[WesternOutlaw]

But I prefer the WW sets from 1996-97 because they include minigfigs and more details.

I do to, but one has to keep in mind that these sets came 20 years before. They probably provided some inspiration to the WW sets of the 90s.

[Klaus-Dieter]

So the WW sets from 1996-1997 might provide some inspiration to the WW sets of the 2010ths or 2020s?

(Don't take that seriously - I of course understood what you meant and you're of course right.)

Edited April 21, 2008 by Klaus-Dieter

[MoonCheese]

If there are such sets, they probably will.

I have a feeling Lego won't bring back WW though. When was the last time a "Western" movie was hugely popular?

[Klaus-Dieter]

A counterquestion: Were there any Western movies in the years of 1996-1997?

And I don't think that TLG only decides to place a new theme if there is a movie. Do only think about "Pirates of the Caribbean". Weren't there 3 movies until now? - And TLG nevertheless did not release one single Pirate set!

Since Lego seems to go more classic now especially in the City theme - what is very, very nice - I wouldn't say that a release of a new WW theme is unrealistic (do only think about the possibilities of fan-designed sets (like 10192 and 10191) - and in the Green Grocer set you can see some Indian feather like in the last WW theme ) - but I, too, fear that you are right, MoonCheese. But not bringing back the WW theme would be a big mistake!

But back to topic: Are these hats the brick-built minifigs wear already the hats of the 1980-1990 City sets?

Edited April 21, 2008 by Klaus-Dieter

[Batbrick]

Great sets there, the train in particular is rather inspirational as I don't recall a later WW set with a train, and I've always loved that cliche fight between cowboys on them.

Batbrick Away!

[MoonCheese]

I'm not saying Lego only releases sets based on movies, I'm just saying Wild West stuff isn't so popular today...when my parents were growing up in the 50s and 60s, it was hugely popular. So maybe that it's now rather out of the public consciousness, Lego is reluctant to do much of anything with it. Fantasy is in right now, hence the castle stuff, but it's been popular for many years and Lego let the mediaeval line really stagnate with the KK2 stuff. And I also wonder why Lego isn't cashing in on Pirates of the Caribbean with more pirate sets.

[WesternOutlaw]

Are these hats the brick-built minifigs wear already the hats of the 1980-1990 City sets?

Yes. Also I'd like to point out that none of the newer 90s WW sets contained a black cowboy hat. Go figure?

the train in particular is rather inspirational as I don't recall a later WW set with a train, and I've always loved that cliche fight between cowboys on them.

Something the WW theme never offered but should have. How can one have a WW town without a train. Trains played such an important role in the Wild West.

I'm just saying Wild West stuff isn't so popular today...when my parents were growing up in the 50s and 60s, it was hugely popular. So maybe that it's now rather out of the public consciousness, Lego is reluctant to do much of anything with it.

Yes, I agree with you. The last Western was "3:10 to Yuma", unless you count "There Will be Blood". These are not movies for the little Lego builders though. But at the same time, Lincoln Logs, Best Lock, Playmobil, and Schleich offers or have had Wild West sets in the past few years. There must be some interest still in the WW.

I consider the WW theme to be a "generic" theme like Castle and Pirates. These types of themes do not take movies/licenses to be successful. If Lego were to create a good quality WW theme, perhaps even merging it with trains for the adult fans of Lego, they would probably do well with it. I'm not sure about the theme for the younger children considering WW popularity (or lack of it at present). A "basic" WW set similar to the classic town set depicted above (set 365) would be a nice set to "test the waters with".

[Flatfoot Thompsen]

Yes. Also I'd like to point out that none of the newer 90s WW sets contained a black cowboy hat. Go figure?

I think that the bandit that wears all black would look SO much better with a black hat. I was going thru my boxes of LEGO and found a black cowboy hat, tried it on him and he looked

[WesternOutlaw]

I think that the bandit that wears all black would look SO much better with a black hat. I was going thru my boxes of LEGO and found a black cowboy hat, tried it on him and he looked.

Definately. I use a black hat for the Phantom Ride (same torso as the black-dressed bandit):

No outlaw would be complete without a black hat:

- with the exception of Klaus-Dieter (sorry KD - ran out of black hats).

Nor would any kick-@$$ hero:

[Klaus-Dieter]

I consider the WW theme to be a "generic" theme like Castle and Pirates. These types of themes do not take movies/licenses to be successful. If Lego were to create a good quality WW theme, perhaps even merging it with trains for the adult fans of Lego, they would probably do well with it. I'm not sure about the theme for the younger children considering WW popularity (or lack of it at present). A "basic" WW set similar to the classic town set depicted above (set 365) would be a nice set to "test the waters with".

Amen!

If TLG would include some fantasy in some of the WW sets - e. g. creating a Ghost Town - I'm sure kids would like it, too! And the very young kids play with which they get - City, Castle, ... or even Western - they haven't very special interests in the age when not being aible to read books. (That might perhaps sound very unfriendly but it isn't meant unfriendly.) I remember that I played very early with City based sets - or what remained of them since I always destroyed them and throw the instructions away one day after having bought them - and later I played with Castle - and when the WW theme came out I played with Western - consequently I'd say kids play with which is be for sale!

TLG should only try it - perhaps with one or two S@H Exclusives - if it works and if it doesn't work it's not that big problem because they wouldn't have released a whole new line. But I'm sure it would work because when TLG would release a WW train with a train station the WW theme would be token everybody to one's heart - AFOLs as well as JFOLs - because a train is something which is liked by really everybody. And if people would buy the WW train - and see in the catalogue that there is a adequate saloon and a post office with a stage coach and ... surely a lot of them won't hesitate and buy these sets.

When TLG doesn't try they'll never know if new WW sets would be bought - and despite from that - No risc, no fun! Oh well - I meant: No risc, no profit!

Klaus-Dieter

Edited April 23, 2008 by Klaus-Dieter

[WesternOutlaw]

But I'm sure it would work because when TLG would release a WW train with a train station the WW theme would be taken everybody to one's heart - AFOLs as well as JFOLs - because a train is something which is liked by really everybody.

I think the biggest component that the official theme did not include was definately the Steam Train. Even the classic sets included one.

Just check this out:

The classic set is even nice. Imagine what Lego could have done with a 90s version of a WW train (including figs and accessories).

Playmobil had a Steam Train from their WW line-up to:

So, I think you are right though. Trains + WW =