Gold City Junction Photo Review

[Mister Phes]

Oh yeah, now I'm with ya. Actually I was thinkin about moving that auction Hobbes found to a new thread to see if anyone else has any thoughts on it. Where's Hobbes? What's he think of that idea?

[Sir Dillon]

Great job! This is one of my all time favorite sets, and you did a good job reviewing it. :)

[WesternOutlaw]

Thanks SD, it's one of my favorites too.

[Mister Phes]

It kind of has a coach... But NOT a mighty Stage Coach!

[ZO6]

Time to dig up an old thread...

I recently acquired a MISB copy of Gold City Junction off of Bricklink for $100 US. This is my first Wild West set, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts.

I've been wanting to jump on-board the Wild West bandwagon since 1996. For years I've poured over the catalogs that show off the sets and always regretted that I never managed to even pick up a single set from the Wild West theme. Over the past few years, I've been picking up those last sets here and there that I needed to complete themes that I had collected (eg. Adventurers, Aquanauts). The time had finally come that I simply could no longer resist getting my first western set. After reading all of the reviews for the various sets, and checking Bricklink prices daily, I took the plunge and got myself Gold City Junction.

My initial reaction to getting the set was that the box was smaller than I'd imagined it would be. In any case, it's not the size of the box that matters, but instead what is in it. I knew that the box had a flap to lift up in order to see a display tray and other parts contained in the set. Lifting these flaps to check the contents of the box, as well as reading the little stories that are written and looking at additional pics of the set is certainly one of my favorite aspects of these older kits.

After opening the box, I realized that the bags of parts were really packed in and that there was hardly any empty space. As always, the instructions and extra catalogs were safely tucked away beneath everything and looked like they had just came out of the printer. Curiously, the sticker sheet was packed in one of the bags with some of the largest pieces. Luckily the sticker sheet was undamaged, so I immediately scanned it for backup.

Again, with this being my first western set, the build was extremely enjoyable. One does not fully appreciate this set until they have built it and seen it in person. I have the Toy Story Woody's Roundup and it is interesting to compare Gold City Junction to the TS set (I'm sure the Sheriff's Lockup would make a better comparison, but I don't have that set... yet). It is surprising to note that Woody's Roundup has approximately 160 more pieces. The new Toy Story western set is quite a lot different than the stuff from 1996-1997.

Anyway, back to Gold City Junction. I think that the set looks absolutely lovely. Everything is so charming. I was very pleased to see the details in the two buildings, I had not realized that the general store was so well stocked. The carriage is a wonderful addition to the set too. As for play features, I felt like a kid in a candy store. The exploding bank and carriage both work flawlessly. I was worried that the exploding bank would not work well, but I made sure that the removable wall/bench was nice and loose allowing it to go flying.

Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the set. It has a nice spot in one of my glass display cases, but I can't help but keep pulling it out to play with. I very much look forward to picking up more of the western sets in the near future.

Thanks for the Wild West reviews, Brickster!

[Carbohydrates]

That is a pretty impressive bump, bringing this thread back from its 5 year-old grave!

Coincidentally, I bought myself a Gold City Junction about a week ago, too. I never had it as a kid, but my neighbor did and I'd always wanted it. I was surprised at how many basic bricks and plates there were! Sure, the big windows and log wall panels make up a good chunk of the buildings, but all the pieces are very usable. I was surprised that the bank is 'missing' a bit of its side wall, though I see why it's necessary for the building's play features. The figs are great! A soldier, a sheriff, a banker, two cowboys of ambiguous morality, and a bandit lets you stage pretty much whatever conflict you want, and two of the figs are exclusive to the set. Overall, I'm a big fan, and I'm glad it wasn't just nostalgia making me think these old sets were so much fun - they actually were.

Cons: The general store is pretty small and a little architecturally unimpressive, but it was nice of LEGO to include it rather than just make this a bank robbery set.

I've got Fort Legoredo and Sheriff's Lock-Up coming to me in the mail now.

Edited July 13, 2010 by Carbohydrates

[ZO6]

I believe I remember reading in one of the other threads that you had recently picked up a copy of Gold City Junction. It's nice to finally pick up a set that you've been looking at and reading about for so many years and it meet/surpass your expectations. I have a number of friends who collected western sets (Fort Legoredo, Sheriff's Lockup), and I was always very envious of them.

Regarding the pieces in the set, I too was very pleased with the selection. I am of course a big fan of nice studded looking models, so this set is right up my alley. I'm used to quite a lot of accessories being provided in sets from my collection of Adventurers sets, but I was blown away by the amount of goodies present here. There seems to be 8 of the rifles, around 6 pistols, loads of $100 bills, and many other odds and ends!

Looking at pictures of the set, I thought the general store was slightly larger and rectangular shaped, but I think the smaller square shape works well in contrast to the bank. Also, as I said before, I did not notice the amount of details inside the store before building it myself. I am completely satisfied with the contents of the set.

I am also very impressed with the minifigures. I have a sheriff fig floating around my collection (I don't remember how I acquired him), he is currently residing in my farm display. Other than him, I've never seen these other figs in person before. They are all wonderfully detailed and are a highlight for me in the theme.

Hope you enjoy your Fort Legoredo and Sheriff's Lock-up! I intend to pick up either Sheriff's Lock-up + Bandit's Secret Hide-out, or Fort Legoredo very soon. I intend to get the majority of the western sets (including the Indian ones) by the end of the summer.

[WesternOutlaw]

Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the set. It has a nice spot in one of my glass display cases, but I can't help but keep pulling it out to play with...Thanks for the Wild West reviews, Brickster!

My pleasure ZO6. This was one of my first image reviews back in the day, when I was but a lone Western fan here on EB. This set brings back old memories and was one of a few Wild West sets that brought me out of my Dark Age era. I love the colors in this set - brown, tan, and green, that were so unique after years of not purchasing LEGO.

I think it's certainly worth displaying in a case, and feel free to share a new image review of this classic set, as mine could have been much better with a better camera and additional comments.

This is one of my favorite all-time sets. Lots of action/playability, nice design, and great pieces (I've used in many MOCs). Long live the Wild West theme!

That is a pretty impressive bump, bringing this thread back from its 5 year-old grave!

Grave Stone that is!