The new LEGO River Steamboat is a stunning set that offers both a visually appealing result and an engaging building experience. The quality of a LEGO set is often judged by both its construction process and its final look, and the River Steamboat excels in both areas. The build progresses seamlessly, with each step naturally leading to the next. The ship's layered design, where each floor can be easily detached from the one below, ensures that all internal details are fully accessible and visible. This set echoes the success of LEGO's adult-targeted modular buildings, but with a twist: it's a modular boat, showcasing the same meticulous attention to both unique and everyday details that together create a cohesive and impressive whole.
LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
Priced at $329.99, the River Steamboat is part of the LEGO Ideas line, where fan-submitted designs are voted on by the community. If selected, the fan's concept becomes an official LEGO set, and the designer receives a share of the profits. Previous successful LEGO Ideas sets include "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Jaws," and "Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale."
We Build LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
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Drawing inspiration from the grand paddle boats that once navigated the Mississippi River during the 19th century, the LEGO River Steamboat captures the essence of these historical vessels. Initially used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into luxury pleasure crafts, offering amenities and gambling. Today, they continue to provide similar experiences; during my honeymoon in New Orleans, my wife and I enjoyed a riverboat cruise complete with dining, drinks, dancing, and jazz music.
This set is truly for LEGO enthusiasts. The LEGO River Steamboat features a jazz lounge and dining room, alongside practical areas such as a boiler engine room that powers the paddle wheel. Pushing the boat activates the wheel's movement. The pilothouse includes a steering wheel that, when turned, adjusts the rudder below. Additional features include a kitchen, sleeping quarters for the crew, and an anchor on a chain that can be raised and lowered using a spool. Another spool operates the boarding stages on the ship's bow.
The build process involves 4,090 pieces divided into 32 separate bags. Construction begins with the ship's base, encompassing the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum showcasing a piston engine, aeolipile (steam turbine), and Watt steam engine. Adjacent to this is a compact kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and basin sink. The minimalist design and clever use of pieces, such as transforming a hot dog bun into engine reinforcement, continually impress.
Moving up, the main deck houses the dining room and jazz lounge. The lounge, positioned above the stern, comes equipped with miniature LEGO accessories like drums, saxophone, microphone, and an upright bass. The dining room, adorned with tablecloth elements and elegant chairs, also features light fixtures and posters advertising onboard entertainment, one of which references another LEGO Ideas set, the A-Frame Cabin.
The dining room is built separately and then integrated into the larger structure, creating additional deck space for minifigures to enjoy the view. Notably, the set does not include minifigures, possibly indicating LEGO's intent for this to be a display piece rather than a play set.
The crew deck, one level above, contains beds and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. The pilothouse features the intricate steering mechanism, where turning the wheel affects the rudder via a rod that runs through all four levels of the ship. This engineering marvel showcases the meticulous planning and effort behind the set's design.
Numerous details enhance the set's charm, from repurposed croissant pieces as white billowy flags to neat rows of white railings and patterned tiles that mimic rugs in the lounge areas. Despite its size, the set feels efficient, with every piece serving a purpose. After completing the build and exploring its detailed interiors, it's clear where the extra 500 pieces contribute to the overall experience.
As William Strunk noted in "The Elements of Style," "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts." The LEGO River Steamboat embodies this principle, with every brick serving a purpose and every element enhancing the overall design without being superfluous. Each room and space contributes to the ship's overall aesthetic and functionality. This set is a must-see for any LEGO enthusiast.
The LEGO River Steamboat, set #21356, retails for $329.99 and comprises 4,090 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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