The new LEGO River Steamboat set stands out as a stunning and engaging experience for builders of all ages. The quality of a LEGO set is often measured by both its building process and its final outcome, and the River Steamboat exemplifies this perfectly. The build process flows seamlessly from one step to the next, reflecting a forward momentum that keeps builders engaged. The ship's layered design allows each floor to be easily removed, providing full access to the intricate inner details, which is a testament to its thoughtful construction.
LEGO has long catered to its adult fans with its modular building series, and the River Steamboat extends this concept to a modular boat. This set captures the essence of both the unique and everyday details, culminating in a cohesive and impressive final product.
Priced at $329.99, the River Steamboat hails from the LEGO Ideas line, where fans submit and vote on original designs. Successful submissions, like this steamboat, become official sets, with the designer receiving a portion of the profits. Previous successes from this line include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jaws, and Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale.
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Inspired by the grand paddle boats that once navigated the Mississippi River in the 1800s, the LEGO River Steamboat captures the essence of these historical vessels. Originally used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into pleasure crafts, offering amenities and entertainment. This transformation is mirrored in today's riverboat cruises, much like the one my wife and I enjoyed on our honeymoon in New Orleans, filled with dining, dancing, and jazz music.
This set is a delight for LEGO enthusiasts. It features a detailed jazz lounge and dining room, as well as practical areas like a boiler engine room connected to the paddle wheel. Push the boat, and the wheel turns, showcasing the set's interactive elements. The pilothouse includes a steering wheel that turns the rudder, and there's a kitchen and sleeping area for the crew. An anchor on a chain and adjustable boarding stages add to the ship's functionality and realism.
The build, comprising 4,090 pieces, is thoughtfully divided into 32 separate bags. You start with the ship's base, which includes the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum, showcasing a piston engine, an aeolipile, and a Watt steam engine. The kitchen, with its refrigerator, stove, and basin sink, demonstrates LEGO's clever use of minimalistic design and creative piece repurposing.
The main deck houses the dining room and jazz lounge, complete with tiny LEGO accessories like drums, a saxophone, and an upright bass. The dining room's elegance is enhanced by tablecloth elements and attractive chairs, with light fixtures and posters advertising onboard entertainment, including a nod to the A-Frame Cabin LEGO Ideas set.
The dining room is built separately and can be 'dropped' into the larger build, creating deck space for minifigures to enjoy the sights. However, the set does not include any minifigures, perhaps emphasizing its role as a display piece rather than a play set.
The crew deck features beds and a bathroom, while the pilothouse showcases an impressive engineering feat where turning the steering wheel moves the rudder through a rod threaded across four levels of the steamboat. This attention to detail and functionality is a hallmark of the set.
The set's design is meticulous, with elements like white billowy flags, neat railings, and patterned tiles that enhance its aesthetic appeal. Despite its large size, the build feels efficient, with every piece serving a purpose.
As William Strunk suggests in The Elements of Style, "Vigorous writing is concise." Similarly, the River Steamboat embodies this principle with every brick serving a purpose, every decorative element adding to the whole without being superfluous. Each room and space is thoughtfully designed, making this a must-have for LEGO enthusiasts.
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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