The LEGO River Steamboat is a stunning set that not only boasts an impressive final product but also offers a deeply engaging building experience. This set exemplifies the notion that the quality of a LEGO set is defined as much by its construction process as by its finished appearance. The River Steamboat’s build progresses logically, with each step naturally leading to the next. Its layered design allows for easy access to the ship’s inner workings, as each floor can be removed independently, making all details visible and accessible. LEGO has long appealed to adult fans with its modular buildings, and the River Steamboat extends this concept to a modular boat, maintaining the same meticulous attention to both unique and everyday details that contribute to a cohesive whole.
LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
$329.99 at LEGO Store
The LEGO Ideas River Steamboat originates from the LEGO Ideas line, where fans submit original concepts along with proof-of-concept models for community voting. Successful ideas, like this one, become official LEGO sets, with the original designer receiving a share of the profits. Past successful sets from this line include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jaws, and Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale.
We Build LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
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The LEGO River Steamboat draws inspiration from the historic paddle boats that navigated the Mississippi River during the 19th century. Initially used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into luxury pleasure crafts featuring amenities and gambling facilities after being outmoded by steam engine trains and screw propeller boats. Today, they continue to offer entertainment, as experienced by the author during a honeymoon riverboat cruise in New Orleans, complete with dining, dancing, and live jazz.
This set is a true delight for LEGO enthusiasts. It includes a jazz lounge and dining room, complemented by functional areas such as a boiler engine room connected to the paddle wheel, which turns when the boat is pushed. The pilothouse features a steering wheel that controls the rudder through a rod threaded through all levels of the boat, showcasing impressive engineering. The set also includes a kitchen, crew sleeping quarters, and an anchor system.
The 4,090-piece set is thoughtfully divided into 32 bags, starting with the ship’s base, which houses the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum displaying various steam engines. The next level is the main deck with a dining room and jazz lounge, complete with detailed LEGO accessories like musical instruments and elegant table settings. The design cleverly creates deck space around the dining room for minifigures to enjoy the view, though the set itself does not include any minifigures, perhaps emphasizing its display rather than play value.
The crew deck, one floor up, features sleeping and bathroom facilities. The pilothouse above is notable for its steering mechanism, a testament to the meticulous planning involved in the set's design. The set's attention to detail is evident in repurposed elements, like croissant accessories turned into billowy flags, and the clean lines of the ship's railings.
This set embodies the principle of concise and purposeful design, as noted by William Strunk in The Elements of Style: "Vigorous writing is concise... every word tell." Similarly, every brick, rod, and stud in the River Steamboat serves a purpose, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functionality of the set. Each room and space contributes to the ship's overall appeal, making it a must-have for LEGO enthusiasts.
The LEGO River Steamboat, Set #21356, retails for $329.99 and is composed of 4,090 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
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