LEGO Unveils Stunning River Steamboat Model, Celebrating Classic Americana

The new LEGO River Steamboat is a stunning set that offers an immersive building experience. The quality of a LEGO set is not only defined by its final appearance but also by the journey of its construction, and the River Steamboat exemplifies this beautifully. The build process flows seamlessly from one step to the next, creating a sense of forward momentum. The ship's design is thoughtfully layered, with each floor easily detachable from the others, allowing for full accessibility and visibility of the intricate inner details. LEGO has long captivated its adult audience with its modular buildings, and the River Steamboat is a delightful extension of this concept into a modular boat, showcasing meticulous attention to both unique and everyday elements that harmonize into a cohesive masterpiece.

LEGO Ideas River Steamboat

$329.99 at LEGO Store

The River Steamboat hails from the LEGO Ideas line, where fans can submit their original concepts along with a proof-of-concept for community voting. If selected, the fan's idea becomes an official LEGO set, and they receive 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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The LEGO River Steamboat draws inspiration from the grand paddle boats that once navigated the Mississippi River in the 1800s. Initially used for industrial transport, these steamboats were eventually replaced by more efficient steam engine trains and screw propeller boats. As their practical utility waned, they transformed into pleasure boats, offering amenities and gambling. Today, they continue to serve this recreational purpose; my wife and I experienced this firsthand on our honeymoon in New Orleans, enjoying a riverboat cruise filled with dining, drinking, dancing, and jazz music.

This set is a true delight for LEGO enthusiasts. The LEGO River Steamboat features a jazz lounge and a dining room, complemented by practical areas such as a boiler engine room connected to the paddle wheel. Pushing the boat activates the wheel's rotation. The pilothouse includes a steering wheel that, when turned, maneuvers the rudder at the boat's base. Additionally, there's a kitchen and sleeping quarters for the crew, an anchor on a chain that rolls up on a spool, and rigging that adjusts the boarding stages at the ship's bow.

The set, comprising 4,090 pieces, is thoughtfully organized into 32 separate bags. Construction begins with the ship's base, encompassing the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum. Here, alongside the boat's engine, you'll find a piston engine, an aeolipile (steam turbine), and a Watt steam engine. Opposite the engine room, a small kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, stove, and basin sink. The elegance of LEGO design shines through its minimalism and the ingenious repurposing of pieces; for instance, a hot dog bun from a Fairgrounds set becomes an engine reinforcement here.

One level up, the main deck houses the dining room and jazz lounge. Positioned above the stern, the lounge is adorned with tiny LEGO accessories for drums, saxophone, microphone, and an upright bass. The dining room exudes sophistication with tablecloth elements and elegant chairs, featuring light fixtures that span both inside and outside the compartment. The walls are decorated with posters advertising the onboard entertainment, including a stylized depiction of the A-Frame Cabin, another LEGO Ideas set (see at Amazon).

The dining room is built separately and then integrated into the larger structure, creating additional deck space for minifigures to enjoy the view from the railing. However, the set does not include any minifigures, which might have added more life and playfulness. Perhaps LEGO intended this set to be more of a display piece than a play set.

Above the main deck, the crew deck offers sleeping quarters and a bathroom complete with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. At the top, the pilothouse features the impressive steering wheel mechanism. Turning the wheel at one end of the ship moves the rudder at the other end, achieved by threading a rod through all four levels of the steamboat. This intricate engineering feat underscores the meticulous planning and effort invested in the set.

I appreciate many details in this set, such as the white billowy flags repurposed from a croissant accessory, the neat white railings lining the outer decks, and the patterned tiles in the lounge areas that resemble rugs. Despite its size, the set feels like it contains 3,500 pieces rather than 4,000, but once you delve into its detailed rooms and well-appointed spaces, you'll understand where those extra 500 pieces went.

William Strunk's guiding principle in "The Elements of Style" resonates with the LEGO River Steamboat: "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." Similarly, every brick in the River Steamboat serves a purpose; every rod and stud has a function, and every decorative element is both pleasing and essential. Each room and space contributes to the overall aesthetic and functionality of the ship. This set is a must-see for any LEGO enthusiast.

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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