The new LEGO River Steamboat set is a masterpiece that captivates builders with its detailed and engaging build process. This set exemplifies the essence of quality through both its construction and final appearance. Each step of the build flows seamlessly into the next, creating a sense of forward momentum. The modular design of the ship allows each floor to be easily removed, providing full access to the intricate inner workings and details. LEGO has successfully catered to adult fans with its modular buildings, and the River Steamboat follows this tradition, offering a modular boat with meticulous attention to both unique and everyday elements, resulting in a cohesive and impressive whole.

LEGO Ideas River Steamboat

Priced at $329.99 at the LEGO Store, the River Steamboat hails from the LEGO Ideas line, where fans submit original ideas and prototypes for community voting. Successful ideas, like this steamboat, become official sets, with the original creator earning a share of the profits. Notable past 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 historic paddle boats that navigated the Mississippi River during the 1800s. Originally used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into pleasure vessels, offering amenities and gambling. Today, they continue this tradition, as my wife and I experienced during our honeymoon riverboat cruise in New Orleans, where we enjoyed dining, drinks, dancing, and live jazz.

This set is a true delight for LEGO enthusiasts. The River Steamboat features a jazz lounge and dining room, alongside practical areas such as a boiler engine room linked to the paddle wheel. Pushing the boat activates the wheel, and turning the steering wheel in the pilothouse moves the rudder. Additional details include a kitchen, crew sleeping quarters, and an anchor system with a chain that rolls up on a spool. Another spool controls the boarding stages at the ship's bow.

The build process, divided into 32 bags, starts with the ship's base, which includes the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum showcasing various steam engines. The kitchen, with its refrigerator, stove, and sink, showcases LEGO's clever use of minimalism and color to repurpose pieces. For instance, a hot dog bun from a Fairgrounds build becomes an engine reinforcement here.

The main deck, one floor up, houses the dining room and jazz lounge. The lounge, positioned above the stern, is equipped with LEGO accessories for drums, a saxophone, microphone, and an upright bass. The dining room features elegant tablecloth elements, stylish chairs, and light fixtures that span both inside and outside. The walls are adorned with posters advertising onboard entertainment, including a stylized depiction of the A-Frame Cabin from another LEGO Ideas set.

The dining room is built separately and integrated into the larger structure, creating a deck space where minifigures can enjoy the view. However, the set does not include minifigures, which might have added more life and playfulness. This could suggest that LEGO intended this set primarily for display rather than play.

The crew deck, located above the main deck, includes sleeping quarters and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. The pilothouse features an impressive steering mechanism that connects through all four levels of the steamboat to turn the rudder, showcasing meticulous engineering and planning.

This set is filled with delightful details, such as the white billowy flags repurposed from croissant accessories, neat rows of railings, and patterned tiles in the lounge areas resembling rugs. Despite its large size, the set feels efficient, with every piece serving a purpose. After building and exploring its well-appointed rooms, you'll appreciate the extra effort that went into creating this detailed model.

In his book The Elements of Style, William Strunk emphasizes the importance of conciseness: "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 River Steamboat embodies this principle in LEGO form; every brick has its purpose, every decorative element is meaningful, and each space contributes to the overall beauty and functionality of the ship. This set is a must-have for LEGO enthusiasts.

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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