The LEGO River Steamboat is a stunning set that captivates both in its final form and throughout the building process. The build experience is seamless, with each step naturally flowing into the next, showcasing the set's forward momentum. The ship's modular design, where each floor can be easily removed, allows for full access and visibility of the intricate inner details. This set exemplifies the attention to detail that LEGO has brought to its adult-oriented modular buildings, now applied to a boat.

LEGO Ideas River Steamboat

Priced at $329.99 at the LEGO Store, the River Steamboat is part of the LEGO Ideas line. This line allows fans to submit original designs, which are then voted on by the community. Successful ideas become official sets, with the creator earning a portion of the profits. Notable past successes from this line include sets inspired by 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 historic paddle boats of the 1800s Mississippi River, the LEGO River Steamboat captures the essence of these vessels, which transitioned from industrial transport to pleasure cruises. My own experience on a New Orleans riverboat honeymoon, filled with dining, dancing, and jazz, echoes the purpose these boats serve today.

This set is a true delight for LEGO enthusiasts. It features a detailed jazz lounge and dining room, complemented by practical areas such as a boiler engine room connected to the paddle wheel. The wheel turns when the boat is pushed, and the pilothouse steering wheel controls the rudder. Additional features include a kitchen, crew sleeping area, and an anchor on a chain that rolls up on a spool. The ship's boarding stages can be raised and lowered using another spool of riggings.

The build, comprising 4,090 pieces, is thoughtfully divided into 32 bags. Starting with the ship's base, which includes the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum, builders can explore a piston engine, aeolipile (steam turbine), and Watt steam engine. Adjacent is a small kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and basin sink. The minimalism and clever repurposing of LEGO pieces, like using a hot dog bun as an engine reinforcement, are particularly impressive.

Moving up to the main deck, you'll find the dining room and jazz lounge. The lounge, positioned above the stern, is adorned with LEGO accessories for drums, saxophone, microphone, and an upright bass. The dining room exudes elegance with tablecloth elements, stylish chairs, and light fixtures. Wall posters advertise onboard entertainment, including a stylized depiction of the A-Frame Cabin, another LEGO Ideas set (available at Amazon).

The dining room is built separately and dropped into the larger structure, creating a deck space for minifigures to enjoy the view. However, the set does not include minifigures, which could have added a playful touch. This omission may indicate LEGO's intention for the set to be more of a display piece than a play set.

The crew deck, one floor above, features beds and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. The pilothouse above includes a steering wheel that impressively controls the rudder through a rod threaded through all four levels of the ship. This engineering feat showcases the meticulous planning behind the set.

I am enamored with the set's smaller details, such as the white billowy flags repurposed from croissant accessories, the clean white railings, and the patterned tiles resembling rugs in the lounge areas. Despite its large size, the set feels like it contains 3,500 pieces rather than 4,090, but the detailed rooms and spaces justify the extra pieces.

As William Strunk notes 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 River Steamboat embodies this principle, with every brick serving a purpose and contributing to the whole. Each room and space is beautifully designed and functional, making this set a must-see for LEGO lovers.

LEGO River Steamboat, Set #21356, retails for $329.99 and consists of 4,090 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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