Comparing LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train to the original design
The original LEGO Ideas submission for 21344 The Orient Express Train was visually much different than the model that will be arriving on store shelves.
The 52nd successful LEGO Ideas design to become a physical set was unveiled in detail today with the official reveal of 21344 The Orient Express Train. The 2,540-piece build will come with eight minifigures, arrive online and in-stores on December 1 and be priced at £259.99 / $299.99 / €299.99.
The designer behind the original version of the LEGO Ideas set is Thomas Lajon, aka LEt.sGO, whose winning concept has been given a massive visual overhaul when it comes to the finished look of 21344 The Orient Express Train.
The Orient Express, a Legendary Train managed to chug its way into the first 2022 LEGO Ideas review back in March 2022, successfully drumming up 10,000 supporters. However, that version of the world famous steam train not only included 3,000 pieces, but it came with just one passenger carriage and a distinctive dark green and black colour scheme.
The final look of 21344 The Orient Express Train may therefore then be surprising to some, with dark blue, gold and black elements being used to construct the brick-built locomotive, the coal tender and a total of two luxuriously-detailed passenger carriages.
In addition to more pieces and an increase in overall size, 21344 The Orient Express Train also now fits on standard LEGO train tracks, unlike 76405 Hogwarts Express – Collectors’ Edition, which is more of a display piece and not compatible with those same track elements.
LEGO designer Jordan Scott helped to transform Lajon’s concept from initial submission into the finished model that’s due out next month and he explained to Brick Fanatics at a recent fan day why some of those changes were made to the set.
The various amends included working within the specific guidelines of the license holder for The Orient Express, changing the scale of the build to fit onto standard LEGO tracks, deciding on which minifigures would be included and why the model isn’t motorised.
You can find out much more about the various creative tweaks and updates that were incorporated into LEGO Ideas 21344 The Orient Express Train in our latest YouTube video below.
Check out 21344 The Orient Express Train for yourself when it launches on December 1 for £259.99 / $299.99 / €299.99 and be sure to go on a deeper dive into the LEGO Ideas model via our visual tour and gallery here.
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- From video game journalism to kids’ publishing, I’ve been there, seen it, done it and worn the T-shirt. I was also the editor of the first-ever official LEGO magazine way back when, LEGO Adventures. I have a passion for movies, comic books, tech and video games, with a wallet that’s struggling to keep up with my LEGO set wish list.
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Were the two cities on the carriages also misprinted at the Fan Media Days or did they f-up quality control in the series production set? Nevertheless very disappointing for a 300€ licensed premium set and even worse than a missing apostrophe on a sticker on the UCS Hogwarts Express or the wrong Republic logo on the packaging and instructions of the UCS Gunship.