The new LEGO River Steamboat is not just a beautiful set, but an engaging experience that showcases the pinnacle of LEGO craftsmanship. A set's quality is defined as much by its build process as by its final form, and the River Steamboat exemplifies this principle. The build process flows seamlessly with each step logically leading to the next, creating a sense of forward momentum. The ship's layered design, where each floor is easily detachable, allows for all the inner details to be accessible and viewable. LEGO first captivated its adult audience with its line of modular buildings, and the River Steamboat continues this tradition as a modular boat, paying meticulous attention to both unique and mundane details to create a cohesive masterpiece.
LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
$329.99 at LEGO Store
The LEGO River Steamboat hails from the LEGO Ideas line, where fans submit original concepts and proofs-of-concept for community voting. Successful ideas, like the River Steamboat, become official LEGO sets, with the original designer earning a share of the profits. Notable past successes include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jaws, and Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale.
We Build LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
202 Images
Inspired by the iconic paddle boats that navigated the Mississippi River in the 1800s, the LEGO River Steamboat captures the essence of these historical vessels. Originally used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into pleasure boats for dining, gambling, and entertainment, a tradition that continues today. My own experience on a riverboat cruise in New Orleans during my honeymoon echoes this luxurious transformation.
This set is a dream for LEGO enthusiasts. It features a jazz lounge and dining room, alongside practical areas like the boiler engine room, which powers the paddle wheel. Pushing the boat activates the wheel, while turning the pilothouse steering wheel adjusts the rudder. Additional amenities include a kitchen, crew sleeping area, and an anchor with a chain that rolls on a spool. The boarding stages at the ship's bow can also be raised and lowered using another spool.
The build, comprising 4,090 pieces, is thoughtfully divided into 32 bags, starting with the ship's base that includes the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum showcasing various steam engines. The adjacent kitchen, with its refrigerator, stove, and sink, exemplifies LEGO's minimalist yet versatile design approach.
The main deck houses the dining room and jazz lounge, complete with detailed LEGO accessories for musical instruments and elegant table settings. Light fixtures span the compartment's interior and exterior, and posters on the walls advertise onboard entertainment, including a nod to the A-Frame Cabin from another LEGO Ideas set.
The dining room is built separately and inserted into the main structure, creating a deck space where minifigures can enjoy the view. Interestingly, the set does not include minifigures, suggesting a focus on display rather than play.
The crew deck above features sleeping quarters and a bathroom, while the pilothouse contains the steering mechanism that, through intricate engineering, connects to the rudder via a rod threaded through all levels of the steamboat. This attention to detail and functionality is a testament to the designers' skill.
The set's charm lies in its details: repurposed croissant accessories become billowy flags, neat white railings line the decks, and patterned tiles mimic rugs in the lounge areas. Despite its size and piece count, the set feels meticulously crafted, with every brick serving a purpose.
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...every word tell." The LEGO River Steamboat embodies this principle; every brick and detail is purposeful and contributes to the overall aesthetic and functionality. This set is a must-see for LEGO lovers.
LEGO River Steamboat, Set #21356, retails for $329.99 and comprises 4,090 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.
AnswerSee ResultsSee more popular LEGO sets for adults
LEGO Art Hokusai – The Great Wave
See it at Amazon
LEGO Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night
See it at Amazon
LEGO Art The Milky Way Galaxy
See it at Amazon
LEGO Art Mona Lisa
See it at Amazon
LEGO Art Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers
See it at LEGO Store
