The LEGO River Steamboat stands out as a stunning set that offers an enriching building experience. The quality of a LEGO set is often judged by both its final appearance and the journey of assembling it, and the River Steamboat exemplifies this beautifully. The construction process flows seamlessly, with each step naturally leading to the next. The ship's design is layered, allowing each floor to be easily removed, which provides full access to the intricate inner workings and details of the vessel. LEGO has long catered to adults with its modular building series, and the River Steamboat extends this concept into a modular boat, showcasing meticulous attention to both unique and everyday elements that contribute to a cohesive and impressive final product.
LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
Priced at $329.99 and available exclusively at the LEGO Store, the River Steamboat hails from the LEGO Ideas line. This line allows LEGO fans to submit their original concepts for community voting. Successful ideas, like the River Steamboat, are turned into official sets, with the original designer receiving a share of the profits. Other notable sets from this line include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jaws, and Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale.
Building the LEGO Ideas River Steamboat
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The LEGO River Steamboat draws inspiration from the historic paddle boats that once navigated the Mississippi River during the 1800s. Originally used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into luxury pleasure vessels, complete with amenities and gambling facilities. They continue this tradition today, as my wife and I experienced on our honeymoon cruise in New Orleans, enjoying dining, drinks, dancing, and jazz music.
This set is a true delight for LEGO enthusiasts. The River Steamboat includes a jazz lounge and a dining room, along with practical spaces like a boiler engine room connected to the paddle wheel. Pushing the boat causes the wheel to turn, adding a dynamic element to the build. The pilothouse features a steering wheel that, when turned, adjusts the rudder at the boat's base. Additionally, there's a kitchen, a sleeping area for the crew, and an anchor system that rolls up and down on a chain. The ship's design also includes a rigging system for raising and lowering boarding stages.
The build process is divided into 32 separate bags, starting with the ship's base, which houses the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum. This section showcases a piston engine, an aeolipile (steam turbine), and a Watt steam engine. Adjacent to the engine room, the kitchen features a refrigerator, stove, and basin sink. The ingenuity of LEGO design shines through with the clever repurposing of pieces; for example, a hot dog bun from a Fairgrounds set becomes an engine reinforcement here.
Moving up to the main deck, you'll find the dining room and jazz lounge. The lounge, positioned above the stern, includes detailed LEGO accessories such as drums, a saxophone, a microphone, and an upright bass. The dining room is elegantly designed with tablecloths and attractive chairs, complete with light fixtures that span both the inside and outside of the compartment. Decorative posters on the walls advertise the 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 then placed into the larger structure, creating a deck space where minifigures can enjoy the view from the railing. However, the set does not include any minifigures, which might have added more life and playfulness to the ship. This choice may reflect LEGO's intention for the set to be appreciated more as a display piece than a play set.
Above the main deck is the crew deck, featuring sleeping quarters and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower stall. The pilothouse sits atop this, housing the steering wheel. A notable engineering feature is the rod that threads through all four levels, allowing the steering wheel to turn the rudder. This small mechanical detail is a testament to the thoughtful planning and execution that went into the set's design.
The set is filled with delightful details, such as white billowy flags repurposed from croissant accessories, neat white railings, and patterned tiles resembling rugs in the lounge areas. Though the set feels larger than its 4,090 pieces might suggest, the intricate details and well-appointed rooms explain where those extra pieces go.
In the spirit of William Strunk's writing principle from The Elements of Style, "Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences," the River Steamboat embodies this philosophy in LEGO form. Every brick, rod, and stud serves a purpose, and every decorative element enhances the overall aesthetic without being superfluous. Each room and space contributes to the ship's overall appeal, making it a must-see for LEGO enthusiasts.
The 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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