LEGO Unveils River Steamboat: A Nod to Classic Americana

The new LEGO River Steamboat set is a stunning testament to both beauty and engagement, embodying the essence of what makes LEGO sets so captivating. The quality of a LEGO set is as much about the journey of its construction as it is about the final product, and the River Steamboat exemplifies this perfectly. The build process is intuitive and flows seamlessly from one step to the next, embodying a sense of forward momentum. The ship's modular design, with each floor easily detachable, allows for complete accessibility and visibility of the intricate inner details. Just as LEGO captivated adult audiences with its modular buildings, the River Steamboat introduces the concept of a modular boat, maintaining the same meticulous attention to both unique and mundane details that form a cohesive masterpiece.

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 concepts and proof-of-concepts for community voting. Successful ideas, like this steamboat, become official sets, with the original designer receiving a share of the profits. Notable past successes from the LEGO Ideas series 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 that once traversed the Mississippi River in the 1800s, the LEGO River Steamboat captures the essence of these grand vessels. Initially used for industrial transport, these steamboats evolved into pleasure crafts, offering amenities and gambling, a tradition that persists today. My wife and I experienced this firsthand on our honeymoon in New Orleans, enjoying a riverboat cruise complete with dining, dancing, and live jazz music.

This set is a dream come true for LEGO enthusiasts. The River Steamboat comes equipped with a jazz lounge and dining room, alongside practical areas like the boiler engine room, which powers the paddle wheel. Push the boat, and watch the wheel spin. The pilothouse features a steering wheel that, when turned, adjusts the rudder. Additional features include a kitchen, crew sleeping quarters, and an anchor system that rolls up on a spool. A separate spool mechanism raises and lowers the boarding stages on the ship's bow.

The construction process, with its 4,090 pieces divided into 32 bags, begins with the ship's base, encompassing the boiler room and a miniature nautical museum. Here, you'll find not only the boat's engine but also a piston engine, an aeolipile, and a Watt steam engine. Opposite the engine room is a compact kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, and sink. The genius of LEGO design shines through in 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, situated over the stern, includes LEGO accessories for drums, a saxophone, a microphone, and an upright bass. The dining room is elegantly appointed with tablecloths and stylish chairs, complemented by light fixtures and posters advertising on-board entertainment, one of which features the A-Frame Cabin from another LEGO Ideas set.

The dining room is built separately and then inserted into the larger structure, creating deck space around it where minifigures can enjoy the view. Notably, the set does not include minifigures, perhaps emphasizing its display purpose over play.

The crew deck, one floor above, houses beds and a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. The pilothouse atop the ship showcases an impressive feature: the steering wheel connects via a rod running through all four levels to the rudder, demonstrating meticulous planning and engineering.

I am enamored with the set's smaller details: the white, billowy flags repurposed from croissant accessories, the neat rows of white railings, and the patterned tiles in the lounge areas that mimic rugs. Despite its size, the set feels like it contains 3,500 rather than 4,000 pieces, but once you've explored its detailed rooms and features, you'll appreciate where those extra pieces were used.

William Strunk's principle from "The Elements of Style" about vigorous, concise writing applies equally to this LEGO set: "Every brick tells." Each component serves a purpose, and every decorative element enhances without excess. Each space on the ship is beautifully crafted, contributing to the overall allure of the set. This is a LEGO build for true LEGO aficionados.

The LEGO River Steamboat, Set #21356, retails for $329.99 and comprises 4,090 pieces. It's available exclusively at the LEGO Store.

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