LEGO #21344 - Orient Express

[JintaiZ]

Looks much better than I was expecting, but I still prefer the original Ideas version. $300 seems pretty steep though...

[LEGOTrainBuilderSG]

14 hours ago, nuttybrick said:

a loose adapation of an early German 2C like Prussian P8 or Bavarian P3/5, or even swiss A3/5 perhaps

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baureihe_38

Actually I thought it looked rather similar to the Locomotive (130 Est Serie 8s 130 B 348 Tender 20 A 30 made in 1862) that was part of the Orient Express Exhibit in Singapore..

 

[and_ampersand_and]

29 minutes ago, LEGOTrainBuilderSG said:

Actually I thought it looked rather similar to the Locomotive (130 Est Serie 8s 130 B 348 Tender 20 A 30 made in 1862) that was part of the Orient Express Exhibit in Singapore..

 

Close, but a noticeable difference is the lower running board that doesn't slope down to the buffers level.

[M_slug357]

@R0Sch what makes you so sure? I imagine Flamin Orange is cheaper to produce in the long run…

[Lyichir]

15 hours ago, M_slug357 said:

@R0Sch what makes you so sure? I imagine Flamin Orange is cheaper to produce in the long run…

In addition to looking subtly more like warm gold in the pictures, one factor that points to it maybe being Warm Gold is that it seems to use mostly 1x6 and 1x2 plates for the stripes on the side. If it were flame yellowish orange other options like 1x4 and 1x8 plates would exist in current production—but if it were warm gold, then it would only require the introduction of 1x6 plates in that color since 1x2 plates were introduced in that color in two of this year's Disney sets. That kind of economical use of existing and newly introduced parts makes more sense for a rarer color like Warm Gold.

Warm gold might be slightly more expensive (though not dramatically so), but for a premium set like this it wouldn't be unheard of, with other sets like the Disney Castle also going big on gold parts for detailing.

[Kalahari134]

18 hours ago, and_ampersand_and said:

Close, but a noticeable difference is the lower running board that doesn't slope down to the buffers level.

Lack of a Belpaire firebox is another difference.

[M_slug357]

@Lyichir Make no mistake; I would love it if TLG  did warm gold…

but considering that the 1x3x3 window already comes in flamin Orange and is already in sets released this year… its not likely.

Its hard to tell if the original leaks (which look more flamin Orange) or these newer pics (which look warm gold) are correct…

[Hook]

It's been finally revealed:

For what i can see, lots of new parts, specifically for the locomotive itself.

Personally, i like it... it may not be according to the original (in terms of locomotive shape or color), but i'll most definitely buy it.

[Vilhelm22]

Finally!

[Murdoch17]

It's got the dreaded plastic-axle wheels! I thought since they brought back the metal axle ones from the good ol' days in the 2023 Hogwarts Express, they would be in this set too! But alas, they did not.

It's a beautiful set, but this sad fact is a major let down.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Murdoch17

[TypoCorrecto]

Very nice. I'll look to pick this up at some point.

LEGO is certainly unloading the big boys this holiday season. Three sets that are $299+. Wow!

[RichardGoring]

@kbalage has a great preview video up and addresses motorization. It's not designed to be motorized as it's too heavy. I'm sure someone can make it work!

I really like it and will also get it. I hope it can be motorized reasonably though, as that is likely how my kids will love it.

[Robert8]

There is totally going to be a murder in that set 

[and_ampersand_and]

Jays Brick Blog claims that it will run on Lego track but is not designed to be motorized: https://jaysbrickblog.com/news/lego-officially-reveals-21344-orient-express-pulling-into-stations-in-december-2023/

Of course, we the community will find a way. But really disappointed they didn't design a way to do it by default.

[Glenn Holland]

The lack of motorization is a disappointment to say the least - I'm willing to eat my words on this issue. This is a more valid complaint than "why does it look so different?" Apparently those that hold the IP rights to the Orient Express name wanted emphasis on the train rather than the locomotive... completely reasonable. This is a licensed set, after all.

It is indeed possible to make a locomotive that size which can handle several times more than those cars; I and several others can and have done it. I'm confident the community will find ways to modify to suit. I wonder what specific problems they had in design and testing. 

 

Edit: I am confident that when Lego says they tried, they really mean it. I was fortunate to hear Jamie Berard (who designed the Emerald Night) discuss the months of testing they did with that set. If they say it wasn't possible (especially considering the strict guidlines and rules they have for their products), then I am certainly willing to believe them.

 

This is still a set I'd like to get, and I'd like to formally review it when possible. I remain excited.

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by Glenn Holland

[RedBrick1]

10 minutes ago, and_ampersand_and said:

Jays Brick Blog claims that it will run on Lego track but is not designed to be motorized: https://jaysbrickblog.com/news/lego-officially-reveals-21344-orient-express-pulling-into-stations-in-december-2023/

Of course, we the community will find a way. But really disappointed they didn't design a way to do it by default.

My initial guess is that it is designed to be motorized, but it doesn't run well due to weight, so they aren't pushing that feature. (Especially with LEGO specifically saying "Model is built for L Gauge and fits L Gauge track.") We will know for sure when we can see the instructions. 

Edited November 16, 2023 by RedBrick1

[dr_spock]

$389.99 CAD for display only.  I think part of the fun will be figuring out how to motorize yourself. 

 

[RedBrick1]

5 minutes ago, Glenn Holland said:

The lack of motorization is a disappointment to say the least - I'm willing to eat my words on this issue. This is a more valid complaint than "why does it look so different?" Apparently those that hold the IP rights to the Orient Express name wanted emphasis on the train rather than the locomotive... completely reasonable. This is a licensed set, after all.

It is indeed possible to make a locomotive that size which can handle several times more than those cars; I and several others can and have done it. I'm confident the community will find ways to modify to suit. I wonder what specific problems they had in design and testing. 

 

Agreed, that is a legitimate criticism. I assumed that the fairly fat boiler was meant to house the motor. I am looking forward to seeing what your modifications are! 

[Brickviller V2]

The locomotive and cars look gorgeous! It might be one of the best-looking LEGO trains ever released. I understand that the focus is more on the wagons than the locomotive since the license holder has restored the wagons themselves. Finally, we don't have an Emerald Night situation where people need to buy multiple sets for just one extra car.

However, and for me, this is a significant concern, the carriages are huge. I love the details, don't get me wrong; these are the best-looking LEGO passenger carriages ever. But they will make my Horizon Express and other 'standard' LEGO-sized trains look like dwarfs. The locomotive also seems on the smaller side compared to the carriages, yet still looks really great.

Also, it's such a shame it doesn't come with instructions on how to motorize it. I'm sure they tried their best, but it's still a bit sad. I'm confident someone will figure it out, though.

I'm not sure if I'll get it, but at least us train fans finally got something new again!

[ToledoRails]

28 minutes ago, RichardGoring said:

@kbalage has a great preview video up and addresses motorization. It's not designed to be motorized as it's too heavy. I'm sure someone can make it work!

I really like it and will also get it. I hope it can be motorized reasonably though, as that is likely how my kids will love it.

4:18 "The set is not Powered Up Ready, there is no official motorization. According to the ideas team, they really tried all available motor and battery box combinations, tested them for months, and also compared them to the crocodile locomotive; but the train is just too heavy and didn't have the required power. As they said, the weight is about double the regular powered City Trains. It was a difficult decision because the designer really wanted it to work but they didn't want to sacrifice a car for the possibility of motorization."

...AND THEY DONT THINK THE PLASTIC WHEELS HURT ITS ABILITY TO FREE ROLL!?

I'm still taking in the shock of all the details now that its out, but it sounds like the ultimatum was second coach or powered engine. I'm glad we got the second coach. I would have preferred some gearing in the locomotive for an option like the Crocodile, but I know we will figure it out. There's space in the tender for a battery box, the boiler is fat enough...

[iragm]

Unbelievable that this isn't designed to be motorized out of the box.  I'm not buying a train unless it can be motorized, and I'm sure others feel the same.  For the price, this thing ought to include a motor and hub, not a note that says "yeah we couldn't figure it out, maybe fans can, good luck!"

 

I'll wait to see some decent motorization mods before I purchase, I suspect bearings in the wheels might make a difference.  (For what it's worth, I think this is actually quite a nice looking set and would have been a day 1 purchase if it was motorizable.)

[Selander]

And colour-wise,  despite all doubts expressed in this thread, I'am convinced it is DarkBlue (earth blue) and Pearl gold windows and detailing....

And tow ball connections...!

Edited November 16, 2023 by Selander
Edit

[R0Sch]

They misspelled one of the capitals the train runs through. Let's see if you guess which one. I'm pretty pissed about it and will complain to CS for sure.

[idlemarvel]

According to the Lego website, there are "For LEGO® locomotive fans" "New elements for coupling rods, whistle and funnel."

I think it looks splendid.

[samsz_3]

Hmmm. I could understand the short stubby locomotive for A) IP reasons and B) to make the train motorisable. The fact that they made the design compromises, and it still won't run is personally an issue. From my quick look, the coaches are 44 studs long.

I'm curious to know if the bogies on the coaches and the leading wheels on the loco actchually pivot. If they do (i.e. so it can be pushed around curves), I think "it's to heavy to motorise" actchually means "it's to heavy to motorise using the official plastic wheels, 1x PU motor and with all the additional friction of R40 bends, so Joe Bloggs with his Lego city can't do it. The train guys with their buwizz, custom wide curves and wheels will be fine". 

At the end of the day it's LEGO, we will find a way...