LEGO #21344 - Orient Express

[Thetford]

Forgive my assumptions and limited knowledge - and I'm trying to word this in a respectful and polite manner, and I know nothing I write will be new information to people here - but from what I've read on here and elsewhere online, I'm sort of under the impression that AFOLs (or at least the train focused ones) who wanted the Orient Express, didn't actually want the the Orient Express - they wanted a highly detailed model of a locomotive, any locomotive, to the extent the Orient Express hardly even appears on the cover of the Mould Kings Orient Express set.

 

From what I understand of the history of the Orient Express, it is only the coaches - it's even the company name: "Compagnie Internationale des Wagon-Lits", the locomotive power was simply contracted out to the various state railways. It would make sense therefore that any set depicting it would therefore focus on the sleeping and dining cars - to omit either one in favour of a bigger locomotive, which I've seen people suggest, would miss the entire point of the Orient Express. Then, if the coaches must be the centrepiece, sacrifices had to be made elsewhere.

 

Supposedly, the IP holder (which I believe currently is 50% SNCF and 50% Accor Hotels, who are planning to officially relaunch the service in 2025) had a much greater input than normal compared to other IP holders, and, according to one video I have seen from someone who attended the Lego Press event, chose the specific engine they wanted it to be based off, and what colour it should be (the video never said which locomotive it was only that the Lego designers didn't have access to it as it was off doing Orient Express things and we're provided with schematics and images instead - which I'm guessing is pointing towards the locomotive pointed out by @LEGOTrainBuilderSG. Why they decided on this is anyone's guess, but aside from economics at Lego and real world exhibitions, I also imagine it was a question of balance. In the original submission and the Mould Kings set, the locomotive is the centrepiece, it dominates over coaches, and much more attention and detail is put into it than the more boxy looking coaches - it arguably detracts from the Orient Express by pulling focus away from it instead of complementing it. You can easily see why an IP holder would want something with their brand be the focus of it rather than the accessory. 

 

I have to be a bit cynical here, but I'm doubtful this set would have made it without the Orient Express name - looking at the Ideas website, the Mallard and Flying Scotsman seemingly have plateaued at around 5k votes with time quickly running out, and they are famous named locomotives the general public are most likely to have heard of. The only other train sets that seem to have a better chance are those with an attached IP, such as the Polar Express. So a random unnamed French railway locomotive would have no chance.

 

Apologies for rambling on, it's late. Especially as the conversation has moved on from the locomotive to the locomotion.

[Mondo-TRON]

On Lego.com, it is listed as exclusive. I'm assuming it means it wouldn't be sold elsewhere  for regular retail.  So what are the chances that it would eventually go on sale/ discount?  Or should I expect to pay full price (or more with after markets)

[zephyr1934]

I made the trek to my local Lego store and got the set today. So far I've only built the locomotive. It is a quirky build, in both good and bad ways. One neat little feature is that when you take the smoke box door off it looks like the engine has boiler tubes. The combination of one bushing and one 42610 wheel between the frame on each driver axle is also a good one, they give just the right spacing so that the axles are loose on the inside while still doing a good job of keeping the axle from sliding left/right. Also interesting that (if I recall correctly) the drive rods have a copyright 2022 on them, so the design has been around for a little while.

[lego3057]

9 hours ago, Toastie said:

Oh yes, there are. And they all - way sooner than later - will merge into the "quality", TLG provides - injection molding is injection molding and by far no rocket science (anymore; times change, bricks did not).

I guess the 1-piece-per-page approach is aimed at people who really did not deep-dig into the LEGO hobby but love the story behind it. And now, as adults, want to put reminiscent of their youth "or" life (Vader, OE, Nikies, cars, buildings, whatever comes to remembrance ...) onto a shelf. Which is of course totally OK, I do it as well!!! But I began building age 3. So there maybe some recollection of "how-to" - and thus multiple parts per page (the more the better) are pure fun - for me. Guess you enjoy the same "challenge".

Have fun!!!

Best,
Thorsten

Hello

 

My favorite non-lego is Bluebrixx (the only one I have). They only have Lego bricks (with only one exception: a small ring to connect bricks tube-tube, which is rather usefull). Some are new colors, and the quality is rather good, at less than half the price.

Edited December 2, 2023 by lego3057

[ElGreco]

On 11/30/2023 at 11:34 AM, kbalage said:

I did a few more tests with different track pieces, tried to put the train on a difficult wave pattern. It went well forwards, but in reverse the resistance was too high and the motor with the whole assembly above it was pushed upwards, even with the 1:1 gearing. This is something that needs to be considered, I think the vertical bracing with the Technic beam that @Train of Thought Creations implemented or something similar will be really necessary for a reliable solution. 

Hi there!

I finally got my OE set yesterday, even though the Lego shop I bought it from had it since two weeks ago. Needless to say that thanks to @kbalage review and the fact that for sure I would get the first batch, I tried to get the correct stickers from Lego CS beforehand, but they declined my request saying that they have no stock of correct stickers until the release day :( plus there would be a chance as they said, for me to have the correct stickers… of course not :( I send them pictures with the orange stickers I have :(

Anyway, I would like to thank you all for the wonderful ideas for motorization.

@kbalage would it be possible to post the mod you finally did for motorization based on the L motor (which seems the best option imho) plus the two gold push pins ? that brace the rear of the motor as referred by @Train of Thought Creations

Again, thank you all for sharing this info and @kbalagefor your eye-opening reviews !!!

[kbalage]

@ElGreco I suggest to follow the modification of @Train of Thought Creations, based on further testing my solution was not bulletproof. He posted it a few days ago in this topic. 

[ElGreco]

11 minutes ago, kbalage said:

@ElGreco I suggest to follow the modification of @Train of Thought Creations, based on further testing my solution was not bulletproof. He posted it a few days ago in this topic. 

Thanks a lot @kbalage

@Train of Thought Creations I am am few hours only old in this forum and cannot send private msg. I saw your studio files here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GdF8gnV8qMdnqXBwYLaGCPI9JJdKdmgE/view?usp=sharing

but I have no idea how to use these files, plus for the next few days will not have access to a PC (only iPad) and would really appreciate the it if you could just post the list of parts needed here including all the refinements you have done until now, so that I order these.

Thank you for your time!

Edited December 2, 2023 by ElGreco

[ElGreco]

13 hours ago, Shiva said:

Ohh, that does not sound good.

My Orient Express is somewhere between LEGO and DPD.

 

Toastie, ain't it smaller builds that have 1 part / page? + some Rebrickable mods.

This is the reason I bought mine from a LEGO store, despite the fact they charge you 320€ instead of 300 and that they give only one GWP gift instead of 2 gifts if ordered online.
I even had the chance to ask them (Lego store) to keep it in the original shipping carton box which provided really good protection to the set box.

Side note:

Regarding DPD service… I received all 3 (big) orders from lightmybrick in excellent condition, but my 3 online LEGO orders have not arrived yet to give you reliable feedback. Still it took 2+ weeks for the packages to arrive! :(

[Riggar]

On 11/28/2023 at 7:32 PM, R0Sch said:

t 3 y

Thanks a lot @kbalage

@Train of Thought Creations I am am few hours only old in this forum and cannot send private msg. I saw your studio files here : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GdF8gnV8qMdnqXBwYLaGCPI9JJdKdmgE/view?usp=sharing

but I have no idea how to use these files, plus for the next few days will not have access to a PC (only iPad) and would really appreciate the it if you could just post the list of parts needed here including all the refinements you have done until now, so that I order these.

Thank you for your time!

Yes please! - I too can't work out the list of pieces needed. I get to a 'wire' diagram but really can't see the wood form the trees OR am i missing something? - Thanks

[Train of Thought Creations]

@ElGreco & @Riggar, Sure! I'll get a parts list together shortly, and I'll upload that here within the hour. I am currently developing a proper guide that should go live early this week (hopefully tomorrow if all goes well) so that everyone can easily implement the changes.

[Train of Thought Creations]

Here is the Bricklink XML file for the extra parts:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-SLm4diAMT6tsVEVuZRs3oh08Id8jhv/view?usp=sharing

And here is a photo of all the parts knolled that will be used in the upcoming written/photographed guide.

[zephyr1934]

Fixed it... (grin)

[ElGreco]

41 minutes ago, Train of Thought Creations said:

Here is the Bricklink XML file for the extra parts:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-SLm4diAMT6tsVEVuZRs3oh08Id8jhv/view?usp=sharing

And here is a photo of all the parts knolled that will be used in the upcoming written/photographed guide.
 

Excellent! Thank you so much!

[Train of Thought Creations]

5 minutes ago, ElGreco said:

Excellent! Thank you so much!

You're welcome!

[Murdoch17]

@zephyr1934 I have gone nearly cross-eyed trying to spot the difference between your two pictures. What are the changes you made?

[Ferro-Friki]

Some people were suggesting replacing the OE engine with the EN one, and in that way combine the strengths of both sets. I thought that sounded very intriguing, but I haven’t found anyone who has done so yet.

Anyway, here’s a render of how that would look like:

Honestly, I like it! As someone who missed the EN (classic statement) I thought I just had to wait until Lego released an even better steam engine. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that hasn’t happened in 14 years, and counting… So I think it’s about time for me to get my own EN, and thanks to the OE set, the new tender and coaches look wonderful behind the loco!

Since we’re at it, I’m pretty sure there were people selling third party sticker sheets for the EN, is that still the case? Does anyone know where I can get one?

[Toastie]

5 minutes ago, Murdoch17 said:

What are the changes you made?

He took the second picture a bit more from the left

I guess it is "inside" - the changes he made upon building it (see above)

Best,
Thorsten

[Westcoatje]

Just the rod, wonder where that came from :) 

[iragm]

17 minutes ago, Ferro-Friki said:

Since we’re at it, I’m pretty sure there were people selling third party sticker sheets for the EN, is that still the case? Does anyone know where I can get one?

https://www.brickstickershop.com/Replacement-Sticker-for-Set-10194-Emerald-Night

This sticker sheet includes stickers for the 2x4 printed slopes, on transparent vinyl, so in theory you can recolor the EN and still keep the stripes.  I have not yet gotten my replacement EN sticker sheet, but I've gotten other stuff from Brickstickershop in the past and the quality has been good.  Not perfect, but considering the price, good.

[Toastie]

19 minutes ago, Westcoatje said:

Just the rod

SHOOT - I looked so hard

All the best,
Thorsten

[Ferro-Friki]

18 minutes ago, iragm said:

https://www.brickstickershop.com/Replacement-Sticker-for-Set-10194-Emerald-Night

This sticker sheet includes stickers for the 2x4 printed slopes, on transparent vinyl, so in theory you can recolor the EN and still keep the stripes.  I have not yet gotten my replacement EN sticker sheet, but I've gotten other stuff from Brickstickershop in the past and the quality has been good.  Not perfect, but considering the price, good.

Just what I need, thanks!

[Murdoch17]

1 hour ago, Toastie said:

SHOOT - I looked so hard

All the best,
Thorsten

don't feel bad @Toastie, I didn't spot it either. 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Murdoch17

[oddjob]

2 hours ago, Ferro-Friki said:

Some people were suggesting replacing the OE engine with the EN one, and in that way combine the strengths of both sets. I thought that sounded very intriguing, but I haven’t found anyone who has done so yet.

Anyway, here’s a render of how that would look like:

Honestly, I like it! As someone who missed the EN (classic statement) I thought I just had to wait until Lego released an even better steam engine. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that hasn’t happened in 14 years, and counting… So I think it’s about time for me to get my own EN, and thanks to the OE set, the new tender and coaches look wonderful behind the loco!

Since we’re at it, I’m pretty sure there were people selling third party sticker sheets for the EN, is that still the case? Does anyone know where I can get one?

This is exactly what they should have done in my opinion. Released the OE carriages as one set, and released the Sapphire Star (based on the EN) separately.

We’d get an iconic set that many missed out on, an engine that looks fantastic, and an engine with the appropriate brick count, and a known quantity for powering.
The people who don’t care for the engine (“the OE was pulled by many different engines” etc) would be happy because they wouldn’t need to invest in an engine they didn’t want.

I feel like the price of this set will put it out of reach for many people. And then there’s the engine which has clearly been sacrificed. Separating them out would give people greater ability to purchase what the want. 

Edited December 3, 2023 by oddjob

[Carefree_Dude]

I have a black and red german style emerald night that I look forward to seeing with the carriages. 

[zephyr1934]

4 hours ago, Murdoch17 said:

@zephyr1934 I have gone nearly cross-eyed trying to spot the difference between your two pictures. What are the changes you made?

Oh, sorry, I make custom rods (grin). Here's a comparison of the parts, Lego on top my rods below