Exclusive: Horizon Express review

 

  • Exclusive: Horizon Express review

    Posted by Huw, 12 Nov 2012 10:13. Filed under Set review.

    We're pleased to bring you another exclusive review of a highly-anticipated set!

    10233 Horizon Express won't be available until January, but LEGO has kindly provided us with one to review and Bluemoose has done the honours this time. Read his in-depth pictorial review to find out what he thought of it, and whether you'll need to save some of your Christmas money back for it.

    As usual, when you've done so, let us know what you think of it in the comments.


    29 comments, latest one posted 7 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by BludChylde1 in Canada, 12 Nov 2012 10:26

Looks good. I hope I can afford to get this. The brick built door at the end of the car was a neat touch. Now when setting up a display you can have minifigs stepping on or off the train.

Posted by Murdoch17 in United States, 12 Nov 2012 10:48

Awesome review Bluemoose! I like this train, but won't be getting it as it doesn't fit my era (late steam / early diesel) or style. However, I may need to get some of those printed windshields!

EDIT: looking back at the pictures, I can see that the train could be built in other colors, such as black with red stripe (my Brick Railways), green, blue, yellow, red, & white versions. Just a thought... ;)

@BludChylde1: The Emerald Night also had doors on it's passenger car, but this 2 car set car blows the doors off that single coach! (pun intended)

Posted by ChicoCheco in Czech Republic, 12 Nov 2012 11:08

This is exclusive material. Thanks a lot for this hot news! I managet to see it alive already on Lego event in Norway:
http://youtu.be/n5MCO-RLadc

Posted by meccanotwitch in United Kingdom, 12 Nov 2012 12:43

This is one of the 2013 sets I can't wait to own and build, even more so now. A pair of these is the only way to go though.

Posted by caperberry in United Kingdom, 12 Nov 2012 12:57

Another amazing exclusive for Brickset! Can't wait to get this, my first (adult) train.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 12 Nov 2012 13:34

This has only augmented my anticipation, thanks for your hard work on this Bluemoose and Huw.

Posted by Graysmith in Sweden, 12 Nov 2012 13:41

Not having another locomotive at the other end of the train really looks odd. It's fine with older types of trains since that's what they looked like, but these modern high-speed trains always* have one in each end. You'd kind have to buy two of these to make it look true to life (like the review mentions).

* Don't quote me on it, but I can't remember seeing any, anyway.

Posted by icey in Denmark, 12 Nov 2012 14:05

Does TLC send you free models for the sake of reviewing? :-)

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 12 Nov 2012 14:19

^ Occasionally, yes.

Posted by fredolego in France, 12 Nov 2012 14:20

There is also this one wich shows the "true" complete train from Freelug :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkuWnSUDM9c

Posted by rosney in United States, 12 Nov 2012 14:52

I think you and I have a different definition of "in-depth." Nice set, looking forward to it.

Posted by lippidp in United States, 12 Nov 2012 16:06

Is one motor strong enough for the complete train? I put two motors in my Maersk (2 engines and 6 flatbeds). 1 motor in the Emerald Night with 4 carriages struggles a bit.

Posted by typo in United States, 12 Nov 2012 16:19

Definitely my next LEGO purchase...

Posted by fredolego in France, 12 Nov 2012 16:40

and this one :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW2gHAvDFeI

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 13 Nov 2012 04:44

@tensor,

We don't tend to think it worthwhile writing reams of text that just describes what can be seen in the pictures but if you (or anyone else for that matter) think there's something we should add to reviews like this in the future, let us know.

Posted by Zordboy in Australia, 13 Nov 2012 05:28

No, I'll be buying this one, no question. It just looks gorgeous. And yeah, it's a French TGV, no question.

Posted by Holodoc in Germany, 13 Nov 2012 13:27

Thanks for the fast review.
I'll be getting 2 copies - what else?

Talking about REAL in-depth reviews? Look a this:
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=76009#entry1432174
;-)

Posted by Huw in United Kingdom, 13 Nov 2012 13:33

Just read that, mostlytechnic did a good job didn't he.

Posted by omnius in United Kingdom, 13 Nov 2012 14:51

Looking forward to getting a couple of these! (it won't look right as a half-set)

Posted by Lego_Moose in Canada, 14 Nov 2012 01:50

Excellent review Bluemoose, Perfect Length
My first big book as a kid just so happened to have a big picture of a TGV orange train on the front.
Found the book and the Lego train looks remarkably accurate.
Still can't decide whether to buy Marsk or save up for this.
Too bad I don't have the money for both.

Posted by Aanchir in United States, 14 Nov 2012 07:51

Good review. I preferred the EB review, myself, which had a better view of the toilet and more build pictures, but let's be fair-- the Eurobricks Reviewer's Academy has had some solid set review standards for years. I don't remember Brickset doing full pictorial reviews as front-page news for nearly as long. Furthermore, Brickset is still the best place to go for reviews of books as far as I'm concerned, just as FBTB is the best place to go for reviews of TV specials, movies, and video games connected with licensed themes. Still, increasing the number of build pictures would have given me a lot more insight into what makes this set great, though I can respect that some people might not want to have the building experience spoiled for them.

Posted by Mickitat in Germany, 14 Nov 2012 09:59

If I was allowed to buy only one set next year, it would be this. Erm, two of it.

Posted by rosney in United States, 14 Nov 2012 10:03

@Huw
Fair enough, I'll toss out a few things I noticed. Disclaimer: I'm just a guy, and these are just my opinions

* It just seemed like pictorial reviews (not just here) talk about the box, the printing on the box, the bags, what's in the bags. Those are really academic things that while nice to include, should only be supportive things, not 50% of the review. They are definitely good to include, but after that, this review just had pictures of the completed model which are already everywhere on the web. Missing are a couple mid-build photos, especially the reverse of the chevron, or the building of the doors.

* The minifig section should talk about (and show pics of) any special features like back printing, alternate faces, etc. Or, they should talk about the lack thereof, if it applies.

* There's mention of "lots of great elements," but nothing more. A description of them and pictures would be great.

* I would have liked some really good close-ups of the features from different angles, like the luggage storage, the toilet, the bar the coffee machine, the chevron! the doors, etc. I remember when trying to pick up a Green Grocer, I could never get a shot inside the store showing the register and the neat pop/milk cooler and the fruits, same with the BBQ grill on the back. These were awesome details that people just didn't highlight enough.

* Another big deal with this train was the re-addition of lights, with which the Maersk fell flat. This also got only a brief fly-by mention. Plus, pictures of the lights in action (in lit and dark rooms) would be cool (assuming the reviewer had some PF lying around.

* Also, I gotta admit, the phrase "I won't spoil the surprise" was annoying. Don't judge for me what I do or do not want to know about the set. I'm reading this to learn more about it, not to keep up suspense. If there really is a "surprise" that a reviewer thinks needs to be hidden, give the reader a choice, don't choose for him., Put it in invisotext (white on white) so if people want to be "spoiled" they can highlight the text. Or you could put the "spoilers" behind another link.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.

Posted by rosney in United States, 14 Nov 2012 15:45

Just to be clear, that's what I would expect from an "in depth" review. If we want a quickie review, and that's all it's supposed to be, that's cool.

Posted by BrianOg in France, 14 Nov 2012 15:52

Wow, tough crowd.

Very good review IMO. I like the fact that many of the build techniques will be a surprise to me when I get this early next year - frankly building the set is the best thing about lego for me these days - I don't play with it, don't display it, and usually end up selling it off after a while. At which point I rebuild to make sure all the parts are present - and enjoy that immensely. Once its built the fun pretty much stops, as far as I am concerned, so pleasant surprises during the build are very important to me - thank you Huw and Bluemoose!

Posted by bluemoose in United Kingdom, 14 Nov 2012 16:13

"Also, I gotta admit, the phrase "I won't spoil the surprise" was annoying"

In previous reviews we've been given grief for "spoiling the surprise" by giving details of the build, so it appears we can't win. This site is primarily for 'collectors', rather than 'builders', so that's the audience the review was pitched at.

Anyway, thanks to those that appreciated the review.

Posted by CapnRex101 in United Kingdom, 14 Nov 2012 17:21

@Bluemoose - I think everyone appreciates the review, you have evidently put a great deal of effort in so how could one not, but no review is everyone's cup of tea, it will always be too long, too short, too much detail, too little detail etc. The moral of the story is to go for what you would enjoy reading and it is safe to assume that others will as well in my opinion. I enjoyed it, but not everybody is ever going to. :)

@Huw - I have had an idea about how you might go about solving the homepage review problem. How about if you were to write a mid-length review with your pictures and opinions, and then link to three or four various other types of review which have been written such as pros/cons lists, short textual reviews, long textual reviews and Eurobricks reviews. That way, everyone can read the kind of review they prefer, of the most interesting sets which are deemed worthy of a homepage review. Of course for sets like this one or the Goblin King Battle which have been sent to you for an early look this is not possible, but I think it is worth considering for other set reviews.

Posted by rosney in United States, 14 Nov 2012 18:39

^^@bluemoose

Yes, you can win. With regards to spoiling, as I mentioned in my post, put "spoilers" either in invisotext or behind another link. If someone wants to be spoiled, then they can choose to be. If they don't want to, then they can also choose to not be.

I, as many others, love Brickset, and I'm only trying to provide some insight into making it better. When you put things out on the web, you're opening yourself to critical response. Hopefully, that response includes constructive feedback that will make you a better putter outer of stuff on the web.

Posted by MickyC in Australia, 17 Nov 2012 21:35

Bluemoose, great job on the review, great insight to a new set.

Dose any body know if this set will be released in the Australian domestic department store market or will it be yet anought Lego black markets buy from our friends overseas?? Any input would be greatful.

Cheers

Commenting has ended on this article.