Lots To See and Do at City Corner…
Posted by
LegoCoastalPatrol
in United Kingdom
on
01 November 2009
I first saw this set earlier in the year in Bart Smit, which is a toy shop in Bruges. I immediately thought how reminiscent it was of the city I was visiting; the three storey building which houses the pizza restaurant, the bike repair shop (lots of bicycles there) and of course the bus. Although the buses which ‘fly’ around Bruges are more grey in colour, they do share the white and yellow colour scheme which the bus in this set has. Although I didn’t buy this set there in Bruges, every time I have seen it since it has always reminded me of the city and the wonderful time I spent there, so that was motivation enough to add it to the collection, and to quote ‘HQuiff’ this set is “so elegantly done” and I spent a very pleasant Halloween evening constructing it. The set is quite large, so here is another large review.
The set is split into five separate parts:
The Bus Stop:
I decided to put this together first, and it was a really pleasant build. The bus stop is built up on its own base plate, and although the build is simple, when the set is built this area is so effective. The shelter arrangement features a slim red seat which the minifigs can either perch on or lean against; this area is covered by a blue canopy and is supported by a simple white column which has an amber light. On the roof of this structure is the transportation sign (sticker). Back on ground level, there is a sign post with bus graphic, but no timetable :o( Other items which decorate this area are a dustbin with lid. a small brown planter with flowers and a fire hydrant (I didn’t see any of these in Bruges!). Also we have a very modern-in-appearance street light, no ornate lanterns here just a slim grey affair which is very effective.
The Bicycle Repair Shop:
Shop Number ‘1’ is the Bicycle Repair Shop. This, like the bus stop is built upwards on its own ground plate. This was a simple yet enjoyable build, the shop is black and white and features a large picture window which looks out onto the street, adjacent to this is a large open access door area where bicycles and skateboards can be ‘rode’ straight in. On display in the shop (visible through the window) is a skateboard on a rack, baseball cap and safety helmet on blue posts. There is also a rail which holds two tool items for the mechanic to use. Mounted on to the top of this small building is a multi-adjustable CCTV system, a large sign advertising the products / services available and two floodlights to ‘light’ up the sign. Back on street level, there is another modern lamp post which mirrors the one supplied with the bus stop.
The Pizza Restaurant:
Shop Number ‘2’ is the Pizza Restaurant. Again, this is built on its own base plate, incidentally, there are no ‘connectors’ supplied with this set so as to enable the three structures to be linked together, they would be easily found in the spares box though. The ground floor area features the front door, small waiting area, counter (with telephone) and the kitchen with oversized pizza oven and paddle for retrieving the pizzas from the back of the oven. The oven features a Technic mini-build which provides a handle to open the oven which is glass-fronted. The first floor is the restaurant. Just two tables and four seats are provided, as are two transparent goblets. The interior is pretty basic, so a degree of customisation can take place. The exterior includes a bay window and rails, window boxes would have been welcome here. The second (top) floor is like a dormer, and is void of any items at all. The exterior really completes this building perfectly, slanted windows and a tower with balcony rail and two long windows. On the top of the roof, at either end of the building, are chimneys. I am unsure what to do with this area; it seems a shame to have it stood empty, especially when space in Lego City is at a premium! I have thought about making it into a penthouse for the businessman supplied with the set. With the clever use of some flat pieces, all additional floors can be lifted off each other so that access can be gained more easily into the lower floors.
The Bus ‘244’:
I can honestly say that this is the first Lego bus I have ever owned, I am sure we all experimented with our spare pieces to try to construct a bus, I for one could never get it quite right, so the bus in this set is really welcome, and it’s a superb piece of kit. It has quite a long wheelbase and initially it is constructed in three sections, then the real overall length becomes apparent when it is time to connect the three sections together. The bus follows the grey, yellow and white colour scheme; it also has yellow wheel arches. The bus features six red seats, although one of these is for the driver, realistically five seated passengers can be carried, along with others who have to stand. I particularly like the yellow ‘line’ just behind the driver’s seat, is this the point you must not cross as you may risk distracting the driver? The driver’s area is very simple with room for boarding / disembarkation of passengers. Smoked grey windows and windscreen complete the modern look of the vehicle. Above the windows are white boards which advertise various businesses in the city (Octan, Pizza Restaurant, the Transport Company and the Bicycle Repair Shop) the route number (244) is also shown. The roof is split into two removable sections so that access can be had to the interior. Large opening doors, front and rear bumpers and adjustable wing mirrors make this bus a winning set, it’s taken Lego a while to release a bus, but in my opinion it was worth the wait.
The Minifigs and Accessories:
There are five minifigs supplied with this set. There is a female chef with chef whites, neckerchief and designer hairstyle (tut tut no hat). The bus driver is dressed in his smart black uniform with peak cap; the print on the torso was very faint though. The businessman looks to be wearing a cardigan; either that or he has been for a round of golf, he comes with a brown attaché case. The mechanic is wearing green overalls and a blue baseball cap; he comes with various tools also. The strangest minfig with the set is the young boy with the safety helmet on. This is the first ‘child’ minifig I have received with a set, and I’m not sure about it! He has the same torso as the ‘older’ minifigs but he has really short legs, in fact he can’t sit down as the legs don’t bend. Other than that he has a cheeky grin and ginger hair, and of course his skateboard.
Well I did warn it would be a long review, I’m really pleased to have this in my collection, it is all “so elegantly done” and although modern in appearance it reminds me of how Lego City was when I first started collecting it all those years back. Well done Lego, more of the same please for 2010 / 2011 and beyond…
5 out of 5 people thought this review was helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
