First images of 21344 Orient Express!

I assume it was an accident, because I can’t find it in the catalog.

So that's why the Orient Express has different color

What's the point of 100% changing the model and including minifigs when the new model can't even fit the minifigs?

Man. It's just so good. The blue is so vibrant. It'll be hard to choose between this and the Jaws Ideas set. But we'll see.

@TheBrickPal said:
" @SD449 said:
"Can’t believe Lego released a Gordon set before Thomas or Percy!"
https://brickset.com/sets/subtheme-Thomas-Friends :-)"
I did not know these existed, shame they’re Duplo

I completely forgot this was coming out. It looks fantastic, and I say that as a massive train hater.

I`ll buy it and convert the carriages into a diner. And/or homes for ..homeless minifigs.

@lippidp said:
"I don't have any tattoos so not qualified to build this haha"

I've got the grey beard but haven't a midlife crisis (yet) so don't have the tattoos.

I looks great, but seems to be 8 studs wide, so no go for me.

New half stud wide links in the locmotive?

@CapnRex101 is the catalogue available to all, or just 'Recognized Lego Fan Media'. (The link is to the old March version)

@TheBrickPal said:
" https://brickset.com/sets/subtheme-Thomas-Friends :-)"
You just unlocked a primal memory. I LOVED those sets when I was like five, lol. I completely forgot that theme existed.

@sjr60 said:
" @CapnRex101 is the catalogue available to all, or just 'Recognized Lego Fan Media'. (The link is to the old March version)
"

Looks like Lego realized their mistake and took down the version of the catalog with the pics in it. Oopsie!

Forgive me, but to me it looks like a blue version of the hogwarts express collector version!

Is there a new shape of tiles in the bathroom?

@baabswed said:
"Is there a new shape of tiles in the bathroom?"

Came out earlier this year in some of the Harry Potter sets. https://brickset.com/parts/design-3396

seriously? another train that doesn't go on standard tracks? UUUUUUUGH... another hard pass (sadly)...

@MLF said:
"I just missed the Emerald Night, so I have been looking forward to this for a while..."

Same--not really into Trains, but really wanted a copy of Emerald Night. But that's just never going to happen, so I've been waiting over a decade for a suitable follow up. Sounds like this may be it?

That catalog has been replaced...

@Lyichir said:
" @baabswed said:
"Is there a new shape of tiles in the bathroom?"

Came out earlier this year in some of the Harry Potter sets. https://brickset.com/parts/design-3396"

Thanks for telling me :-)

I honestly don't care if this runs or not, though I'd think it would, wider track for 8 stud wide cars doesn't make sense. But for a set like this (clearly not a play set for kids) I much prefer a good display value over something badly marred just to make it ran (like with the Crocodile).

Based on these pictures, the cars seem the star of the show here, they look pretty excellent. I can only hope those decorations are prints though? Unfortunately no doors with the distinctive oval windows, but that was to be expected.

As for the engine, that certainly is a step down from the fan design. With those small driving wheels it looks more like an early 20th century freight steamer, although a 2'C wheel arrangement would be more likely for a passenger locomotive. I've seen people mention this is supposed to be the engine used for the first Orient Express back in 1883, but it looks way too modern for that. I sure am curious if this is based on any particular prototype, or if it's an entirely made up design. I sure hope not, as for a set like these I would expect a certain level of authenticity.

So first impression leaves rather mixed feelings, I hope the full reveal will change my mind....

I’ve not checked so I don’t know how accurate the loco is supposed to be to anything specific. But for those that aren’t aware, the Orient Express has historically swapped loco’s as it crosses borders through Europe.
So this can perhaps take some of the accuracy concerns away ;-)

Set looks great by the way. I’ll definitely be getting it…..I hope

This doesn't look like it can run on tracks, it has the same proportions as the hogwarts express.
Maybe, I'm wrong, please correct me!!
But this has me sad, I've always wanted a nice train set and when I heard they were making this set, I was excited, this was my chance! But now I'm disappointed and sad, I wanted a train I could motorize.

I will correct you, you are plain wrong. The Loco is clearly made this way to be able to run on Lego tracks smoothly.

@Brickerika said:
"This doesn't look like it can run on tracks, it has the same proportions as the hogwarts express."
These cars seem 8 studs wide, the Hogwarts Express was 12 wide.

Hmm, don’t know about Orient Express. Looks more like The Little Engine That Could. I think I can I think I can still buy this though.

The standard Lego track gauge is actually a pretty good scale and large trains overhang standard gauges depending on their individual design.
Between building sideways and/or using an 8 stud width, we should see some pretty good railways.

The Lego Ideas submission was 8 studs wide and I'm pretty sure it was designed to run on standard Lego track. This looks to be the same. Does anyone know what color blue is used on this model?

To everyone complaining about the width, I’ve seen trainheads mention before that, to be in scale with L-Gauge track, the cars would need to be closer to 12-wide. Wide cars, skinny bogies.

@GoldenNinja3000 said:
"This looks awesome! It's a lot like last year's Hogwarts Express with the dedicated track to display it on, but this train comes with two carriages :D"

Hogwarts Express: Ravenclaw Edition.

@Walnut_Candle:
Ideas has been running about a year out for a while now. Expect to see something around February. You know, when it’s neither Halloween nor Christmas.

@whaleyland:
I suspect part of the reason they used 4.5-style rails is that it won’t result in exposed tabs sticking out at each end of the base, waiting to get broken. Another likely reason is you can actually make the ties a different color.

@Murdoch17 said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"I'm dispassionate about trains, but I'm a big fan of literature and murder. I am interested in this set and wish to learn more."

You're a big fan of murder?!? This thread just took an unexpected turn..."

Really? You’re surprised? I mean, I never expected a public admission, but…

the passenger carriages look exactly like the hogwarts express except for the color. :(

@HOBBES said:
"Lego went extremely easy on this one and picked the first ever engine pulling the train in 1883 (originally was black but they made it earth blue - Lego colour) and even what they created seems extremely basic."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Express/media/File%3AOrientexpress1883.JPG

This is supposedly the first engine to pull the OE, and I see two less axles on the engine vs this model. Is it really the same engine, and just built that badly?

It’s not the width but the carriage length that’s of concern to me. I like it but don’t imagine it can make many of my turns.

@yellowcastle said:
"It’s not the width but the carriage length that’s of concern to me. I like it but don’t imagine it can make many of my turns."

I have counted the sections in the roof for the carriages, and they both appear to be 46 studs (36.8cm) long.
The wheel connectors appear to be 34 studs (19.2cm) apart.
https://i.imgur.com/dDzdgVv.png

Murder of the Orient Express indeed

For once, the usual 'dOeSnT LoOk LiKe tEH sUbMiShin' crowd actually has a really valid leg to stand on. It's not an ugly set on it's own merits, but...that's not REMOTELY what was voted for. Can't wait to read the designer interviews try to spin this one.

@matrox2001 said:
"well this has saved me some cash!

The cars are nice, but the locomotive. Wow that’s disappointing.

"

I now go on first impressions to try and control by addiction.
This certainly looks underwhelming.
I would have preferred the bricks from the second carriage to going into making the loco something special.
Like you - money saved (in the short term anyway as lego will get it eventually)

Fingers crossed for lots of prints in lieu of stickers. Now that IDEAS sets have begun to have stickers… oy!

@WizardOfOss said:
"I honestly don't care if this runs or not, though I'd think it would, wider track for 8 stud wide cars doesn't make sense. But for a set like this (clearly not a play set for kids) I much prefer a good display value over something badly marred just to make it ran (like with the Crocodile).

Based on these pictures, the cars seem the star of the show here, they look pretty excellent. I can only hope those decorations are prints though? Unfortunately no doors with the distinctive oval windows, but that was to be expected.

As for the engine, that certainly is a step down from the fan design. With those small driving wheels it looks more like an early 20th century freight steamer, although a 2'C wheel arrangement would be more likely for a passenger locomotive. I've seen people mention this is supposed to be the engine used for the first Orient Express back in 1883, but it looks way too modern for that. I sure am curious if this is based on any particular prototype, or if it's an entirely made up design. I sure hope not, as for a set like these I would expect a certain level of authenticity.

So first impression leaves rather mixed feelings, I hope the full reveal will change my mind...."

I'm pretty sure the doors have the windows you speak of. The main windows however appear to be the newer 3 studs wide turned on their side vs the original train windows with curved inner edges.

@Endermen39 said:
"I’ve heard that it’s releasing on December 1st has 2540 pieces and the price is $300"

Where did you hear of the release date?

@tomahawker said:
"The Lego Ideas submission was 8 studs wide and I'm pretty sure it was designed to run on standard Lego track. This looks to be the same. Does anyone know what color blue is used on this model?"

This is navy blue/earth blue.

Looks like Thomas the tank engine but again nothing wrong with that. Will buy if it runs on standard tracks and is easily motorized.

@LT587 said:
" @Endermen39 said:
"I’ve heard that it’s releasing on December 1st has 2540 pieces and the price is $300"

Where did you hear of the release date?"
From Falcon Fan1414, Brick Clicker and the Legoleak Reddit.

@Endermen39 said:
"I’ve heard that it’s releasing on December 1st has 2540 pieces and the price is $300"

I actually like it, I like the look of the train, and I like the locomotive.

But the cost is probably going to be pushing $500 AUD, and that's a definite no.

No Poirot? Well, that’s a pass.

Might be fun modifying this to Thomas the Tank Engine with Annie and Clarabel…

@whw_iv:
Not counting the two Japanese exclusives, 21302 in 2015 was the first Ideas set to include stickers.

@PurpleDave said:
" @HOBBES said:
"Lego went extremely easy on this one and picked the first ever engine pulling the train in 1883 (originally was black but they made it earth blue - Lego colour) and even what they created seems extremely basic."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Express /media/File%3AOrientexpress1883.JPG

This is supposedly the first engine to pull the OE, and I see two less axles on the engine vs this model. Is it really the same engine, and just built that badly?"

Looks like you find an earlier version that I was able to find. On this, the wagons also look very old and not as luxurious as what the model presents.

The one I had is an engine which was recently (2021) exhibited in Singapore.
https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/travel/orient-express-train-exhibit-singapore-gardens-by-the-bay-246911

Looks like a 2-6-0 - which is different from what Lego is proposing for the set (4-6-0). Having looked at many pictures, it seems only the front is black. The rest of the locomotive is very dark green - as proposed in the original submission.

To me, it looks like it will run on the standard track.

If so, I will buy 3 or 4 copies.

2 for me to have 4 cars and double the length of the locomotive.

The other 1 or 2 for my kids as valuable gifts when they grow up.

I bought 3 Emerald Nights to get extra carriages. Sold off the 2 locos. Looks like I will be buying 2 of this set.

Add a Mummy and the Twelfth Doctor, and then launch it into space!

@MrBedhead said:
"I have only one question left: should I buy one or two.... hmmmmmm"
At least with this one it's a matter of choice.... With Lego City passenger trains it's practically mandatory!

Currently there's a 6 wide L-gauge steam train with detailed carriages at the Bricklink series 3, which shows that it is possible to keep both the display and play fans happy.

Phenomenal interior. Did you peep the offset maroon runner on the bedspread?

First reaction: incredibly disappointed in the locomotive. This is my most anticipated set in ages, and I loved the locomotive in the original submission - gave a real impression of size and power. This one suffers from the over-sized boiler issue that stopped me from buying Emerald Express when it came out. Will probably still buy it just for the coaches and to see how I could improve the engine...

If it won't fit on standard track I will be giving it a miss! Shame because it would look good on my city layout. ??

I like the way it looks so far. But I will wait until I see more pictures and a actual price to make my final decision if it'll become a purchase in the future.

It's mindbaffeling to see many reactions in the likes off: "Oh this is SOOO dissapointing - please take my money"
why would you buy something you find very dissapointing?

If you all keep up with this, LEGO is NEVER going to change and up their game!

@MrBedhead:
It’s an understandable assumption. After the big Hogwarts rolled in with a wheelbase that’s two studs wider than L-Gauge, anything that’s obviously wider than 6-wide is going to cause people to worry. And not every AFOL has a good enough head for math (particularly geometry) to be able to take a handful of pics like this and be able to deduce that the carriage body is wider than the wheelbase, let alone by how much.

That said, there are plenty of people here who can sort that out from this limited selection of pictures, and enough of them have done so, and posted their findings, that if anyone is still freaking out, that’s kinda their own fault for not reading the comments.

@PurpleDave said:
" @MrBedhead :
It’s an understandable assumption. After the big Hogwarts rolled in with a wheelbase that’s two studs wider than L-Gauge, anything that’s obviously wider than 6-wide is going to cause people to worry. And not every AFOL has a good enough head for math (particularly geometry) to be able to take a handful of pics like this and be able to deduce that the carriage body is wider than the wheelbase, let alone by how much.

That said, there are plenty of people here who can sort that out from this limited selection of pictures, and enough of them have done so, and posted their findings, that if anyone is still freaking out, that’s kinda their own fault for not reading the comments."

I don't agree. If you make the effort to quickly look at the pictures, you see that the wagons are 8 studs wide and that the wheels are not at all flush with the sides, meaning that they are one stud inset on each side, and that the wheelbase is thus 6 studs wide.

You can also clearly see this in the middle bottom pic.

I understand that people have concerns, and I guess that it is just easier to quickly complain in a comment, rather than looking at the pictures in detail. But looking at the pictures in detail without complaining first is probably the smarter thing to do. Unless you just love to complain, of course.

That sure is a train.

@BelgianBricker said:
"It's mindbaffeling to see many reactions in the likes off: "Oh this is SOOO dissapointing - please take my money"
why would you buy something you find very dissapointing?

If you all keep up with this, LEGO is NEVER going to change and up their game!"

Because this is the first adult aimed steam loco released since Emerald Night in 2009. Putting aside the missed expectations of the ideas submission this is still a loco with some great passenger carriages. If this sells well then Lego might see the sales figures and think to make more afol aimed train sets...

@BelgianBricker said:
" @MrBedhead said:
" @BelgianBricker said:
"It's mindbaffeling to see many reactions in the likes off: "Oh this is SOOO dissapointing - please take my money"
why would you buy something you find very dissapointing?

If you all keep up with this, LEGO is NEVER going to change and up their game!"

Please enlighten me and tell me where LEGO has to up their game. Or are you just going to come up with the same old same old complaints of some AFOLs who just love to complain, such as, but not limited to:
- I hate all these stupid colours inside
- Why do the models not look entirely like the real thing?
- Related to the above: I hate it that LEGO looks like a toy
- LEGO used to be way cheaper and have way better quality
- LEGO instructions nowadays are stupid and way oversimplified
- I HATE BLUE PINS!!!
"

1: print quality opaqueness,...
2: color consistency
3: moldmarks
4: measurement consistency
and those are just the 4 top of my head"

Pretty much sound like the usual quality complaint issues to me, that most people have zero issues with and that actually are mostly not nearly as bad as some AFOLs make them out to be.

Lego have done well with the leaks ever since they employed someone to stop them.

@Lyichir:
You just stand at the back of the last car, and let nature take its course. And don’t let go of the railing!

@MrBedhead:
Based on experiences I had with several copies of 70904, I have a strong suspicion that some (but not all) of these quality issues are regional in nature. That is, when parts are produced, and sets are packed, in multiple factories around the world, one factory can have issues that don’t impact others. I’d heard Europeans complain for years about translucent “opaque” parts, and bad clutch, and never understood what they were complaining about.

Then I got several copies of that set when it was released half a month before the original street date, and some copies were fine, while others had clutch issues with _EVERY_ 1x1 round plate (and there were a lot of them in that set). I quickly figured out that if the plates had good clutch, they would also be fully opaque. If they had weak clutch, they would also be translucent. The 2x2 round plates in the sets with good clutch also had pips consistently on the same stud, while those in the sets with bad clutch had pips that alternated between two different studs (but always the same two).

This tells me the good clutch came from one mold, and the bad clutch came from a different one. The clean split between opaque and translucent tells me they were likely molded on different machines that had different settings for how much pigment to use with their in-line coloring system, or that their base ABS pellets are not consistent with each other. The fact that TLM and TLBM caused a run on all LEGO sets in the month or two leading up to Christmas, and the fact that I only hear of translucency issues from Europeans, made me suspect that North America may have been supplementing with European production, just to keep the shelves from being completely bare.

Let’s get tipsy at the bar and wonder who dunnit?

I guess I'm not a big enough of a train person to understand why the hate. I think it looks gorgeous. I may actually have to pick it up. The only other trains I have are Hogwarts Expresses since I have to get all of the HP sets.

I love the color. I think the sizing works well. The details, chef's kiss. *shrug*

Dark blue is fine for the carriages, but it doesn't look good on a train. It really doesn't contrast well with black as it's just too dark. Those photos look like they've been over-exposed to make the colour show up. If anything, they should have gone with dark red for the locomotive. That would have avoided the problem of being too dark, and also not duplicate the dark green of the Emerald Night.

Been saving up for this all year, based on the IDEAS set which looked great. I think I'll pass. Loco is hopeless.

I hope that Lego are reading some of these comments, the Train needs to change it looks like an after thought.
The carriages look great and detailed but OMG the Train. Come on Lego that Train is just poor. So disappointed.

@Joefish said:
"Dark blue is fine for the carriages, but it doesn't look good on a train. It really doesn't contrast well with black as it's just too dark."

So…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter_(locomotive)/media/File%3ACP_steam_loco.jpg

Why is the locomotive smaller than the passenger cars?

@gatorbug6 said:
"Why is the locomotive smaller than the passenger cars?"

Because that is how it used to be in the old days. Google 1883 Orient Express images and you will be surprised.

But anyway, the Avengers Towers' first pic has leaked. Since it looks awesome and this also looks awesome and I still need to get the Venator and I am sure that there will be more 2x VIP points coming this year, my bank account will take a massive hot some time end November, start December.

@Anak said:
"Where is Poirot?"

Ah m'sieur. If I told you, zat would rather ruin the surprise, would it not?

Not what I expected or hoped for.
If it runs on City tracks without issues, I'll buy it. But it definitely shifted from "must have" category into "wait and see".

If it runs on LEGO track, I’m absolutely getting it. If it doesn’t, then it’s painfully pointless and I won’t be getting it.

Fingers crossed, I have the beautiful Crocodile and would love to have this also running alongside around my Lego Town.

As with the medieval blacksmith, the original idea has been totally denatured here ??

Someone needs to start a crowdfunding campaign for tracks that fit these overstuffed train sets since LEGO doesn’t seem like they want to stop making the sets or the tracks.