Brickset Bouts: Millennium Falcon vs Emerald Night
Posted by Huw,
Today's second bout in our knockout competition to find the best set released since Brickset was founded 20 years ago features the largest set LEGO has ever made and the best train ever made, so it should be an interesting contest!
Read what advocates BrickJonas has to say about 75192 Millennium Falcon and Kung_Fu_Kenny about 10194 Emerald Night, which includes our first instance of 'fighting talk' after the break, then cast your vote!
75192 Millennium Falcon
The LEGO UCS version of the Millenium Falcon might not be the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy, but it's clearly a record-breaker in terms of piece count and details, and it also features some of our favourite characters from the Star Wars franchise.
It is a fantastic redesigned version of the first UCS Millennium Falcon from 2007, and on top of that, this time we've got interior details too - it features a couple of nicely created iconic scenes from the Star Wars movies. A must-have for LEGO Star Wars collectors, right?
When choosing the best set of a millennium, I think it's important to analyse every aspect of it. Sure, it's huge, and it looks great, but just think about it: designing, testing, producing, and packaging a set like this is also a lot of work for the LEGO designers, instruction makers, box art designers and factory workers.
That's why I think this set really deserves to be the best LEGO set released this millennium!
10194 Emerald Night
I’ve been tasked by Huw to defend one of the most beautiful sets to ever come out of Billund.
Inspired by one of the world’s most famous steam locomotives, the Flying Scotsman, The Emerald Night is the very embodiment of graceful steam engine design. Its magnificent colour scheme and sleek lines contribute to a refined aesthetic that holds up even now, 11 years after it was released. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant trains ever released by Lego, it is still sought after and commands high aftermarket prices.
The gigantic light blue-grey elephant in the room, however, is the set that 10194 is being pitted against: The latest UCS Millennium Falcon. How fair can it be to compare the largest, most expensive, and perhaps most iconic LEGO set ever released with a 1000 piece train that was designed 8 years previously? The Emerald Night has a mere 1085 pieces and only 3 minifigures, compared to a whopping 7541 pieces and 8 minifigures for the Falcon, and its retail price was $99 (US), vs $799 (US) for the MF.
How can we resolve this apparent David and Goliath disparity? Perhaps a thought exercise in equity would level the playing field. Imagine a “UCS” Emerald Night set with Power functions and a large amount of train track included. Then add 5 more passenger cars and a dining car. Finally, throw in more minifigures and a nice train platform build. Even then 10194 would still likely come out smaller and less expensive than it’s gargantuan monochromatic rival!
You may also want to consider the opinion of those who have actually ridden in the Falcon. Princess Leia famously called it a “bucket of bolts”, and even Han Solo conceded that she was a “hunk of junk” and “may not look like much” !
As a final plea to the voters I would ask that you choose graceful design and a stately colour scheme over the light blue-grey homogeneity and overwhelming piece count of the Falcon.
This is your chance to cheer for the underdog, to show the world that LEGO is more about design and beauty than about exorbitant prices and a “bigger is better” mentality! Choose the Emerald Night!
Cast your vote!
Having read the above, which of these two sets do you think should go through to the quarter-final for a chance to be crowned "best set of the millennium" ?
Voting for this bout will remain open until 8am BST Wednesday morning and I will announce the result shortly after.
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98 comments on this article
harsh words from @Kung_Fu_Kenny
The Falcon 1000% how is this even a question
Had to go with the Falcon even though it has the Disney options. The Emerald Night had to be modified if you wanted to run it for any length of time. That alone should disqualify it as the greatest set.
I'm torn on this one, really. The Millennium Falcon is an astounding feat of engineering but once assembled it's not terribly interesting as a completed model to me. It's an iconic design, of course, but any assessment of Star Wars sets are almost inevitably bound up with nostalgia for the films rather than the ships themselves being good to look at. There's a lot of pretty dull, blocky designs in the Star Wars range.
The Emerald Night is a great tribute to British trains, but the fact it only comes with one carriage is disappointing. It doesn't kill the set's overall design, but it demands two or three carriages to really work as a standalone set.
'As a final plea to the voters I would ask that you choose graceful design and a stately colour scheme over the light blue-grey homogeneity and overwhelming piece count of the Falcon.
This is your chance to cheer for the underdog, to show the world that LEGO is more about design and beauty than about exorbitant prices and a “bigger is better” mentality! Choose the Emerald Night!'
I own neither of these sets, but these stirring words convince me that I should obtain at least one.
UCS MF is my favourite set (possibly my favourite collectable I own, if full size ornamental Samurai armour doesn’t count as a collectable), I still think the Saturn V is the “best” Lego set of the last 20 years.
Of the sets I don’t own Emerald Night is a beautiful set and certainly up there in the top 5 or so sets I don’t own and wish were re-released.
I had to vote for Emerald Night. It truly is an elegant masterpiece that pushes the limits of the levels of realism that can be achieved through the medium of LEGO bricks.
@AussieSamurai said:
"UCS MF is my favourite set (possibly my favourite collectable I own, if full size ornamental Samurai armour doesn’t count as a collectable), I still think the Saturn V is the “best” Lego set of the last 20 years.
Of the sets I don’t own Emerald Night is a beautiful set and certainly up there in the top 5 or so sets I don’t own and wish were re-released. "
Saturn V is an absolutely phenomenal set.
more tough choices! Hard to compare, I like to think about the question, "If you could only own one Lego set..." I like to go for the underdog and not just be drawn by size, but as beautiful as it is, the Emerald Night is not without flaws as a set, and the Millenium Falcon is very iconic, so MF it is, but it was close...
@CM4Sci said:
"The Falcon 1000% how is this even a question "
The Emerald Night 10,000%, how is this even a question? After all, it did give us those wonderful flanged drivers!
Will the original voting numbers from the first round ever be released?
Go for it Kenny, I'm with you on this one. Emerald Night all the way. By far the best train set Lego has ever produced and so popular today that every train enthusiast either has it or desperately wants it re-released. I unfortunately have to keep hoping it comes back. If only I had started into Lego a few years earlier. Is it possible Lego could make a UCS Emerald Night? Let's hope it's in our future :). So happy Lego has finally brought us a new creator train I hope it's a sign of many more to come. Note, next time please add at least 2 carriages ;)
Nothing against the falcon, it's a great big build, but we have a lot of falcon sets but only one Emerald Night.
Here’s the thing about the falcon. From 2007 until this set was released, everyone’s white whale was a different falcon with 5000 pieces. Then in 2017, this falcon came out with 8000 pieces and now it’s the white whale. But at some point TLG is going to release a 10k piece set. What if there is a 12,000 piece falcon around in 2022? Will anyone remember this particular version? If your biggest claim to the throne is piece count, you’re going to lose that claim at some point.
Contrast with Emerald Night. We’re still talking about it a decade later and the next UCS Falcon to come along will never change that.
Had the train been Horizon Express which I originally nominated that would have got my vote, but now it's got to be Millennium Falcon.
@TerryWright said:
"'As a final plea to the voters I would ask that you choose graceful design and a stately colour scheme over the light blue-grey homogeneity and overwhelming piece count of the Falcon.
This is your chance to cheer for the underdog, to show the world that LEGO is more about design and beauty than about exorbitant prices and a “bigger is better” mentality! Choose the Emerald Night!'
I own neither of these sets, but these stirring words convince me that I should obtain at least one."
An Unexpected Gathering is my underdog in this Brickset Bout fight.
Like I said with the Slave I situation compared to MMV, the Falcon isn't unique, maybe this is the largest Falcon, but it's still even the second UCS Falcon, among many smaller ones.
But this train is one of a kind, from LEGO themselves.
This one was an easy one as the Emerald Night is very possibly my favorite set of all time. And I love Kung_Fu_Kenny's write up; possibly the best advocate piece so far! Them's fightin' words!!
I have voted for David.
I have it next to the Crocodile Locomotive and these are the best locomotives LEGO has ever released.
My only concern, I would have liked additional passenger cars, a dining car and a luggage car.
I See Star Wars, I vote the other set :)
Also, a train. Easy vote.
I didn't include the UCS in my top 5, mainly because I thought everyone else would, but I have to say having owned and built one while as a static model its very impressive as a thing to build, or move, if if someone bumps into it and you need to add a bit back on its a rather frustrating set. Its heavy and difficult to find a point to pick up from..... having said that its the top trumps and easy for me in this round as ive never been a fan of trains.
Yes, a very difficult comparison really. Where do you even start? For me, the train is a thing of beauty with a relatively modest original piece count and price point. This has been on my wanted list for so long, and for many others I’m sure.
There will always be another SW Milennium Falcon. Just wait a couple of years. ;) There will only be one Emerald Night.
“This is your chance to cheer for the underdog, to show the world that LEGO is more about design and beauty than about exorbitant prices”
...speaking of exorbitant prices, a sealed Emerald Night is currently £600 asking price on Bricklink compared to £650 or less ‘off the shelf’ for the UCS Falcon right now. That has no bearing on the fantastic quality of both sets which people should be judging them by but interesting to know if anyone actually wanted an Emerald Night. Odd that TLG are producing things like the crocodile locomotive when clearly they’d be onto a winner with a steam train like EN.
The Millennium Falcon is also an object of beauty though - just putting it out there. Anyone who thinks otherwise surely isn’t a Star Wars fan ;)
I don’t own either so I’m choosing the emerald night because I know it will lose anyway and Kung_Fu_Kenny did a great writeup for it ;)
@northgeorgiamasonry said:
"Here’s the thing about the falcon. From 2007 until this set was released, everyone’s white whale was a different falcon with 5000 pieces. Then in 2017, this falcon came out with 8000 pieces and now it’s the white whale. But at some point TLG is going to release a 10k piece set. What if there is a 12,000 piece falcon around in 2022? Will anyone remember this particular version? If your biggest claim to the throne is piece count, you’re going to lose that claim at some point.
Contrast with Emerald Night. We’re still talking about it a decade later and the next UCS Falcon to come along will never change that."
I get your point and I was of those, "I wish I had bought the 5000 piece one" people, but I hear there is a lot of demand for a new Emerald Night and so if there is surely the same would be true, who would want the 11yr old version..........
My vote’s going to the Emerald Night for originality and actually being somewhat affordable.
Im fortunate enough to have both these sets and my vote has to goto the Emerald Night. i love this train its sheer beauty and a perfect adaptation of a iconic British steam train, i wish we had more steam trains as i think there under stated by Lego.
the Falcon is great and displayed on its side is a masive display focal point and a must have for Star Wars fans who wouldnt want such a monster, but having a Emerald Night chugging around on some tracks makes it much more a playfull gem.
i'm a big SW fan but that Falcon is too ridiculously expensive to vote for it. plus yeah elegance of EN gives it my vote, hands down
As has been said, the Emerald Night is an incredible set for any number of reasons, and it utterly perplexes me as to why they haven't made a similar set since then. From a business perspective, an £80-100 steam train will sell well with almost every demographic - kids, TFOLs, AFOLs and even non-FOL adults who are just looking for a cool display piece - it seems like it should be a no-brainer on Lego's part. With regard to the Falcon, it's nice, and the building techniques are brilliant, but it just isn't as special as the EN.
I could never afford the Falcon... but I have a Emerald Night back at home as one of my favorite sets ever. Gotta vote for team EN here.
The engine on EN looks great but the thing ran like absolute crap on the rails.
Great plea for the Emerald Night. However, we are judging the greatest set of the millennium, not the greatest set review of the millennium. Is it even a contest?
2 more that could be in the finals. Need a bigger hat! Have to vote for the big guy.
@bananaworld said:
"
Will the original voting numbers from the first round ever be released?
"
https://brickset.com/article/52693/brickset-bouts-the-results-so-far
I don't own the Emerald Night. I do own the Millennium Falcon. I also own the original version of the Millennium Falcon.
Had this been the original Millennium Falcon, I still would have voted for the Emerald Night.
Why?
It's very simple, I don't think that the Millennium Falcon is as good as it could be. It's awesome, an incredible display piece (if you actually have the space) and a real conversation starter, I do love it. I still want to modify it though. I also still think that Slave I is the best UCS set and therefore it would be wrong for the Millennium Falcon to win.
So, I voted for the underdog. Emerald Night is another set I'd love to own, great colour, cool smooth lines. I also agree that this is a David and Goliath contest and on this occasion size should lose too.
Bricklinked the old one and brought the new one. 75192 all the way.
I am a star wars and a train fan, but you cannot compare these 2 sets! I had to go with the Millenium Falcon...
Another tough one for me. EN is a great set for sure, and one of the best train sets. But MF certainly is on another level. The size and the amount of work invested in it is immense. Could be argue one of the best UCS sets. MF edges out this one.
Sorry but as magnificent as Emerald night can be, I can't vote anything but for 75192. As a Lego and long, long SW fan (I mean I am 47 now) this UCS set is a dream came true. And still is, and will remain a dream till the day I will be able to get it. If that ever happens.
I was going to go with the Falcon, but the train write-up won me over. Indeed, imagine a similarly priced variant of this train set...
That's just as hard to compare in a fair way as Disney Castle versus AUG.
Both sets are awesome in their own way.
But even though I am a huge fan of the original trilogy, my love for trains runs that much deeper within me.
On a purely technical level though, the Falcon is a better set. Then again, if looks were the deciding factor, then the pendulum would swing in the other direction again.
So, what to choose?
Unfortunately I think the Falcon wins on this one. Comparing it to the Emerald Night is just strange. I still don't think the Falcon is the best set ever made though
EN is a lovely train and I sure like it more than the huge, overpriced Falcon, but neither of these are very high for me in the total bracket of sets in competition right now. I don't think either set bests its contemporaries on the list. I think the Emerald Night is beaten by the other AFOL "cult classics" like Unexpected Gathering and MMV, and I think the Falcon pales in comparison to the Slave I.
I go for the Emerald Night, it's an absolutely beautiful steam engine that looks stunning running round the track. The moving pistons are the icing on the cake. I bitterly regret not buying this one on its initial release - all I've been able to do is bricklink most of the locomotive.
The Millennium Falcon is alright, but I prefer the original 10179. The extra detailing on 75192 looks noisy and messy. the colours seem a bit too exaggerated, and it kind of sits in the uncanny valley of being so good it doesn't look like a Lego model but not good enough to pass for a replica prop.
I don't own either but had to vote for Emerald Night. I agree about the color, it matters to me when I build a set. That is why my two regular MF sets, which I do like, are not built to this day. I can't get through the sea of gray pieces to build it.
@TerryWright said:
"'As a final plea to the voters I would ask that you choose graceful design and a stately colour scheme over the light blue-grey homogeneity and overwhelming piece count of the Falcon.
This is your chance to cheer for the underdog, to show the world that LEGO is more about design and beauty than about exorbitant prices and a “bigger is better” mentality! Choose the Emerald Night!'
I own neither of these sets, but these stirring words convince me that I should obtain at least one."
If people wanna vote for the Falcon they should just vote for the Falcon. Asking people to "Choose the Emerald Night" as you put it is in itself a biased vote and wont show a true reflection of the Brickset viewers Idea on the best set. You must remember that these 2 sets were selected from the entire Brickset audience and that this is a knockout competition to find the overall number 1. Every Lego set ever made has had its chance to shine here, so we must now let the natural votes take place to see a true reflection of the fanbase.
so now we now why underdogs win, because some people vote for them out of pity. ok, I guess you can base your vote on any criteria of your choice. I'm not particularly attached to any of them, I think I'll go with the falcon, if you put them against Ninjago city, EN would have no chance (hence, it would win because it's the underdog XD )
Emerald Night is the perfection of train sets. It is clearly superior to the massive MF
I'm a big train fan, especially of steam trains, and although the EN looks good, it's always looked a bit out of proportion to me. I've built my own version of the Flying Scotsman, so I'm not too fussed about the EN.
Having said that, this has been a very difficult decision, but eventually I've plumped for the MF.
I am proud to say that, after much deliberation, I voted for the Emerald Night!
Graceful train versus hunk of junk is all the advice you need. To choose the train that is of course.
Let's also not forget how the Emerald Night was designed - 10 AFOL train fans, in secret, whisked off to Billund to brainstorm and pre-build the best trains they could come up with, distilled over the next 2 years by Jamie Berard into the finest train LEGO has ever produced. It gave us a gorgeous train, more dark green, big train wheels, and the ultimate goal of any LEGO train fan, tan train windows!
Whereas the Millenium Falcon's brief was: 'do that Star Wars thing again, but this time double the price'.
No contest.
The Emerald Night & Basically almost every other set LEGO has made is Better than the super overrated & way two big UCS Millennium Falcon. I really don’t understand why so many people consider it the best set ever When it’s way too big & there really need a second Competition were no big sets are allowed to be included for voting Since not everyone likes big sets
@JintaiZ said:
"The Emerald Night is truly a beautiful train, but the Millennium Falcon is one of the most iconic ships in Star Wars..."
But just because something iconic Doesn’t make it Better
Sigh, typical quotes taken out of context. You forgot "...but she's got it where it counts."
I love the Emerald Night, I really do--I don't have one but I'm one of the many, many hoping for a remake. But at my core I'm a space ship guy. Classic Space fan since 1981, Star Wars fan since about that same time. Just because it's obvious doesn't mean it's wrong--I gotta go with the Falcon. One of the greatest space ships ever conceived, and Lego more than did it justice. To be fair, I'm still handing this competition to the Saturn V, but in this duel, it's the Falcon (though with all due respect to the magnificent Emerald Night).
Grey block or gorgeous train. Easy vote for Emerald Night :)
Not voting for EN out of pity- it's just a better set. Original design, non-licensed, not a rehash of a previous set, good use of color, doesn't require purchasing all new furniture to display, motorizable.. it's just all the good Lego things in one.
Does the Emerald Night hold any interest for people who aren't into (like INTO, into) trains?
I suppose you could say the same of the Falcon re: Star Wars fans, but it's at least a complex and interesting build.
The Emerald Night looks interchangable with any Creator train set - I can't see anyone getting excited about it who isn't already massively invested in trains. Considering only one paragraph is about the model itself, I think the writer knows this.
Emerald Night, all the way!
Don't get me wrong, I get jazzed up for the Flying Scotsman as much as the next Gordon but when you see 7000 pcs together on the wall at the LEGO store it breaks your filter. It's mesmerizing.. The writer did a good job explaining the daunting task LEGO fully accomplished
"consider the opinion of those who have actually ridden in the Falcon. Princess Leia famously called it a “bucket of bolts”, and even Han Solo conceded that she was a “hunk of junk” and “may not look like much” !"
That was a fine move right there @Kung_Fu_Kenny! :P
Summary of the tide of comments against the MF so far
- Too detailed
- Too grey
- Too big
- Too expensive
- Licensed = worse
- There was another version before
- Previous UCS was better
It’ll be interesting to see if this heavy bias in the comments is actually reflected in the votes. I’m not particularly interested in Lego trains in general so there would’ve needed to be something even more significant than Kenny’s admittedly great piece to grab my attention.
No contest. Emerald Night is a beautiful design. Millennium Falcon is just another ugly mess of grey bricks!
I have to go for emerald night, it's a set I've always wanted even though I'm not a huge train fan...and the other reason being, and I'm not denying that the MF is a great set I can't forgive star wars for killing off any other decent space theme for the last 20 years and being tbh pretty over rated sci-fi wise.
This wasn't a vote FOR something as much as it was a vote AGAINST something. I have no interest in either trains or Star Wars, so the choice was which do I despise less.
Looking at it that way, it was just no contest. LEGO Star Wars has been crammed down our throats to excess and I'm just tired of it. I know it's a cash cow for TLG, but I sure wish they would produce fewer Star Wars sets and more ...well... ANYTHING else!
So trains it is!
@vidiont said:
"This wasn't a vote FOR something as much as it was a vote AGAINST something. I have no interest in either trains or Star Wars, so the choice was which do I despise less.
Looking at it that way, it was just no contest. LEGO Star Wars has been crammed down our throats to excess and I'm just tired of it. I know it's a cash cow for TLG, but I sure wish they would produce fewer Star Wars sets and more ...well... ANYTHING else!
So trains it is!"
Maybe just don't vote then?
At the time, to produce something as massive as the Falcon was inconceivable for commercial sale.
"It is not only possible, it is essential."
...I see all space final - Saturn V vs. Falcon.
I do love me some Millennium Falcon; but I think, when it comes down to it, I'd rather choose a more manageable version of the famous ship than this gigantic model. It's a fantastic rendition, for sure... but it's so far out of my ballpark that I don't really have the capacity to comprehend it, to be quite honest.
I can't even visualise what 13 KILOGRAMS of Lego looks like, it's just too much for me to even process. And while I would have certainly liked to have a shot at building it myself - and if I had, it might have given me a more honest appreciation for it - at present it just...
I dunno.
It's impressive. It's massive. The level of detail is astounding.
But for all that, I don't honestly feel like I can say it's the superior of the two without having at least touched it in person. Bigger isn't necessarily always better. And I'd almost rather a non-licensed set win ultimately, rather than a licensed one.
But despite all that, I'm having trouble 100% convincing myself to vote for Emerald Night, either. I suspect the picture simply doesn't do it justice; but it's hard to determine objectively, again, without having seen it in person.
I don't...
Know which way I want to vote.
Give the Emerald Night two more carriages and maybe we'd have a conversation.
Nah... sod that... MilF FTW regardless.
@CM4Sci said:
"The Falcon 1000% how is this even a question "
Because the only thing the Falcon has going for it is that it is big?
If you want a gigantic display piece and/or to show off how much money you can afford to spend on Lego, then by all means go for it. But I would sooner be voting for one of the modern playsize Falcons - they give you everything that you need a Falcon to be, but are much more approachable.
The fact that the person writing about the MF could barely say anything about it besides "It's from Star Wars!" says a lot about the two sets I think. Easy vote for the Emerald Night.
It kind of seems a little unfair given that @Kung_Fu_Kenny knew the opponent was the Falcon due to being called in the stead of the original, unresponding Emerald Night advocate. I voted for the Emerald Night, yes, but I want this to be a fair contest. I believe that going forward, the match-ups for the second bouts should be generated before the advocating users are called to write their essays. Its a lot more fun to read "fighting talk" than simply someone gushing over a set they like. It also is a more interesting battle if the opponent is known, rather than taking shots in the dark.
As a non-SW fan the falcon set is depressing in that it is one grey piece after another.
If I could have only one set, it would be the emerald.
@xboxtravis7992 said:
"I could never afford the Falcon... but I have a Emerald Night back at home as one of my favorite sets ever. Gotta vote for team EN here. "
Swap ya my MF for your EN??
@hackenbacker said:
" @CM4Sci said:
"The Falcon 1000% how is this even a question "
Because the only thing the Falcon has going for it is that it is big?
If you want a gigantic display piece and/or to show off how much money you can afford to spend on Lego, then by all means go for it. But I would sooner be voting for one of the modern playsize Falcons - they give you everything that you need a Falcon to be, but are much more approachable."
I mean I love Star Wars, and if I could have the UCS Falcon I would love the opportunity. But with the Emerald Night I think of the wise words of a Jedi Master (who was also green), "Judge me by my size do you not?"
Yes the Emerald Night is a smaller set, but it represented a massive leap forward for Lego train design at the time of its release. I saw another person mention "its not that really different from the other Creator Expert trains is it?" and while that's true, the EN has the distinction of being the first! Not to mention the slope/curved pieces the EN introduced massively changed Lego set design, I see those 2x4 curved tiles all over the place in Lego now, including in some other sets in this competition like the Saturn V. I know the piece has had some slight redesigns since the original Emerald Night issue, but its fairly minor and still recognizable as the same part just slightly updated.
I own and have built the MF and it's beautiful to behold, but I'd swap it in a minute for the EN.
I don't have a lot of LEGO sets on display right now, but of the few I do, the 2017 UCS Falcon and the Emerald Night are two of them. In my LEGO world, Trains have long been a holy grail. I didn't have any as a child in the 9V era of the 90s, and Star Wars and BIONICLE dominated my mania in the 2000s. But by the time I was in college, my tastes matured and coincided with the start of some of LEGO's most detailed models being released. Seeing the Emerald Night in 2009 hit me with the force of a pile driver. Here was the first LEGO Train to inspire the same, must-have fervor that the Metroliner did for me back in the mid-90s. And it was a steam train that LOOKED like a proper British steam locomotive! Not the half-assed 9V designs of the "My Own Train" era or the primitive grasps of DB railways from the 1980s 12V era. It was like LEGO once again read my imagination for what I really wanted.
It took me a few years. $100 was still a little steep for a college student, and I was in the thick of my "eBay era", when I was spending what budget I had for LEGO on retired LEGO sets I missed out on from my childhood. So I waited, hoping for the Emerald Night to go on sale. I think two years went by before I realized I wasn't going to catch it on sale, and I had a spare $100 laying around. So I bought it. Great decision, because it went EOL less than a year later.
I had plans to convert the thing to 9V, using a train motor to replace the front four wheels on the Night and adjusting the build accordingly. To test this, I bought a spare Emerald Night (not the coach, because that was already commanding high prices on the aftermarket) in 2016 to build around the 9V motor. I had mixed success, and in the end, decided to just build the Emerald Night I bought originally and appreciate it for what it was. After all, I didn't have a track layout for running any trains anyway.
That was actually done this year. At that point, my 2017 UCS Millennium Falcon had been built for almost two years, and was sitting on a table in my LEGO room with a cloth draped over it to prevent dust from accumulating. I am quite proud of it, but it just sits there. Kind of like my Star Wars fandom in general, but that is another story. Why I, and why any other LEGO fan worth their salt, should consider the Emerald Night the better of the two sets really comes down to that link, or lack thereof, to a greater concept. The UCS set from 2017 is tied inexorably to Star Wars, to a cinematic vision. In its purest form, that vision is encapsulated by minutes of screentime involving the Falcon and its various physical and CGI models. Cinema is a very different beast from toys, but strong feelings can be attached to both. As widespread as Star Wars is now across various products and media, it is still, in essence, a non-corporeal entity that exists as light and sound flickering across a screen. It's art, and like art in museums, you can see it, enjoy it, appreciate it...but the engagement is mental and emotional only. When art is translated into objects that emulate it, it becomes corporate, a product, a tchotchke. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It allows you to possess, to have an anchor of sorts into that transcendental plane that the original art takes you to, even if that is just the nostalgic wonderment of your childhood. But it is not the art itself. It is not the entirety of Star Wars. It is a monument to it; an impressive monument, but a monument nonetheless.
Pretty esoteric-sounding stuff, but here is where we pivot back to LEGO: they make toys. Toys, by virtue of their millennia-old association with children, have not been often elevated to the level of art. They have not stimulated minds beyond that of children, often because they have not been made to a degree of sophistication to stimulate an adult mind, the conception being (wrongly) that the minds of children are simplistic and unable to appreciate such care and attention to detail. But this is where LEGO came along and disagreed. [continued in next post...]
[continued from post above] Ole Kirk believed children deserved the best, and that ethos guided the crafting of the first toys to come out of the LEGO Company. It was a simple ethos, but it kept steering LEGO's path even after Ole was gone. That push for something better for children was the beginning of LEGO toys evolving from child's diversion into art.
Fast forward to 2009, and you can see the culmination of this evolution bearing fruit. One of those is the Emerald Night, a capstone to decades of LEGO trains amusing children and adults around the world. Furthermore, it hearkens to age of steam, long extinct, to show an idealized train that speaks of glamor and grace that LEGO trains hadn't really done up that point. Some might argue LEGO never again reached this peak because all subsequent steam trains were very American in style and often put in novelty scenarios (the Christmas train, for example). We got Horizon Express, the Maersk Train, and now the Crocodile Locomotive, but they aren't giant British steam engines. In other words, they aren't the Emerald Night. If you have one (or two, or five) Emerald Night set, you treasure it in your collection. If you were a kid when you got it, you played with it. Even now, it commands attention and beckons to adventure on the rails. Even now, it speaks to the past glories of rail travel and the excitement that can still be found there in the mind of a child. Or even in the imagination of an adult! Now, past, or in the future, the Emerald Night eternally suggests these ideas, these thoughts. Always, your eye will be drawn to this work of art in homage to something that no longer exists, either in LEGO or in the real railway world (aside from preservation lines in Britain). Could LEGO make a better steam train today? Probably. But we must not focus on possibility, but rather on actuality. This is a bout between two LEGO sets. For me, one is art!
And the other just sits on a large table, covered with a large cloth.
Easy choice for me: Emerald Night!
I'm a train and town fan and this is one of the best train engines EVER. Sad it comes with justv one carriage.
The Falcon is just a massive pile of bricks providing TLC with a huge amount of our cash.
It hardly can be displayed anywhere just because of its size.
If I had to choose from one set for free I would take the Falcon though!
... and sell it for 5 copies of the EN! :-P
I'm struggling how this is a contest ....... although I'm not a trainspotter, and to be sure although the train looks cool if this was released today, it would be way cooler with a higher piece count and with all the new parts available I suspect even better
The MF is all about what can be done with Lego period
Emerald Night easily.
The UCS M.Falcon is obviously an iconic ship/character in the Star Wars universe, and the scale means that the detail is tremendous, but it's no where near as accessible as the Emerald Night. I think the train manages to accomplish a lot more in such a smaller amount of space.
This is the toughest decision for me so far and it isn’t fair to the emerald night. These are my two most favorite sets that I own.
As a huge SW fan, I don’t want to see the Falcon win just bc it’s big and iconic. There are so many better SW sets including the Slave 1 that already lost..
Not a huge fan of trains, so...
@Lego_Lord_Mayorca said:
[[[continued from post above] Ole Kirk believed children deserved the best, and that ethos guided the crafting of the first toys to come out of the LEGO Company. It was a simple ethos, but it kept steering LEGO's path even after Ole was gone. That push for something better for children was the beginning of LEGO toys evolving from child's diversion into art.
Fast forward to 2009, and you can see the culmination of this evolution bearing fruit. One of those is the Emerald Night, a capstone to decades of LEGO trains amusing children and adults around the world. Furthermore, it hearkens to age of steam, long extinct, to show an idealized train that speaks of glamor and grace that LEGO trains hadn't really done up that point. Some might argue LEGO never again reached this peak because all subsequent steam trains were very American in style and often put in novelty scenarios (the Christmas train, for example). We got Horizon Express, the Maersk Train, and now the Crocodile Locomotive, but they aren't giant British steam engines. In other words, they aren't the Emerald Night. If you have one (or two, or five) Emerald Night set, you treasure it in your collection. If you were a kid when you got it, you played with it. Even now, it commands attention and beckons to adventure on the rails. Even now, it speaks to the past glories of rail travel and the excitement that can still be found there in the mind of a child. Or even in the imagination of an adult! Now, past, or in the future, the Emerald Night eternally suggests these ideas, these thoughts. Always, your eye will be drawn to this work of art in homage to something that no longer exists, either in LEGO or in the real railway world (aside from preservation lines in Britain). Could LEGO make a better steam train today? Probably. But we must not focus on possibility, but rather on actuality. This is a bout between two LEGO sets. For me, one is art!
And the other just sits on a large table, covered with a large cloth. ]]
Well yeah, I love Star Wars. A lot. But going out to a railroad museum or heritage line, especially one with an operating steam engine is a completely different experience. There is an amazing sense of blood, sweat and tears that goes into steam and I enjoy every second of watching it in work. A steam engine feels almost alive, like some creature that despite being made of metal it breaths and smokes and hisses.
Since I can't fly everyone voting in this poll right away to their nearest railroad museum to experience what I mean, I will instead drop this link to a video about the Emerald Night's real life inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLeUT4vnHC4
@bananaworld said:
"Will the original voting numbers from the first round ever be released?"
After the contest has concluded.
Sorry EN, much as I love trains, I never found you all that pretty. Your proportions are awkward, your tender's too small and your boiler's too fat.
This one goes to the breathtaking hunk of junk.
This is a no brainer, UCS Falcon all the way.
I'd have voted for 10179 in a heartbeat, but the Emerald Night is porg-free.
@vidiont said:
"This wasn't a vote FOR something as much as it was a vote AGAINST something. I have no interest in either trains or Star Wars, so the choice was which do I despise less.
Looking at it that way, it was just no contest. LEGO Star Wars has been crammed down our throats to excess and I'm just tired of it. I know it's a cash cow for TLG, but I sure wish they would produce fewer Star Wars sets and more ...well... ANYTHING else!
So trains it is!"
Frankly, it would be better if you chose not to vote.
Great argument for the Emerald Night!
But with only 1 carriage and unable to move without power functions & modifications (& then not well, from what I read) - plus, those Rectangular things sticking out the front of the train bother me! - i went with the largest, most awesome, and physically impressive set LEGO has ever made!
@xboxtravis7992 said:
"Well yeah, I love Star Wars. A lot. But going out to a railroad museum or heritage line, especially one with an operating steam engine is a completely different experience. There is an amazing sense of blood, sweat and tears that goes into steam and I enjoy every second of watching it in work. A steam engine feels almost alive, like some creature that despite being made of metal it breaths and smokes and hisses.
Since I can't fly everyone voting in this poll right away to their nearest railroad museum to experience what I mean, I will instead drop this link to a video about the Emerald Night's real life inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLeUT4vnHC4 "
What a great link! I have only been to railroad museums in the USA, but I dream of getting to visit places like the big one in York and the Bluebell Railway. You hit the nail on the head with what steam locomotives represent and the feeling one gets next to one in person or riding behind one in a coach. All the more reason to love the tribute that is the Emerald Night!
I vote Emerald Night.
Even today it would not look out of place among an array of 2020 Lego sets. I built the set over Christmas ten or so years ago and it graced the mantle of the fireplace for a while and I'd take it down and play with it because it's a train and trains are awesome.
I think it's the best train Lego has ever made and it gets my vote over the Millennium Falcon (even if it is the best Falcon Lego has ever made).
@Lego_Lord_Mayorca said:
" @xboxtravis7992 said:
"Well yeah, I love Star Wars. A lot. But going out to a railroad museum or heritage line, especially one with an operating steam engine is a completely different experience. There is an amazing sense of blood, sweat and tears that goes into steam and I enjoy every second of watching it in work. A steam engine feels almost alive, like some creature that despite being made of metal it breaths and smokes and hisses.
Since I can't fly everyone voting in this poll right away to their nearest railroad museum to experience what I mean, I will instead drop this link to a video about the Emerald Night's real life inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLeUT4vnHC4 "
What a great link! I have only been to railroad museums in the USA, but I dream of getting to visit places like the big one in York and the Bluebell Railway. You hit the nail on the head with what steam locomotives represent and the feeling one gets next to one in person or riding behind one in a coach. All the more reason to love the tribute that is the Emerald Night!
"
Chris Eden Green's whole channel is addicting for all of us US railfans who wish they could visit Britain.
Most people aint gonna spend 650 quid on plastic bricks so this contest is a no brainer. Choo choo all the way.
I own 2 falcons (3 if you count microfighters) but not the UCS one. I simply can’t justify forking over that much cash for a Lego set. But I did spend a whole lot more money on a boat which I named after the falcon! You can probably guess which set got my vote.
The Emerald Night is my favourite set of all time. I love British steam trains, particularly the LNER, so an almost A3 (even with a 4 wheel Stanier tender) completely wins for me. I've always loved trains and I was lucky enough to get the EN for my birthday as a kid. I really wish more people would understand how it was revolutionary for the time, introducing large train wheels, having a studless design.
I am a big Star Wars fan and the Falcon is iconic and it's huge and detailed, but LEGO releases so many Falcons (at different scales) it's really cool, but not as unique as a steam train. The EN is the only true super detail steam train LEGO has ever produced and is much more unique because of that.
The Millennium Falcon wins this round for me. This set is at the top of my wants list, and I plan to buy it as soon as I can afford it (hoping very much that I am able to do so before it is retired by LEGO). The Emerald Night is a fantastic set as well and also on my wish list, but as awesome as it is it just doesn't quite measure up to the Falcon for me.