Review: 76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition
Posted by CapnRex101,
The spectacular Hogwarts Express has inspired numerous iterations since 2001, although none match the striking ambition of 76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition! This creation looks absolutely fantastic, certainly taking advantage of its considerable size.
However, many have reasonably questioned whether such enormous size is necessary. After all, other models of the Hogwarts Express have proven enjoyable and improving upon those designs should not entail 5192 pieces, nor the alarming price of £429.99, $499.99 or €499.99.
Summary
76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition, 5,129 pieces.
£429.99 / $499.99 / €499.99 | 8.4p/9.7c/9.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition is magnificent, but inescapably expensive
- Extraordinary realism and detail
- Peerless display value
- Attractive interior
- Satisfying minifigure selection
- Some unnecessary features
- Disproportionate windows
- Expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Box and Contents
While sometimes unpopular, 18+ branding enables uniformity between sets and the Hogwarts Express fares well in that regard, with packaging similar to 76391 Hogwarts Icons - Collectors' Edition. Additionally, I think the locomotive looks good against its black backdrop. Opening the box reveals 45 numbered bags inside, some of which are opened together, unusually. Perhaps this relates to the expected arrival of paper bags.
Four separate instruction manuals are included, divided between sections of the train and the platform, alongside 34 stickers. I can excuse small sticker sheets, even in relatively expensive sets, when necessary. However, this quantity is excessive, especially because several stickers are repeated, so those designs would presumably have been ideal for printing.
Minifigures
Several memorable moments occur aboard the Hogwarts Express, the most influential of which is probably the meeting of the Golden Trio. Harry Potter therefore wears his unkempt clothing from the original film, introduced as a hidden exclusive minifigure in 75978 Diagon Alley. The chequered shirt looks perfect, but the chosen double-sided head is very common and lacks an alternative face with broken glasses, unfortunately.
Ron Weasley does include a unique head, featuring the dirty mark mentioned by Hermione on his nose and another face for scoffing sweets from the trolley! These designs and Ron's olive green jacket look superb, closely resembling the onscreen character. However, the boys are seated throughout this vital scene, so their immovable short legs are awkward in that respect.
Reflecting her studious nature, Hermione Granger has already donned her Hogwarts robes upon meeting Harry and Ron. This generic uniform, without any house affiliation, returns from 76390 Harry Potter Advent Calendar and the accompanying skirt element is effective, alongside triple-moulded legs. All three characters come with appropriate accessories.
While periodically mentioned, the Train Conductor is never clearly identified onscreen. This minifigure therefore takes inspiration from the costumes worn at the Warner Bros' Studio Tour and other Harry Potter experiences. His traditional uniform and watch chain suit the Hogwarts Express, while the bearded head is brand new.
The Trolley Witch does have a defined appearance, sporting a dark red jacket and trousers which match the conductor's attire. The pink blouse underneath provides welcome detail and replacing her grey legs from 75955 Hogwarts Express was worthwhile. The double-sided head and light bluish grey hair remain the same though, as no parts with tighter curls are available.
Unusually, this set contains several repeated characters, reflecting their changing appearances across the series. These versions of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are based upon The Prisoner of Azkaban, so now incorporate medium legs. Even though previous renditions of the Hogwarts Express have often taken inspiration from this film, these minifigures are unique.
Harry's torso features a vibrant dark blue jacket and dark red shirt, while Ron wears a knitted jumper with an intricate pattern beneath his jacket. Both correspond with the movie. Hermione also features a new and accurate torso, improving upon the similar design from 75955 Hogwarts Express, surprisingly. The heads and hair components are unaltered from past minifigures, but remain excellent.
Remus Lupin rides in the same compartment as Harry, Ron and Hermione during The Prisoner of Azkaban, so has already appeared in three Hogwarts Express sets. Nevertheless, this minifigure is new and wears a shabby dark brown coat over his olive green waistcoat and striped shirt. Depending on the lighting, Remus' jacket sometimes appears grey onscreen, but dark brown looks reasonable.
An imposing Dementor completes the character selection from The Prisoner of Azkaban. These minifigures are unusual among those from the modern Harry Potter range, remaining the same since 2018. I have never been convinced by their light bluish grey hands, but this sinister face, tattered cape and the ghostly element which forms their lower half look fantastic.
The Dementor needs no accessories, but Remus carries his reddish brown wand. The double-sided head was created for 76407 The Shrieking Shack & Whomping Willow and is not ideally-suited to the professor's appearance on the train, but I can excuse not creating another unique design here.
The third group of minifigures, including another Harry Potter, is inspired by The Half-Blood Prince. Harry's torso is unique and corresponds with the character's onscreen garb, while the double-sided head presents a face with broken glasses. These denote Draco's use of the Body-Bind Curse, which paralyses Harry aboard the Hogwarts Express.
Draco Malfoy accordingly joins Harry, wearing a fitting Slytherin-themed suit. The dark green shirt introduces a welcome splash of colour, but my favourite detail is the silver serpent pin on Draco's tie. Even though its size is substantially exaggerated, I am glad this was included. The character's unpleasant facial expressions are perfect too.
LEGO has now produced three Luna Lovegood figures wearing her attire from the Hogwarts Express. This example combines features of its two predecessors, as the blonde hair element returns from the Collectable Minifigure, while the printed legs are akin to the version from 4841 Hogwarts Express. Dual-moulded legs would have enhanced the design and Luna's copies of The Quibbler are also missing.
The fourth and final Harry Potter minifigure originates from the epilogue to the whole series, in which several characters bid farewell to their children at Kings Cross Station. While simple, his clothing reflects the source material and I like the double-sided head, which perfectly captures Harry's older appearance. Appropriately, his scar nearly vanishes beneath this hair component.
Ginny Weasley accompanies Harry and their children to the station, still featuring her familiar freckles and ginger hair. The frustrated alternative expression is slightly odd, although reminds me of Molly Weasley. Ginny's blouse and jacket match her appearance from the film, with silver and dark brown patterns, alongside a tiny necklace.
James Sirius Potter is Harry and Ginny's eldest child, beginning his third year at Hogwarts during the epilogue. The medium legs are well-chosen and I love the unkempt hair, although dark brown would have been more accurate than black. Remarkably, this head has appeared only once before, in 76939 Stygimoloch Dinosaur Escape.
New torsos have been created for each character though, including the young Albus Severus Potter, whose time at Hogwarts is just starting. His striped shirt looks good and I think this hair piece works well, while the double-sided head brilliantly conveys Albus' apprehension at leaving for school.
Younger than her brothers, Lily Luna Potter remains on the platform during the epilogue. Her pink jacket is accurate to the film and the medium nougat hair component has never appeared in this colour before. I am pleased that Lily and James are both provided, despite not being the focus of the original scene.
Two unidentified Hogwarts students complete the minifigure selection, belonging to the lesser-represented houses. The generic Hufflepuff Student is older and includes standard legs with his yellow-trimmed Hufflepuff robes, while the younger Ravenclaw Student features the same triple-moulded legs as Hermione Granger from her first year.
The yellow and dark blue decoration on each torso looks superb, alongside accurate icons for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. While their part numbers are new, both elements return from 76389 Hogwarts Chamber of Secrets. Additionally, these double-sided heads are quite uncommon, as the male design has appeared twice before, while the female head is found in 76399 Hogwarts Magical Trunk.
Printed tickets for the Hogwarts Express are supplied for each minifigure, featuring elaborate metallic gold and metallic silver decoration. The accessory was previously exclusive to 76390 Harry Potter Advent Calendar, so its return is pleasing. Even though these minifigures are well-executed, they could have been replaced with the adult Ron and Hermione, particularly given the likely difficulty of including those characters elsewhere.
The Completed Model
Approaching this review, I was aware of the Hogwarts Express' enormous size. Nevertheless, the scale of the train remains surprising, partly because other LEGO trains have maintained a reasonably consistent size. In fact, the considerable size of this model requires unusually wide brick-built railway track, seven studs across rather than the standard six.
While compatibility with normal track would have been great, increasing the scale has allowed the designer, Marcos Bessa, to include extraordinary detail. The renowned Hogwarts Express accordingly looks fantastic on display and measures 118cm in length, including the base. The connected locomotive and tender alone reaches a length of nearly 60cm!
The realistic proportions between the locomotive and tender are among the greatest strengths of this model, particularly because other LEGO trains have sometimes struggled in that regard. Fortunately, this example appears perfect and viewing the vehicle from either side also reveals its authentic wheel arrangement.
Comparing 76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition and 75955 Hogwarts Express further accentuates the accuracy of this rendition. The smaller version provides marvellous play value and looks good, but the larger Hogwarts Express surpasses its predecessors in every area, as expected given its considerable size and associated price.
Previous minifigure-scale models of the Hogwarts Express have always featured a printed 4x4 dish on the front, displaying the name of the service and the locomotive number. However, the larger scale presents an opportunity to assemble such details instead, making effective use of the 3x3 curved tile introduced recently. Applying the sticker on this tile is unusually difficult, but the result looks splendid.
The buffers and lanterns are equally impressive, while the structure underneath is constructed using 2x3 brackets. The resulting curvature is beautiful and appears remarkably faithful to the onscreen Hogwarts Express. Ideally, the red band immediately above the wheels would bend upwards beneath the smokebox, but sharper angles are required for strength.
Flame yellowish orange rings are situated along the boiler, which realistically narrows towards the front. They are gold on the original train, but I think flame yellowish orange is a satisfactory alternative. Moreover, these rings help to disguise the unavoidable steps as the boiler becomes gradually narrower, so the transition between each section is relatively subtle.
Black tubes are attached along both sides, corresponding with the source material, while the decorated 'Hogwarts Castle' nameplates return from 75955 Hogwarts Express. The rounded bodywork above the driving wheels looks tremendous, while the wheels themselves are new elements. Hopefully they will reappear in future sets, as LEGO explores other steam engines.
The wheels on the locomotive are raised slightly above the tracks, using supports beneath the train. This narrow gap allows the driving wheels to turn by rotating a handle atop the boiler, which fits ingeniously inside the steam dome. The mechanism is simple and very smooth, also incorporating functional coupling rods. However, the Technic gears are partially visible between the wheels, from certain angles.
Furthermore, the whistles which should be situated in front of the cab are absent. Fortunately, the cab itself looks brilliant, with the locomotive number on the outside and ample mechanical detail inside. The cables surrounding the throttle lever and coal box seem particularly effective, while studs are provided to secure a minifigure.
The tender is connected to the locomotive using a Technic axle and both sections integrate matching steps. I love the flame yellowish orange borders on each side of the tender, which comprise plates with side rails and involve surprising complexity. Additionally, the wheels are correctly positioned underneath, with appropriate spacing between them.
Stickers decorate each side, including the colourful Hogwarts crest on a 3x3 tile. While on the subject of colour, the Hogwarts Express is predominantly red. I think this colour choice works well, even though a slightly darker shade would be more authentic. However, dark red would probably appear too dark, relative to the films, so I am satisfied with this shade.
Black 2x2 round plates are stacked inside the tender, representing coal. The texture appears effective and I like the access hatches to the water tank. Also, the edges of the tender feature lovely curves, demonstrating continued accuracy to the source material. Unlike the locomotive, the tender is almost completely hollow and feels notably light.
Another axle links the tender to the passenger carriage. The distance between sections of the train appears realistic and the opposing buffers are excellent, although I wonder whether there was potential to include a brake hose at this scale. However, actually attaching that hose would likely be challenging.
Perhaps unexpectedly, the passenger carriage established the scale of the entire Hogwarts Express, requiring enough space for two minifigures to sit side-by-side inside the passenger compartments and the narrow corridor to pass beside them. The carriage therefore measures an impressive 47cm long, although even that is disproportionately short, in reality.
Beyond the various improvements in detail, increasing the scale has required the designer to construct certain features that would commonly be represented by a specialised piece. These include the frame and coil springs on the bogies, which both look tremendous. The tan Technic elements are rather conspicuous, but brighter colours have been avoided.
The strengthening rods beneath the carriage are similarly authentic, but the proportions of the windows leave something to be desired. While large windows offer a good view of the interior, they appear much too long, in relation to the onscreen passenger carriages. I understand the desire to present the interior, but I would have preferred more accurate windows.
Extensive detail continues at either end of the carriage, including functional doors, a trans-red beacon and realistic pipes. Moreover, viewing the vehicle from here reveals its rounded sides and the gentle curvature of the roof. The flame yellowish orange stripes are attractive as well, although they should continue across the doors, so those elements should have been printed.
While the doors are functional for minifigures, actually reaching inside the vestibules is difficult. Sections of the roof can be removed, but they provide very limited access. Unfortunately, I am unsure how this could have been avoided because the doors must be secured, so detachable wall panels or larger roof panels would be impractical.
Despite poor accessibility, the interior is brilliantly detailed. Neville's troublesome toad, Trevor, waits in the bigger vestibule, alongside a stickered notice board. Naturally, this board displays numerous references, including an advertisement for broomsticks, a chocolate frog card and a list of designers' signatures. The number 28, which adorns many of Marcos Bessa's creations, also appears on the sticker.
Thankfully, the most important areas of the carriage are readily accessible. Whole segments of the roof and wall can be removed, including one which reveals the corridor. The use of reddish brown and tan inside looks beautifully traditional and I think this two stud width is adequate, as minifigures can stand comfortably inside.
Trans-yellow lanterns are cleverly recessed in the walls, but undoubtedly most impressive are the sliding doors. These printed doors include metallic silver handles and different colours on either side, with reddish brown wood facing the corridor and dark tan wood in the passenger compartments. However, the doors can slide in both directions and I would have appreciated a stopper to prevent this.
Each compartment takes inspiration from a specific scene, starting with the meeting of Harry, Ron and Hermione aboard the Hogwarts Express. The dark blue upholstery corresponds with the movies and the seats even include articulated armrests! Furthermore, the lights on the wall are faithful to the source material, beneath realistic luggage racks.
Minifigures sometimes struggle to interact with their surroundings because of their awkward proportions. Nevertheless, there is ample space for Harry, Ron and Hermione in here, with Scabbers, a chocolate bar and a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans on the floor. As mentioned earlier, the short legs are inherently problematic, but the forward-facing seats are designed to accommodate Harry and Ron.
Light bricks are mounted above each scene, illuminating the minifigures inside. While they are nicely integrated, I think the light bricks could have been omitted without dramatically affecting the design. This memorable scene takes place in daylight, so the light brick seems particularly unnecessary here.
The neighbouring passenger compartment is very similar to the first, featuring almost identical seats and the same luggage racks. The stickered photos under the luggage racks, presenting views of Hogwarts Castle, are unique though. Also, each scene includes a quotation from the relevant film. Hermione's first line is notable, but the others are unimportant and I feel tempted to remove them.
Placing the characters from The Prisoner of Azkaban inside is quite tricky, but there is enough room for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Professor Lupin, with the Dementor standing at the door. This section of the corridor is actually constructed specifically for the Dementor because its ghostly base needs additional space. Also, I like the bottle of water on the window sill, which freezes as the Dementors arrive.
The light brick is definitely more suitable for this ominous scene, highlighting the Dementor in particular. Admittedly, the lights abruptly switching off is an important herald of the Dementors' arrival during the film, but such subdued lighting looks excellent.
Our protagonists generally travel in passenger compartments, but the Hogwarts Express also provides open seating. The third section therefore recreates that seating and takes inspiration from The Half-Blood Prince, where Draco Malfoy and his companions ride. The combination of reddish brown wood panelling and dark blue fabric on the seats looks superb.
Seven minifigures can sit inside, although only three are needed to recreate Harry's stunning and later discovery. There is surprisingly limited space to place Harry on the floor, but leaning against the wall achieves the desired effect. Another sticker forms the quotation placed above these minifigures. While perhaps superfluous, I like the chosen font and decorative border.
A third light brick is situated behind the quotation tile. Once again, I think this could have been removed, perhaps lowering the price in the process, although the illuminated scene looks nice.
These lights are equally visible from outside, taking advantage of the elongated windows. The effect looks marvellous, although light bricks are not intended for prolonged activation, so their role for display is questionable. Even so, they remain an enjoyable, if inessential, feature of the Hogwarts Express.
The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 ¾, which is recreated with detail equivalent to the train. The platform measures 39cm in length and its attractive arches closely resemble the original location, with tan elements contrasting against the prevalent medium nougat brickwork. Furthermore, the platform can connect with the railway track in multiple positions.
Both sides look good, although the platform is designed for display as presented below, with a stickered plaque and finished brickwork on the front. While completely enclosing the other side would have been nice, many platforms at the actual Kings Cross Station are hollow underneath and there are no unsightly colours. Of course, the gaps will usually be covered by the train too.
The aforementioned plaque is an interesting addition, matching those developed for Ultimate Collector Series models. This yellow image of the Hogwarts Express looks splendid, although using a sticker is disappointing. Moreover, there are two errors on the plaque, as the Hogwarts Express is a GWR 4900 Class 5972 locomotive and Kings Cross Station is misspelled. These errors will be corrected for future production runs.
Numerous exposed studs are distributed across the platform, so minifigures can be displayed with ease. I am pleased the surface is predominantly smooth though. A light bluish grey band identifies the edge of the platform and looks superb, despite lacking the accompanying white stripe visible throughout the film series.
The entire wall and archway structure is assembled upside down and attached to the platform using Technic axles. The resultant shape looks brilliant, faithfully replicating the architecture of Kings Cross Station. Some gaps are visible between the 2x2 tiles, although they are small and likely unavoidable. Spherical light fixtures flank the central arch, again corresponding with the films.
Accurate signage is presented on both sides, which is necessary for display, but also strange because another magical platform presumably adjoins Platform 9 ¾. Moreover, the continued use of stickers is unfortunate and the chosen quotation is unremarkable, but more memorable dialogue from the epilogue would probably be too long.
Wrought iron braces support the roof of Kings Cross Station and are represented here. These stand out against the walls of the station and their shape seems absolutely perfect, integrating the rings that were introduced as Wakandan weapons in 76100 Royal Talon Fighter. The stone projections underneath look odd in white, but the appropriate light tan colour does not exist.
As referenced earlier, the attached railway track is seven studs wide. Constructing the track is inevitably repetitive, but I think it looks reasonable when complete. Adding ballast between the tracks could have improved its appearance further, although that ballast would be exceptionally parts-intensive and the base already accounts for 542 pieces.
Two luggage trolleys and the Honeydukes Express food trolley are included. The food trolley features wonderful detail and is ingeniously constructed to pass comfortably along the narrow corridor aboard the Hogwarts Express. Stickers form various sweets on the sides, with another box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans placed on top.
Functional wheels are missing from the Honeydukes Express, which is understandable when room is limited inside the train. However, the luggage trolleys are only needed on the platform, so they do include wheels. Opening chests are transported on the trolleys, containing stickered window panels inside. A wand box is also included, following just two earlier appearances.
Unusually, the set also contains a Hogwarts Express ticket, represented by a printed 8x16 tile. The ticket is approximately life-size and seems completely detached from the wider set. Some means of displaying this accessory would therefore have been welcome because the elaborate decoration looks magnificent, including accurate metallic gold details.
Overall
LEGO has produced numerous beautiful steam trains, although fewer than some would like. I was therefore sceptical whether 76405 Hogwarts Express - Collectors' Edition could introduce dramatic improvements over its predecessors, but have definitely been proven wrong because this model is absolutely outstanding. The detailing and accuracy easily surpasses comparable locomotives and the interior is fantastic too.
The accompanying platform is equally attractive, especially when populated with minifigures. However, the price of £429.99, $499.99 or €499.99 remains a concern. The set is undoubtedly impressive, but seems unnecessarily complex in certain areas. Removing the light bricks would surely have reduced the cost, for example. Ultimately, while this model is stunning, the price cannot be overlooked.
184 likes
105 comments on this article
Glad LEGO is sticking with their tradition of messing up the plaque.
The many ways of describing ridiculous costs!
Glad to see this one kept it simple "expensive." Previous reviews have run the gamut of possible synonyms.
Price has increased - 71410
Costly - 21335
Price seems high - 41722
Extremely expensive - 75332
Astronomical price - 42144
Needlessly big and expensive - 75334
Relatively costly - 71407
US price is high - 41721
Very expensive - 75323
Expensive, relative to size - 75338
As always, relatively expensive - 71403
Relatively expensive - 10306
Costly, although not overpriced - 10305
Expensive, relative to size - 40521
one day we'll get that roller coaster review
surely... one day.... we will....
I’d love to see a raw stat on how many of these plaque style stickers have errors on them at product release compared to those that are totally groovy. It would be interesting.
Awesome, thorough review. I’m sold.
Looks better than I thought, especially compared to the smaller version. However, I’m still not a fan of the partial platform, and it feels like we don’t get much inside train considering the tender takes up a lot of real estate. Understandable of course, but it makes that price point hard to swallow.
How many pieces are used towards the track/rail assembly?
To me this seems like a phenomenal execution of a fundamentally terrible idea for a $500 train set.
It's a nice set with a lot of details and a good minifigure selection but the price is indeed very steep.
75978 was €100 cheaper in mainland Europe and felt like you got more for your money.
What impresses me most is how there's room for the drive wheels to sit slightly inside the underframe, especially the way the new large wheels actually fit within the splashers (the "rounded bodywork" you refer to), and the decorations built around them for every vehicle. Amazing!
Great review. However, the amount of space this requires, plus the cost, and the fact that I already own 75955 means that I am not buying this. I read one review that says if you own the smaller version, you don't really need this. I agree.
Seems like they’re caught halfway between a premium train model and a deluxe play set. Either do a really nice model train for train collectors (in the spirit of emerald night, crocodile locomotive) and cut the platform, half the minifigs, and some interior details and you can sell it for 300. Or do a great play set for HP fans (in the spirit of diagon alley) and scale down a bit, replace the display style track with a second coach, and complete the station. But this version ends up being more expensive than a pure model needs to be and still not delivering great opportunities for play.
@bnussbaum17 said:
"Holy cow!!! I collect Lego trains and this looks great, but the cost, $800 Cdn!!! may have to wait on it."
Lego lists it at $620 CAD, which is still nonetheless, pretty expensive. Too expensive...
holy guacamole.... That this is beautiful... I may have to sell all of my belongings to buy it... live on the street... but it'll be worth it!
I wish they had included Ron and Hermione instead of trying for the token diversity aspect for the set. They wanted to remind people it's a HP set by including some figs in robes.
Like honestly, you ignore 2 of the main characters in the series in the only set this version can come in for a token Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
The thing that rules this out, for me at any rate, is the gauge of the track being non standard. I hadn’t realised that and I’m glad it was mentioned. It makes it essentially a static display piece rather than anything that can be moved around (unless it’s just end-to-end straights)
The wording regarding the 'turning wheels' is not very clear, plus I was hoping for some details on the new wheels.
But alas...
I'm surprised there wasn't a bit more mention of the tracks and ties, especially with how many pieces they appear to be made up of.
I would have considered buying this if it was compatible with standard LEGO track. I guess that was impossible to get the minifigs to fit inside properly. The cost is high but not unreasonable based on the size and detail of the train. I would have gone the other direction with the set though and made it motorized and not a display only model. The light bricks do seem unnecessary, but not including them could have lowered the price by maybe $6-$10. Finding a way to display it without all the brick built track would put a much larger dent in that price tag.
I wonder if we should just cut and paste the comments from the prior articles on this set.
@sipuss said:
"Glad LEGO is sticking with their tradition of messing up the plaque."
@blogzilly said:
"I’d love to see a raw stat on how many of these plaque style stickers have errors on them at product release compared to those that are totally groovy. It would be interesting…"
I'm starting to think TLG is doing this on purpose.
As a way for collectors to prove they have a 'first edition'.
I like the set a lot; if it was dark red and if it fit the standard track it would be a sure buy.
Right now, I'm still on the fence.
I think this set highlights the problems with LEGO's obsession with big, expensive, premium sets over other price points.
Sure, the set is impressive, but we've seen this model be done excellently at prices well under $200. Those sets can also be more easily incorporated into existing displays because of their smaller size and the fact they can run on normal LEGO train tracks.
I would argue the model's size hurts it more than it helps it. Even if I did like the model and had the money for it, I run into the issue of "where do I put the thing"? Most buyers are likely not going to get multiple huge models like this. Maybe one or two, but there's only so much space in the average home.
I think this highlights the need for LEGO to come down on their prices. Not every set needs to be this massive display piece that takes up a whole shelf and costs a small fortune. Sure, those are nice luxuries, but bigger doesn't always mean better.
@Ridgeheart said:
"Seven studs wide? What an odd number."
It is a 'prime' feature of the set.
This is so tantalisingly close to being a Lego train fans' dream set. If only TLG could pair back the detail just a smidge, and get it down to "L" scale, then this could have been the set to dethrone Emerald Night as the best ever Lego steam locomotive.
It is great set maybe it is too great in every aspects. At least as great that neither the train fans nor the HP fans satisfied with this set. Saying as a train and HP fan.
Great but sad story.
The non-compatibility with traditional train tracks is the deal breaker for me. Obviously the inflated price blows too.
One of, if not the greatest thing about having a LEGO train is it's one of the few sets that can move by itself. Having this, which is the nicest looking Hogwarts Express, limited in such a way suuuuucks.
Not sure why everybody is having a problem with the price nobody has any problem with buying a huge Star Wars set which is about the same size as this for way more money and less pieces come on people
Two comments:
I'm surprised that the incompatibility with current track was not called out at the top as an issue.
When listing the price per piece, the correct "cent" currency symbol for the US is "¢", not "c". (It's a "c" with a line through it.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cent_(currency)
@CapnRex101:
So…are you saying you open bags with consecutive numbers at the same time, or do you open 2+ bags that share a bag number? I’ve run into the latter once or twice in several set, so it wouldn’t phase me, but I don’t think I’ve ever had to open multiple numbers as a group.
“The Dementor needs no accessories…”
I have this sudden and overwhelming urge to give a Dementor an asthma inhaler.
The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff torsos got new Element ID numbers because the hands are different colors. In 76389, Luna was the Ravenclaw, and Justin the Hufflepuff.
This set is ridiculous. Everything here feels weird in some way. No adult Ron and Hermione minifigs, useless light bricks and quotes in the train, a platform that’s huge but still way too small next to the main build, 500+ pieces going into a boring stretch of track, a beautiful life-size ticket with no way to display it…
I truly don’t know what LEGO was going for here. No one wanted a $500 Hogwarts Express with a bunch of fluff. We just wanted an incredible display model that could be done at a $250-350 price point. I love the station’s design here, but I don’t want to display my train with it because it looks so awkwardly cut off. Also, in a $500 train set, how are we still only getting ONE passenger car?? The train looks great but it’s still too short in my opinion, and don’t even get me started on the stickers. In a $500 set LEGO couldn’t at least print those quote tiles??
I’m sure I’ll like the set more when I’ve built it myself, but I don’t think it’ll ever make sense.
@CCC said:
" Can you provide a photo or a description of what you see if you remove the girls' skirts? :-/
Are the legs 3 stripes black - grey - black like Hermione's in the staircase set, or are they 2 stripes grey - black like Dobby's recent ones (but with tan and flesh)? It is hard to tell from the images here."
The legs have black-grey-black bands, like Hermione in 40577 Hogwarts: Grand Staircase.
@PurpleDave said:
" @CapnRex101 :
So…are you saying you open bags with consecutive numbers at the same time, or do you open 2+ bags that share a bag number? I’ve run into the latter once or twice in several set, so it wouldn’t phase me, but I don’t think I’ve ever had to open multiple numbers as a group.
“The Dementor needs no accessories…”
I have this sudden and overwhelming urge to give a Dementor an asthma inhaler.
The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff torsos got new Element ID numbers because the hands are different colors. In 76389 , Luna was the Ravenclaw, and Justin the Hufflepuff."
The latter, bags with consecutive numbers are sometimes opened at the same time. Most are opened separately, but bags eleven to fifteen, for instance, are opened together to construct the railway tracks. I vaguely remember encountering the same thing in another set this year, but cannot immediately remember which set that was.
Good point regarding the hands on the torsos.
@CCC said:
" Can you provide a photo or a description of what you see if you remove the girls' skirts? :-/"
This one here, officer.
They would be black-gray-black. The two kinds are one color at the hips and feet and another in the middle, or half and half like Dobby.
Looks good but the not fitting on standard track is the deal breaker. At least I save $500
Putting the cost issue aside, my main problem is that the train doesn't run. It's like asking a kid to look at a cookie jar, but to not open it. Yes, I understand that was designed as a display model, and as such it's not too bad, but I don't agree with the decision to make it so. If it were able to run on Lego tracks and getting motorized - the price would've been a much harder pill to swallow. Being what it is, and given its price, it's a letdown and a relief at the same time.
I was hoping/expecting a set which is an improved design, licensed, "Emerald Night" style set.
I really like the realistic looks and also the light brick feature. That said, I feel this set has real flaws:
biggest - : a Lego train not compatible with any other Lego train. Because that's what Lego is about: modularity, compatibility. They actually should have included a warning on the box: caution not compatible with Lego City trains. I wouldn't have noticed this without reading the review just from the store description and the official images - who counts studs to see if this train has a different gauge from all the other trains?
second biggest - : Come on, they should have at least included a roof canopy to the station fragment. The wall with the two empty supports looks just like a ruin and is not worthy a collector's model. As it is, the platform feels redundant. Without the platform, in Lego train scale, with half the number of figures and with a base like of the crocodile locomotive this set would have reached a price range affordable to a lot more people - and led to much more fun.
This is not quite my imaginaned train once I heard 5k pieces set... Would rather say it is more HP set, than a train. Will not buy it, but like red color, should stay nice on the shelf along with 10194
I was hoping for a picture of the new large drives side by side with the other LEGO train wheels. Need those drivers!!
I really hope there is a way to order them aside from sellers parting out this set on Bricklink, as they'll probably be really expensive that way.
The very large train wheels open up possibilities for further more detailed steam trains at this scale, although they will only be for display as unsure how they will ever go around a corner even if placed only 6 wide!
@CCC said:
" @chrichrichri said:
"I really like the realistic looks and also the light brick feature. That said, I feel this set has real flaws:
biggest - : a Lego train not compatible with any other Lego train. Because that's what Lego is about: modularity, compatibility. They actually should have included a warning on the box: caution not compatible with Lego City trains. I wouldn't have noticed this without reading the review just from the store description and the official images - who counts studs to see if this train has a different gauge from all the other trains?"
You've got about 3cm push - pull play action before it falls off the track!
It is a very good point though. It makes me wonder how many people will buy boxes of track with it then realise that LEGO train track is not compatible with a LEGO train, or need to be told by the cashier that it won't fit.
"
Given that it’s so expensive, geared towards adults who likely know about it ahead of time, and shows a different track on the box, I doubt many would get confused and think it fits on regular tracks.
This isn’t defense of it not fitting, as I absolutely think fitting on regular track would be better. I just don’t think it will cause problems with confusion.
It seems like a nice set. But not for me. It cannot run on my layout.
Minuses:
* incompatibility with existing tracks (75955 is an awesome set - I have it motorized)
* cannot be motorized (thus being a $500 dust collector)
* only one car - two or more would look much more complete
* the massive track bed is unnecessary. Unlike for the Crocodile Locomotive ($99), it seems to be a cost adder here.
* US cost is high - the cost without VAT in Europe is €415. As a result, this set (before tax) is about 20% more expensive in the US compared to Europe (1$ = 1€). If we include mandatory tax, then (depending on the state), the cost in the US is $550, or about 10% higher than in Europe.
Pluses:
* The light brick concept is interesting
* For me, a nice selection of minifigs
* The steam loco looks very nice
Whilst everyone who has reviewed this set points out the errors on the plague and call out LEGO for it they all then fall into the trap of calling the adult Ginny Minifigure Ginny Weasley when surely it should be Ginny Potter. I assume LEGO have made this error on the box as well.
Also I heard that the big Hogwarts express ticket can be added to the Hogwarts Moments set for display purposes and the instructions show how to do this?
I will by this set but will have see how much my VIP points are worth.,
All the (often justified) criticism about the set aside: am I the only one having trouble judging the size of the completed build? I read the dimensions in the review, and have seen the pictures with the minifigures but my mind still has difficulty grasping the enormity of it all.
Some scale comparisons I looked up to get to grips with this:
- If you put the Saturn V on its side, the track keeps running for another 20cm
- The track is only 10cm shorter than the Titanic.
- The track is about 30cm longer than the Loop Coaster is tall.
Since this set was revealed it has been interesting to see all the complaints about the size and it not being Lego standard size, but basically nothing about the fact that this is almost exactly G scale - a standard scale in model trains that predates Lego's selection of their standard rail guage (the distance between the rails).
That means this train should actually fit on G scale track and could be motorized or pushed using a trail car using standard motors. LEGO presumably chose a smaller scale for their standard guage to reduce the size of the sets and the resulting price, but there is a huge group of model railroaders who have been disappointed for years that LEGO is close to G scale but not actually compatible (as an interesting aside, Playmobil made all their trains exactly G scale).
I'm not saying one route is better than another, I'm just surprised that there seems to be almost no media coverage of the fact that this is built to an established scale for model trains. It could be an interesting article to go through the history of model railroad scales and LEGO train scales and see how close they have gotten without ever being compatible, until now.
@GoldenNinja3000 said:
"This set is ridiculous. Everything here feels weird in some way. No adult Ron and Hermione minifigs, useless light bricks and quotes in the train, a platform that’s huge but still way too small next to the main build, 500+ pieces going into a boring stretch of track, a beautiful life-size ticket with no way to display it…
I truly don’t know what LEGO was going for here. No one wanted a $500 Hogwarts Express with a bunch of fluff. We just wanted an incredible display model that could be done at a $250-350 price point. I love the station’s design here, but I don’t want to display my train with it because it looks so awkwardly cut off. Also, in a $500 train set, how are we still only getting ONE passenger car?? The train looks great but it’s still too short in my opinion, and don’t even get me started on the stickers. In a $500 set LEGO couldn’t at least print those quote tiles??
I’m sure I’ll like the set more when I’ve built it myself, but I don’t think it’ll ever make sense. "
Have I read this right? A lot of words criticising just about everything to do with the set ... but you're still going to buy it?
And you wonder why Lego makes these 'mistakes'?
I didn't realize just how BIG it is until seeing it sitting next to 75955 Hogwarts Express set.
I think it looks great. I'll probably get it if I can find a place to put it.
All the people complaining that it doesn't run on train tracks seem to have forgotten one of the fundamental aspects of Lego i.e. you can take the set that Lego provides and modify it yourself. I'm hoping there will soon be a ton of videos on Youtube from people who have successfully motorised the set and have it running on custom built tracks.
In the non-Lego model train world nobody has a problem with the existence of several different scales. It should be possible for there to be an L-gauge and a larger scale as well. LL-gauge? It would be great to see other people building other trains to the same scale.
Personally I have always wanted to build a train to the same scale as the ones in the Miniland models at Legoland parks but I can't see Lego ever making a set out of one of those...
G-Gauge! so it is! and it's more detailed than the late lamented Playmo trains...
Still, I'm not getting it: it's too big and too expensive.
For this scale, Lego should have manged to get better front end detail, but... hold on, it's a toy, not a model.
It's convinced me I can buy the Hornby L&MR Rocket and the Rapido Lion, though.
@JPKuiper said:
"All the (often justified) criticism about the set aside: am I the only one having trouble judging the size of the completed build? I read the dimensions in the review, and have seen the pictures with the minifigures but my mind still has difficulty grasping the enormity of it all.
Some scale comparisons I looked up to get to grips with this:
- If you put the Saturn V on its side, the track keeps running for another 20cm
- The track is only 10cm shorter than the Titanic.
- The track is about 30cm longer than the Loop Coaster is tall. "
If you check out the additional images on 76405 listing page in Brickset, there is a great photo of the completed model with two people seated behind it. It wasn't until I saw that picture that I gained a sense of how large it really is.
Great review! It shows really well the unique strengths and flaws of this set. And it's great to see it next to that smaller set, as this really shows the massive size and also makes very clear why it wouldn't have been feasible to make this into a running model.
I honestly love that they didn't even try this time, as I still think that was what basically ruined the Crocodile for me. Nothing of that here, this is just a mighty impressive display model. The locomotive itself is almost flawless, the only thing that bothers me are those yellow tiles with stickers on the side of the cab. Looking at the real thing, I think just a black 1x4 tile with the number would be more accurate and certainly look better. The tender is also good, though I do still feel the sides of the chassis look rather plain with no suspension detail at all.
As for the passenger car, it should indeed have been longer, but it still looks pretty great. The windows don't really bother me, it's more the doors that look a bit smallish. As for the coupling distance: while it does look nice and close, the buffer should be right against each other. In real trains there are springs inside to keep them like that in curves, only in toy/model trains there just has to be some distance to keep them from derailing.
And one minor but understandable flaw: all of the smaller wheels on the train are the smaller size driving wheels, with a hole for the side rods, but also a counterweight. This most visible at the pilot wheels, as on the tender and carriage they are somewhat obscured.
But so far, mostly good. My main problem with the set is that I just don't care much for everything else. The platform looks decent (despite some gaps in the brickwork), but as a whole feels like an afterthought. And while I don't mind minifigs, I could have done with quite a few less. After all, this all adds up in the rather steep price tag, much more than those light bricks. And while that printed ticket looks nice in itself, I rather seen them replace some of the essential stickers with prints instead. And dare I say that instead of the platform I had rather see them include a motor to replace that crank, lights and a sound brick with appropriate steam locomotive sounds?
While I liked the movies, I'm just not a huge fan of the franchise, and therefore won't even think about buying this very expensive set. As a train enthousiast I do hope however that they will come up with something of similar scale but based on an actual train. Could be something small (how about a Ptl 2/2 Glaskasten?), or probably the biggest Lego set ever (Big Boy!). Or anything in between (Series 0 Shinkansen? DB V200? PRR GG1? A Shay or Climax with working mechanism?). At this scale it can be truly awesome!
@ObiJon1138 said:
"Since this set was revealed it has been interesting to see all the complaints about the size and it not being Lego standard size, but basically nothing about the fact that this is almost exactly G scale - a standard scale in model trains that predates Lego's selection of their standard rail guage (the distance between the rails)."Gauge will be quite close indeed, but the scale is closer to I (1:32) instead of G (1:22,5). Both use the same gauge (45mm), which makes sense since G is narrow gauge and I is standard gauge.
While I do think it is a nice idea, I doubt anything on this set is even articulated. So it still won't go around a curve.
@StevoRed1 said:
"(...)
Ginny Weasley when surely it should be Ginny Potter.
(...) "
I must confess to not having experienced the books or films, but I'm guessing from your comment that they marry; do we know canonically that she definitely took his surname?
Excellent thorough review.
For what it is, 5100+ pieces, beautifully designed throughout, printed elements, light-bricks, 20 minifigs, $500usd sounds about right for this.
@WizardOfOss said:
" @ObiJon1138 said:
"Since this set was revealed it has been interesting to see all the complaints about the size and it not being Lego standard size, but basically nothing about the fact that this is almost exactly G scale - a standard scale in model trains that predates Lego's selection of their standard rail guage (the distance between the rails)."Gauge will be quite close indeed, but the scale is closer to I (1:32) instead of G (1:22,5). Both use the same gauge (45mm), which makes sense since G is narrow gauge and I is standard gauge.
While I do think it is a nice idea, I doubt anything on this set is even articulated. So it still won't go around a curve.
"
G guage is used for narrow guage up to standard guage (1:32) it is a very nebulous scale that different companies use in very different ways but call it the same.
@CapnRex101 I'm guessing you meant to say that the conductor is never "CLEARLY identified on screen", rather than cleverly. Looking forward to your (expected) review of the Inquisitor Transport Scythe.
Seeing some epilogue figs is nice, though it's a bit sad that only Harry's family is included. It'd be nice to see Adult Draco, Astoria, and Scorpius Malfoy, as well as Adult Ron and Hermione, Rose, and Hugo Granger-Weasley. And I say that because they were included in the epilogue too, not because I EVER want to see Lego adapt Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
@ObiJon1138 said:
"G guage is used for narrow guage up to standard guage (1:32) it is a very nebulous scale that different companies use in very different ways but call it the same. "
True indeed. It's a bit weird because other scales are all based on standard gauge with additional variations for different gauges. Like HO has HOe and HOm, all 1:87 but different gauge. G is the only common "scale" where the scale is adapted to the gauge instead of the other way around.
As someone who loves steam trains but doesn’t love Harry Potter anymore, if I can pick this up on sale and sell the station, carriage, and minifigs to recoup some of the cost I’ll be happy!
@Deejaycroxbuilder said:
"The thing that rules this out, for me at any rate, is the gauge of the track being non standard. I hadn’t realised that and I’m glad it was mentioned. It makes it essentially a static display piece rather than anything that can be moved around (unless it’s just end-to-end straights)"
Agreed - I understand why it is scaled up for this price point, but I would be much more interested if I knew I could take it off the display stand and put it on a track layout sometimes.
What a time intensive review this must have been. Building the set, photographing it, thinking critically about the design, comparing it to the movie/source material...this is the type of review and content that Brickset provides the AFOL community and what keeps us coming back (aside from the amazing data base)!
@jpmeier said:
" @bnussbaum17 said:
"Holy cow!!! I collect Lego trains and this looks great, but the cost, $800 Cdn!!! may have to wait on it."
Lego lists it at $620 CAD, which is still nonetheless, pretty expensive. Too expensive..."
according to google the conversion for $500 usd to cad is $647, so we actually have a very slightly better deal
I am, primarily, a collector of Lego minifigures and have all of the released HPs so far. This set adds another 20 to the pantheon. So, the question for me is - do I buy 76405 or source the minifigures separately? Having a life-long interest in steam locomotives I've decided to do both! Roll on 31st August 2022.
Superb set. The only problem is that it's not expensive enough! I would have liked to have seen it rounded up to £500 with the size of the station at least doubled, maybe tripled.
Definitely on my wishlist, although it might take a while to get to the top, with a lot of other excellent sets around at the moment.
@StevoRed1 said:
"Whilst everyone who has reviewed this set points out the errors on the plague…"
The plague was a difficult time for Mr. and Mrs. Potter.
How to tell the reviewers at Brickset are paid LAN shills: they'll delete any review critical to LEGO or this set.
Pathetic.
While many will not agree, I actually applaud lego for making this a non standard size. Its provided a unique opportunity to create a lego train with unparalleled detail and accuracy. As a collector, I have no need for something to be motorized or fit the standard rail tracks. If you were after a standard size train for a layout then this is simply not for you but In no way are the older Hogwarts train sets a substitute for this. Beautiful set, but yes the price...
I know I'm the train guy ...
But I don't like it.
The scale just seems so odd, when you look at the size of the engine (and the carriage) and particularly the platform, and then contrast that with the minifigs. It just seems odd, to my eyes.
And I understand the display aspect, but it's a Lego train that can't be used in any way with a Lego train system.
Also, the price is simply ludicrous. I loved the Disney train, and it made me quite sad that it was just too big and expensive to purchase ... but with this train, it's more a case of, nope, I'm good, I can skip this and forget about it.
I feel like a lot of the minifigures are also in 76399: Hogwarts Magical Trunk.
This set is so disappointing! The train is way too big, I rather the size be reduced for a lower price and it doesn’t even run on standard rail! I think more people would have bought a motorised version the a train with 3 light bricks. The station is also just really big with no play features or cool details! Just one platform! Lego really missed the mark on this one
@CapnRex101:
Regarding the length of the passenger car, I could swear the length of the coaches changes over the series of films. Maybe I’m thinking of the real-world train rides, but in most shots it looks like the coach is longer than the engine, but shorter than the engine plus tender. I’ve seen something that shows the coaches on the viaduct being about twice as long as they look in some of the films.
Complaints about the short platform miss the point. There is a platform that you can use to stage a scene, but extending it the full length would obstruct the view of the entire train. This leaves the entire engine visible, as well as most of the coach, without pushing the platform to the back side where the minifigs would instead be hidden.
I ran across a video on the history of the in-story train that claims it only operates six times each year. Most appearances are the start of the school year, but at least one time we see the return trip before summer break. Round trips for Christmas and Easter holidays are the other four trips. Other than that, Platform 9-3/4 sits unoccupied for 359 days of the year (360 on Leap Year). The other platform mentioned in the video is 7-1/2, where a magical equivalent of the Orient Express departs from a few times per year. I would assume this means you’d need to go through a different pillar between Platforms 7 & 8.
The omission of Hermione and Ron makes more sense when you factor in their two kids, plus Draco and his family, at which point the platform becomes dangerously crowded.
I have not encountered that with the bags in any sets I’ve built, but think maybe the Galaxy Explorer did this? A member of my LUG built it at our last show, and I think I saw paired bags in the instructions. I have a few ideas for why they did this. One is that it would allow them to finally eliminate duplicate numbers. I pull all the bags and sort them in order, so rarely get caught by surprise, but I imagine new builders could end up frustrated if they open only one bag at a time and hunt for missing parts, only to eventually realize there are 2-3 bags with the same number (probably when they call to complain about missing parts, and the phone rep has to point out their error). Another possibility is that paper bags make spot-checking sets harder for quality control, so if this enables them to eliminate duplicate bag numbers, all they need to check for is a complete run of numbers. A third option is this might be related to the group building app, making it easier to locate the specific pieces you need at that moment.
And the hands are an easy miss. It’s very rare that a torso will be released with a hand-swap, but this is not the first time. The only one that I can verify is the Classic Space bomber jacket, which first appeared in 4853. This was the year they switched to fleshies for all licensed themes, so they gave that torso fleshie hands. Every subsequent appearance has been in an original theme, so the hands have been yellow ever since.
@PixelTheDragon:
The two competing lines of thought are that they don’t need to have such a huge range of high-end sets to the point that nobody can collect them all, vs the many customers who only care about the high-end sets from a single theme. If you start making cuts for the obsessive collectors, many customers might be shut out completely. This also allows many themes to go gonzo balls-to-the-wall at least once during their run, where the more pragmatic approach would restrict this opportunity to SW and the Modular series because they got there first.
@Norikins:
Or to put it in terms that explain why they made both, shorts and matching shoes, or shorts and bare feet.
It's fair to ask the question "should this exist?". But the answer will be based on how well it sells, and not if it's a "good" Lego set. It's a giant expensive display piece based on a specific intellectual property.
It's not for most people but those who want it will probably love it. Lego continues to test where the ceiling is for expensive toys. We shall see how it goes.
Thanks for the review!
@djcbs said:
"How to tell the reviewers at Brickset are paid LAN shills: they'll delete any review critical to LEGO or this set.
Pathetic."
There’s plenty of criticism of the set in this thread. Your earlier comment was deleted because part of it was belligerent about culture-war topics in ways that were only marginally relevant to the set. It was deleted to keep the thread from turning into a culture war argument, instead of a discussion of the set. Don’t try to shift the blame onto the Brickset staff by calling them shills who deleted your previous comment because it criticized the set, when it’s perfectly clear that the problem with your comment was not the mere fact that you don’t like the set. The Brickset team have been doing a good job moderating this thread - thanks!
Great review and set, but it will be a pass from me. I cannot justify spending $800 AUD on this, especially now that I'm not as much of a Harry Potter fan as I once was. To me, this looks like a really expensive way to add to my dust collection which I'm desperately trying to get rid of.
Oh well, at least my wallet can sleep happy tonight.
One very subtle detail I'm impressed with (and the review does overlook from its subtlety) is the small reference in the stickers to the past Hogwarts sets. Stickers 17 through 20, which from what I can tell are used as small paintings/portraits within the compartments of the passenger carriage, are silhouettes of the 2001-2007 era Harry Potter sets that represented the castle itself (and a big piece of it). To list them:
-Sticker 17 is of 4709, the 2001 PS/SS castle
-Sticker 18 is of 4730, the 2002 Chamber of Secrets
-Sticker 19 is of 4757, the 2004 PoA castle
-Sticker 20 is of 5738, the 2007/OttP castle
Imagine buying a train for that much and its not even motorized. XD
Rotate it 90° and it goes from a $500 train to a $300 lighthouse.
…Have a good night yall. :D
This looks like a very inefficient set to me. Over 5000 pieces for a locomotive, a car and a small section of platform. Numbers suggests that it's huge, requiring a lot of shelf space for display, yet it doesn't really look that big in any of the closeups somehow. I was expecting more after learning the scale of it. But personally I don't like Harry Potter, I'm not a train person, and I don't collect minifigs, so it's an easy decision not to buy this. But it will be interesting to see if it sells well. And who will buy it? Harry Potter fans, or just train people?
The Lighthouse and This Train... from my point of view two beautiful sets and also two sets that have failed to deliver at the same time.
Lighthouse - because of the insane price
Train - because of the missing functionality..., a train that is not a train
It looks really good imho, but they should have made it eight studs wide, so that it would still fit with L-gauge and other trains.
I think I know why there are so many stickers: it makes it easier to correct stupid mistakes like making the King Cross (Charles or William would be if they saw this).
I find it interesting in the Lego fan world how the perception of cost has changed. A few years back if a set had a cost of less than 10p per piece this was deemed as a good value set. This set sits comfortably below that bar (in GBP at least) yet it is deemed as expensive. I wonder if this is a by-product of the constant alarm about the rise in prices not just with Lego but everything else while inflation dominates the news. Not a criticism but a casual observation.
The platform seems far too high up, far greater than the height of a mini-fig. If this was dropped, together with the track base reduced to just plates then all the pieces saved could be used to make the platform longer before any mini-fig falls (or is pushed) into oblivion.
I would have preferred the train to be in the same scale as others and be able to drive on the usual train tracks. What they should have done for this set was figuring out a method to motorize it first and give it more coaches or make a separate set for additional coaches second. The focus on correct scaling is misplaced since Legos train system made it impossible to size them satisfactorily, so it is better to work within the confines of what they have than to make a 500$ kit of something that will forever remain stationary. This isn't Star Wars where it is unreasonable to expect to be able to swoosh the correctly scaled Falcon, or give walkers moving legs without inhibiting their aesthetics. Something that drives with wheels is far easier and more reasonable to expect, especially at this price and with Bootleg companies like Mould King providing train sets that can drive on tracks and have big enough coaches with satisfactory detail on inside and outside.
@ambr said:
"The platform seems far too high up, far greater than the height of a mini-fig. If this was dropped, together with the track base reduced to just plates then all the pieces saved could be used to make the platform longer before any mini-fig falls (or is pushed) into oblivion."
The platform is indeed too high because of the base, maybe they should have build it on a black base just as high as the track. As for the track, from what I've seen in other reviews it is sturdy enough to lift the entire thing up.And it does present the entire thing nicely.
@Scottchay said:
"I find it interesting in the Lego fan world how the perception of cost has changed. A few years back if a set had a cost of less than 10p per piece this was deemed as a good value set. This set sits comfortably below that bar (in GBP at least) yet it is deemed as expensive. I wonder if this is a by-product of the constant alarm about the rise in prices not just with Lego but everything else while inflation dominates the news. Not a criticism but a casual observation."
As with some other sets, I don't think the ppp is the main issue here, but more how at least part of those pieces are used. When I look at this, I see (if I'm generous) a €300 train with €200 of additional stuff I personally don't care about. And while I don't mind at all, the fact that this can't run doesn't help either for many people. I think that's what makes this a pretty hard sell to anyone except for the biggest HP fans, the ones with very deep pockets at that.
I'm not the target audience for this set, but it is undeniably beautiful.
@legoDad42 said:
"Excellent thorough review.
For what it is, 5100+ pieces, beautifully designed throughout, printed elements, light-bricks, 20 minifigs, $500usd sounds about right for this.
"
But stickers over stickers in such a high class set?
@lordofdragonss:
I imagine the vast majority of people who buy this don’t even own any train track that didn’t come with a previous version of the same train. And depending on whether they got 4758 or 10132, they might not even have any motors.
@B_Space_Man:
So you’re saying if I stand the box on end, they’ll give me a 40% discount?
@RTS013:
Next time we’ll ask them to restrict the design to 2x4 bricks.
@Scottchay:
I’ve been seeing it for several years now. The one that really stood out was the barrage of “it’s too expensive” complaints for 75827, which basically had an automatic 25% discount at $0.076/pc, plus ten minifigs (all unique). But 20 years ago, soon after the launch of LEGO Star Wars, and the inception of the UCS sub-theme, people were complaining about the price of SW sets even though they were beating Town $0.09/pc to $0.11/pc. I’m now wondering if this was long-time AFOLs who conflated “there are tons of large sets” with “the sets are too expensive”, or if this originated more with people who were new to the hobby and were comparing price vs size against what Hasbro was releasing at the same time.
@WizardOfOss:
People are already branding this “overpriced”, and you want to add a black display base to the mix?!?!?!?
It looks really good but I kinda feel like the platform could have been omitted in favor of a lower price or a bigger train.
I’m picturing this, like the Titanic, on a mantle or large wall shelf and in my mind’s eye the platform just gets in the way.
I don’t hate the idea of the lighted train cars at all, but it’s the sort of feature that *begs* for synchronized, remote activation of the lights - having to press the lightbrick manually is cute, but as the review says feels ultimately frivolous.
I recognize the ideal scenario here is not feasible from a cost perspective on an already expensive product, but the half measure doesn’t work for me.
I would love to see a designer vid that explains the choice to (marginally) deviate from L scale track... and not put it clearly on the box. My thought would be: if you are going to deviate from L scale, make it blatantly obvious.
@PurpleDave said:
" @WizardOfOss :
People are already branding this “overpriced”, and you want to add a black display base to the mix?!?!?!?"
Not really, just replace the bottom few rows of the platform with black pieces to match the track base, so it doesn't look as high. Like it is now it does look out of scale for minifigs.
All minifigure scale trains sit best at 8 studs wide, give or take sideways building, overhanging the wheels and covering the track.
@WizardOfOss:
Whew! For a minute there, I thought you were trying to get someone murdered to death.
@PurpleDave said:
" @WizardOfOss:
Whew! For a minute there, I thought you were trying to get someone murdered to death."
https://i.imgur.com/jIlXudP.gif
Normally I would buy this set first day. Initially I thought I would buy this set, and I think me and my family would be right in the middle of the target audience for this set. I really like the sets this designer makes, but this set just does not make sense to me. I have a Lego crazy household, my wife is a Harry Potter Fan. Me and my children we collect and build Lego together. I buy these expensive Lego sets build them with the kids and let them play with it. They can even play with my old Lego from the 80s. We have a big setup with tables that houses a variety of themes including Friends, Disney Princess, modular buildings, Harry Potter, Castle, Pirates, and we have trains running around it. The children are extremely disappointed this cannot run on our track. My wife loves the look, but doesn't want it as a giant dust collector on a shelf. for me it just looks out of scale. I would think 1:40 to 1:45 is the sweet spot for Lego train scale both in respect to minifig size and Lego track gauge. 1:32 just doesn't make sense to me. It just looks too big to the minifigures and it is incompatible with any other Lego train system. It isn't even capable of moving on track. It is a toy train that cannot run on track. There even is no Lego track system compatible to it to run upon. Personally, I feel this should have been stopped somewhere in the design proses. I think the premise on which it is designed is fundamentally flawed. I also fear it will sell badly and wrong conclusions will be drawn from that bad sales figure, i.e. Lego trains aimed at adults have no market. I also don't like the cut off look of the platform. Why cut off an arch midway, it just makes no sense. It makes it appear crude and unfinished. I think 500,- is still a lot of money to spend on a toy for a lot of people. And, if you ask people to part with that amount of money, you need to offer some kind of value in return. For me that value is in the shared experience with my children and to see these trains move through our setup or to be a part of it. To have a train static on a shelf it has less value to me. In this set I just see design flaws and to be honest, I see it more as a parts and figure pack. I think I will just MOC my own version and make it 1:40 in scale.
I've said it elsewhere, and I'll say it again: I wanna see somebody reskin the Hogwarts Express loco into GWR-accurate dark green instead of Hogwarts Express red, if it's even possible. Heck, BR black with red trim might be interesting too.
Nice review. Difficult to justify this set based on space, lack of gold and printed (stickers and plain minifig legs) details, and not compatible with Lego train track. I'll probably pick it up at a big discount.
I do think this is a very nice set. However…
Is the pro “Peerless display value” only relative to LEGO Harry Potter sets? While the Hogwarts Express appears to have a lot of initial visual impact due to all the big red train, IMO 75978 : Diagon Alley (for example) looks to have the potential to be interesting for a lot longer because the buildings are so quirky, colorful, and packed with features and details.
If that’s not relative to only LEGO Harry Potter, then I think I just heard 76178 : Daily Bugle and 75290 : Mos Eisley Cantina say “Hold our butterbeers.” Yes, one is a big grey building and the other a big tan building; however they are each packed with features, details, and minifigs that make them display-worthy peers, at least.
I've seen the set in the plastic so to speak. It's definitely a collector item for a hardcore fan. It also takes up a lot of display space so be prepared to have a really long display section.
Thanks for the great, in depth, review.
Although overpriced I have to get this set. It looks absolutely fantastic. Parts depending, I might even add a second carriage and extend one side of the platform.
"While on the subject of colour, the Hogwarts Express is predominantly red. I think this colour choice works well, even though a slightly darker shade would be more authentic."
They undoubtedly chose red because of the apparent inability to mold dark red with any degree of consistency in the color. The same applies to reddish-brown, as can be seen in the area above the sliding compartment doors. Disappointing for a premium set that is clearly a display-only piece.
I don't understand why Lego would make a train that does not fit onto the standard tracks. Everyone would want to motorize this, but doesn't seem worth it because you can't ride it on anything. Except if you make more straight track and just have it go back and forth.
@racinrc14:
Or because LEGO red is a lot closer to the movie color than LEGO dark-red. Most toys of this train are primary red, and what few aren’t don’t look closer to dark-red. At present, matching the look of at least one of the theme park displays would be much easier with mismatched color, but they don’t have that much variance in regular red.
@CCC:
Weight on the motor just increases traction, for the most part. With only one coach, the main issue is going to be that tender. With three axles, the middle has to be flangeless wheels or it’ll lock up on curves for sure. The other two axles have a maximum distance before the flanges will start to bind on curves. With a much wider radius, a narrower version of this would probably run fine, but how many people are going to want to run this with only one coach?
@LegoMiniNZ said:
"I am, primarily, a collector of Lego minifigures and have all of the released HPs so far. This set adds another 20 to the pantheon. So, the question for me is - do I buy 76405 or source the minifigures separately? Having a life-long interest in steam locomotives I've decided to do both! Roll on 31st August 2022."
31/08/2022 - 76405 ordered & paid for. And so it begins...
For the size of this thing the detail is incredibly underwhelming.
I totally disagree with the review. It's an upsized 6-wide train with barely any more detail. The carriage has some decent interior but the engine is a big disappointment.
Saw this set in person tonight in my local Lego store.
Now I see why so many people were saying it should be dark red. The Bright red and Yellow trims make it look so much like a toy train (I know its Lego) but the colours just seem off. All I could think was MacDonald's. I feel like as a "collectors edition" using dark red and gold would have made this set look so much more premium and special.
This is just another example of how Lego light their models/post edit the photos for the marketing shots/box art to make the colours work to their favour.
Also surprised they made no efforts to hide/disguise the light brick buttons on top the carriage.
This review changed my mind. I think this is a great train model!
Those Hogwarts castle tiles are a wonderful addition, as they feature the silhouttes of the corresponding original set version from each film fitting with each film the scene takes places. As a proud owner of the first two, I'm happy to see those sets receive some love!
Oh, and the fact that this uses the rails from the very first train rail system from the 60s is beyond amazing! Look how far we've come since blue rails!
It's disappointing that some details are missing however. The stripes on the doors, the flutes... why are they not there?
A set of it's size I'll never be able to afford, but at least this one's memorable.
Great from afar but far from great.
They should have just gone for the train with a nice selection of minifigs and not doubles or different time periods. And perhaps apply a Reducto-spell on the price.
This set also shows the idiocy of the 18+ label or whatever they want to call it.
They advertise the set on social media with a kid building it together with his mother...
To any LEGO designers, design leads, or managers who see this comment - a $500 set with this many stickers is a deal-breaker. It’s beautiful. The price-per-piece is right. But this many stickers will prevent me from buying.
One other factor to consider: these 18+ sets are by definition marketed to adults. Some older fans may have diminished vision or fine motor skills, making sticker placement significantly harder.
I understand that some stickers may be unavoidable due to the level of detail. But for any set over $100, the determining factor between sticker or printed details should be the quality of the finished product, not the additional price or mold prep time required for printed parts. At over $100, the purchaser is already expecting a premium experience.
If LEGO would consider an updated version of this set with all or most parts printed instead of stickers, then I would consider buying. I’m a huge fan of both the LEGO Harry Potter and Trains themes, as seen in my collection, so I’m squarely in their target market.