LEGO Harry Potter designer explains changes to new Hogwarts Express

A new version of the Hogwarts Express was revealed this week and a LEGO Harry Potter designer has explained its revised look.

Five new LEGO Harry Potter sets for summer 2023 were added to the official online store this week, with the Wizarding World builds all due to launch on June 1, 2023. On that date fans of the magical theme can expect to pick up 76414 Expect Patronum, 76415 The Battle of Hogwarts, 76416 Quidditch Trunk, 76421 Dobby the House Elf and 76423 Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station.

The latter is the latest in a long line of LEGO Harry Potter builds based around the distinctive red engine, with the most recent having been last year’s 76405 Hogwarts Express – Collectors’ Edition. As new versions of the locomotive are released, the team behind the theme makes various adjustments and updates, constantly refining the train’s appearance.

The same holds true for 76423 Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station, with LEGO Harry Potter designer George Gilliatt taking to social media to explain some of the decision-making behind the look of the upcoming model.

“These carriages fresh out of the paint shop would have light grey roofs and would get blacker through time due to the soot in the smoke” says Gilliatt on his Twitter account. “Because the scene this (model) depicts is relatively bright, we chose to use light grey (pieces).”

That would make certainly make sense for the engine and carriages included in 76423 Hogwarts Express & Hogsmeade Station, offering as they do a subtle contrast to the black roof pieces that have traditionally been used on older versions of the brick-built locomotive.

Every LEGO Harry Potter set confirmed
and rumoured for summer 2023

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